African Leaders Urged to Resist Foreign Dictatorship at Murtala Muhammed 50th Anniversary Workshop

 In a powerful call to action, African leaders were reminded of their imperative to uphold sovereign autonomy at a policy workshop commemorating the 50th anniversary of General Murtala Muhammed’s assassination. The event, titled “Has Africa Come of Age? Murtala Muhammed’s Pan-African Vision 50 Years After,” took place at the Nigeria Institute of International Affairs and was co-hosted by the Murtala Muhammed Foundation and the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA).

In his opening remarks, Dr. Eghosa Osaghae, Director-General of the NIIA, emphasized that Africa must reclaim its assertiveness on the global stage. “Africa is no longer an appendage of world powers,” he stated confidently, highlighting the continent’s emergent role in a multipolar world. He reflected on General Muhammed’s historical message from January 11, 1976, asserting that Africa must tackle its challenges with local solutions rather than depending on foreign aid.

Osaghae articulated the essence of Muhammed’s declaration that “Africa has come of age,” reiterating the need for strategic autonomy. “We are no longer copycats,” he asserted. “Africa has become its own voice, its own master.”

Dr. Aisha Muhammed-Oyebode, CEO of the Murtala Muhammed Foundation, praised her father’s commitment to Pan-Africanism and his enduring impact on Nigeria’s status in the world. She posited that her father’s assertion that “Africa has come of age” serves as an ongoing rallying cry, promoting unity and independence for the continent.

The keynote address was delivered by Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, a Political Science professor and former Nigerian Minister of External Affairs. He lauded General Muhammed for instilling pride in Nigeria and underscored the workshop’s theme as a critical moment for honest self-assessment. “Coming of age demands that we critically examine our political maturity, economic resilience, institutional strength, and cultural confidence,” he stated.

A panel discussion further explored the challenges facing the continent. Dr. Joshua Bolarinwa, Deputy Researcher at the NIIA, lamented the ongoing leadership deficits that hinder Africa’s self-reliance, while Prof. Hassan Saliu, President of the Nigerian Political Science Association, echoed concerns over unfulfilled promises related to sovereignty and unity.

The workshop resonated with a collective resolve among participants to foster a new generation of leaders committed to Africa’s destiny. The legacy of Murtala Muhammed continues to inspire a vision of independence, courage, and strategic growth for the African continent, as it strives to assert itself in a complex global landscape.