AFRICAN SCHOLAR SAYS WESTERN SOLUTIONS CAN’T ADDRESS CONTINENT’S UNIQUE CHALLENGES
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A renowned academic, Professor Adebayo Olukoshi of the University of the Witwatersrand’s School of Governance, has cautioned African leaders and policymakers against relying solely on Western models to solve the continent’s social, political, and economic problems.
Speaking at the opening of the 2nd Annual Ibadan International Social Science Conference in Ibadan, Professor Olukoshi said many of Africa’s challenges require home-grown solutions that reflect the continent’s culture, history, and realities.
He argued that Western theories and frameworks often fail when applied in Africa because they overlook the continent’s diverse local contexts and institutional peculiarities.
“For us in Africa, it is time to train people who will think in ways that provide real solutions to our challenges. Our curriculum and reward system must be redesigned to reflect African priorities,” he said.
The professor attributed Africa’s slow development to leadership failures, lack of vision, and overdependence on imported models, which, he said, perpetuate a cycle of dependency and underperformance.
Olukoshi stressed the need for universities and research institutions to promote African-based curricula that encourage innovation and critical thinking rooted in indigenous knowledge systems.
He added that while international partnerships remain valuable, African nations must take ownership of their developmental agendas rather than relying on externally imposed ideas.
The conference, which brought together scholars, researchers, and policymakers, focused on how the social sciences can better influence public policy and development across the continent.
Professor Olukoshi’s remarks align with a growing movement advocating “African solutions to African problems” — a call for self-reliance, cultural relevance, and sustainability in addressing the continent’s most pressing issues.
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