Lokoja: Dr Zakariya Zakari, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MNI Analysis Partners, has urged African governments to embrace local skills and indigenous knowledge for sustainable development. He made the call on Tuesday at the 2nd International Conference of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Federal University Lokoja (FUL), holding from Aug. 30 to Sept. 2.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the conference is themed ‘African Indigenous Knowledge Systems: Decolonial Praxis for Sustainable Development’. Zakari, who delivered the lead paper, emphasized that decades of reliance on imported knowledge had left Africa behind. He called for an ‘indigenous revolution’ built on local skills and knowledge systems. Zakari critiqued the impact of colonialism in disconnecting Africans from their culture, traditions, and problem-solving systems, particularly in health, education, agriculture, and environmental management.
He urged universities to lead this shift by reorienting young Africans to ‘think like Africans and dress like Africans,’ while pressuring governments to formulate policies rooted in indigenous values. “Africa does not lack solutions. What we lack is the political will to trust our own knowledge,” Zakari stated.
The Keynote Speaker, Prof. Olushola Omotola from Federal University Oye-Ekiti, supported this call, arguing that indigenous knowledge should not be marginalized. He asserted that it must serve as ‘living infrastructure for food security, health, justice, resilience, and equity.’ Prof. Omotola challenged scholars to address structural barriers in academia, pointing out that many African researchers are often rejected by international journals for not aligning with dominant ideological beliefs.
Prof. Matthew Ajayi, acting Vice-Chancellor and Provost of Postgraduate Studies, declared the conference open on behalf of FUL Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Gbenga Ibileye, noting the theme’s relevance and timeliness. He highlighted FUL’s position as ‘our first green university where innovation is happening rapidly’ and pledged ongoing support for research to elevate the university’s global standing.
The Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, Prof. Gbenga Niyi-Omofa, described the conference as a significant step in strengthening the faculty as a center of intellectual excellence and global engagement. Prof. Salisu Usman, Chairman of the occasion and Vice-Chancellor of Prince Abubakar Audu University (PAAU), represented by Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academics, Prof. Ige Abiodun, stressed that Africa must assert its own development path.
Mr. Farouq Yahaya, the Special Guest of Honour and Kogi Commissioner for Water Resources, representing Gov. Ahmed Ododo, assured participants of security and emphasized the role of social sciences in shaping character and national destiny. Over 100 presenters from across Nigeria and beyond attended the conference, with discussions resolving to document, improve, and institutionalize traditional indigenous knowledge.
The participants committed to advancing research and policies focusing on African indigenous knowledge as practical pathways to sustainable development. The conference underscored a renewed call for policymakers to innovate with local skills and invest in homegrown solutions.