Former foreign minister urges Nigeria and India to drive Global South transformation.
Former Nigerian Foreign Minister Geoffrey Onyeama, during a lecture in Gujarat, India, urged Nigeria and India to step up as intellectual leaders of the Global South. Highlighting trade, democracy, cultural exchange and innovation, he said both nations must transition from resource-based economies to knowledge‑driven development.
Drawing from his WIPO experience, Onyeama emphasised the importance of intellectual property, research investment, and collaborations in tech and education. “We must not follow—we must lead,” he declared to public university audiences.
His call resonated with policymakers in Abuja, who see potential in bilateral ties for industrial and technologic advancement. Critics wonder whether rhetoric will translate into strategy, but civil society groups see the message as timely and bold.
If pursued through trade pacts, university exchanges, and joint innovation hubs, the initiative could elevate Nigeria’s international standing—catalysing local startups and boosting South-South cooperation.
I'm Adedayo Obadina
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