Nigeria and South Africa: Advocating for African Unity – Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu stated on Tuesday that Nigeria and South Africa cannot afford to fail the African continent, asking for a strong cooperation between the two countries.
He made the call in Cape Town at the start of the 11th session of the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC), which included his South African counterpart, Cyril Ramaphosa.

“The continent looks up to us; we cannot afford to fail it,” the President said in a statement read by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga.

Tinubu, who co-chaired the presidential BNC with Ramaphosa, emphasized the significance of cooperation between the continent’s two largest economies and its ability to change global perceptions of the continent.

He also urged South Africa to champion Africa’s interests during its current G20 presidency, reiterating Nigeria’s aspiration to join the bloc alongside South Africa and the African Union.

“We need to leverage the potentials of this partnership to strengthen economic, political, business-to-business, as well as people-to-people relationships between the two countries, bearing in mind the tremendous benefits it promises.

“Our successes will change the negative narratives of seeing Africa as a country perpetually mired in poverty and conflict and with their leaders unable to offer the kind of transformational leadership the continent deserves.

“As the adage goes, ‘the glory of the eagle does not please the kite,’ let us remain mindful of the overt and covert hostilities that the success of our partnership will attract.

“If we are vigilant, committed and persistent, we will surely soar like the eagles over the reach of predators. So, we must remain strongly united on purpose,” he stated.

Regarding the achievements under the BNC framework, established 25 years ago, President Tinubu noted that despite many setbacks, over 30 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and agreements are in operation.

He, however, stressed the need for actionable implementation of agreements.

“Let us not count our successes by the number of MoUs and agreements signed.  They will be mere papers until we implement them in spirit and letters. This is the job of our senior officials, and I must implore them to redouble their efforts in this regard,” he said

Recognizing the continent’s youth as its most significant resource, President Tinubu urged for stronger cooperation to maximize the potential of young people in both countries.