Former First Lady of Namibia and founder of the One Economy Foundation, Madame Monica Hage Geingos, has challenged African universities to take the lead in transforming the continent’s growing population into a globally competitive workforce through quality education, innovation and ethical leadership.
Strategic Visit to FUNAAB
Speaking during a strategic courtesy visit to the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Geingos said Africa’s projected population growth presents a unique opportunity that can only be maximised through deliberate investments in human capital development.
She noted that with one in every four people globally expected to be African by 2050, the continent must prioritise equipping its youth with the knowledge, skills and values needed to thrive in an increasingly competitive global economy.
“The challenge before Africa is not merely population growth, but preparing that population with the knowledge, competencies and values required to compete and lead in a rapidly evolving global economy,” she stated.
Bridging the Skills Gap
Geingos identified the widening gap between industry expectations and graduate competencies as a major challenge confronting African economies. She urged universities to strengthen partnerships with governments, businesses and development organisations to produce graduates with both technical expertise and leadership capacity.
Drawing lessons from initiatives under the Leadership Lab and the Dr. Hage G. Geingob Presidential Centre, she stressed the importance of ethical leadership in addressing governance challenges across the continent. “Africa’s future depends on leaders who embody integrity, accountability and public service,” she said.
Tribute to a Pan-African Leader
Geingos also paid tribute to her late husband, Hage Geingob, describing him as a visionary Pan-African leader whose commitment to education, transparency and national development continues to inspire emerging leaders across Africa. As part of efforts to preserve his intellectual legacy, she pledged to donate a copy of the late president’s doctoral thesis on state formation to FUNAAB.
She further highlighted the longstanding ties between Nigeria and Namibia, acknowledging Nigeria’s role in Namibia’s liberation struggle and praising Adebayo Adedeji as one of Geingob’s mentors and a champion of African integration.
FUNAAB’s Role in Shaping African Higher Education
Welcoming the delegation, the Vice-Chancellor of FUNAAB, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, described the visit as a reflection of the university’s growing influence in shaping discussions on higher education, innovation and sustainable development across Africa.
He said the institution had remained at the forefront of research, innovation and agricultural education for nearly four decades, while continuing to strengthen industry partnerships, mentorship programmes and international collaborations aimed at producing graduates with practical and entrepreneurial skills.
Prof. Kehinde added that the engagement provided a valuable platform for discussions on workforce development, youth empowerment, governance and ethical leadership, while reinforcing the institution’s role as a hub for strategic partnerships and knowledge-driven solutions to Africa’s development challenges.
Delegation and Partnerships
The Namibian delegation included former Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Nike Akande; Namibia’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Wald Ndevashiya; Chairperson of the Dr. Hage G. Geingob Presidential Library, Peter Katjavivi; and Managing Director of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Vitalis Ortese, alongside officials of the One Economy Foundation and Leadership Lab.
The visit marked another milestone in FUNAAB’s expanding network of international partnerships aimed at advancing sustainable development, food security, entrepreneurship and youth empowerment across Africa.
