Former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has said that Africa’s economic growth will remain hollow unless it is anchored on social justice that prioritises the welfare of its citizens.
Speaking during his keynote address titled “Social Justice as an Imperative to Development” at the 65th anniversary celebration of the Ford Foundation in Abuja, Osinbajo argued that Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth figures alone do not translate to genuine progress if citizens remain poor and excluded.
“Africa is currently the fastest-growing continent in GDP growth and has been so for a while. Yet it remains the continent with the lowest overall quality of life based on global indices measuring health, education, infrastructure, and economic stability.
“In other words, GDP growth does not mean development for the majority. It does not necessarily translate to jobs or a decent life for citizens. For many, the promise of a better life that a liberal democracy offers is simply not there,” he said.
Osinbajo stressed that development must be rooted in fairness and equality.
“We shouldn’t talk about development unless it is somehow tied to the well-being and welfare of the majority of our people,” he added.
He said social justice meant “fair access to opportunities, protection of rights and resources necessary to live a dignified and productive life,” adding that financial inclusion and anti-corruption reforms were equally vital.
“Good governance is a critical social justice issue as well. Corruption, both public and private, lies at the heart of good governance,” he said. “
A report by PricewaterhouseCoopers estimates that if corruption is not addressed, it could cost our country, Nigeria, 37 per cent of its GDP by 2030. So, corruption is not just a public sector problem — it is a development problem.”
Also speaking at the event, Vice President Kashim Shettima, represented by the Director-General of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), Zahra Audu, described social justice as “a moral and economic imperative.”
He said the Tinubu administration’s vision was to “create an economy that works for all, anchored on inclusion, equity, and empowerment.”
