Jonathan, Former Botswana President Masisi Headline Agagu 13th Memorial Lecture in Lagos

President Goodluck Jonathan and his Bostwana Counterpart Mokgweetsi Masisi have called on Africa leaders to retain more value from its vast natural resources.

The duo spoke on Monday September 14, 2026 at the 13th Olusegun Agagu Memorial Lecture in Lagos.

The event, held at The Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos was themed: “Africa’s Resources, Africa’s Prosperity: Capturing More of the Value We Create.”

Jonathan who chaired the event spoke on the need to transform Africa’s natural wealth into shared prosperity,

The Former President said Africa’s abundant natural resources had failed to translate into corresponding prosperity because much of the value addition associated with the resources took place outside the continent.

Using the cocoa industry as an example, the former President noted that West Africa accounted for about 30 per cent of global cocoa bean production, while most high-value activities, including processing and chocolate manufacturing, were carried out outside the continent.

He cited an illustration attributed to the Ghana Cocoa Board, saying one kilogramme of cocoa beans could be worth about $5, while the value could rise to between $12 and $18 after processing into chocolate and other finished products.

While eulogising late Olusegun Agagu ,he commended the children, Board of the foundation for keeping his name alive.

Masisi delivered the keynote address titled, “Africa’s Resources, Africa’s Prosperity: Capturing More of the Value We Create.”

According to him, Africa had a massive share of global natural wealth, including about 30 per cent of the world’s mineral reserves, significant quantities of critical minerals needed for the green energy transition, about 40 per cent of global gold and up to 90 per cent of chromium and platinum.

He also noted that Africa possessed significant oil and natural gas resources, an estimated 65 per cent of the world’s uncultivated arable land and a large proportion of the world’s youngest population.

The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Energy, who was Guest Speaker, also spoke on the administration’s energy reforms and efforts to improve resource utilisation for national development.

Goodwill messages were delivered by Dr. Tunji Adeleke, Chairman of the Olusegun Agagu Foundation, and former Senator Ben Murray-Bruce.

The children of the late Agagu gave a brief presentation on the journey of the Foundation and its achievements in the last decade, highlighting interventions in education, health and community development.