Veritas VC Advocates ‘Meta-Theory’ in African Development
The Vice-Chancellor of Veritas University, Abuja, Prof. Hyacinth Ichoku, says there is need for a unified meta-theory to drive African development and address its diversity.
A meta theory is a framework or set of rules that defines the context within which theoretical concepts are constructed in a specific scientific domain.
Ichoku, while speaking at the Stakeholders’ Validation of the ‘African Meta-Theory Project’ on Thursday in Abuja, said the initiative’s aim was to integrate various development perspectives into a cohesive framework.
The workshop, organised by Veritas University Abuja, has the theme, “Neo PAN-Africanism: A Meta-Theory of African Development and Change.” According to Ichoku, the African Meta-Theory Project is a vital step towards creating a more accurate, inclusive and effective framework or African development.
“By embracing our cultural heritage and addressing the unique challenges faced by the continent, we can pave the way for a brighter future. Our goal is to harmonise the fragmented theories that have emerged over the years, such as conscientism and Afrocentrism, into a singular, unifying meta-theory.’’
Ichoku criticised the current reliance on imported models and technologies that did not align with African cultures or developmental needs. He argued that effective development must be rooted in local contexts, advocating for solutions that resonate with African values and realities.
The academic also highlighted the challenges of regional integration, citing personal experiences of bureaucratic hurdles and travel difficulties across African nations. The lack of seamless integration between African countries impedes our development.
“We need to improve intra-African trade and mobility to foster genuine economic growth. The meta-theory project, currently in the dissemination phase, aims to publish findings that will be accessible across African institutions.’’
Ichoku stressed the importance of aligning development efforts with cultural and practical realities to achieve sustainable progress. The essence of this initiative is to ensure that our development theories and practices are not only innovative but also deeply rooted in our cultural heritage.
“This is crucial for the genuine advancement of our continent. So, this workshop represents a pivotal moment to consolidate our ideas on African development,” he said.
Mrs Mary Oludoun, Assistant Director, Federal Ministry of Education, said it was a good thing that the workshop would reawaken intellectual debates and dialogue to drive sustainable development across the African continent.
“Let us draw inspiration from the resilience and ingenuity of our people, harnessing our diverse resources and talents to build a brighter future for all Africans.
“Together, we can overcome the vestiges of colonialism and neo-colonialism, forging a path towards a more equitable and just society,” she said.
On his part, Mr Tosin Olushola, a lecturer at Veritas University, while giving an overview of the ‘African Meta-Theory Project’, outlined critical findings that highlighted the need for significant reform in African development strategies.
Olushola said that Africa’s current development models were flawed and required urgent restructuring, criticising the existing political and structural frameworks in Africa. He argued that they were ineffective and fail to support meaningful development.
“The state and political systems currently in place are defective and do not adequately serve Africa’s interests.” He emphasised on the necessity of integrating and re-evaluating democracy to better align with African realities.
According to him, the project’s key findings include the push for a more cohesive African integration—economic, political and cultural. Olushola said that existing efforts, such as the African Continental Free Trade Area, were hindered by bureaucratic and infrastructural challenges.
“Operationalising integration frameworks is almost impossible under current conditions,” he said.
Olushola said there was need to acknowledge and incorporate women’s contributions into the broader development discourse, arguing that gender equality must be rooted in African cultural contexts rather than imposed externally.
He, however, added that without the cultural alignment, development efforts would remain superficial and disconnected from the continent’s needs.
“For development to be truly effective, it must be grounded in African values and context,” he said. Jumia Reduces Loss by 1% to $62.669m in First Half
