By Nkiruka Nnorom

The legacy of General Murtala Muhammad, former Head of State of Nigeria, has continued to inspire a new generation of Africans to strive for unity and self-determination. 

This was the position of experts who spoke at the Strategic Policy Dialogue convened by the Nigerian Institute of International Affair, NIIA, in conjunction with Murtala Muhammed Foundation with the theme: “Has Africa Come of Age? Murtala Muhammed’s Pan-African Vision 50 Years After,” in Lagos.

Speakers, who include the Director General of the NIIA, Prof. Eghosa Osaghae; Dr. Aisa Muhammed-Oyebode (daughter of the late General); Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, Chairman, Governing Council of the NIIA; Prof. Hassan Saliu, President of Nigerian Political Science Association of Nigeria (NPSA), Prof. Bukola Adesina of University of Ibadan, Prof. Charles Ukeje and Prof. Alade Fawole, both from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife and Dr. Joshua Bolarinwa, Director of Research, NIIA, noted that 50 years after his assassination, General Muhammad’s vision for a strong, united, and self-reliant Africa remained as relevant today as it was during his time in office.

The dialogue was part of the 50th anniversary commemoration of General Murtala Muhammed’s assassination and aimed to reflect on his fearless advocacy for African liberation and his stand on African collective diplomacy. 

Speaking, Prof. Osaghae emphasised the importance of strategic autonomy and self-determination for Africa, citing General Muhammad’s 1975 speech at the Organisation of African Unity, OAU, where he declared that Africa had come of age. 

He said: “To say Africa has come of age is actually to put on the stamp the meaning of strategic autonomy and to say that Africa has become its own voice, its own master.

“Africa has now insisted that it must only follow tracks and tractions that are determined by Africa for Africans. And so, today, it resonates very well when we say African solutions to African problems.

“Africa has come to define itself. And it’s not for nothing that the latest plan of action talked about self-reliance and Africa as self-determined. And so today, we are celebrating the legacy of General Muhammad, who gave to Africa a new identity, a new traction, a new pathway, and set aside for us this trajectory that we should now be asking the question, have we deviated from that? If we have, then we have not come of our own age.”

In her address, Aisha Muhammed-Oyebode, reflected on her father’s legacy, saying that he articulated and pursued an assertive foreign policy that gave Nigeria a respected voice in international relations.

She emphasised the importance of preserving her father’s legacy and advancing his values of leadership, justice, and service and noted that his declaration that “Africa has come of age” remained a rallying cry for African unity and independence in international affairs.