Former Nigerian Vice President Yemi Osinbajo told African governments on Thursday, October 22, 2026, that investing in citizens’ welfare should be viewed as an economic priority. Speaking at the third Good Governance Africa Annual Lecture at the Labadi Beach Hotel in Accra, he stressed that improving people’s capabilities and expanding opportunities are essential to sustainable development.
Osinbajo said, “Investing in people’s well‑being, in people’s capabilities and opportunities, is more than social expenditure. It’s actually an economic investment.” He called for development policies that place ordinary citizens at the centre of economic decision‑making and for public resources to be directed toward improving livelihoods and expanding opportunities.
He also urged justice systems to provide fair, timely and affordable remedies, arguing that public confidence in institutions depends on their ability to address people’s grievances. “Africa’s justice systems must be judged by whether ordinary citizens can obtain fair, timely and affordable remedies,” he said.
Good Governance Africa Founder and Global Chairman Robert Rose welcomed the proposed International Anti‑Corruption Court, which would complement national justice systems in pursuing cross‑border corruption cases. Rose noted that money is highly mobile and national institutions often lack the capacity or willingness to act. The court is expected to be operational by 2028.
Osinbajo’s remarks come amid growing calls across the continent for governance reforms that prioritise people’s welfare as a driver of economic growth. The lecture’s theme, “Democracy Under Pressure: Rebuilding Trust, Accountability and Institutional Integrity in Africa’s New Political Era,” framed the call for a people‑centred approach to development.
