Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has called for greater transparency and fairness in Africa’s partnerships with global powers, especially between Nigeria and China, emphasising that such relationships should be designed to promote mutual benefits and shared prosperity.

Makinde made the call during the opening of the second Ibadan Forum, jointly organised by the University of Ibadan’s Department of History and Zhejiang Normal University, China. The event, themed “Convergence or Divergence? Africa’s Development in Global Partnerships and a Shared Future”, brought together scholars and policymakers to explore the complex dynamics shaping Africa’s position in the global order.

Scholars, policymakers, and thought leaders from far and wide, including the Personal Assistant to Governor Seyi Makinde, Alhaji Azeez Akeem, Professor Olutayo Adesina, the Acting Head of Department of History, Dr. Monsuru Muritala, and others, graced the occasion which was held at Ibadan Business School, Bodija, Ibadan.

The Ibadan Forum 2025 is a Nigeria-China academic dialogue, while the UI-Zhejiang partnership, which began in 2018, has led to student exchanges, research collaborations, and a diversification of cultural dialogue.

In his keynote address, Governor Makinde, who was represented by Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal, urged African leaders and policymakers to critically assess the terms of international agreements and ensure that development partnerships reflect the continent’s interests.

“We must not run opaque partnerships. They must be open to all stakeholders. That is how we promote convergence, not divergence,” Makinde said.

The governor emphasised the need for equal partnerships, noting that deals signed between China and African nations should reflect fairness and support long-term development across the continent.

He said, “Partnerships must resonate with African leaders. The presence of the Chinese government in Africa must be a convergence, not a divergence. Let’s ensure these engagements are truly beneficial to Nigerians.”

He acknowledged China’s remarkable economic progress and spirit of enterprise, describing the country as one with a “can-do mindset” that has translated into global industrial dominance.

Makinde, however, warned that African countries, particularly Nigeria, must be selective in consumption and strategic in their engagement with China and other global players.

“We must be mindful of how we draw up agreements. They must be simplified and understandable to the average person. Development should not be shrouded in complexity; it should be accessible and inclusive,” he said.

In his goodwill message, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Kayode Adebowale, emphasised the need for Africa to take active ownership of its development trajectory, warning that the continent must not remain a passive recipient in global partnerships, but a strategic architect of its own future.

Adebowale described the partnership between UI and its Chinese counterpart as more than an academic alliance, calling it “a meeting of minds across continents” at a critical time in Africa’s history.

“This collaboration between our Department of History, the powerhouse of intellectual tradition in Africa, and Zhejiang Normal University, a central actor in today’s global order, is not just an academic exercise. It is a necessary guide for understanding the forces shaping our collective future,” he said.

Adebowale called the concept of a “shared destiny” between Africa and its global partners, especially China, a powerful one, but cautioned that such partnerships must be rigorously interrogated, not romanticised.

Calling the university “the standard of African thinking,” Adebowale urged scholars to critically examine dominant narratives and engage in what he called “intellectual innovation” that promotes African agency.

He added that the Ibadan Forum represents a “microcosm of shared values,” creating a space for multi-perspective understanding between Nigerian and Chinese historians and academics.

While welcoming Nigerian and Chinese scholars to the programme, the Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Professor Rasheed Oyewole Olaniyi, called for deeper collaboration between both countries in shaping a more equitable global order.

Olaniyi described the gathering as more than an academic meeting; it is, in his words, “a meeting of histories, visions, and futures.”

Drawing attention to the global relevance of both nations, Olaniyi noted that China, as a rising superpower, and Nigeria, as Africa’s most populous country, must see their partnership as a mutual necessity rather than a strategic choice.

“China needs Nigeria, just as Nigeria needs China. China’s aspirations to consolidate global influence will find a true partner in Nigeria’s dynamism, youthful population, and strategic position in Africa,” he said.

Professor Olaniyi highlighted the growing role of China in Nigeria’s economic landscape, particularly in the area of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).

The professor stressed the importance of academic partnerships as a foundation for long-term cooperation, describing universities as “bridges that connect ideas, histories, and possibilities.”

He lauded the Department of History, University of Ibadan, for consistently advancing dialogues that link Africa’s past to global challenges. He also referenced his role as host of the inaugural Ibadan Forum in 2023 while serving as Head of Department.

Olaniyi called for expanding the scope of engagement beyond scholarly exchanges to include culture, technology, language, and people-to-people diplomacy.

In her remarks, the Deputy Director of the Institute of African Studies at Zhejiang Normal University, Professor Xu Wei, reiterated China’s commitment to deepening strategic academic and developmental partnerships with Africa, describing the collaboration as essential to building a shared and sustainable future.

Reflecting on his second visit to the University of Ibadan in two years, Professor Xu described the forum as “a bridge of knowledge and trust,” aimed at fostering mutual understanding and joint action between the two global regions.

She acknowledged the historic role of the University of Ibadan in shaping African scholarship, especially through the famed Ibadan School of History. She expressed appreciation to the university’s Department of History for co-hosting the event, and extended special thanks to Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, as well as other dignitaries and participants.

Xu called for a tripartite collaboration between universities, industries, and local communities to create practical training platforms, mentorship programmes, and industry-relevant curricula, particularly in digital technology, governance, and educational innovation.

She advocated the development of African-led Chinese Studies, complementing China’s African Studies. This would include joint textbook development, shared databases, oral history projects, and policy-focused research collaborations.