Educating young futurists in the Giant of Africa: implications on Nigeria’s digital economy in the age of Afrofuturist globalization

• In Event: The Future of Education in Afrika

Proposal

Introduction

Across the world and within the African diaspora, artists and policy analysts are adopting Afrofuturism–leveraging literature, technology, and art to reimagine history, rebuild hope for the future, and forge agency for Black peoples (National Museum of African American History and Culture, 2024). However, this attempt to re-invent possibilities could also be re-inventing the worst parts of globalization: racial capitalism (Clarke & Thomas, 2012), a system of economic inequality that is facilitated by deeply embedded social hierarchies. Namely, this phenomenon reemphasizes a chronic and global “digital divide”–Africa’s access to the digital economy. Even more specifically, this disparity in the global digital economy (World Economic Forum, n.d.) re-emphasizes the need for youth education and economic opportunity. Nigeria is the primary focus, along with its partner ECOWAS states.

In this paper, I primarily examine the role of higher education in bolstering Nigeria’s digital economy and creating opportunities for Nigerian youth. Additional consideration is given to international trade agreements and energy infrastructure to support the education of Nigerian futurists for the global and digital labor market. Implications from this paper can be used to develop a systematically-informed legal and social policy framework for edtech, digital economy, and diasporic influence on Nigeria and the African continent.

Argument, Theoretical Framework, and Methodology

This paper draws on historical accounts, scholarly literature, policy documents, and original qualitative data to evaluate the development of Nigerian youth within a burgeoning digital economy from a critical race (Capers, 2019) and ecological systems (Ifon, 2023) theoretical orientation. While western academics adopt the Afrofuturist label, African studies make only 2 percent of academic journal contributions (Tarkang & Bain, 2019). This disparity can largely be explained by the historical undervaluing of African universities and scholarship. This is reinforced by current economic fragility, inadequate institutional resources, and pro-Western prejudice against African universities (Nyamnjoh, 2012). As the majority of African migration happens within the continent (Statista, 2023), suggested approaches will be intracontinental. As a result, in this paper, I argue that it is essential to invest in or reinforce higher education institutions within Africa as a way to meet the digital divide and create digital careers.

Further, while this paper focuses on the importance of higher education to meet and close the digital divide, I also undertake the essential task of reworking renewable energy and international trade agreements as tools to stimulate investment in education and larger digital infrastructure.
Social Relevance

Africa is the youngest continent with over 70% of its population under 30 years old (United Nations, n.d.). Thus, special attention should be paid to preparing youth to be competitive in the global economy. Nigeria has the largest population in Africa (Britannica, 2024), making youth an especially large asset. Furthermore, the majority of support for cultural and creative industries is in West Africa. Specifically, Nigeria is world renown for its creative outputs, wielding the largest film industry in Africa (Edeh et al., 2023), cosmopolitan success in music (Serres, 2023), and top utilization of artificial intelligence in Africa (Gadzala, 2018). Reinforcing this creativity with digital infrastructure will make Nigeria more competitive in the global market.

Contemporary patterns in digital globalization align with the Afrofuturist socio-political movement (Eseonu & Okoye, 2023). For example, digitally delivered services and transactions are the fastest growing in the international trade market (International Monetary Fund, 2023). Meanwhile, Afrofuturism leverages creativity and digital technology to undermine conditions created by systemic racism and envision an alternate existence of liberation (Brooks, 2028). This makes Afrofuturism not only politically relevant but economically timely.

Increasingly, Afrofuturism is a powerful and compelling vision that is beginning to guide policy makers and thinkers around the world. Though Afrofuturism exposes disparities in accessibility for Africa, the continent is full of creative and technological talent. The future of Africa’s participation in digital and futuristic innovation is promising, and it is connected to stronger economies, energy innovation, and reformed education. Ultimately, this paper provides a novel foundation for further research and policy contributions to these realms.

Author

• Mayowa Fageyinbo, University of Pennsylvania