Afrilition: Rethinking Leadership for the Future

In the early 2000s, while I was writing my book Omoluwabi 2.0, I started to create a plan for Ibadan. I believed, and still do, that partisan politics was not the way to be a productive ancestor. During my planning for Ibadan, I spoke with many clubs of Ibadan indigenes and residents. I learned a lot from these conversations. One thing that stuck with me was when someone said, "aiye pepeye la wa," meaning "we are in the Age of the Duck."

The duck often lets its ducklings go ahead while it follows from behind. The duck protects its young with a good understanding of its environment, not just by using its authority. It’s time for us to question the high respect often given to elders in Africa. Is this respect deserved? We need to think about whether the elder is wise and capable or just respected because of their age.

Afrilition shows us a path to the future. We live in an aging world but have a young population. About 40 percent of the world's youth will be from Africa. If we include the diaspora, this number could rise to 50 percent. We need to change how we think about this young generation. If we do not, they might become a destructive force. We should not raise them on the 'winner takes all' mindset. Instead, they should learn values like Ubuntu, Omoluwabi, and Mutunchi.

New generations should understand that value and wealth are not just about material things. They should focus on interdependence and transforming lives. If any population can embrace this alternative way of living, it is Africans. Even though Africa is often labeled as poor, it is still the most generous continent. Africa may not score high on happiness surveys focused on material wealth, but it leads the world in mental well-being and happiness. Yes, there are resource wars, and the complexity and diversity of Africa are often exploited for its minerals. We need to review what needs fixing and find innovative ways to move forward.

Leading the youth of the world requires authentic leadership. This is difficult when a colonized mindset and social issues like racism distort our thinking. The leadership young people need cannot simplify complex issues just to get outside approval. For example, youth culture produces music called Afrobeats or Amapiano, but the businesses running this culture often come from outside Africa. These businesses may not understand our culture.

The way culture is commercialized often benefits only a few. Many artists become consumers of luxury items and have no lasting projects from their work. Culture is often turned into commodities, and creatives become tools for temporary pleasure.

Afrilition is about building a generation that does not see Westernization as the only path to development. It means educating them to engage with their identity and understand their purpose goes beyond themselves. They should see the challenges in their communities as opportunities to create solutions, not just obstacles to their comfort. The Afrilition youth of the 21st century will learn to reflect and act towards building societies that truly benefit our people.

The Age of the Duck means we must test many African ideas. It is a time for planned succession, preparing young people for leadership. It is about more than just selling products or celebrating our cultures. It is a time for youth who understand the responsibility of leadership. They should invest in creating an Africa that they may not live to see. An African world where they, as future ancestors, build for their grandchildren. Afrilition is the roadmap to this future.