Former President Goodluck Jonathan has advocated for Nigeria to develop its own missile technology, stressing that no nation commands global respect from a position of weakness.

Jonathan made the remarks in Yenagoa at the plenary session of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Yenagoa Branch Law Week 2026 where he served as Chairman of the occasion.

Speaking on the theme, “Securing the Future,” the former president urged members of the legal profession and the judiciary to strengthen justice, institutions, and legal values, describing them as critical pillars for Nigeria’s development and stability.

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According to him, the Bench and the Bar remain custodians of Nigeria’s legal system and guardians of the country’s regulatory framework.

“Our future can only be secured when justice is stronger than power, institutions are stronger than individuals, and the law protects both the powerful and the vulnerable equally,” Jonathan said.

He also called for a comprehensive reform of Nigeria’s education system, arguing that the country still operates largely within the framework inherited from the colonial era.

Jonathan noted that Africa possesses enormous natural resources but remains disproportionately poor.

Citing recent UBS and Credit Suisse Wealth data, he said Africa accounts for only about 1.3 per cent of global household wealth despite holding roughly 30 per cent of the world’s mineral resources.

He lamented that many of Africa’s abundant resources have become sources of conflict rather than wealth, pointing to insecurity around mining activities in parts of Nigeria and the exploitation of resources across the continent.

“If things are done properly and judgments are delivered according to the law, it becomes easier for us to manage our resources,” he stated.

The former president stressed the need for Nigeria to invest heavily in science, technology, and innovation, recalling his Presidential Scholarship for Innovation and Development initiative, which sponsored exceptional students to top universities abroad.

“We have a nuclear programme in this country. We have satellite programmes. But they are not growing. By now, we should be producing missiles.

“Nobody respects you if you are not strong. Every nation respects the United States because it is militarily strong,” Jonathan said.

He further urged the Nigerian Bar Association to maintain close engagement with the nation’s leadership to provide timely legal guidance that could help prevent policy mistakes.

Jonathan emphasised that every government policy should be assessed based on its impact on citizens rather than the revenue it generates.

“No matter how much money a policy may bring, if it leads to widespread unemployment, it should be reconsidered unless it is absolutely necessary,” he said.

Delivering the keynote address on the topic, “Sustainable National Assets in Africa: Opportunities, Risks and Regulatory Pathways,” renowned Kenyan lawyer and activist, Professor Patrick Lumumba, decried what he described as Africa’s continued exclusion from critical decisions concerning its resources and future.

Lumumba argued that discussions about Africa’s assets are often held in foreign capitals without meaningful African participation.

“How can we secure our resources if we do not have the technological capacity to protect them?” he asked.

He challenged African nations to embrace self-reliance, strengthen regional integration, and invest in science and technology to safeguard their natural resources.

According to him, Africa must overcome colonial-era mindsets and build institutions capable of protecting its wealth for future generations.

“If you are weak, nobody respects you. Until Africa becomes strong, we will never be taken seriously,” Lumumba stated.

He advocated greater African unity, freer movement of goods and services across the continent, harmonised regulations, and stronger collaboration in exploiting and protecting Africa’s vast natural and maritime resources.

In his vote of thanks, Chairman of the NBA Yenagoa Branch, Clement Kekemeke, expressed appreciation to participants and stakeholders who contributed to the success of the 2026 Law Week.

Kekemeke noted that the theme, “Securing the Future,” extended beyond the legal profession to encompass national security, the rule of law, and the protection of Nigeria’s collective assets.

“The future of Nigeria lies in our national assets, our common wealth, and our national pride. Securing that future is a collective responsibility,” he said.