GEJ at Bloomberg London (Full speech + photos)

Today at Bloomberg studios in London, former Nigerian President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, gave a live interview and discussed a wide range of issues. Jonathan was introduced by the Right Honorable Mark Simmonds, former UK Minister for Africa. The former President also gave a speech at Bloomberg calling for a Universal Bill of Rights for all Nigerians.

Dr. Jonathan also talked about some of his achievements in office including increasing access to education for all Nigerians, maintaining a healthy economic growth rate and ensuring the primacy of the Rule of Law. In his speech he said, 'I am proud of the fact that my Administration established a Federal University in every one of the 12 States that did not previously have them. Now, for the first time in our country’s history, every state has a university established by the Federal Government.'

He also said 'despite it not being the responsibility of the Federal Government to develop primary and secondary schools, we built hundreds of these schools across Nigeria.' Dr. Jonathan in his speech also called for equality for all Nigerians, saying 'no investment in our people is going to pay off if we are unequal.' 

Questions after his speech were moderated by Mr. Rob Hersov, founder, CEO of InvestAfrica. The former President has been on a multi-city speaking tour in Europe and North America. 

The full speech appears below: 


“Civis Nigerianus Sum” - I am a citizen of Nigeria.

A Speech by H.E. Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan,
Former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Delivered at Bloomberg Studios, London, United Kingdom.

Monday, 6 June 2016


Since leaving office one year and one week ago, I have had the luxury of time to be able to reflect on the future of my great country, Nigeria.

So today is not about my personal memories or a litany of ‘what ifs’.  No! Today I would like to share with you what I believe is the key learning from my experiences for the future of democracy not only in Nigeria but also across the entire continent of Africa.

I said before the last election that my political ambition was not worth the blood of one Nigerian. 

I was true to my word when on March16th, 2015, just after the election, when the results were still being collated by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), I called my opponent, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) to concede, in order to avoid any conflict and ensure a peaceful transition of power. 

This was without precedent in my country and I am proud that it achieved my goal of no conflict arising from the result of the election.

Some may think it is ironic that perhaps my proudest achievement was not winning the 2015 Presidential Election.By being the first elected Nigerian leader to willingly hand over power via the ballot box, to the opposition party, without contesting the election outcome, I proved to the ordinary man or woman in the country that I was his or her equal. 

That his or her vote was equal to mine, and that democracy is the ‘Government by the will of the people’, and Nigeria, and indeed Africa is ripe for democracy.

It is my sincerest wish that democracy continues to be consolidated in the continent of Africa and it will even get better.

For it has always been my consistent desire to help consolidate peace and cultivate democracy in Nigeria and across the Continent. 

In fact, it was the key foreign policy objective of my Administration when we were able to help broker peace and restore democracy in Niger, Mali, Guinea Bissau and Cote d’Ivoire.

Ø    In Niger –The first challenge that confronted ECOWAS when I was Chairman in 2010 was the military intervention there. We were able to resolve it through sheer determination and prudent consultations which paved the way for the country’s return to constitutional rule and democracy.

Ø    In Mali – As the Co-mediator of the effort to return the nation to democracy after a surprising military take-over, I was the only sitting President to visit Mali and meet all the stakeholders in the early and difficult times of the crisis.

I ensured that Nigeria played theleading role in all the negotiations coordinated by ECOWAS. Our efforts produced a political timetable for the holding of democratic elections. I was happy that our work led to the historic Peace and Reconciliation Agreement signed in Bamako on 15th May, 2015, which I was privileged to witness.

Ø    In Guinea Bissau,a nation known for its long history of political crises. As leaders of ECOWAS then, we worked hard to bring about peace by building international consensus around a transition arrangement.This led to the full restoration of constitutional order in the country. After leading the negotiations that produced an interim government, Nigeria provided both financial and logistic support, making it possible for a successful election to hold. The process produced a democratic government that is currently running the country.

Ø    In Cote d’Ivoire,in 2010, ECOWAS, under my leadership, demonstrated its commitment to enduring democracy, by standing firm behind the winner of the Presidential elections. The winner H.E. Alassane Ouattara, assumed his righ