He made the call while presenting a lecture during the 40th anniversary of University of Ilorin.
The Ghanaian President lamented that the continent has never been free from colonialism and also blamed past African leaders for their harsh method of governance which he noted retarded the growth of their countries.
Each country, he stressed, should evolve plans to develop its education and economy to meet its peculiar needs.
Also speaking, President Muhammadu Buhari represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir David Lawal, urged the private sector to complement the efforts of the federal government in the education sector by investing to improve the education in the country.
He also urged them to think outside the box in the funding and running of their campuses.