AFROPOLITANISM AND THE PERSISTENT NEOCOLONIALISM: THE NEXUS, PROSPECTS, CHALLENGES, AND IMPLICATIONS FOR AFRICAN EDUCATION

Afropolitanism represents a modern African identity that serves as a bridge between local heritage and global experiences. It is a concept that depicts the transnational stance and nature of many Africans who are globalized in their networking and enterprising engagements, but at the same time maintaining their roots as Africans. However, it is worthy of note that Afropolitanism exists and operates within the contextsand shadows of neocolonialism – a continued influence of former colonial powers through political, economic and cultural means. This paper explores the interplay between Afropolitanism and colonialism. In so doing, it identifies the opportunities for African representation and political, economic and cultural growth, as well as challenges brought about by lingering colonial structures. The study highlights the gaps in leveraging Afropolitanism for African self-determinationand proposes strategies to dismantle neocolonial dependencies, with emphasis on grassroots movements and local ownership of African narratives and economies. Africa is generally referred to as a developing continent, a backward continent, a poor continent, or even a dark continent, especially by the developed continents such as Europe and America, among others. Sometimes one would wander when the continent of Africa will overgrow these nomenclatures. These nomenclatures did not just fall from the blues. They are based on indices that measure development, which are grossly deficient in Africa. It is hoped that the strategies proposed by this paper will go a long way in helping Africa to overcome the neocolonial structures that are inimical to African emancipation and true freedom.