Kayode Ajulo calls for correcting Africa's map representation

Dr. Kayode Ajulo, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Ondo State, has called for the correction of long-standing cartographic distortions regarding Africa's representation on world maps. In a piece titled “Africa Was Never Small: When the United Nations Finally Corrects the Map,” Ajulo argues that the Mercator projection has historically created a misleading impression of the continent's size, making regions like Greenland appear comparable to Africa despite Africa being significantly larger.

Ajulo emphasizes that these visual representations in educational and public institutions influence global perceptions of the continent's relevance and potential. He asserts that correcting these maps must go beyond mere geography to translate into greater fairness, opportunity, and global recognition for Africans.

While noting that Africa's significance is rooted in its ancient civilizations, natural resources, and human capital rather than its depiction on a map, Ajulo stresses the need to shift global narratives away from poverty and conflict toward the continent's possibilities of global consequence. He argues that true progress requires addressing inequalities in education, healthcare, technology, and governance to ensure shared prosperity.