Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has expressed that Nigeria could have achieved greater progress and global recognition if not for its issues with self-centered leadership. In addition to being self-serving, Obasanjo believes that Nigerian leaders also suffer from a lack of knowledge.
Speaking on Saturday in Abeokuta, Ogun State, during the 2024 Leadership Empowerment International Conference, Obasanjo emphasized the need for a shift in leadership culture. The event also included the conferment of Doctor of Leadership and Theology awards on several Nigerians, organized by the South African-based Immanuel Theology Institute International, in partnership with Nigeria’s Priesthood Leadership Development Initiative Inc.
Obasanjo stressed the importance of continuous leadership and community service, stating, “Leadership and service to your community do not end until your last breath. You are never too old to lead and contribute to the community, your state, your country, the continent, and the world.”
He added, “If asked to identify Nigeria’s greatest challenge in one word, without hesitation, I would say it is leadership—leadership that is self-centered, lacks knowledge and understanding, and fails to prioritize service as the essence of leadership. If we can get leadership right, everything else will fall into place.”
Obasanjo praised Prof. Olusesi Obateye, International Coordinator of the Priesthood Leadership Development Initiative, and Prof. Van Den Berg Edward Alfred, President of the South African institute, for their efforts in recognizing and promoting leadership potential in Nigerians.
Prof. Obateye, speaking on the conference theme, “Responsible and Responsive Leadership,” lamented the scarcity of quality leaders, attributing it to Nigeria’s underdevelopment nearly 64 years after independence.
In a related development, Obasanjo warned that Nigeria’s challenges would persist unless the nation becomes self-sufficient in food production. He made this remark during a visit from a delegation from Niger State, including commissioners and Special Advisers to Governor Mohammed Bago, at his Abeokuta residence over the weekend.
Governor Bago’s Special Adviser on Print Media, Aisha Wakaso, shared in a press release on Sunday that Obasanjo expressed support for Bago’s agricultural initiatives, comparing them to his own “Operation Feed the Nation” policy from 1976. He noted that with modern technology, the impact of such programs could be even greater today.
Obasanjo emphasized the importance of agricultural self-sufficiency, stating, “Until Nigeria can feed itself, the issues facing the country will remain unresolved. A nation that cannot provide for its own food needs is on a dangerous path.”
He encouraged other state governors to follow Niger State’s example in advancing agricultural development to ensure that Nigeria can produce the majority of its food. Obasanjo also expressed his interest in visiting Niger State to observe their agricultural progress and exchange ideas to further enhance his own agricultural projects.
Wakaso added that Obasanjo advised Nigerians to consider investing in soilless farming, warning that with the current rate of land use, the country may soon face a shortage of arable land. He highlighted the necessity of adopting innovative farming techniques to sustain Nigeria’s agricultural productivity.
