Former President Olusegun Obasanjo reflects on leadership, principled decisions, and Africa’s development at his 89th birthday in Abeokuta

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has described his imprisonment by the late military ruler, General Sani Abacha, as a testament to the price of principled leadership.

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Speaking on Wednesday at an international colloquium titled ‘Burden and Blessing of Leadership: Reflections from Global Africa to the World’, held as part of activities to mark his 89th birthday, Obasanjo reflected on pivotal moments that shaped his understanding of power and responsibility.

Obasanjo, according to a statement by his media aide Kehinde Akinyemi, emphasised that leadership is both a heavy burden and a profound blessing.

Recalling his role as Commander of the Third Marine Commando Division during the Nigerian Civil War, he highlighted the solitary decisions leaders often must make, noting that such choices can affect millions.

He recounted the final days of the 1970 civil war, when he exercised restraint to prevent further civilian casualties, calling the decision a demonstration of the moral weight leaders bear.

Obasanjo also cited Nigeria’s first peaceful military-to-civilian handover in 1979, when he transferred power to President Shehu Shagari, as among the most fulfilling decisions of his career.

Addressing Africa’s development trajectory, Obasanjo argued that the continent’s challenges stem less from geography and history than from governance failures.

“Africa remains richly endowed with natural and human resources but continues to suffer from weak institutions, corruption, and self-serving leadership,” he said.

He called for investment in leadership formation, institutional strengthening, and democratic accountability, stressing the need for systems that endure beyond individual leaders.

Obasanjo further urged African governments to engage the global African diaspora more effectively, describing it as an underutilised resource with potential to accelerate continental renewal.

He concluded with a message of hope and faith, stressing Africa’s promise.

“Africa is not a problem to be managed,” Obasanjo said. “Africa is a promise to be fulfilled and leadership is how that promise gets kept.”

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The birthday events will conclude on Thursday with a lecture titled ‘The Global African Enlightenment from Chains to Renaissance’, delivered by Ambassador Jean Robert Pillard, Haiti’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, followed by a reception at the OOPL, Abeokuta.