Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has expressed deep concern over the nation’s recurring failure under President Bola Tinubu, describing Nigeria as a “burial ground for policies” where ineffective implementation has led to more setbacks than progress.
Speaking on Saturday, Obasanjo criticized Nigeria’s inability to effectively implement ideas, despite having no shortage of well-crafted policies. He emphasized that the country’s main issue lies in the lack of execution, not in the absence of visionary plans.
“Policies alone will not drive the country forward,” Obasanjo said, stressing that progress is achieved through decisive actions rather than making promises or issuing policy statements. He urged leaders to focus on realistic goals and avoid taking on too many initiatives at once, warning against a “jack of all trades, master of none” mentality.
“It is not enough for leaders to have policies or make statements. Nigeria is not short of policies. Unfortunately, we have become a burial ground for policies that are either unimplemented or unexecuted,” Obasanjo lamented.
He noted that countries making real progress do so by taking steady, consistent steps without regressing, adding, “Regrettably, in Nigeria, we take two steps forward and three steps backward. As long as we continue in this manner, progress will elude us.”
Obasanjo made these remarks as the Special Guest of Honour at the Olusegun Obasanjo Space Centre in Abuja during the 8th Engr Brig Gen (rtd) Micheal Agu Annual Distinguished Lecture and Awards. The event, hosted by the Nigerian Institution of Space Engineers, examined Nigeria’s achievements and challenges in space exploration, under the theme, “Nigeria’s 21 Years in Space 2003-2024: Achievements, Challenges, and Prospects.”
At the event, Obasanjo was honored with the title of Grand Commander of Nigerian Space Exploration. Reflecting on his administration’s establishment of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), he expressed disappointment at the lack of sustained progress, citing the agency’s struggles, including at one point, its inability to pay workers.
His government had initially collaborated with China to launch Nigeria’s first satellite and had trained over 100 engineers to support future space endeavors. However, Obasanjo noted that despite these ambitious efforts, much of the momentum has been lost, reflecting a broader issue of policy stagnation in the country.
