Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has highlighted a lack of effective leadership as the root cause of Nigeria’s current challenges, insisting that the country is not inherently difficult to govern.
Obasanjo expressed these views during the inaugural memorial lecture in honor of the late Akintola Williams, organized by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) in Lagos. The lecture was titled “Leadership Dynamics: Current Realities and Way Forward.”
While acknowledging Nigeria’s complexities, Obasanjo stressed that strong and honest leadership is key to national progress. “I always say Nigeria is a complex country, but it is not a difficult country to manage,” he stated. “You have to be honest with yourself, Nigeria, and your God.”
Reflecting on his tenure as president, Obasanjo claimed that he managed Nigeria’s resources effectively, resulting in significant economic improvements. “When I was in office, I did everything I should for Nigeria, and I can beat my chest and say that,” he affirmed.
Obasanjo highlighted his administration’s efforts to secure debt relief, explaining, “I took over with ₦3.7 billion in reserves and was spending ₦3.5 billion to service debt. We pushed for debt relief, even though we were the fifth-largest oil exporter in the world. We managed to achieve debt relief and left a reserve of over ₦45 billion, along with ₦25 billion in excess crude savings.”
He also paid tribute to Akintola Williams, recognizing his visionary contributions across various sectors. “Williams deserves every honor we can confer posthumously, not only for his contributions to this country but also for his impact politically, socially, and economically,” Obasanjo remarked.
By linking Nigeria’s potential for progress to the quality of its leadership, Obasanjo emphasized that the path forward requires integrity, honesty, and a commitment to the nation’s development.
