Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has attributed Nigeria’s current challenges to a significant shortage of effective leadership.
In an exclusive interview on News Central Television with Kayode Akintemi, Obasanjo criticized Nigeria’s current leadership for lacking strategic planning and direction, saying this shortfall has led the nation into its present difficulties. Obasanjo argued that some leaders come into power unprepared, pointing to cases where policies were announced hastily, without adequate research or groundwork.
Reflecting on a past administration, Obasanjo recounted, “What do you say of a Nigerian President who came to office without a plan? They wake up, proclaim a ‘three-point plan,’ but where’s the foundation? Who’s working on it? It’s not enough to make pronouncements without a thorough understanding of the implications.”
Obasanjo highlighted his own experiences as a military Head of State when Nigeria joined the “frontline states” to combat apartheid and colonialism. This, he explained, was achieved only through deliberate policies, clear planning, and a commitment to action alongside African allies. “We were determined,” he recalled, “to be part of that frontline, even if we were a thousand kilometers away.”
His statements echo frustrations many Nigerians feel toward recent policies, particularly regarding the abrupt removal of the fuel subsidy announced by President Bola Tinubu last year. The decision, which was implemented without public consultation, has led to widespread economic hardship and criticism of the government’s planning process.
Obasanjo’s remarks underscore a broader call for effective leadership and strategic foresight, both in Nigeria and across Africa, to drive sustainable progress.
