Obasanjo at 89: Leadership Challenges in Africa

On Wednesday, October 4, 2023, Olusegun Obasanjo, the former President of Nigeria, marked his 89th birthday by discussing the burdens of leadership in Africa during a colloquium titled "Burden or Blessing of Leadership" in Abeokuta. He expressed his belief that Africa's problems stem from leadership failures rather than geographical or historical factors.

Obasanjo condemned a fake letter that falsely claimed he was dead, asserting he would not die anytime soon. He criticized the current state of democracy in Africa, noting the prevalence of corruption and mismanagement by leaders who prioritize personal interests over public service.

He urged the younger generation to engage in genuine democratic practices and emphasized the necessity of building strong institutions and an independent judiciary. Obasanjo also highlighted the importance of investing in Africa's youth, who represent a significant demographic, and warned that failure to do so could lead to instability.

His reflections were rooted in his experiences as both a military head of state and a democratically elected president.