Former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has voiced grave concerns about Nigeria’s increasing volatility, uncertainty, and complexity. Speaking on Saturday at the Africa Methodist Council Heads of Conference Summit and Women’s Movement Leadership Summit in Lagos, Obasanjo highlighted the dire state of the nation, marked by insecurity, suffering, and hunger.
As Chairman of the public lecture, Obasanjo underscored the urgent need for Nigerian leadership to awaken to its responsibilities to foster a better future for all citizens. The lecture, delivered by Bishop Ivan Abrahams, General Secretary of the World Methodist Council, was titled “Leadership in a Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, and Ambiguous World.”
In his opening remarks, Obasanjo urged Nigerian leaders to re-evaluate their approach to governance. “How do we re-evaluate the world? That is what I believe we have to do in our re-evaluating the world. What do we do? Jesus Christ himself told us that in this world, we would have trouble. I will give you two points. Wake up! We need a new generation of leaders; moral leaders, transformational leaders, and servant leaders. This new generation of leaders will lead by showing love and leading the re-evaluation and transformation.”
He continued, “Nigeria as it is now is volatile, uncertain, complex, ambiguous and dangerous. We have resources in Africa; we have 70 per cent of the world’s copper. Japan has no mineral resources. Singapore is even worse. No resources! But, whatever resources we have, if we are devoid of leadership, it won’t get us anywhere. That is why leadership in Africa is very important.”
Obasanjo stressed that without visionary, knowledgeable, and understanding leaders, Africa cannot achieve hope, prosperity, security, and peace. He recounted advice from Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu, who encouraged him to run for a second term as president. “When I came out of prison, and there was pressure mounting on me to take the mantle of leadership in Nigeria, the only place I went outside Nigeria was South Africa. I went to seek advice from Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu. Nelson said, ‘Olu, whatever your instinct tells you, do it.’ Tutu said, ‘If your people want you to serve, serve and stop making excuses.’ I came back home and decided to make myself available and contest for the presidency of Nigeria.”
Reflecting on his presidency, Obasanjo noted that his time in prison proved advantageous. “We can get good out of bad. That also happened to Nelson Mandela. When we get good leaders, let’s make maximum use of them because good leaders don’t flog. When you get one in a generation, make good use of them. Let’s learn the right lesson from them.”
He concluded with a call for leadership that embodies the principles of Jesus Christ, emphasizing the need for leaders who inspire and transform society in times of turmoil.
