By Achile Danjuma
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has called on African leaders to prioritize the public good over personal ambition, asserting that the continent’s progress hinges on visionary leadership and strong institutions.
Obasanjo made the remarks on Saturday during an event organized by the Olusegun Obasanjo Leadership Institute (OOLI) to celebrate his 89th birthday at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta.
In a statement released by the institute’s media consultant, Prof. Elvis Otobo, the former president used the occasion to reflect on his decades of public service and the critical state of governance in Africa. He argued that the continent’s primary challenges are not a lack of resources, but rather a deficit in ethical leadership.
“Africa’s difficulties stem less from a lack of resources and more from a deficit of visionary leadership and strong institutions,” Obasanjo stated.
Describing his 89 years as a moment for reflection and gratitude, he emphasized that “longevity should be seen as a responsibility to continue contributing to society.” Addressing participants of the institute’s leadership programmes, he urged them to view their training as a call to service. “A single well-formed leader can change the course of history,” he said, charging them to treat their certificates “not merely as credentials but as mandates to serve with integrity and courage.”
The Director of OOLI, Martin Agwai, paid tribute to Obasanjo, lauding him as a leader whose impact transcends generations.