Former President Olusegun Obasanjo emphasized that Nigeria requires transformational leadership to attain greatness.
He lamented the country’s current state, stating, “Nigeria is not where it should be.”
Speaking virtually at the Denis Joseph Slattery Memorial Lecture, Obasanjo highlighted Nigeria’s wasted potential, noting, “God has given us everything we need to be great, but we have often squandered it.”
Obasanjo urged a return to the fundamentals, focusing on eliminating corruption. avoiding Debt, and practicing ethical governance.
He emphasized the need for strong leadership, criticizing current leaders for lacking character.
“Some people in government should be permanently behind bars for their past misdemeanors,” he said. “You can’t expect thieves to make good judgments,” he said.
Obasanjo stressed that moral decay in politics is a key factor in Nigeria’s troubles.
“Some of the people in government today, at both executive and legislative levels, should be permanently behind bars for their past misdemeanors,” he stated.
“You cannot expect thieves to give good judgement in favor of the owner of the property.”
Obasanjo stressed that the moral decay in Nigeria’s politics is a key factor in the nation’s troubles, urging leaders to prioritize integrity, morality, and principles.
“We need transformational leaders rather than transactional ones,” he said.
“Truth instead of lies, honesty instead of dishonesty, and inclusion instead of exclusion and marginalisation.”
Warning that Nigeria’s challenges – poverty, insecurity, and instability – will deepen without a shift in leadership values, Obasanjo expressed hope that change is possible with the right leadership .
