Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has attributed the country’s stagnant socioeconomic and political conditions to a leadership deficit, asserting that the only solution is for “self-centred” leaders to step aside.
Obasanjo made this statement on Saturday in Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State, where he served as the Special Guest of Honour at the Leadership Empowerment International Conference. During the event, 25 distinguished Nigerians received honorary Doctorates in Leadership from the South Africa-based Immanuel Theology Institute International in affiliation with the Priesthood Leadership Development Initiative Inc.
He emphasized that for Nigeria to progress beyond its current challenges, the current group of “self-centred leaders” at all levels of governance must relinquish their control.
Obasanjo described these leaders as lacking knowledge, understanding, and a service-oriented approach essential for development.
He urged Nigerians to strive to end the culture of electing transactional leaders and instead seek transformational leaders who can provide good governance.
“There is no end to leadership and service to your community until you breathe the last. And you can never be too old to be a leader and to give something to the community in which you lead and serve as a leader, to serve your state, your country, the continent and the world,” he said
“And if you ask me in one word, what is the bane of Nigeria today? I will not think about it twice. I will say it is leadership. Leadership that is self-centred, leadership that is a deficit of knowledge and understanding and leadership that does not see service as the centrepiece of what leadership is all about.
“If we can get the leadership right, we will get all other things right. This is what LEIC is doing that is commendable and very good. We must encourage and inculcate good leadership into every level of our national life.”
Obasanjo commended Prof. Olusesi Obateye, the International Coordinator of the Priesthood Leadership Development Initiative Incorporated, and Prof. Van Den Berg Edward Alfred, President of the South Africa-based Immanuel Theology Institute International, for recognizing and encouraging Nigerians with leadership potential.
Earlier, Prof. Olusesi Obateye, addressing the conference theme “Responsible and Responsive Leadership,” lamented the lack of quality leaders, attributing it as the main reason for Nigeria’s underdevelopment nearly 64 years after Independence.
Among those honored with doctorate awards were three former Commissioners of Ogun State: Engr. Anthony Ojeshina, Hon. Kehinde Sogunle, and Hon. Dele Obadina. Other recipients included Chief Joju Fadairo, former State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Engr. Oluwatoyin Jokosenumi, a former Director at the Central Bank of Nigeria.