Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has praised the late ex-U.S. President Jimmy Carter as a “humanist par excellence” and the only non-African leader to personally visit General Sani Abacha to plead for his release from prison.
Obasanjo, who served as Nigeria’s military Head of State (1976–1979) and later as a two-term civilian president (1999–2007), recounted his experiences in a heartfelt tribute titled “Jimmy Carter: The Departure of a Titan”.
The tribute, delivered during a memorial service at the Chapel of Christ the Glorious King within the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta, on Sunday, highlighted Carter’s pivotal role in securing Obasanjo’s release from imprisonment by Abacha’s regime in 1995.
Reflecting on Carter’s efforts, Obasanjo shared:
“President Carter was among the foreign friends who risked their reputations to save my life. During his visit to Nigeria, he convinced Abacha to move me from detention to house arrest on my farm. He was the only non-African leader who personally appealed for my release.”
Obasanjo noted a deep personal connection with Carter, rooted in their similar upbringings in farming families.
“He grew up in Plains, Georgia, and I in Ibogun-Olaogun, Ogun State. Both of us were shaped by parents who valued discipline, morality, and hard work. Though, unlike Carter, there was no road to my village—we walked everywhere or were carried on bicycles,” Obasanjo humorously remarked.
A Legacy of African Advocacy
Obasanjo commended Carter’s dedication to African progress, particularly his role in dismantling apartheid and colonial rule in Southern Africa.
He contrasted Carter’s leadership with his predecessor Gerald Ford, highlighting Carter’s 1978 state visit to Nigeria as the first by a sitting U.S. president, symbolising his commitment to African development.
Obasanjo also recounted how media mogul Ted Turner sought Carter’s help to secure his release, offering to support Obasanjo’s family anywhere in the world during his incarceration.
Humility and Service
Reflecting on Carter’s leadership, Obasanjo praised his humility and collaborative approach.
“President Carter led by example, inspiring co-workers to share his ideals and burdens. His humility and selflessness ensured his success,” Obasanjo said.
As he bid farewell to his friend, Obasanjo expressed gratitude for Carter’s impactful life:
“For me, I have lost a great friend, but I believe we shall meet again in Paradise. May his soul rest in peace.”
Jimmy Carter passed away on 29 December 2024, aged 100, in Plains, Georgia.