“Obasanjo Urges Urgent Reforms to Tackle Nigeria’s Leadership Crisis”
Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo delivered a compelling keynote at the Chinua Achebe Leadership Forum at Yale University on November 15, 2024, where he addressed the ongoing leadership crisis in Nigeria.
Reflecting on Chinua Achebe’s assertion that “the trouble with Nigeria is simply and squarely a failure of leadership,” Obasanjo emphasized that leadership failure continues to drive the nation’s challenges, including election fraud, terrorism, and corruption.
Obasanjo highlighted Nigeria’s economic decline, with its GDP dropping from $510 billion in 2014 to $199 billion in 2024. He contrasted this with his administration’s growth achievements, notably a 6.59% average GDP increase during his tenure. He called for reforms prioritizing integrity, competence, and voter education to improve leadership selection and governance.
Criticizing the 2023 elections as a “travesty,” Obasanjo advocated for legal reforms, electoral law amendments, and stronger safeguards against tampering, urging the use of technology to restore credibility.
He also stressed the need for education as a cornerstone for effective democracy and leadership, warning that Nigeria’s future depends on addressing these crises urgently.
