NewStats: 3,262,611 , 8,177,691 topics. Date: Tuesday, 03 June 2025 at 02:22 AM 1z563m

A former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo, says the socioeconomic and political situations in the country have remained stagnant because of leadership deficit, concluding that the only way out is for “self-centred” leaders to give way.

He spoke in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, on Saturday as Special Guest of Honour at the Leadership Empowerment International Conference, where 25 distinguished Nigerians were conferred with honorary Doctorate in leadership by a South Africa-based Immanuel Theology Institute International in affiliation with Priesthood Leadership Development Initiative Inc.

According to him, for Nigeria to progress from its present dilemma, the present crops of those he labelled “self-centred leaders” occupying offices at all levels of governance must loosen their hold on the country.


He said the country is presently plagued at all levels by a band of self-centred leaders who are deficit of knowledge, bereft of understanding and demonstrating a leadership style that does not see service as the centrepiece for development.

He challenged Nigerians to seek, by all means possible, an end to the culture of enthroning transactional leaders as against transformational leaders who will deliver 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 the International Coordinator of Priesthood Leadership Development Initiative incorporated, Prof. Olusesi Obateye, and the President of the South Africa–based Institute, Prof. Van Den Berg Edward Alfred, for recognising and encouraging some Nigerians with leadership capacities.

Earlier, the International Coordinator of the organization, Prof. Olusesi Obateye, who spoke on the theme of the conference “Responsible and responsive leadership,” lamented the dearth of good leaders, saying it remains the bane of Nigeria’s under-development for almost 64 years after Independence.

Among those honoured with doctorate awards were three former Commissioners in Ogun State, Engr. Anthony Ojeshina, Hon. Kehinde Sogunle and Hon. Dele Obadina, as well as erstwhile State Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Joju Fadairo and a former Director, Central Bank of Nigeria, Engr. Oluwatoyin Jokosenumi.

https://www.channelstv.com/2024/08/18/nigeria-remains-backward-because-of-self-centred-leaders-obasanjo/

Thank God PO didn't say it


#confusedidiots

DWickedLandLord:
Thank God PO didn't say it


#confusedidiots

So in your Olodo head you really feel PO will do any differently from all other Nigerian leaders??

He's right but was he perfect during his time?

The followers are even more self-centered than the leaders. The difference perhaps is that the followers haven't gotten the opportunity to be leaders, otherwise they will be worse

For instance, both Peter Obi and Atiku had promised to remove fuel subsidy and float or devalue the naira.

In fact Atiku own is the worst, he promised selling NNPC, Refinery, National stadium etc. With Atiku as president we would be battling with unemployment resulting from the sale of the national patrimony.

So my brother our leaders are the problem but we are the greater problem. A nation deserve the kind of leaders they have. We are the true reflection of our leaders.

Thundafireseun:


So in your Olodo head you really feel PO will do any differently from all other Nigerian leaders??

Don't mind him, he is naive.

I'm from the South South and I don't believe for once if PO had been the president of Nigeria we would be buying fuel at N50 per litre, and El dorado achieved.

On the contrary, if Peter Obi were to be the President things would have been worse.

Sometimes I thank God he didn't win. It would have been a disaster.

Worst are the APC folks

saintopus:


Don't mind him, he is naive.

I'm from the South South and I don't believe for once if PO had been the president of Nigeria we would be buying fuel at N50 per litre, and El dorado achieved.

On the contrary, if Peter Obi were to be the President things would have been worse.

Sometimes I thank God he didn't win. It would have been a disaster.

So how much are you buying fuel now under tinubu ?

Thundafireseun:


So in your Olodo head you really feel PO will do any differently from all other Nigerian leaders??

Yes yes and yes

Please feel free to ask any other questions you may have

stanluiz:
So how much are you buying fuel now under tinubu ?

If I buy fuel N1000 per litre under Tinubu, that is the same amount I would have bought under Peter Obi. Perhaps N1200 under Atiku.

saintopus:


Don't mind him, he is naive.

I'm from the South South and I don't believe for once if PO had been the president of Nigeria we would be buying fuel at N50 per litre, and El dorado achieved.

On the contrary, if Peter Obi were to be the President things would have been worse.

Sometimes I thank God he didn't win. It would have been a disaster.

You can predict the future yet can't make any money with naijabets. See your life . Smh 😒

saintopus:

If I buy fuel N1000 per litre under Tinubu, that is the same amount I would have bought under Peter Obi. Perhaps N1200 under Atiku.

No sense in what you just wrote

saintopus:


Don't mind him, he is naive.

I'm from the South South and I don't believe for once if PO had been the president of Nigeria we would be buying fuel at N50 per litre, and El dorado achieved.

On the contrary, if Peter Obi were to be the President things would have been worse.

Sometimes I thank God he didn't win. It would have been a disaster.

I agree with you

True

The same Nigerian that wants Joe Biden to step down will change his tune if Joe was the Nigerian president and a tribesman.

#whereisthelie

You people have serious reasoning problems

It's obvious

Including Baba Obasanjo

Which European country would have reelected Buhari 🤔 😒

Would Tinubu have any chance in hell for reelection in US🤔😒


Continue deceiving yourselves for the sake of sm squabbles . But we all know The Truth

Mr OBJ u too follow for Nigeria problem stop pretending sir.

Tinubu as a case study.

saintopus:
The followers are even more self-centered than the leaders. The difference perhaps is that the followers haven't gotten the opportunity to be leaders, otherwise they will be worse

For instance, both Peter Obi and Atiku had promised to remove fuel subsidy and float or devalue the naira.

In fact Atiku own is the worst, he promised selling NNPC, Refinery, National stadium etc. With Atiku as president we would be battling with unemployment resulting from the sale of the national patrimony.

So my brother our leaders are the problem but we are the greater problem. A nation deserve the kind of leaders they have. We are the true reflection of our leaders.

You are 1,000% correct.

This Nairaland itself is full of CRIMINALS whom, if you give them power to rule Nigeria, will destroy the country and loot it dry.

And they are the same people who complain endlessly about the govt simply because it is not THEM that have the opportunity to loot.

The problem is the people.

How I wish selfless Olusegun Obasanjo can be president of Nigeria for just 3 months. Trust me, he will fix all our problems and Nigeria will never remain the same again. How I wish.

Well said. People who got into politics(politically and spiritually) to enrich themselves have corrupted the leadership of this potentially great continent.

And we have self centered leaders because of our structure

There is no unitary working country on earth made up indigenous tribes not settlers none... I dare anyone to name one

Multi ethnic countries are structured along ethnic lines as federation with each nation free to live how they want any grow at their own pace

Tinubu would never be President if he would rule only Yorubas

But would rule North but one term

Obi would rule igbos at least one term

Unitary system produce the worse of us because only the worse of us use ethnicity to campaign

seunmsg:
How I wish selfless Olusegun Obasanjo can be president of Nigeria for just 3 months. Trust me, he will fix all our problems and Nigeria will never remain the same again. How I wish.

My Director!! 😜😜😜😜🤪🤪 You're back from Kuje.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo is not excluded when it comes to being self-centered.

saintopus:

If I buy fuel N1000 per litre under Tinubu, that is the same amount I would have bought under Peter Obi. Perhaps N1200 under Atiku.

And you know this for a fact how?

Spandau:


My Director!! 😜😜😜😜🤪🤪 You're back from Kuje.

Kuje ke?!!

seunmsg:
How I wish selfless Olusegun Obasanjo can be president of Nigeria for just 3 months. Trust me, he will fix all our problems and Nigeria will never remain the same again. How I wish.

At least he improved the country when he was there unlike your bulabla who has been fumbling

Tellmeastory:


You are 1,000% correct.

This Nairaland itself is full of CRIMINALS whom, if you give them power to rule Nigeria, will destroy the country and loot it dry.

And they are the same people who complain endlessly about the govt simply because it is not THEM that have the opportunity to loot.

The problem is the people.

And you got to realise this after your favourite politicians got into office abi
Before then, it was clueless Jonathan that was the problem
Hypocrite

slivertongue:
Worst are the APC folks

You can already see them on this thread gaslighting and deceiving themselves