Speaking in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, on Saturday as the Special Guest of Honour at the Leadership Empowerment International Conference, Obasanjo stressed that Nigeria’s progress is being hampered by leaders who prioritize personal gain over national development.
The event, organized by the South Africa-based Immanuel Theology Institute International in affiliation with Priesthood Leadership Development Initiative Inc., saw 25 distinguished Nigerians conferred with honorary Doctorates in Leadership.
Obasanjo argued that for Nigeria to overcome its current challenges, the country needs to move away from leadership that is self-serving and lacking in vision. He stated, “The country is presently plagued at all levels by a band of self-centered leaders who are deficit of knowledge, bereft of understanding, and demonstrating a leadership style that does not see service as the centrepiece for development.”
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He called on Nigerians to actively seek out and support transformational leaders who are committed to delivering good governance, as opposed to those who engage in transactional leadership practices.
“There is no end to leadership and service to your community until you breathe your 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,” Obasanjo said.
He further emphasized that leadership is the central issue hindering Nigeria’s progress, stating, “If we can get the leadership right, we will get all other things right.”
Obasanjo urged the nation to focus on cultivating leaders who prioritize service and the greater good over personal interests. He commended the efforts of organizations like the Leadership Empowerment International Conference (LEIC) for promoting good leadership practices and recognizing those who demonstrate leadership qualities.
The International Coordinator of Priesthood Leadership Development Initiative Inc., Prof. Olusesi Obateye, echoed Obasanjo’s sentiments, lamenting the scarcity of responsible leadership in Nigeria. He pointed to the dearth of good leaders as a major reason for the country’s underdevelopment, even 64 years after gaining independence.
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At the event, several notable Nigerians were honored with doctorate awards for their contributions to leadership. Among them were three former Ogun State Commissioners—Engr. Anthony Ojeshina, Hon. Kehinde Sogunle, and Hon. Dele Obadina—as well as the former State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Joju Fadairo, and a former Director of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Engr. Oluwatoyin Jokosenumi.
Obasanjo’s remarks and the conference’s theme, “Responsible and Responsive Leadership,” highlight the urgent need for a shift in Nigeria’s leadership culture, focusing on the importance of electing and supporting leaders who are committed to the nation’s development.