Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has described his imprisonment under the late military ruler Sani Abacha as an illustration of the cost that can accompany principled leadership.
Obasanjo made the remarks during an international colloquium titled ‘Burden and Blessing of Leadership: Reflections from Global Africa to the World’ held in Abeokuta, part of activities marking his 89th birthday. The statements were released on Wednesday by his special assistant on media, Kehinde Akinyemi.
Speaking on the dual nature of leadership, Obasanjo described it as both a “heavy burden” and a “profound blessing”, drawing from his experiences in military command, imprisonment, and civilian governance. He reflected on key moments that shaped his understanding of power, responsibility, and service.
Recalling his role as commander of the Third Marine Commando Division during the Nigerian civil war, he noted that leadership often involves difficult decisions affecting millions. He cited his choice of restraint in the final days of the 1970 war to prevent further civilian casualties as an example of the moral weight leaders must bear.
Obasanjo, who served as Nigeria’s military head of state from 1976 to 1979 and later as civilian president from 1999 to 2007, stressed the personal cost of leadership. “My imprisonment was evidence of the price that can accompany principled positions,” he said.
He emphasized that leadership is a rare privilege, with opportunities to serve during defining historical moments among its greatest rewards. He highlighted the 1979 handover to Shehu Shagari, marking Nigeria’s first peaceful transfer of power from military to civilian rule, as one of the most fulfilling decisions of his career.
On Africa’s development, Obasanjo said persistent challenges largely stem from governance failures. “Africa remains richly endowed with natural and human resources but continues to suffer from weak institutions, corruption and self-serving leadership,” he said. He called for greater investment in leadership development, institutional strengthening, and democratic accountability.
Obasanjo also urged African governments to more effectively engage the global African diaspora, describing it as an underutilised asset capable of accelerating continental renewal. He highlighted the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a transformative initiative that could expand markets, attract investment, and enhance Africa’s global competitiveness if fully implemented.
He concluded, “Africa is not a problem to be managed. Africa is a promise to be fulfilled — and leadership is how that promise gets kept.”
Obasanjo’s 89th birthday celebrations will conclude on Thursday with a distinguished lecture titled ‘The Global African Enlightenment from Chains to Renaissance’. Among dignitaries attending is Jean Robert Pillard.
