Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has warned that corruption continues to thrive in Nigeria due to the failure of leadership and the lack of consequences for bad behavior.
Speaking at a youth dialogue event on the sidelines of the Presidential Youth Dialogue, Obasanjo shared his views on what he believes are the root causes of the corruption crisis in the country.
According to the former president, the reason corruption is so rampant is because Nigerian society does not believe that those who engage in corrupt practices will face real consequences.
“There is corruption at the highest level of government because we do not have free and fair elections,” Obasanjo stated, underscoring the lack of accountability among the country’s leadership.
The former president also noted that while corruption exists in every country, it is only in some countries that corruption is not deeply ingrained in the way of life. In Nigeria, however, he sees corruption as a system that has become entrenched in both government and society.
Obasanjo pointed out that successive Nigerian governments have failed to address the country’s many problems, particularly in the power sector.
He expressed frustration that, despite his efforts during his presidency from 1999 to 2007, Nigeria’s power sector remains in disarray.
“The problems we faced in the power sector when I took office in 1999 are still here today,” he said, emphasizing that the situation has only worsened over the years, despite various administrations claiming to focus on power sector reform.
His remarks serve as a sharp critique of the Nigerian government’s inability to solve this long-standing problem, one that continues to hinder economic development and affect the daily lives of millions of Nigerians.
Obasanjo also emphasized the need for young Nigerians to step up and take on leadership roles to bring about change in the country.
He encouraged the youth to be “positively instructive,” urging them to learn from the mistakes of past leaders and work toward creating a new vision for Nigeria.
“There are many people in power who do not want to leave, but change is coming,” Obasanjo added, hinting at the inevitable need for a generational shift in leadership.
For Obasanjo, this change is critical. He believes that Nigeria’s leaders, especially those in power today, must start facing the reality of their failures. But he also sees the youth as the hope for a brighter future.
“The youth must take charge. They must be the emerging leaders who will guide Nigeria in the right direction,” Obasanjo said.
However, the former president also pointed out a significant challenge for Nigeria’s political future. He criticized the Western liberal democracy model, which has been embraced by successive Nigerian governments.
Obasanjo argued that Western democracy does not work for Nigeria, stating that this is a primary reason why the country has not made any significant progress in its development.
“Nigeria’s democracy has not brought us the results we expected because it is not suitable for our unique culture and circumstances,” Obasanjo explained.
He believes that Nigeria needs to rethink its political system, focusing less on mimicking Western ideals and more on creating a system that fits the realities of Nigerian society.
“Western liberal democracy is not the answer,” Obasanjo stated firmly. “It has not worked for us, and we need to look for a better way.”
In his remarks, Obasanjo called for a leadership that values integrity, compassion, and a deep fear of God. He emphasized these qualities as being essential for anyone who seeks to lead Nigeria out of its current troubles.
“Nigeria needs leaders who are honest, who have compassion for the people, and who fear God,” he said, stressing that these qualities are the foundation of good governance.