Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has raised alarm over rising poverty in Nigeria and across Africa, warning that the continent is “sitting on a keg of gunpowder” if urgent action is not taken.
Obasanjo made the statement during a leadership lecture hosted by media personality Dele Momodu in Ibadan, themed “How to End Hunger and Poverty in Africa.”
In his keynote speech, the former president said Nigeria has no excuse for the level of poverty it faces, noting that “if China can lift 700 million people out of poverty, Nigeria should have no business with abject poverty.”
He stressed that education and good leadership are key to solving hunger and hardship. “Where there is no education, there will be poverty. Leadership is the greatest ingredient to end poverty,” he said.
Obasanjo added that security must come first before food can be guaranteed and called for a united effort in eliminating poverty. “Until we take responsibility and act, we are all sitting on a keg of gunpowder.”
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, also spoke at the event. He called for patriotism and support for local products. “We must be patriotic in what we eat, wear and do. That’s how we will break poverty in Nigeria,” he said.
Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, who also attended the event, said most politicians have lost touch with the people. He praised Chief Momodu for opening a leadership centre and said he invited Obasanjo to Osun to witness the rapid development under his watch.
Adeleke, known for his outspoken style, added, “The problem is many leaders don’t have the fear of God. I’m working to build infrastructure like what we see in Atlanta.”
The event brought together leaders who agreed that poverty must be tackled with discipline, good governance, and inclusive leadership, if Africa is to gain global respect.
