Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said his incarceration during the regime of late military ruler Sani Abacha remains a powerful reminder of the sacrifices demanded by principled leadership.
Obasanjo spoke in Abeokuta, Ogun State, at an international colloquium titled “Burden and Blessing of Leadership: Reflections from Global Africa to the World,” organised to mark his 89th birthday.
Reflecting on his journey through military command, imprisonment and democratic governance, the former leader described leadership as both demanding and rewarding.
“My imprisonment proves the price of a principled stand. Leadership without principle is mere management. True leadership demands that you say no when yes would be more convenient — and that comes at a cost,” he said.
Obasanjo, who served as Nigeria’s military Head of State from 1976 to 1979 and later as civilian President from 1999 to 2007, observed that many aspiring leaders underestimate the personal toll of public office.
Drawing from his time as Commander of the Third Marine Commando Division during the Nigerian Civil War, he noted that leadership often requires solitary decisions with far-reaching consequences.
“There is the loneliness of final decision. When all the briefings have been received and all arguments made, you alone must decide. That weight does not distribute itself,” he said.
He recalled choosing restraint in January 1970 to prevent further civilian casualties at the end of the civil war. “No textbook told me what to do. The decision was mine alone,” he stated, adding that the moment highlighted the moral burden leaders bear.
“The greatest burden a man can carry is his country on his shoulders. The greatest blessing he can also receive is that country’s gratitude. At 89, I now understand that the burden and the blessing are often the same,” he added.
Despite spending three-and-a-half years in prison, Obasanjo said he would still choose a life of service. “There is the blessing of having been given the opportunity to matter — to serve at the hinge of history,” he said.
He described overseeing Nigeria’s first peaceful transfer of power from military to civilian rule in 1979, when he handed over to Shehu Shagari, as one of the most satisfying moments of his career. “It was the relief of having been tested and not found wanting,” he noted.
On Africa’s development, Obasanjo argued that governance shortcomings, rather than geography or history, account for much of the continent’s challenges.
“Africa is richly endowed — with mineral wealth, vast arable land and the world’s youngest population. By every measure, we should be prosperous and stable. Instead, too much of our continent remains trapped in preventable suffering,” he said.
He attributed the paradox to poor leadership, weak institutions and corruption, warning against systems built around individuals.
“When a country’s trajectory depends solely on the character of one person, that country is permanently fragile,” he cautioned.
Obasanjo urged African leaders to adapt democratic systems to local realities while maintaining accountability, transparency and inclusiveness. He also called for stronger institutions, sustained investment in leadership development, greater diaspora engagement and full implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area to unlock economic growth and competitiveness.
In his closing remarks, he expressed gratitude to God and voiced confidence in Africa’s future, urging younger generations to embrace responsible and service-oriented leadership.
“Africa is not a problem to be managed,” he declared. “Africa is a promise to be fulfilled — and leadership is how that promise gets kept.”
