Obasanjo At 89: The Pan-Nigerian Dreamer, by Emmanuel Aziken

2026-03-07 - 06:26

At 89, Olusegun Matthew Okikiola Aremu Obasanjo remains one of the most compelling figures in Nigeria’s political history, a leader whose presence still commands attention across the country and the African continent. Decades after he first stepped into the national spotlight, Obasanjo continues to stand as a symbol of the enduring quest for a pan-Nigerian identity, a vision that has shaped much of his political philosophy and public interventions. From his earliest days in public life, Obasanjo consistently argued that Nigeria’s diversity should be a strength rather than a source of division. His commitment to a united nation extended beyond rhetoric; it was reflected in the way he built alliances and assembled teams drawn from across ethnic and regional divides. Yet Obasanjo’s ambitions were never confined to Nigeria alone. His worldview has always carried a pan-African dimension, reflected in his strong support for liberation movements across the continent during the struggle against apartheid. Nigeria under his leadership became one of the most vocal and active supporters of the fight against racial domination in Southern Africa, offering diplomatic backing and material support to liberation movements determined to dismantle apartheid. His record as both a military and civilian leader remains remarkable in many respects. When he assumed power as Nigeria’s military head of state in 1976 following the assassination of Murtala Mohammed, Obasanjo inherited a nation still grappling with the aftermath of the civil war. His government continued the reforms initiated by the Murtala administration while laying important foundations for Nigeria’s economic and institutional development. Among the landmarks of that era was the commissioning of the Kaduna Refinery, a project designed to strengthen Nigeria’s energy infrastructure and support industrial growth in the northern part of the country. His administration also championed policies that encouraged domestic economic participation, including the famous “Use Nigerian First” orientation that sought to promote local industry and reduce dependence on imported goods. One of the symbolic expressions of that policy was the adoption of the Peugeot 504 assembled by Peugeot Automobile Nigeria as the official vehicle of government. Obasanjo also played a pivotal role in the conception and development of Nigeria’s heavy industrial projects, notably the Ajaokuta Steel Company and the Delta Steel Company. These projects were envisioned as the backbone of Nigeria’s industrialisation drive, designed to position the country as a major manufacturing hub in Africa. President Obasanjo also built the National Theatre complex in Lagos that has now been renamed after his Abeokuta childhood ‘anti-pally’, Prof Wole Soyinka. Equally historic was Obasanjo’s decision to hand over power voluntarily to an elected civilian government in 1979, making him the first Nigerian military leader to transfer authority peacefully to a democratic administration headed by Shehu Shagari. Two decades later, destiny again placed Obasanjo at the centre of Nigeria’s national story when he returned as a civilian president in 1999 following years of military rule. At that time, Nigeria faced enormous challenges. Years of political instability had damaged the country’s global reputation while its external debt burden weighed heavily on the economy. Obasanjo’s administration moved quickly to rebuild Nigeria’s standing in the international community. One of the most significant achievements of his presidency was the successful negotiation that led to the forgiveness of billions of dollars in foreign debt by the Paris Club, a breakthrough that freed Nigeria from a crushing financial burden and opened new opportunities for economic reform. His presidency also emphasised institutional reform and economic discipline. Anti-corruption agencies such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission emerged during that era as instruments designed to restore accountability in public life. The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC was also his idea and it is shocking that the commission has yet to recognise him for that. Another hallmark of Obasanjo’s leadership style was his ability to assemble talented individuals from across the country to serve in government. Many of the technocrats and policymakers who worked under his administration went on to become influential figures in Nigeria’s public and private sectors long after his tenure ended. Observers have often noted that Obasanjo was not inclined to organise his government along ethnic lines. In his inner circle were individuals from different parts of the country. The story has often been told of how Andy Uba, an Igbo political operative, was reportedly among the first to see him in the early hours of the morning and among the last to see him before he retired at night. Similarly, his political machinery included figures like the late Waziri Mohammed, whose influence helped shape aspects of his political strategy. Obasanjo was also known for his hands-on leadership style and his impatience with incompetence when national interest was at stake. One episode that illustrated his firm approach to security occurred in 1999 when twelve policemen were killed in Odi. His decision to deploy troops to restore order generated intense controversy at the time, yet the incident also highlighted the difficult choices leaders must sometimes make in the face of threats to national security. Today, as Nigeria grapples with insurgency and other security challenges, that episode despite the controversy points to how successors have diminished the constitutional pivot of security and welfare being the primary purpose of government. It is telling that the most conspicuous controversy that marked his second coming, that is the third term saga, is today rued by some of its principal antagonists. Your correspondent remembers one of such critics while observing the way Obasanjo’s successors turned out lamented that Nigeria should have offered a third term to Obasanjo. Beyond the controversies and the political battles that marked his career, Obasanjo’s legacy remains deeply intertwined with Nigeria’s search for stability, development and unity. Even in retirement, the elder statesman has continued to speak on national and continental issues—offering counsel, criticism and reflection in equal measure. At 89, Obasanjo stands not merely as a former leader but as a living archive of Nigeria’s modern political history—a man whose career spans the military era, the democratic transition and the ongoing journey of a nation still striving to fulfil its immense promise. For many Nigerians, his story remains a reminder that leadership, at its best, is measured not only by power exercised but by the enduring vision it leaves behind.