Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has revealed that his outspoken nature on national and international issues led to his imprisonment under the regime of late Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha, in 1995.
Obasanjo shared these insights on Friday while addressing 15 young leaders from across Africa at an interactive session held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) in Abeokuta, Ogun State. The youth were participants of the Future Africa Leaders Foundation, which included winners of the prestigious Future Africa Leaders Awards.
Speaking about his journey, Obasanjo said his refusal to remain silent on critical issues of governance and leadership ultimately landed him in jail.
“Going into prison is really a challenge because I refused to keep quiet. For me, if there is anything to comment on, I did comment on them, and so, I landed in prison. That is a challenge,” he said.
Reflecting on his decision to run for president in 1999 after his release, Obasanjo explained that his motivation was to prevent Nigeria from collapsing.
“When I came out from prison, the situation was so bad in the country that some people felt the need to be saved, and pressure started coming,” he said.
Obasanjo, who transitioned into agriculture at the age of 42 after retiring from the military, also shared how this phase of his life was interrupted by his incarceration.
“I joined the Army, and at the age of 42, I finished my career as a military officer. But what could I do? I was still young, energetic, and dynamic. So, I took to agriculture, and during that time, I went into prison, and that is not what I really wanted,” he added.
During the session, Obasanjo also addressed Africa’s growing debt crisis, criticizing the financial recklessness and corruption behind many of the loans.
“Most of the debts cannot be explained. Some are outright corruption,” he lamented.
