Former President Olusegun Obasanjo recently expressed disappointment with Nigeria’s performance on the global stage, stating that the country has not lived up to expectations since gaining independence 63 years ago. During a keynote address at the launch of a book in Abuja, he lamented Nigeria’s failure to fulfill its potential and its inability to lead Africa and the world as anticipated.
Obasanjo attributed these shortcomings to issues such as selfishness, ethnic and religious divisions, and a misunderstanding of development. He highlighted critical areas like peace, security, justice, and education as essential for progress. Obasanjo pointed out that over 20 million Nigerian children remain out of school, a fact that poses serious future consequences. Additionally, he mentioned that youth empowerment and employment have been neglected, leading to increased poverty and contributing to social issues like banditry, Boko Haram, and organized crime.
