“I went to prison for refusing to keep quiet” – Obasanjo

…urges young African leaders to drive change

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has revealed that his imprisonment under the late Sani Abacha’s military regime was due to his refusal to stay silent on critical national and international issues.

Obasanjo shared this during an interactive session with 15 young African leaders at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) in Abeokuta, Ogun State, over the weekend. The session included winners of the 2024 Future Africa Leaders Awards, under the Future Africa Leaders Foundation (FALF).

Recounting his experiences after retiring from the military at 42, Obasanjo described prison as an unforeseen challenge he faced for voicing his opinions.

“Going to prison is a challenge I faced because I refused to keep quiet. Whenever there was a need to comment on issues, I did so. That’s how I ended up in prison,” he said.

The former president said his decision to contest the presidency in 1999 was prompted by the deteriorating state of Nigeria upon his release from prison.

Read also: Why Shell refused to run Nigeria’s refineries – Obasanjo

“When I came out of prison, the situation in the country was so bad that pressure mounted for me to step in and help save it,” he explained.

Obasanjo also criticised the rising debt in Africa, attributing it to corruption and financial mismanagement. He cited instances of loans acquired for projects that never materialised but were still repaid.

He commended FALF founder Chris Oyakhilome for empowering young leaders across Africa since 2013.

“What Pastor Chris Oyakhilome has been doing is marvellous. Some may dismiss it as a drop in the ocean, but many drops make the ocean,” Obasanjo said.

The young leaders, drawn from 15 African countries, including Libya, Morocco, and Kenya, were urged by Obasanjo to embrace their roles as agents of change and adopt “positive disruptive action” in leadership.

Julian New Ariori from Benin Republic, the star prize winner, expressed gratitude, noting that the tour of the Obasanjo Presidential Library inspired them to lead with purpose.