Former President Olusegun Obasanjo reminisces about Nigeria’s golden era of diplomatic influence, saying the U.S. once respected Nigeria’s leadership role in Africa during his tenure.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has revealed that during his tenure as Nigeria’s Head of State, the United States under the late President Jimmy Carter did not take any major action in Africa without first notifying Nigeria.
Obasanjo made this disclosure on Monday in Abeokuta during the Presidential Youth Mentorship Retreat, organised by the Youth Development Centre of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library.
His remarks come amid ongoing debate over former U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent warning that Washington might consider deploying troops to Nigeria if the Federal Government fails to curb killings linked to jihadist groups. The Nigerian government has since dismissed Trump’s comments, insisting that insecurity affects all citizens, regardless of religion or ethnicity, and is being addressed.
Although Obasanjo did not mention the Trump controversy directly, he reflected on a time when Nigeria commanded immense global respect and influence across the African continent. He recalled that during his administration, Nigeria was seen as the continent’s leading power — one whose opinion mattered in global affairs.
“When I was Head of State, the United States under Jimmy Carter would not make any significant move in Africa without informing us,” Obasanjo said. “They were not asking for permission, but they respected Nigeria enough to keep us informed.”
The former leader credited his government and that of the late General Murtala Mohammed for restoring Nigeria’s global reputation after what he described as a post-independence decline in confidence.
“At independence, the world saw Nigeria as a giant. Soon after, we lost that. When Murtala and I came in, we brought it back,” he added.
Addressing the youth participants, Obasanjo urged them to take ownership of the nation’s future by being “positively disruptive” and assertive in leadership. He warned that if young Nigerians remain passive, the nation’s progress could be stalled by sit-tight leaders who refuse to give way.
“You have the numbers,” Obasanjo told the youths, “but numbers only matter when you use them. If you wait for the current generation of leaders to hand over, there may be no tomorrow left to inherit.”
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