Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has issued a powerful and direct challenge to the inaugural graduates of the Olusegun Obasanjo Leadership Institute, urging them to prioritize national interest above personal gain as they prepare to assume critical leadership capacities across Nigeria and the wider African continent. Speaking with gravitas at the Institute’s maiden convocation and induction ceremony on Saturday, December 27, 2025, Obasanjo underscored the critical importance of integrity, unwavering dedication, and selfless service as indispensable qualities for confronting the multifaceted governance, economic, and social challenges currently facing the nation and its neighbours.
This significant ceremony marked a pivotal milestone, not only for the cohort of newly minted leaders but also for the Institute itself, which was established with the explicit aim of systematically addressing a perceived and persistent leadership deficit plaguing Nigeria and indeed, much of Africa. According to a comprehensive statement released by Professor Elvis Otobo, a media consultant to the Institute’s Deputy Chief Executive, Professor Samuel Daramola, Obasanjo articulated a clear and compelling vision for a new generation of transformative leaders. He emphasized the profound necessity for individuals who are not only rigorously prepared and ethically grounded but also deeply and genuinely committed to the collective welfare and advancement of society.
“We need leaders who are prepared, ethical and committed to the common good. That is the kind of leader this Institute seeks to produce,” Obasanjo declared, outlining the foundational philosophy guiding the institution’s meticulously crafted curriculum and its overarching ethos. This statement unequivocally highlights the Institute’s unwavering focus on cultivating leaders capable of making decisions that consistently place broad societal benefits ahead of individual ambitions or narrow, self-serving interests, a principle deemed absolutely essential for sustainable national development and long-term stability across the region.
Obasanjo candidly acknowledged that leadership in Nigeria has regrettably been hampered by a noticeable absence of clear ethical direction, strategic foresight, and a genuine commitment to public service in many instances. He asserted that the graduates of his Institute must now emerge as exemplary figures, serving as beacons of robust accountability and profound moral responsibility within their respective professional spheres. This impassioned call to action serves as a direct challenge to historical precedents, advocating for a fundamental paradigm shift in leadership conduct and a renewed dedication to national progress.
To rigorously equip its participants for this demanding yet transformative role, the Olusegun Obasanjo Leadership Institute has meticulously designed its comprehensive programs to impart a potent blend of practical, actionable skills, robust theoretical knowledge, and an unshakeable ethical grounding. These core components are considered indispensable for fostering effective and resilient leadership that can adeptly navigate the increasingly complex governance, business, and community environments prevalent today, thereby enabling graduates to contribute meaningfully and strategically to national progress and regional stability.
Beyond formal instruction and academic rigor, the former president also stressed the enduring significance of mentorship and an unwavering commitment to continuous learning throughout a leader’s entire career trajectory. He actively encouraged the graduates to maintain strong and collaborative ties with the Institute, fostering a vibrant culture of knowledge sharing, mutual support, and ongoing professional growth. This emphasis underscores the profound belief that leadership excellence is not a static destination but rather an evolving journey requiring perpetual self-improvement and adaptability.
Obasanjo expressed profound optimism that this graduating cohort would serve as vital conduits for the Institute’s overarching mission, effectively extending its transformative influence into the broader societal fabric of Nigeria and beyond. He envisioned them as powerful catalysts for positive and lasting change across diverse and critical sectors, including transparent governance, ethical commerce, and dynamic civil society organizations. Their collective actions, he suggested, would ultimately help shape a more prosperous, equitable, and well-governed future for the continent, reflecting the Institute’s core values.
Reiterating his core message with conviction, Obasanjo underscored that true leadership is an arduous and weighty responsibility demanding profound selflessness, incisive strategic thinking, and an unwavering, singular focus on the common good of all citizens. The solemn ceremony culminated with the formal induction of these distinguished graduates, officially designating them as esteemed ambassadors of the Institute’s far-reaching vision for ethical, competent, and impactful leadership across the challenging landscapes of Nigeria and the broader African continent, ready to make a tangible difference.
