Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has labelled Nigeria as a “failing state” marked by pervasive corruption and leadership failure.
“The failing state status of Nigeria is confirmed and glaringly indicated for all to see,” Obasanjo said in his keynote address at the Chinua Achebe Leadership Forum held at Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.
In a statement released by his media aide, Kehinde Akinyemi, Obasanjo issued a scathing critique of Nigeria’s current state under President Bola Tinubu, referring to the President with the epithets “Baba-go-slow” and “Emilokan,” a term popularized during Tinubu’s election campaign, to underscore what he views as a lackluster leadership.
He stated that the nation’s dire situation is evident to “every honest person.”
“The more the immorality and corruption of a nation, the more the nation sinks into chaos, insecurity, conflict, and disunity,” Obasanjo said.
Drawing inspiration from Chinua Achebe’s 1983 treatise “The Trouble with Nigeria”, Obasanjo reiterated that the nation’s challenges stem from failure of leadership.
He dismissed notions that cultural or environmental factors are to blame, emphasizing instead the inability of leaders to rise to the occasion.
Obasanjo also accused political elites of engaging in state capture, a form of corruption where powerful groups manipulate national policies, laws, and resources for personal gain.
He highlighted the sale of national assets at undervalued prices and the undue influence of interest groups in shaping Nigeria’s economic and political landscape.
“State capture is one of the most pervasive forms of corruption,” Obasanjo added.
“What is happening in Nigeria – right before our eyes – is state capture, where public institutions are subject to undue influence from vested interests.”
The former president criticised the intertwining of business and political elites through family ties, lobbying, and vote-buying, which he argued prioritises private gain over public welfare.
He warned of the long-term implications on education, healthcare, infrastructure, and economic development.
Obasanjo however believed that Nigeria’s challenges are surmountable, provided the nation’s leadership embraces accountability and reforms.
In honoring Chinua Achebe, Obasanjo praised the late literary icon for his lasting contributions to Nigerian society, describing him as “a great and distinguished Nigerian.”
