There’s leadership deficit in Africa — Obasanjo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo says Africa is battling deficit in effective, ethical, transformational, inspirational and visionary leadership at various levels. He noted that the continent is rich in human and natural endowments, but has persistently fallen short in translating the potential into sustainable development, peace and prosperity due to deficit in leadership. Obasanjo said this […]

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo says Africa is battling deficit in effective, ethical, transformational, inspirational and visionary leadership at various levels.

He noted that the continent is rich in human and natural endowments, but has persistently fallen short in translating the potential into sustainable development, peace and prosperity due to deficit in leadership.

Obasanjo said this as he unveiled an initiative, the Olusegun Obasanjo Leadership Institute (OOLI) with the aim to reclaim Africa’s leadership narrative.

A statement by his Media Aide, Kehinde Akinyemi, quoted Obasanjo to have spoken at the formal inauguration of the Governing Board at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) Abeokuta, Ogun State capital.

He said “For more than 70 years, I have observed and engaged with the complex tapestry of Africa’s developmental journey. While our continent is rich in human and natural endowments, we have persistently fallen short in translating this potential into sustainable development, peace, and prosperity—largely because of deficits in leadership at various levels.

“Through the triumphs and the trials, one fault line has remained stubbornly persistent: the deficit in effective, ethical, transformational, inspirational and visionary leadership. This leadership gap has often been the difference between progress and stagnation, between peace and conflict, between prosperity and poverty.”

Obasanjo said the institute was established after his over seven decades of understudying leadership development.
“Today marks not just the inauguration of the Governing Board of the Olusegun Obasanjo Leadership Institute (OOLI), but the formal launch of the operational phase of a vision—a vision that has been shaped by my experiences and convictions spanning over seven decades.

“The establishment of the Olusegun Obasanjo Leadership Institute (OOLI) is one of my earnest responses to this challenge. I conceived OOLI as a platform to raise and strengthen leaders who are not only equipped for today’s realities but also prepared to navigate the complexities of tomorrow.

“Our mission is clear: to equip leaders at all levels with the skills, capability, understanding, technology, values, orientation and vision necessary to transform our nations individually and our continent collectively.”