Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has described longevity as a responsibility to continue serving humanity, urging leaders to remain committed to the development of society.
Obasanjo made the remark during the maiden Founder’s Day celebration of the Olusegun Obasanjo Leadership Institute, organised in his honour as he marked his 89th birthday.
The event, held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta, Ogun State, brought together participants of the institute’s leadership programmes, diplomats and other dignitaries who gathered to reflect on the former president’s decades of public service and his contributions to leadership development across Africa.
Speaking at the ceremony, Obasanjo described his 89th birthday as a moment for reflection and gratitude rather than personal celebration.
“This day is more about the grace of God than about age. Longevity should be seen as a responsibility to continue contributing to society,” he said.
Reflecting on his years in public service—from his role during the Nigerian Civil War to his leadership in government and international engagements—Obasanjo maintained that Africa’s major challenge remains the quality of leadership.
According to him, the continent’s problems are not primarily caused by a lack of natural resources but by a shortage of visionary leadership and strong institutions capable of driving sustainable development.
He therefore urged participants undergoing leadership training at the institute to view their education as a call to service rather than merely an opportunity to obtain certificates.
“A single well-formed leader can change the course of history,” Obasanjo said, encouraging emerging leaders to treat their certificates as mandates to serve with integrity, courage and a sense of responsibility to society.
Director of the institute, Martin Agwai, paid tribute to Obasanjo, describing him as a transformational leader whose influence spans generations.
Agwai said the former president exemplifies a rare combination of vision, discipline, empathy and strategic intelligence that has shaped leadership discourse across Africa.
Also speaking, Haiti’s Ambassador to South Africa, Jean Pillard, commended Obasanjo for his long-standing commitment to African unity, diplomacy and institutional development.
The Founder’s Day celebration also highlighted key milestones in Obasanjo’s leadership journey, including 47 years since he handed over power to a civilian government in 1979 and 27 years since his election as Nigeria’s president in 1999.
