Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Monday recalled that during his tenure as Nigeria’s Head of State, the late US President Jimmy Carter would not undertake any actions in Africa without informing the Nigerian government.
His remarks appeared to indirectly comment on the recent controversy over former US President Donald Trump’s military threat against Nigeria.
Daily Trust reports that in late October and early November, Trump had threatened military intervention in Nigeria if the Federal Government failed to curb killings by jihadist groups.
The threat sparked reactions from the government, Nigerian leaders, and religious organizations.
Speaking at the Presidential Youth Mentorship Retreat (6.0) organized by the Youth Development Centre, an arm of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Obasanjo reflected on Nigeria’s historical influence and the respect it commanded internationally under his leadership.
“When I was Head of State, President Jimmy Carter would not do anything in Africa without informing us. They were not seeking permission, but they would tell us what they were doing,” Obasanjo said, recalling his strong relationship with the late US leader.
Obasanjo also emphasized Nigeria’s potential as a continental leader, noting that the country regained global confidence during the Muritala-Obasanjo military regime after losing it shortly after independence.
“The Americas saw the possibility of Nigeria being Africa’s leader, and we were on the way,” he said.
Addressing participating youths from Nigeria and other African countries, Obasanjo encouraged them to be positively disruptive, seize leadership roles, and leverage their demographic advantage.
“You are leaders of today because if you leave tomorrow in the hands of leaders who are there today, they will destroy it. You won’t have your tomorrow. You have to be positively disruptive; otherwise, you will have no role to play,” he said.
The former president, however, expressed concern that some young leaders in government have yet to prove that youths can be fully trusted in governance.
Obasanjo noted that since he left office, no US President has visited Nigeria, highlighting the country’s diminished influence on the global stage.
