Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has reflected on the period during his leadership when the United States, under President Jimmy Carter, would not undertake any actions in Africa without informing Nigeria.
Speaking on Monday at the Presidential Youth Mentorship Retreat in Abeokuta, Ogun State, organized by the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Obasanjo’s remarks subtly addressed the ongoing controversy surrounding U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent military threat against Nigeria.
Trump had condemned attacks on Christians in Nigeria, warning of potential U.S. military intervention if the Nigerian government failed to curb jihadist violence.
The Nigerian government, however, rejected Trump’s claims, emphasizing that the country’s insecurity affects all religious groups.
Obasanjo recalled how Nigeria was once highly regarded as Africa’s leader on the global stage, with Carter—whom he described as a close friend—holding Nigeria in high esteem during his presidency.
He noted that the Murtala-Obasanjo administration worked to restore Nigeria’s lost confidence and influence after independence, positioning the country as a leading voice in Africa.
“When I was Head of State, President Jimmy Carter would not do anything in Africa without informing us. They weren’t asking for permission, but they recognized Nigeria’s importance,” Obasanjo said.
He highlighted that, during his tenure, three U.S. presidents visited Nigeria, demonstrating the country’s diplomatic clout at the time.
Reflecting on his younger years in leadership, Obasanjo described himself and his colleagues as idealistic and committed to Nigeria’s development.
“We were all under 40, driven by the belief that Africa and Nigeria must be liberated. It wasn’t about money,” he said.
The mentorship retreat, themed “Africa and the Conflicts in Europe and the Middle East,” drew youth participants from across Africa.
Obasanjo encouraged them to embrace their role as leaders of today rather than waiting for the future. Criticizing the persistence of “sit-tight syndrome” among African leaders, he pointed to examples like Cameroon’s 92-year-old President Paul Biya, questioning the opportunities left for younger generations.
“You have to be positively disruptive,” Obasanjo told the youths, urging them to leverage their population and challenge entrenched systems.
However, he expressed concern that some youths in government had not proven to be trustworthy, saying, “You have the numbers, but those numbers only matter when used effectively.”
Since Obasanjo left office, no U.S. president has visited Nigeria, a development that analysts link to the country’s declining influence on the global stage.