Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has issued a stark warning about Nigeria’s socio-economic future, declaring that the nation is “sitting on a keg of gunpowder” due to escalating hardship and persistent poverty. Obasanjo made these remarks on Friday during Dele Momodu’s leadership lecture, where he addressed the urgent need for transformative leadership and collective responsibility in tackling poverty across Africa.
Obasanjo emphasized that leadership is the most critical ingredient for eradicating poverty, asserting that no society can thrive without leaders who embody a sense of community and integrity. He stated, “Leadership is the greatest ingredient for ending poverty. There’s no human endeavour that does not thrive on leadership. To get it right, we must ensure no child is uneducated."
He highlighted education as a fundamental tool in the fight against poverty, warning that where there is no education, poverty will inevitably persist. Drawing comparisons with China’s success in lifting 700 million people out of poverty, Obasanjo argued that Nigeria should have no business with abject poverty if it leverages education and good governance.
Obasanjo insisted that Nigeria can eliminate hunger and poverty through integrity, discipline, and effective governance. However, he cautioned that failure to take responsibility would leave the country vulnerable to social unrest: “If we don’t take responsibility, we all sit on a gunpowder keg."
He further noted that until poverty is banished across Africa, the international community would not regard the continent as serious, underscoring the global importance of addressing these challenges.
The lecture also featured contributions from other prominent figures. The Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, echoed Obasanjo’s sentiments, urging Nigerians to be patriotic and support local initiatives to break the cycle of poverty. Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke highlighted the need for humility and accessibility among political leaders, noting that many officeholders are out of touch with the realities faced by ordinary citizens.