Obasanjo tells leaders to be open and prepare youths for leadership

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has called on Nigerian leaders to lead with honesty, fairness, and responsibility, saying the younger generation deserves transparent and purposeful leadership to guide the country into a better future.

He made the call in Abeokuta during the grand reunion and maiden lecture of the Royal College of Defence Studies Alumni Association, Nigerian chapter. The former president, who was represented by Professor Samuel Daramola of the Olusegun Obasanjo Leadership Institute, spoke on the challenges facing young people in an increasingly divided world.

Obasanjo said today’s youths are growing up in more difficult times than past generations. He recalled that his own youth came after the Second World War when nations, though divided, respected international order and worked together for common peace and development. He explained that the current global climate is filled with chaos, conflicts, and impunity, leaving young people to face uncertainty on their own.

He urged political and social leaders to invest in the next generation instead of consuming resources meant for the future. According to him, the success or failure of any society depends on how much it prepares its youths for leadership, stressing that young people should be included in all aspects of governance, business, and community life.

The former president reminded the audience that young people are not just leaders of tomorrow but active participants in today’s decision-making. He advised them to build strong character, resilience, and self-reliance, which he described as key tools for survival and success in a world full of instability.

President of the association, retired Major General Oluwaseun Oshinowo, said the group was formed to bring together graduates of the Royal College of Defence Studies who are committed to national development. He added that their annual gathering serves as a platform for discussing ways to strengthen leadership and strategic thinking across sectors.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama, represented by a senior official of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, said the government remains focused on a foreign policy built on national interest and global respect. He noted that the Royal College of Defence Studies has played a major role in training global leaders who influence strategic decision-making.

Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, represented by his adviser on security, Olusola Subair, said the breakdown of family values has affected national growth and called on parents, teachers, and community leaders to play their part in shaping the mindset of young Nigerians toward productive living.

The event brought together senior military officers, government officials, and development experts who shared their views on how to rebuild trust between leaders and the youth. They agreed that only transparent leadership and renewed values can secure the nation’s future.