Obasanjo urges leaders to place Nigeria’s interest above short-term gains

Olusegun Obasanjo, former president of Nigeria, has urged leaders across the country to put Nigeria’s long-term interest above short-term political or personal gains.

He said good leadership must be anchored on honesty, courage and a commitment to policies that outlive individual tenures, stressing that national progress can only be achieved when leaders think strategically and implement decisions that strengthen institutions rather than personalities.

Obasanjo gave the advice virtually at the Second Bi-Annual Honours Awards and Dinner of the Alumni Association of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (AANI), Lagos, held in Lagos, Tuesday.

He said the association must use its platform to build a culture of inclusive development and deepen democratic practice, adding that the country needs leaders who can mentor younger Nigerians and prepare them for public service. Obasanjo, who received a Special Recognition Award through a representative at the event, urged members to invest time in grooming young people, saying, “Invest time in young Nigerians. Build their capacity, teach them ethical leadership and encourage their participation in public offices.”

He noted that true progress depends on strong institutions that ensure transparency, accountability and resilience. According to him, Nigeria’s development trajectory can only improve when policies are guided by long-term thinking and when leaders place the nation’s interest above all else.

Omolara Balogun, chairman of AANI Lagos, said this year’s award ceremony comes at a time of profound global and local changes, which underline the need to shine a searchlight on policy, public service and personal responsibility to actualise the future Nigerians desire. She explained that the ideals of the National Institute are reflected in the event, which highlights a shared responsibility to signal what truly matters for national growth.

She added that building a better society has always been the primary goal of governance, and that the founding fathers envisioned the National Institute as a platform that brings together leaders from the armed forces, intelligence community, public service, private sector, academia, professional bodies and civil society to collectively work on transforming Nigeria from being just a country into a fair and equitable nation.

She said those who pass through the National Institute earn the distinction of being addressed as mni – members of the National Institute, but beyond the title, they carry a lifetime obligation to promote the ideals of a better society. She added that mnis across various state chapters engage their communities through thought-driven interventions that support those charged with governance, noting that over the last 47 years the institute has recorded varying levels of impact, relevance and fulfilment of this mission. In Lagos State, she said, this work continues as members strive to bridge the gap between ideals and implementation, aligning with the broader national pursuit of progress.

Aderemi Desalu, a medical practitioner, Obashina Ogunbiyi, a retired major general were specially recognised under the distinguished service award, alongside Adetokunbo Fayemiwo, a retired major general.

Fola Adeola, co-founder of GTCO Group, received the policy execution award, while Proshare LLC was honoured with the institution award, among several others recognised by AANI Lagos.

Speaking with journalists after the event, Jimmy Agbaje, one of Nigeria’s prominent politicians, reflected on the purpose of the leadership development programme, describing it as an ideal framework for strengthening policy and strategy in the country. He expressed concern that the nation has not fully utilised the pool of talent produced by the programme, despite the abundance of skilled individuals who could contribute meaningfully to governance. He said politics may be hindering the proper integration of graduates into governance structures, noting that although the programme produces individuals with deep knowledge and experience, their impact has not matched their potential.

Agbaje said many graduates possess valuable material and expertise, yet their utilisation remains low, even though some are recognised through awards. He called on the government and the private sector to acknowledge the strategic value of these professionals and to actively include them in committees and decision-making bodies where their expertise can be put to use. He stressed that the underutilisation of these graduates is a missed opportunity for the country and urged leaders to deliberately seek out and engage them.

He reiterated the importance of leveraging the skills, knowledge and experience of programme graduates, insisting that Nigeria stands to benefit greatly when the country makes full use of the human resources already available within its leadership development system.

Hope Moses-Ashike is an Associate Editor, Banking and Finance, with more than a decade of experience reporting on Nigeria’s financial system and broader economy. She closely tracks market movements, monetary policy decisions, company disclosures, regulatory actions, economic indicators, and global developments, and interprets what they mean for businesses, investors, policymakers, and households. Her reporting helps readers understand complex issues such as inflation trends, foreign exchange market dynamics, interest rate decisions, bank performance, and investment risks.

She also covers major international events and periodically travels to Washington, D.C., to report on the World Bank/IMF Spring and Annual Meetings. Her dedication to financial journalism has earned her multiple recognitions and invitations to high-level professional development programmes. She is an alumna of the International Visitors Leadership Programme (IVLP) in the United States and holds an Advanced Financial Journalism Certificate from the Press Association Training in London, UK. Her other notable achievements include completing the Lagos Business School CMC Programme, the Bloomberg Media Africa Initiative Programme, and a Master Class in Journalism at Rhodes University in South Africa.

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