During My Leadership, the U.S. Consulted Nigeria on All African Moves” Obasanjo
During My Leadership, the U.S. Consulted Nigeria on All African Moves” Obasanjo
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has stated that when he was Nigeria’s military Head of State, the United States, led by President Jimmy Carter at the time, consistently informed Nigeria of its major actions in Africa.
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Obasanjo made this remark on Monday in Abeokuta at a youth mentorship retreat hosted by the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library.
This recollection comes as Nigeria responds to recent comments from the U.S. President Donald Trump, who suggested America might send troops to Nigeria if the government fails to address killings by jihadist groups. The Nigerian government has firmly rejected this, stating that the insecurity is affecting all communities and is being tackled.
Though not directly addressing the Trump controversy, Obasanjo reflected on an era when Nigeria was unequivocally seen as Africa’s leader. He emphasized that the country once held such significant international stature that the U.S. would brief them on its African strategies.
“They weren’t asking for permission, but they would inform us,” he clarified.
Obasanjo noted that his government, along with that of the late General Murtala Mohammed, was responsible for reclaiming Nigeria’s global prominence after a period of diminished standing post-independence.
“At independence, we were seen as a giant. We lost that soon after. Murtala and I brought it back,” he said.
Speaking to the young attendees, Obasanjo encouraged them to be “positively disruptive” and to actively pursue leadership roles instead of waiting passively. He warned against Africa’s “sit-tight” leaders and cautioned that if the youth delay, “there may be no tomorrow left to inherit.”
“You have the numbers,” he stated, “but the number only matters when you use it.”
