Former President Olusegun Obasanjo
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has described Nigeria as a richly diverse yet governable nation, emphasizing that the country’s complexity should not be mistaken for difficulty in leadership.
Speaking on Tuesday at the launch of the Bakhita ICT Centre in Sokoto State, Obasanjo highlighted unity in diversity as Nigeria’s greatest asset.
“There is so much good in Nigeria, and much of that stems from our unity in diversity,” he said.
“Our diversity defines us, and if managed well—with inclusive governance—we will earn respect and be counted among the world’s leading nations.”
Obasanjo underscored the need for honesty and sincerity from leaders as vital to effective governance.
“Nigeria is not hard to govern if leaders are truthful—to themselves, to God, and to the people,” he remarked. Reflecting on his own experience, he shared, “Since 1979, I have sought guidance from elders across every region—North, South, East, and West—to nurture our unity in diversity.”
Highlighting education as a cornerstone for Nigeria’s future, Obasanjo declared, “Regardless of our religion, tribe, or language, we cannot unlock our potential without education. Today, practical skills alongside general knowledge are essential to empower individuals, communities, and the nation.”
He sounded a warning about the challenges looming as Nigeria’s population is projected to reach 400 million by 2050.
“If we fail to prepare, the threats we face today will pale in comparison. Twenty-four million children are currently out of school, and that creates fertile ground for future conflicts,” he cautioned.
“We must not abandon the mission to educate every child—education builds better leaders, better citizens, and a stronger society.”
Obasanjo praised Governor Ahmed Aliyu’s leadership in Sokoto and lauded the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, for his steadfast commitment to fostering unity. He also commended Bishop Matthew Kukah for establishing the ICT centre and acknowledged Aare Afe Babalola’s support of the initiative.
Sultan Abubakar, speaking at the event, thanked Obasanjo for his presence and urged Nigerians to follow his example in championing national unity.
He stressed that collective effort was essential to overcoming security challenges and driving development.
Representing Governor Aliyu, Sokoto State Chief of Staff Alhaji Aminu Dikko expressed gratitude to Obasanjo and the Catholic Diocese for their collaborative work.
“The state government remains dedicated to advancing technology education, which will open doors for future generations,” he affirmed.
Bishop Kukah explained that the Bakhita ICT Centre is open to all, without discrimination, and is designed to equip Nigerians with vital digital skills. The centre’s courses will cover computer literacy, coding, software development, data science, and more, offering practical tools for the digital age.
NAN
