Former Nigerian President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, on Tuesday unveiled the Olusegun Obasanjo Leadership Institute (OOLI), a new initiative aimed at cultivating a new generation of principled and visionary leaders across Africa.
Speaking through a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, the former president described the institute as a long-anticipated response to Africa’s enduring leadership challenges. The official launch was marked by the inauguration of the institute’s governing board at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
“This is not just an institute; it’s a movement,” Obasanjo said, reflecting on the urgent need to address the “yawning gaps” in Africa’s leadership landscape. He emphasized that while OOLI would not be modeled as a military institution, it would draw on the strengths of military discipline and the rigorous training frameworks of institutions such as the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Jos.
The former president, who also serves as the board chairman of the institute, said the idea for OOLI evolved over more than seven decades of observing and participating in leadership processes across the continent.
“For more than 70 years, I have observed and engaged with the complex tapestry of Africa’s developmental journey,” he stated. “While our continent is rich in human and natural endowments, we have persistently fallen short in translating this potential into sustainable development, peace, and prosperity, largely because of deficits in leadership at various levels.”
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Obasanjo described the institute as a strategic platform for raising leaders who are not only competent for today’s realities but also prepared to manage the complexities of future governance, policy, and development.
“Today, I am pleased to formally announce that the institute, which has received the blessing of the National Universities Commission as an affiliate of the Bells University of Technology, is now ready for the full take-off of its programmes,” he said.
According to him, the leadership institute would focus on shaping conscientious, prepared, people-focused individuals who are guided by integrity, insight, and an unyielding commitment to the African continent.
In his charge to the newly inaugurated board, Obasanjo revealed the importance of people-centric governance. “Africa’s greatest asset remains its people. We must invest in them, nurture their potential, and ensure they are prepared to lead with purpose and vision,” he said.
The former president also extended gratitude to fellow African leaders who have inspired transformational leadership across the continent. He specifically commended former President of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama; former President of Mauritius, Ameenah Gurib-Fakim; former President of South Africa, Kgalema Motlanthe; and former President of Senegal, Macky Sall, for their contributions to changing Africa’s leadership narrative.
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