Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has harshly criticized President Bola Tinubu’s leadership, declaring Nigeria’s status as a failing state. Speaking at Yale University, Obasanjo highlighted the nation’s worsening corruption, insecurity, and governance failure. He called for leadership reform, warning against the growing influence of political elites in state decisions.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has strongly criticized the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, declaring that Nigeria’s status as a failing state has been confirmed under his administration. Speaking at the Chinua Achebe Leadership Forum at Yale University, Obasanjo, referencing Nigeria’s challenges, claimed that the country's situation was worsened by widespread corruption, insecurity, and mismanagement. He referred to Tinubu as “Baba-go-slow” and “Emilokan,” signaling what he sees as the president's inability to address the country's pressing issues.
Obasanjo emphasized that Nigeria’s decline stems from a failure of leadership, a theme he traced back to Chinua Achebe’s 1983 work, The Trouble with Nigeria. He argued that the failure to confront corruption, youth unrest, and violence has led Nigeria into chaos.
In his address titled Leadership Failure and State Capture in Nigeria, Obasanjo highlighted the dangers of "state capture," where political elites manipulate policies for personal gain, further aggravating the nation’s challenges.
He also warned against the influence of special interest groups that bend laws for their benefit, undermining Nigeria’s development. While critical, Obasanjo ended on a note of hope, urging a shift in leadership dynamics to correct the nation’s course.
