Speaking in an exclusive interview with Kayode Akintemi on News Central Television on Thursday, Obasanjo pointed to a lack of strategic planning by some Nigerian leaders as a significant issue.
He criticized an unnamed Nigerian president for assuming office without a clear plan, describing a situation where policies are announced without thorough study or preparation, reflecting what he sees as a shortfall in leadership quality.
Obasanjo said: “I will say, at this point in time, generally there’s a leadership deficit in the world. Otherwise, the situation we have found ourselves in should not be the position we are in. Unfortunately, in Africa, and in Nigeria in particular, we take two steps forward, one step sideways, and take two or three steps backward. That can’t take us far. Leadership is something we should pay attention to.
“What do you say of a Nigerian President who came to office without a plan? And he woke up and just said, ‘three-point plan.’ What are the three points? What are they going to achieve? Who are the people who have worked on it? Oh, you just come and open your mouth and make a pronouncement on something that hasn’t been studied.
“Let me again give you an example: when I was military Head of State, we decided to really be part of the frontline states to fight the last vestiges of colonialism and apartheid.
“And we were determined. So, as a result of our policy, pronouncements, and determination, we became known as members of the frontline states, even though we were a thousand kilometers from the frontline. And we decided that we must do what needed to be done. We worked with the frontline states.”