Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has cautioned that Nigeria faces growing risks of instability, insecurity, and economic hardship unless urgent action is taken to prioritize education, skill development, and national unity.
Speaking on Tuesday at the commissioning of the Bakhita ICT Centre in Sokoto — established by Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah with support from legal icon Aare Afe Babalola — Obasanjo warned that the neglect of millions of out-of-school children poses a direct threat to the country’s stability.
“Twenty-four million children who should be in school are not in school,” he said. “You don’t need an oracle to know they will become the recruiting ground for Boko Haram of tomorrow.”
The former president emphasized the need for human development, empowerment, and employment, urging Nigerians to harness diversity as a strength. “It is not unity in diversity alone, but unity of purpose for our country, in spite of our diversity,” he added.
Commending the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, and Bishop Kukah for championing interfaith dialogue, Obasanjo praised Kukah as “a different sort of Bishop” who speaks against injustice and oppression.
Obasanjo further warned that Nigeria’s fast-rising population, projected to hit 400 million by 2050, could become unmanageable if leaders fail to act. “If we fail to prepare now, Boko Haram of today will be child’s play compared with what we may face in the future,” he cautioned.
He also stressed the urgent need for digital skills, noting that artificial intelligence and new technologies would displace many jobs. “AI will take over many jobs. We must prepare our people with the right knowledge and skills,” he said.
On the economy, he lamented the nation’s reliance on food imports despite its vast agricultural resources. “Why should we import our staple food? If farmers cannot make a profit, they will stop planting,” he warned.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s democratic history, Obasanjo recalled how the late Sultan of Sokoto encouraged women to vote in 1979 — a step he described as a milestone for the nation.
Concluding his address, Obasanjo urged today’s leaders to embrace honesty and accountability: “Nigeria is not a difficult country to govern if we are honest with ourselves, with God, and with the people.”
Source:Africa Publicity
