Former President Olusegun Obasanjo don raise serious concern over the worsening insecurity, unemployment and poverty wey dey affect Nigeria, warning say leadership failure and lack of economic opportunities don make many citizens begin look outside the country for better future, even when the journey fit put their lives for danger. According to the former president, Nigeria no fit continue to watch young people struggle for survival while kidnapping, poverty and insecurity dey threaten the country’s future.
As Nigerians continue to search for greener pastures abroad, Obasanjo don ask important questions about wetin really go wrong with a country wey once offer citizens greater freedom to move around and pursue their dreams. E also make am clear say government must stop treating these challenges like ordinary political complaints and begin provide practical solutions.
Leadership Wahala: Obasanjo Remembers When Nigerians Fit Travel Without Fear
Obasanjo make these remarks on Saturday, November 7, during one panel session wey carry the theme Lest We Forget at the Creative Africa Nexus Weekend 2026, organised by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) for Lagos. As e reflect on Nigeria security situation since independence, the former president remember how e return to the country after completing im military training for Britain in 1959 and enjoy the freedom to travel across different parts of the country without fear. E explain say when dem post am to northern Nigeria, e fit travel alone, whether na daytime or nighttime, without the kind of security concerns wey citizens dey experience today.
But as e look the present situation, e question how Nigeria take reach a point where people dey worry about their safety whenever dem wan travel. For a country wey citizens suppose enjoy freedom of movement, kidnapping and insecurity don turn ordinary journeys into serious security considerations.
E insist say government must urgently address the problems wey dey affect the country, especially unemployment, poverty, kidnapping and impunity. In im words, “We just have to do what we should do to provide job opportunities, to stem the tide of impunity, to stem the tide of poverty, to stem the tide of kidnapping and insecurity.” Obasanjo also express concern over the situation of university graduates wey finish school without enough employment opportunities.
According to am, government no fit continue to produce graduates without creating jobs for them and expect such individuals to remain economically productive. E also recount one encounter with Nigerians wey dem arrest over drug-related offences, explaining say one of the individuals attribute im involvement in illegal activities to the loss of legitimate employment. Although economic hardship no be justification for criminal activities, the story highlight how unemployment and desperation fit contribute to dangerous decisions. For many young people, the struggle don move beyond getting good grades to finding any genuine opportunity wey fit provide stable income and reasonable future.
Leadership Wahala: Nigeria Security Crisis and Economic Pressure Still Dey Raise Concern
Obasanjo warning no come without broader background, as international humanitarian organisations don continue to document the security and displacement challenges wey Nigeria dey face. According to the United Nations refugee agency, Nigeria get approximately 3.5 million internally displaced persons, with conflict, communal violence, economic pressure and climate-related challenges contributing to the humanitarian situation.
These figures show say insecurity no be only matter of people getting kidnapped or attacked; e also dey affect families, education, farming, businesses and access to basic services. When people lose their homes, farms and sources of income because of violence, their ability to rebuild their lives become more difficult. These realities make Obasanjo concern about security and economic opportunities particularly important.
Meanwhile, the discussion happen during Creative Africa Nexus Weekend 2026, wey hold from November 5 to 8 at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, formerly known as the National Theatre, for Lagos. The event bring together creatives, investors, policymakers and industry stakeholders to explore how Africa fit turn its cultural and creative talents into sustainable businesses and employment opportunities. Vice President Kashim Shettima, wey represent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during the opening, also stress the importance of transforming Africa’s global cultural recognition into commercially successful businesses.
Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, disclose say proposed transactions worth over $500 million dey under discussion between Nigerian entrepreneurs, buyers and investors through business deal rooms wey dem organise with Afreximbank. Afreximbank president, Dr George Elombi, also emphasise say access to production financing must go together with proper distribution networks and other structures wey fit help businesses succeed. The creative industry get potential to provide jobs through fashion, music, film, design and other businesses, but the important question remain how these opportunities go reach ordinary young people wey dey struggle to survive.
The issue of migration also deserve serious attention because the desire to leave Nigeria no always mean say citizens no love their country. For many people, na better employment, personal security, quality education and improved living conditions dem dey search for. However, irregular migration through dangerous routes fit expose vulnerable individuals to exploitation, trafficking, abuse, detention and even death. This is why creating opportunities at home and strengthening security institutions remain important parts of addressing the problem.
Government must also recognise say job creation no suppose end with political announcements or the distribution of certificates at empowerment programmes. Businesses need a stable environment, young entrepreneurs need access to affordable financing, graduates need opportunities to use their skills, and workers need an economy wey fit reward their efforts. Nigeria get talented people across different sectors, but talent without proper support fit become another reason why people go carry their skills elsewhere.
As Obasanjo don raise these concerns, the responsibility to address them no suppose end with political speeches, public criticism or the usual exchange of blame between government officials and opposition figures. Nigerians need measurable improvements in security, employment, economic opportunities and public accountability. The former president’s comparison between Nigeria of 1959 and the present situation also raise one uncomfortable question about the country’s development over the years.
If citizens once enjoyed greater freedom to travel around their country, wetin stop the present generation from enjoying even better conditions? Leadership wahala no go disappear through speeches alone; na effective policies, proper implementation and accountability fit begin change the situation. As Nigerians continue to search for a future wey go offer safety and dignity, OGM News Pidgin go continue to monitor developments and bring una further updates on the matter.
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