Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has attributed Nigeria’s ongoing challenges to a lack of effective leadership, asserting that the country is not inherently difficult to govern. Obasanjo made these remarks during a Q&A session at the inaugural memorial lecture for the late Akintola Williams, organized by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) in Lagos. The event was themed “Leadership Dynamics: Current Realities and the Way Forward.”

While acknowledging Nigeria’s complexities, Obasanjo emphasized that strong leadership is the key to national development. “Nigeria is a complex country, but it is not a difficult country to manage. You must be honest with yourself, with Nigeria, and with your God,” he remarked. Reflecting on his time in office, Obasanjo claimed that he had effectively managed the nation’s resources, ensuring that the economy thrived. “I did everything I could for Nigeria during my presidency, and I can proudly say that,” he said.

He went on to recall the economic state of Nigeria when he took office, noting that the country had N3.7 billion in reserves, with N3.5 billion spent servicing its debts. Despite Nigeria’s position as a major oil exporter, Obasanjo highlighted his efforts to secure debt relief. “We inherited a debt of N3.36 billion and left office with a surplus of over N25 billion in excess crude funds, as well as reserves exceeding N45 billion,” he explained.

Obasanjo also paid tribute to Akintola Williams, praising him as a figure of wisdom whose contributions to Nigeria’s political, social, and economic landscape were profound. “He deserves all the honors we can bestow posthumously for his invaluable service to this nation,” Obasanjo said. In his remarks, ICAN President Davidson Alaribe noted that the memorial lecture aimed to reflect on the leadership values Akintola Williams embodied. “We should honor him not only with monuments but by upholding his principles in our everyday lives, turning challenges into opportunities for excellence,” Alaribe concluded.