Obasanjo: Carter never took any action in Africa without informing Nigeria

Obasanjo: Carter never took any action in Africa without informing Nigeria

ABEOKUTA — Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has reflected on Nigeria’s once-commanding influence in global affairs, recalling that during his tenure as military Head of State, late U.S. President Jimmy Carter would not take any major decision on Africa without informing Nigeria.

Obasanjo made the remarks on Monday at the Presidential Youth Mentorship Retreat (6.0) held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta, Ogun State. His comments appeared to subtly reference the ongoing controversy surrounding U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent warning about alleged “Christian genocide” in Nigeria and his threat of possible military action.

Speaking to an audience of young leaders from across Africa, the former president recounted Nigeria’s strong international standing in the late 1970s, saying that global powers once viewed the country as Africa’s natural leader.

“At independence, the world saw Nigeria as a rising giant, but we lost that confidence soon after,” Obasanjo said. “When Muritala and I came into government, we brought it back. When I was Head of State, President Jimmy Carter would not do anything in Africa without informing us. They were not taking permission, but they would tell us what they were doing.”

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Obasanjo, who maintained a close friendship with Carter until his death in 2024, said the U.S. once held Nigeria in such high regard that three American presidents visited during his leadership.

He also reflected on the idealism that drove his generation, saying the young military officers of his time were guided by patriotism, not personal gain.

“We were young and idealistic. All of us were under 40. We were probably naïve, but it wasn’t about money — it was about what we wanted for Nigeria,” he said.

Turning to Africa’s current political landscape, Obasanjo challenged youths to rise above complacency and claim leadership roles through what he described as “positive disruption.”

“You are leaders of today, not tomorrow. If you leave tomorrow in the hands of the leaders of today, they will destroy it. You have to be positively disruptive, otherwise you will have no role to play,” he warned.

Citing Cameroon’s 92-year-old President Paul Biya, Obasanjo criticised the continent’s “sit-tight syndrome” and questioned the sincerity of ageing politicians who champion youth inclusion while refusing to step aside.

“We have a ‘Not Too Young To Run’ law, but those who passed it are 80 and still running. When will you have the opportunity?” he asked.

Obasanjo urged young Africans to harness their numerical strength for collective political influence but lamented that some youth in government have not yet proven trustworthy.

The retreat, themed “Africa and the Conflicts in Europe and the Middle East,” drew participants from across Nigeria and several other African nations.

Since Obasanjo left office in 2007, no U.S. president has visited Nigeria — a contrast to the frequent high-level engagements of his era.

Obasanjo: Carter never took any action in Africa without informing Nigeria

(DailyTrust)