Nigeria not difficult to manage, needs honest leadership – Obasanjo
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has emphasised that Nigeria’s struggles are due to a lack of quality leadership, rather than inherent difficulties in governing the country.
He made this statement at a recent memorial lecture in honour of the late Akintola Williams, organised by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) in Lagos.
Obasanjo highlighted his administration’s achievements, including securing debt relief and building up the nation’s financial reserves.
“When I assumed office, Nigeria had just N3.7 billion in reserves, and we were spending N3.5 billion to service debt,” he recalled. “I knew we needed debt relief, and we achieved it. By the time I left office, we had over N25 billion saved in what we called ‘excess crude,’ and our reserves had grown to over N45 billion.”
He also paid tribute to the late Akintola Williams, describing him as a wise and dedicated public servant who made significant contributions to Nigeria’s political, social, and economic spheres.
ICAN President Davidson Alaribe encouraged attendees to honour Williams’ legacy by upholding the high standards he set in their own professional lives.
“Let us honour him not just with plaques and statues, but through our daily commitment to uphold the standards he set, transforming every challenge into a stepping stone towards excellence,” Alaribe said.
