Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Monday urged Africa’s growing youth population to be “positively disruptive” and take up leadership roles across the continent.
He said young people must understand that they are no longer leaders of tomorrow but of today, and should therefore use their strength in numbers to drive the long-awaited transformation in Africa.
In a related development, former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Martin Luther Agwai (retd.), described United States President Donald Trump’s recent “guns-a-blazing” threat over alleged Christian genocide in Nigeria as a wake-up call for the nation’s leaders to step up efforts in tackling insecurity.
Both leaders spoke on Monday at the Presidential Youth Mentorship Retreat, themed “Africa and the Conflicts in Europe and the Middle East”, organised by the Youth Development Centre of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The annual lecture attracted participants from across Nigeria and other African countries.
Recall that Trump recently threatened possible military intervention in Nigeria amid allegations of large-scale violence against Christians.
He declared that he had directed the Pentagon to prepare “possible action” if the Nigerian government failed to curb the killings, warning of aid suspension and a potential “guns-a-blazing” attack.
Addressing the youths, Obasanjo said, “You are leaders of today because if you leave tomorrow in the hands of leaders who are there today, they will destroy it; you won’t have your tomorrow.
“You can see that happening almost everywhere. Cameroon just had an election. My brother, Paul Biya, is 92. So, what are you going to do with the youths — or are there no youths in Cameroon?”
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Speaking about Nigeria’s situation, the former president referenced the Not Too Young To Run law, criticising older politicians who continue to dominate leadership positions.
“We have Not Too Young To Run, and they even made it into law. Those who made it into law are 80 years old, and they are still running. When will you have the opportunity to run? Like I said to you yesterday, you have to be positively disruptive — and I mean that.
“Look, if three people are sitting and two of them start to press the one in the middle, when it becomes uncomfortable for him, it is either he yields the space or allows them to share. You have to be positively disruptive; otherwise, you will have no role to play,” he said.
Obasanjo further urged the youth to leverage their population to assume leadership positions. He also emphasised the importance of identifying and utilising opportunities as a pathway to success.
He added, “You have the number, but the number will only matter when you use it to your advantage.
“If you cannot identify opportunities, you may not know how to use them. So, identifying opportunities will be of great benefit to any serious-minded youth.”
In his remarks, Agwai cautioned against waiting for external powers to determine Nigeria’s fate, warning that domination by foreign forces would not change the country unless Nigerians themselves are willing to change.
He stated, “I do not see Trump’s military action happening immediately. In everything, there are intentions, and in every intention, your reaction also matters. For every action, there is almost an equal and opposite reaction. So how we react, how we understand, and how we deal with it is most important.”
Agwai noted that conflict often serves as an alarm for deeper issues that need to be addressed. He emphasised the need for dialogue, justice, and equity in resolving Nigeria’s challenges.
“I am happy people are seeing this as a wake-up call. Conflict sometimes is a wake-up call for us. Even if America comes and dominates Nigeria, would it change what Nigerians are? If Nigerians are not willing to change themselves, they cannot.
“You can’t legislate peace or force it on people. But through understanding, justice, equity, and honest discussions, we can remove fear and the negative narratives all around us. Every country has its challenges — Nigeria is not an exception. It is time to close ranks and look at one another as brothers.
“If a bomb begins to land today, it will not separate Yoruba, Muslim, Christian, Hausa, Fulani, or minority. We must find ways to accommodate one another so that this beautiful country continues to be what it is — the envy of others”, Agwai said.
Agwai noted that Trump’s threat should not sow further division but instead serve as a catalyst for national unity and meaningful dialogue aimed at preserving Nigeria’s stability.
Also speaking, Chairperson of the Youth Development Centre, Dr. Bisi Kolapo, encouraged young Nigerians to remain fearless and focused in pursuing their aspirations.
“Nigeria will be great again and rise to its full potential,” she affirmed.
