Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has opened up about his prison experience under the military junta of General Sanni Abacha in 1995. Speaking at an interactive session with 15 young African leaders at his presidential library, Obasanjo attributed his imprisonment to his inability to remain silent on national and international issues.

“I refuse to keep quiet. For me, if there is anything to comment on, I did comment on them, and so, I landed in prison, and that is a challenge,” Obasanjo said. He also shared that his time in prison was a turning point that led him to seek the presidency in 1999, driven by a desire to save Nigeria from disintegration.

Obasanjo, who had previously settled into agriculture after his military service, emphasized the importance of leadership and encouraged the young leaders to take on positive roles in shaping Africa’s future. “Go and be African leaders of tomorrow; you have even said it is leaders of today and not tomorrow. It is no longer tomorrow but today with positive disruptive action,” he urged.

The former president also expressed concern about Africa’s debt, citing cases of reckless borrowing and corruption. “Most of the debts cannot be explained. Some outright corruption,” he noted.

The interactive session was part of the Future Africa Leaders Foundation’s program, which brought together young leaders from various African countries. Obasanjo commended the foundation’s founder, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, for his efforts in nurturing young leaders. “What Pastor Chris Oyakhilome has been doing since 2013 is marvelous… I am very pleased and satisfied with him on this project,” he said.