Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has described Nigeria as a “failing state,” attributing this to widespread corruption and leadership failures under President Bola Tinubu.

Speaking at an event in New Haven, Connecticut, USA, on Saturday, November 16, Obasanjo stated, “Nigeria’s situation is dire. The more immoral and corrupt a nation becomes, the deeper it sinks into chaos, insecurity, conflict, division, youth unrest, confusion, violence, and underdevelopment.”

He further criticized the administration of President Tinubu, referring to it as the period of “Baba-go-slow and Emilokan.” Obasanjo emphasized that Nigeria’s status as a failing state is evident to anyone willing to look, with corruption, mediocrity, immorality, mismanagement, injustice, and incompetence all contributing to the nation’s decline. However, he also pointed out that there is still hope.

Obasanjo argued that the root of Nigeria’s problems lies in the failure of its leaders to rise to the challenge of true leadership, which is defined by personal integrity and responsibility. He warned of the dangers of state capture, where powerful individuals and groups manipulate a nation’s policies, legal systems, and economy to serve their private interests.

He specifically condemned the acquisition of national assets by political elites and their families at discounted prices, as well as the allocation of national resources to various actors both locally and internationally. Obasanjo called for legal measures to prevent and prohibit such practices both within Nigeria and on the global stage.