My leadership Institute is a Movement to reclaim Africa – Obasanjo

On Tuesday, former Nigerian President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo announced the official launch of the Olusegun Obasanjo Leadership Institute (OOLI), describing it as both an institute and a movement dedicated to reshaping Africa’s leadership narrative.

The goal of OOLI is to invest in a new generation of leaders who are principled, prepared, and people-focused.

Speaking at the inauguration of the Governing Board at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Obasanjo, through a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, urged board members to recognize that Africa’s greatest asset is its people.

He emphasized that with the right leadership, the continent can achieve limitless potential for itself and the world.

Obasanjo acknowledged the contributions of several African leaders to leadership development, including Ghanaian President John Mahama, Mauritian President Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, former South African President Kgalema Motlanthe, and former Senegalese President Macky Sall.

As the Institute’s Board Chairman, Obasanjo stated that the establishment of OOLI is the culmination of over seven decades of his observation and engagement with leadership development.

He highlighted the persistent deficit in effective, ethical, transformational, inspirational, and visionary leadership as a major impediment to Africa’s progress despite its rich human and natural endowments.

The OOLI, which has received the blessing of the National Universities Commission (NUC) as an affiliate of Bells University of Technology, is now ready for full program implementation.

Obasanjo described this as not just an institutional milestone but a personal dream fulfilled.

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The Institute’s mission is to equip leaders at all levels with the necessary skills, capabilities, understanding, technology, values, orientation, and vision to transform their nations and the African continent.

Obasanjo explained that OOLI will be a hybrid institution, initially headed by a former Military General, but not a military organization. It will incorporate positive aspects from the military and will also draw inspiration from the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) but will be unique in its approach.

Obasanjo expressed confidence that OOLI will become a beacon of excellence in leadership education, preparation, and practice, and will collaborate with other organizations and institutions with similar objectives.

He specifically thanked Ghanaian President John Mahama for commissioning the Institute’s headquarters on March 5, 2024, and lauded his leadership in Ghana, noting the clear positive impact on the country’s development indicators.

Obasanjo stated that Mahama’s presence at the board inauguration is a testament to his belief in the transformative power of leadership.