Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has urged Nigerians to take collective responsibility for the nation’s future, warning that meaningful progress will remain difficult unless citizens come together to tackle the country’s challenges.
Obasanjo spoke on Thursday at the 6th Annual Colloquium marking the 65th birthday of Trinity Church founder, Pastor Itua Ighodalo. The event, themed “The Future of Nigeria,” focused on charting a path forward for the country.
Represented by the Deputy Chief Executive of the Olusegun Obasanjo Leadership Institute, Prof. Adedeji Daramola, the former president stressed that nation-building is a shared duty requiring contributions from all segments of society.
He said Nigerians should not expect miracles without collective effort, noting that everyone — from market women to professionals and political leaders — has a role to play in shaping the country’s direction. According to him, Nigeria’s future remains promising despite present challenges.
“Until we come together to work and fix Nigeria, nobody will fix it for us,” he stated.
Obasanjo acknowledged the importance of leadership but maintained that broader progress depends on collective participation and accountability. He also emphasised the need to involve young people more actively in governance and development, describing them as central to the nation’s future.
He added that Nigeria’s large youthful population presents a major opportunity that must be harnessed through technology and innovation, particularly in the era of artificial intelligence, to create meaningful opportunities for young citizens.
Other speakers at the colloquium raised similar concerns about Nigeria’s trajectory and called for urgent reforms across key sectors.
Economist Prof. Eghosa Osagie advocated increased local production, cautioning against excessive consumption of imported goods. Ms. Opeyemi Adamolekun of Enough is Enough Nigeria criticised the country’s political system, describing it as increasingly commercial and transactional, while technology investor Iyinoluwa Aboyeji highlighted structural gaps in digital connectivity, noting that most infrastructure remains concentrated in Lagos.
Dignitaries at the event included Vanguard publisher Sam Amuka, business leader Folorunsho Alakija, and former Cross River State governor Donald Duke, among others, who gathered to honour Pastor Ighodalo.
Participants agreed that Nigeria is at a critical juncture where decisive action, inclusive governance, and strategic investment in youth and infrastructure will shape the country’s future in a competitive global environment.
