Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has voiced concerns about Nigeria’s stagnation in growth and development, stating that the country has not progressed as it should. Speaking at the 8th Brigadier General Michael Agu (rtd) annual lecture and awards event at the Obasanjo Space Centre in Abuja, he criticized the poor implementation of policies.
Obasanjo noted that it is not enough for leaders to simply create policies or make declarations. “Nigeria doesn’t lack policies; unfortunately, it has become a graveyard for unimplemented policies,” he said.
He emphasized the importance of action over empty promises. “Progress isn’t made through wishful thinking but through deliberate action. You can’t move forward by taking two steps forward and three steps back,” he lamented, expressing disappointment over Nigeria’s setbacks across various sectors.
Obasanjo highlighted the issue of inconsistency as a barrier to Nigeria’s progress. “As long as we operate this way, we will continue to struggle. We must concentrate on what we can manage effectively instead of spreading ourselves too thin,” he advised.
Reflecting on his presidency, Obasanjo recalled founding the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA). He mentioned sending over 100 Nigerian engineers to China for training and having a clear vision for Nigeria’s space program. His plan was to launch the country’s first satellite with China’s assistance, followed by another with more significant Nigerian participation, and ultimately, a fully Nigerian-made satellite.