General Olusegun Obasanjo GCFR (born 1937) is a unique figure in Nigerian history, having led the nation as both military head of state (1976-1979) and elected president (1999-2007). Born in Abeokuta, Obasanjo joined the Nigerian Army in 1958, rising through the ranks during the Civil War where he accepted Biafra's surrender. As military leader, he oversaw Nigeria's transition to civilian rule in 1979, willingly handing over power—a rare act in African military governance. In 1999, he was elected president after years of military dictatorship, working to restore democracy, combat corruption, and revitalize the economy. He negotiated debt relief saving Nigeria billions. His farm in Ota became a symbol of post-political productivity. Controversial and resilient, Obasanjo remains influential in African politics, mediating conflicts across the continent. Love him or critique him, his impact on modern Nigeria is undeniable.


SOLDIER-STATESMAN:
Olusegun Obasanjo’s journey spans military engineering, civil war command, and democratic governance. After leading the 3rd Marine Commando to end the civil war, he became head of state in 1976 and voluntarily handed power to a civilian government in 1979—an unprecedented move at the time.

DEMOCRATIC RESTORATION:
Elected president in 1999, he prioritised debt relief (successfully negotiating a $18 billion Paris Club write-off), launched anti-corruption bodies (EFCC and ICPC), and rejuvenated telecoms, ushering in the GSM revolution. He invested in agriculture, power reforms, and public-sector pension restructuring.

CONTINENTAL MEDIATOR:
Obasanjo remains Africa’s go-to mediator, chairing ECOWAS missions in Liberia, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, and Tigray. As AU envoy, he promotes regional integration, food security, and climate-smart agriculture through his Ota Farm Institute.

CONTROVERSIES AND REFLECTIONS:
Though criticised for attempted constitutional amendments and heavy-handed tactics, he documents lessons in My Watch and Not My Will, encouraging institutional strengthening. His ongoing leadership academies train African youth on governance.

FAST FACTS:
- Born 5 March 1937 in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
- Military rank: General; civilian honour: Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR).
- Founded: Obasanjo Farms Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library.
- Current roles: UN/ AU mediator, chair of numerous agricultural think tanks.