Chief Olusegun Obasanjo (born 1937), popularly known as OBJ or Baba, is a towering figure in African history. He holds the unique distinction of being the first military ruler in Africa to voluntarily hand over power to a civilian government (1979) and later serving as the first president of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic (1999–2007). As of January 6, 2026, he remains a hyper-active elder statesman, acting as a relentless critic of the status quo and a diplomatic “firefighter” across the continent.
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Key Biographical Information
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Olusegun Mathew Okikiola Aremu Obasanjo |
| Born | March 5, 1937, Abeokuta, Ogun State |
| Presidency | 1976–1979 (Military); 1999–2007 (Civilian) |
| Status | Elder Statesman (Age 88 as of January 2026). |
| Legacy Pillars | Debt relief for Nigeria, EFCC/ICPC creation, and AfCFTA advocacy. |
| Current Residence | Oluwanishola Farm / Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta. |
2025–2026: The “Incomplete Mission.”
Entering 2026, Obasanjo has shown no signs of slowing down, recently declaring that the mission of Nigeria’s leaders is “not done yet.”
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Criticism of the Security Crisis: In late 2025, Obasanjo became a vocal critic of President Bola Tinubu’s administration regarding the nation’s insecurity. Speaking in Jos in December 2025, he urged the government to “stop apologizing” to terrorists and instead use advanced technology like drones to “take them out.” This prompted a sharp rebuttal from the Presidency, which accused him of lacking credibility on the issue.
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Political Re-strategizing: Throughout December 2025, Obasanjo’s home in Abeokuta became a “Mecca” for political consultations ahead of the 2027 elections. He hosted high-level delegations from the PDP National Working Committee and former presidential candidates like Olawepo-Hashim, urging them to prioritize national security and stability over partisan gains.
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Pan-African Diplomacy: In September 2025, he chaired the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) in Algiers, where he brokered deals projected to unlock over $44 billion in trade. On New Year’s Eve 2025, he chaired the Future Africa Leaders Awards, continuing his role as a mentor to the continent’s next generation.
Health and Lifestyle: The “Diabetes Warrior”
Obasanjo’s longevity is a point of national fascination, particularly his management of chronic illness.
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World Diabetes Day (Nov 2025): To mark the day, the nearly 90-year-old statesman led a 15-minute brisk walk (covering over 3km) from his library complex. Having lived with diabetes for over 40 years, he used the event to launch a campaign to get one million Nigerians tested, emphasizing that “lifestyle modification is the best remedy.”
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Active Routine: He continues to be an avid squash player and farmer, famously waking up at dawn to attend to his poultry and agricultural interests at his farm in Ota.
The Presidential Library (OOPL)
His library in Abeokuta remains a hub for global diplomacy. Just days ago, on January 3, 2026, former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta toured the complex, describing it as a “vital repository of Africa’s political and cultural legacy.”