Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has launched a fresh wave of criticism against the administration of President Bola Tinubu, accusing him and Vice-President Kashim Shettima of corruption, financial waste, and misplaced priorities. In his newly released book titled Nigeria: Past and Future, Obasanjo described Tinubu’s handling of the controversial N15.6 trillion Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project as an example of reckless government spending. He also condemned the construction of a N21 billion official residence for the vice president, calling it a misuse of public funds at a time when many Nigerians are struggling with economic hardship.
Obasanjo, known for his outspoken views on governance, did not mince words in his assessment of the current administration’s financial decisions. He criticized Tinubu’s apparent disregard for concerns raised about the 700-kilometer Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road, arguing that the project exemplifies how public funds are funneled into ventures that primarily benefit political elites rather than the general population.
The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, estimated to cost N4.93 billion per kilometer, has faced intense scrutiny from economists and policy analysts who question the rationale behind the project. Minister of Works, David Umahi, confirmed that an initial N1.06 trillion has already been allocated for the pilot phase, representing just six percent of the total cost. Critics have pointed out that such a significant financial commitment to a single project raises concerns about transparency, accountability, and the government’s overall fiscal responsibility.
Adding to his criticisms, Obasanjo lambasted the construction of a N21 billion official residence for Vice-President Shettima, a decision he characterized as wasteful and reflective of a leadership style driven by personal gain rather than national interest. “The new vice-president’s official residence built at a cost of N21 billion in the time of economic hardship to showcase the administration hitting the ground running and to show the importance of the office of the vice-president. What small minds!” Obasanjo wrote in his book.
This latest critique is not the first time Obasanjo has taken aim at Nigerian leaders over governance failures. The former president has been a vocal critic of successive administrations, often calling out what he sees as a culture of corruption, incompetence, and self-interest among those in power. He expressed frustration with the fact that many individuals who ascend to leadership positions—including governors, ministers, and local government chairpersons—are ill-prepared for the responsibilities they undertake, yet remain primarily focused on enriching themselves.
Obasanjo did not hold back in his evaluation of the current political climate, suggesting that Nigeria’s leadership has become transactional in nature. He accused politicians of prioritizing their personal financial gains over national development, reinforcing the belief that governance in Nigeria operates under the principle of “It is my turn to chop.” He further exposed a troubling pattern where individuals who assume political office quickly amass unexplained wealth, erasing their past debts without any visible means of generating legitimate income.
“How do you explain the situation of a chief executive, a governor, whose business was owing the banks billions of naira and millions of dollars before becoming a governor and within two years of becoming governor, without his company doing any business, he paid all that his businesses owed the banks? You are left to guess where the money came from. Having got away with that in the first term, he consigned to himself almost half of the state resources in the second term. He was a typical example of the goings-on at that level almost universally in the country with only a few exceptions,” Obasanjo wrote.
Beyond financial misconduct, Obasanjo also criticized Nigerian leaders for engaging in deceitful governance practices. He highlighted cases where chief executives manipulate facts, conceal financial transactions, and mislead the public about key economic decisions, including contract awards, international agreements, and national asset sales. In his view, such practices reveal a leadership culture that is both dishonest and detrimental to Nigeria’s long-term development.
Obasanjo’s book serves as a continuation of his longstanding efforts to hold Nigerian leaders accountable. In 2019, he penned a series of letters condemning the economic policies and governance failures of former President Muhammadu Buhari, particularly in the areas of economic mismanagement and security deterioration. His latest publication suggests that, in his view, little has changed under Tinubu’s leadership, and the trend of poor governance continues.
As expected, Tinubu’s administration has not yet issued an official response to Obasanjo’s allegations. Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga has remained silent on the matter, further fueling speculation about the administration’s stance on the issues raised. Meanwhile, Nigerians are left to ponder the implications of Obasanjo’s words and whether his warnings will inspire any meaningful reforms in governance.
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