Former President Obasanjo Urges Action to Address Insecurity, Unemployment in Nigeria

In a statement, former President Olusegun Obasanjo has called for urgent action to address worsening insecurity, unemployment and poverty in Nigeria. According to Punch Newspapers, Obasanjo warned that leadership failures are forcing citizens to seek refuge in neighboring countries. The former president did not specify what actions he believes should be taken, but emphasized the urgent need for the Nigerian government to address these issues. This call comes as Nigeria grapples with rising insecurity, including the Boko Haram insurgency in the northeast and banditry in the northwest, as well as high unemployment rates, particularly among youths. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, the unemployment rate in Nigeria was 33.3% in Q2 2021, up from 27.1% in Q2 2020. Obasanjo’s call for action is particularly significant given his history as a former president and his continued influence in Nigerian politics. However, it remains to be seen whether the current government will heed his call and take meaningful action to address these pressing issues.