Obasanjo gave the warning on Tuesday at the inauguration of the Bakhita ICT Centre at the Catholic Secretariat in Sokoto State. He stressed that education and knowledge remain Nigeria’s strongest tools for survival, progress, and global relevance.
“By the year 2050, people like the Sultan will still be here. I am not praying to be here 25 years from now,” Obasanjo said. “We will have the problem of 400 million Nigerians that have to be provided with food, jobs, and security. If we fail to prepare for that, Boko Haram of today will be a child’s play.”
The former president urged Nigerians to embrace unity in diversity, noting that inclusive governance and national cohesion were essential to overcoming looming challenges.
“If our diversity is managed with fairness and good governance, where everyone is included, Nigeria will not only survive but also take its rightful place among the world’s leading nations,” he added.
Obasanjo praised Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah for spearheading the ICT project, describing the centre as a facility designed for all Nigerians regardless of religion, ethnicity, or gender.
In his remarks, the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, commended Obasanjo’s presence at the event and called on Nigerians to emulate his commitment to national unity. He also emphasized the urgent need for collective effort to tackle insecurity and promote development.
Speaking on behalf of Sokoto State Governor Ahmad Aliyu, the Chief of Staff, Alhaji Aminu Dikko, assured that the state government remains committed to advancing technology-driven education as a means of empowering the younger generation.
