Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said that Nigeria's socio-economic and political situations have remained stagnant because of a leadership deficit.

Amid the current economic hardship occasioned by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's economic policies, Obasanjo noted that the only way out for Nigeria to experience growth, is for “self-centred” leaders to give way.

The former president made this assertion in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, on Saturday, August 17, as a special guest of Honour at the Leadership Empowerment International Conference, Channels TV reported.

According to him, for Nigeria to progress from its present dilemma, the present crops of those he labelled “self-centred leaders” occupying offices at all levels of governance must loosen their hold on the country.

As reported by ThisDay, Obasanjo said the country is presently plagued at all levels by a band of self-centred leaders who are deficit of knowledge, bereft of understanding and demonstrating a leadership style that does not see service as the centrepiece for development.

Speaking further, he challenged Nigerians to seek, by all means possible, an end to the culture of enthroning transactional leaders as against transformational leaders who will deliver good governance.

“And if you ask me in one word, what is the bane of Nigeria today? I will not think about it twice. I will say it is leadership. Leadership that is self-centred, leadership that is a deficit of knowledge and understanding and leadership that does not see service as the centrepiece of what leadership is all about.

“If we can get the leadership right, we will get all other things right.”

In early June 2024, Obasanjo stated that the country was becoming increasingly volatile, uncertain, and complex.

As reported by The Punch, he added that insecurity had rendered Nigeria a dangerous place, marked by suffering and hunger.