Nigeria Has Become a “Burial Ground of Policies” – Former President Obasanjo Laments

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has, in a fresh remark aimed at the country, said Nigeria is a “burial ground of policies.”

Obasanjo made the comment during the 8th Engr Brig Gen (rtd) Micheal Agu Annual Distinguished Lecture and Awards, held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Space Centre in Abuja.

The lecture and awards with the theme “Nigeria’s 21 years in space 2003-2024: Achievements, challenges, and prospects” were organised by the Nigerian Institution of Space Engineers.

“It is not enough for leaders to have policies or make statements,” Obasanjo said. “We are not short of policies in Nigeria. Unfortunately, Nigeria has become a burial ground of policies that are either unimplemented or unexecuted.”

The former President said that meaningful progress requires concrete actions, not just policy statements.

“Those who make progress achieve progress not on the basis of wishing to make progress, but on taking actions,” Obasanjo noted. “They do not take two steps forward and three steps backwards. Regrettably, this is what we are doing in every aspect of our national life.”

It can be recalled that during his administration, Obasanjo established the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA). The former Nigerian leader said he invested in training Nigerian engineers with over 100 of them sent to China for training in various categories and specializations.

Obasanjo went further to say that the plan was to launch three satellites: one built by China, one in collaboration with China, and a third entirely designed and built by Nigeria. However, he regretted that progress was stalled after he left office, with NASRDA reportedly struggling to pay its workers at some point.