Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has said leaders must look for capable people who can help solve national problems instead of trying to handle everything alone.………
Speaking during an interview on Advocacy for Good Governance, Obasanjo recalled how he searched for experts during his first term in office. He explained that although late Adamu Ciroma was his neighbor and a respected figure, he needed someone with deeper knowledge of international financial institutions.
According to him, that search led him to Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, whom he described as highly competent and technically sound. He said her experience and understanding of global finance became important to his administration at the time.
Obasanjo explained that while he focused on discussions with presidents and prime ministers, Okonjo-Iweala handled talks with finance ministers to ensure Nigeria’s interests were properly represented. He noted that teamwork and expertise were necessary for solving difficult economic challenges.
The former president used the experience to advise governments facing challenges to actively seek solutions by bringing in skilled and knowledgeable people. He stressed that leaders should not ignore experts when trying to fix problems affecting the country.
In his words, “I needed her, and I got her. When I’m talking to a president or a prime minister, she’s talking to a finance minister, ‘Hey hold the finance, don’t leave him or her, until he gets instructions from his or her president.’”
