Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has raised the alarm over the growing hardship and poverty levels in the country, declaring that Nigeria is currently “sitting on a keg of gunpowder.”

Obasanjo made the sobering remarks on Friday while speaking at the Dele Momodu Leadership Lecture Series, where he addressed urgent national issues and the path to a more prosperous Nigeria.

The former president criticized the persistent poverty experienced by millions of Nigerians, stating that a nation so richly endowed should not be battling widespread hunger and deprivation.

“If China can lift 700 million people out of poverty, then Nigeria has no business with abject poverty,” he said.

Obasanjo emphasized that education remains a key weapon in the fight against poverty, noting that where education is lacking, poverty is inevitable.

He stated, “To get it right, we must ensure no child is uneducated. Education is one of the tools we can use to banish poverty.”

The elder statesman also pointed to leadership as a critical factor in reversing Nigeria’s economic woes.

“Leadership is the greatest ingredient for ending poverty. There’s no human endeavour that does not thrive on leadership. In all walks of life, we must have leaders whose characters display a sense of ‘communality’,” Obasanjo added.

He called on the government to take responsibility and act with urgency, warning that continued neglect of the suffering population could lead to social unrest.

“Nigeria can eliminate hunger and poverty with integrity, discipline, and good governance. But if we don’t take responsibility, we are all sitting on a gunpowder keg,” Obasanjo warned.

The former president’s statement comes amid rising inflation, increasing cost of living, and growing dissatisfaction among Nigerians who say the government has failed to address their basic needs.

Obasanjo concluded with a message to the African continent, urging governments to tackle poverty with renewed commitment: “Until we banish poverty in Africa, international communities will not recognize us as a serious continent.”

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