Meet Olusegun Obasanjo: The First Yoruba Nigerian President

Chief Olusegun Obasanjo is the first Yoruba Nigerian President. However, this article details his profile, net worth, and achievements.

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Who is Olusegun Obasanjo?

Former Head of State and Former President of Nigeria

Olusegun Obasanjo with the full name Olusegun Matthew Okikiola Ogunboye Aremu Obasanjo is a retired Military Leader and former Nigerian President. As a Military leader, he served as the Nigerian Head of State from 1976 to 1979. While he, later on, served as the Nigerian President from 1999 to 2007.

He was born on the 5th of March, 1937 in the village of Ibogun-Olaogun, Ogun State. He attended High School in Abeokuta afterwhich he joined the Nigerian Army where he specialised in engineering. During his stay in the Nigerian Army, he was assigned to Congo, Britain, India for further military trainings and this helped him rise to the rank of major. He also combated Biafran separatrists during the Nigerian Civil War. And accepted their surrender in 1970.

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Meanwhile, Chief olusegun Obasanjo has married several times in his live. Here’s a list of the names of his wives:

• Mojisola Adekunle (Deceased)
• Stella Abebe (Deceased)
• Lynda (Ex-wife, Deceased)
• Esther Oluremi (Deceased)
• Bola Alice (Wife)

Also, he is rumored to have up to 21 children including children he had from his extra affairs.

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Olusegun Obasanjo’s Bio Data

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Military Career

In March 1958, Olusegun Obasanjo was enlisted in the Nigerian Army. And he saw the opportunity to continue his education while still earning an income. Just at that time, the Nigerian Army was been transferred to the control of the Nigerian Colonial government in preparation for Independence. And because there was an initial plan to get more Nigerians to fill the higher ranks in military, Olusegun Obasanjo was sent to a Regular Officers’ Training School at Teshie in Ghana alongside others.

In September 1958, he was selected for 6 months additional training at the Mons Officer Cadet School in Aldershot, Sothern England.

And in 1959, Olusegun Obasanjo returned to Nigeria. And was posted to Kaduna as an infantry subaltern with the fifth Battalion. Then later in 1960, Nigeria became Independent.

Later on, the Fifth Battalion was sent to Congo as part of a United Nations peacekeeping mission. The battalion was stationed in Kivu Province, with Bukavu as its headquarters. However, Olusegun Obasanjo and the others in Congo were in charge of defending civilians. And especially Belgian immigrants, against soldiers who had rebelled against Patrice Lumumba’s administration. Then, Olusegun Obasanjo was kidnapped by mutineers in February 1961 while evacuating Roman Catholic missionaries from a post near Bukavu. The mutineers debated putting him to death, but were told to let him go.

Then finally, the Fifth Battalion left Congo in May 1961 and returned to Nigeria. Then, Olusegun Obasanjo was named a temporary captain throughout the fight. He later stated that the time spent in the Congo strengthened the “Pan-African fervour” of his Battalion.

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Political Career

Chief Olusegun Obasanjo

In 1975, a military coup established a military junta with Obasanjo as part of its ruling trinity. However, the leader of the military junta, Murtala Muhammed was assassinated the following year. Then, the Supreme Military Council appointed him Head of State, and he continued Murtala’s policies.

During his regime, he coordinated the increament in the Nigeria, United State relationship. And also emphasised support for groups opposing white minority rule in Southern Africa.

Come 1979 election, Olusegun Obasanjo oversaw the election and handed over to the newly elected president then who was Shehu Shagari. After then, he returned to Ota in Ogun State where he became a farmer. He also published up to four different books (Guide to Effective Prayer (1999), The Animal Called Man (1999), Women of Virtue (1999), Sermon from the Prison (2000). And took part in international initiatives to end various African conflicts.

Then in 1999, Olusegun Obasanjo won the presidential elections. And he became the Civilian Nigerian President as at the time. He served two tenure, and it lasted from 1999 to 2007.

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Notable Achievements

Here is a list of Olusegun Obasanjo’s notable achievements:

• Introduction of the Telecom Sector (GSM) in Nigeria,
• Establishment of the EFCC and ICPC,
• Launching of Nigeria’s first satellite in space,
• Raising foreign reserve from $5.65 Billion in 1999 to $51.91 Billion by 2007,
• Constructions of Major Roads,
• Introduction of NAFDAC,
• Introduction of Poverty Alleviation Program and National Poverty Eradicatioon Program,
• Implementation of Universal Basic Education Program,
• Improvement in the nation’s infrastructure,
• He helped to form the African Union,
• Liquidating Nigeria’s External debts,
• Improvement of Nigeria’s International Reputation, and so on.

Olusegun Obasanjo’s Net Worth

As of 2022, Olusegun Obasanjo’s net worth was estimated at $1.6 Billion. Making him the 4th richest politician in Nigeria.

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