Olusegun Obasanjo

Olusegun Obasanjo is a Nigerian military officer and politician who served as the President of Nigeria from 1999 to 2007. Previously, he served as the military Head of State of Nigeria from 1976 to 1979. He is the fourth person to hold the office of President of Nigeria since the country’s independence in 1960, and the first to be elected twice in a civilian election.

Early Life and Education

Olusegun Obasanjo was born on March 5, 1937, in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria. He is the son of Amos Adigun Obasanjo and Ashabi Obasanjo. He lost his mother and father to death in 1958 and 1959 respectively.

Obasanjo attended Baptist Boys‘ High School, Abeokuta, where he completed his secondary education in 1956. He then proceeded to the Mons Officer Cadet School in Aldershot, England, where he was trained as an officer in the Nigerian Army. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 1958.

Obasanjo later attended the Defence Services Staff College in Wellington, India, and the School of Engineering in Poona, India. He also holds a Master of Arts degree in Christian Theology from the National Open University of Nigeria.

Military Career

Obasanjo joined the Nigerian Army in 1958 and rose through the ranks to become a Major General in 1975. He served in various capacities in the army, including as the commander of the 2nd Division of the Nigerian Army, which played a key role in the Nigerian Civil War.

In 1976, Obasanjo became the military Head of State of Nigeria following a coup d’état that overthrew the government of General Murtala Muhammed. He ruled for three years and handed over power to a democratically elected government in 1979.

Political Career

In 1998, Obasanjo returned to politics and ran for President of Nigeria on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). He won the election and was sworn in as President on May 29, 1999. He was re-elected for a second term in 2003.

As President, Obasanjo implemented a number of economic reforms, including the privatization of state-owned enterprises and the deregulation of the oil and gas sector. He also worked to improve Nigeria’s relationship with the international community.

Obasanjo’s presidency was not without its challenges. He was criticized for his handling of the Niger Delta crisis and for his alleged human rights abuses. However, he is generally credited with helping to stabilize Nigeria and setting the country on a path of economic growth.

Family

Obasanjo has been married three times. His first wife, Oluremi Akinlawon, died in a car accident in 1967. He married his second wife, Stella Obasanjo, in 1977. She died of heart attack in 2005. In 2009, Obasanjo married his third wife, Bola Obasanjo.

Obasanjo has 20 children and many grandchildren.

Net Worth

Obasanjo’s net worth is estimated to be around $300 million. He is one of the wealthiest people in Nigeria. His wealth comes from a variety of sources, including his military career, his political career, and his business interests.

Conclusion

Olusegun Obasanjo is a complex and controversial figure. He is a military officer, a politician, a businessman, and a philanthropist. He is also a deeply religious man. Obasanjo has had a profound impact on Nigerian history, both during his military rule and during his presidency. He is a towering figure in Nigerian politics and is still active in public life today.