Former President Olusegun Obasanjo revealed that poverty and unemployment were key factors behind the emergence of Boko Haram during the early days of the insurgency in the North-East.

Speaking at the launch of a book authored by his daughter, Obasanjo emphasized the urgent need to address the issue of over 20 million out-of-school children in Nigeria, warning that they could become potential recruits for future extremist groups if not tackled promptly.

During discussions on government policies and the nation’s challenges, Obasanjo highlighted the tendency to seek scapegoats instead of addressing root problems.

He recounted his interactions with Boko Haram representatives who expressed their desire for a better life and cited unemployment as a major concern.

Obasanjo stressed the importance of effective governance and leadership in nation-building, urging Nigerians to take responsibility for their own problems and prioritize the well-being and education of their people.

Obasanjo also presented the “Five P’s of Nation-Building” – population, prosperity, protection, politics, and partnerships – as essential elements for development.

He acknowledged Nigeria’s weaknesses and emphasized the need to manage diversity for democracy to thrive.

The book launch featured discussions on Nigeria’s progress as a state, with Obasanjo regarding it as a work-in-progress, highlighting the imperfections even in established nations like the United States.

The author of the book, Dr Kofo Obasanjo-Blackshire, shared her motivation for writing based on her father’s advice to serve others, driven by her observations of injustice and corruption in Nigeria.

She expressed her concern about the vast gap between the nation’s resources and the living standards of the average Nigerian.