FALF | IMPACT

Impact Report

FUTURE AFRICA LEADERS FOUNDATION HOLDS INTERACTIVE SESSION WITH FORMER PRESIDENT OF NIGERIA, CHIEF OLUSEGUN OBASANJO

The Future Africa Leaders Foundation (FALF) recently held a high-level interactive leadership session with the former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, *Chief Olusegun Obasanjo*,

bringing together ambassadors, emerging African leaders, and the *2025 Future Africa Leaders Awards (FALA) winners* for a timely and impactful conversation on the future of the continent.

During the session, Chief Obasanjo challenged participants to *rethink Africa’s development framework,* emphasizing that the era of dependency on loans and foreign aid must come to an end. He urged African leaders to pursue *a new financial infrastructure built on collaborative entrepreneurship,* innovation, and shared prosperity across nations.

According to him, aid is no longer a sustainable solution for Africa’s growth. Instead, Africans must work together to create value-driven systems that empower the continent from within.

On continental integration, Chief Obasanjo strongly advocated for *visa free travel across African countries*, noting that ease of movement is essential for strengthening trade, cooperation, and economic development within Africa.

He also addressed the role of leadership in peacebuilding, urging FALF ambassadors and the *2025 FALA winners* to become *intentional peacemakers.* Drawing from his extensive experience, he emphasized that the principles of mediation remain constant, advising leaders to be neutral in conflicts, friendly, but not too familiar, in order to maintain credibility and trust.

A key highlight of the session was his emphasis on *consistency in leadership.* He encouraged participants to live lives that reflect discipline, accountability, and intentionality.

*“Whatever you have to do, make the best of it. The future is now, not tomorrow. Keep records. Be consistent. Your life must reflect consistency,” he stated.*

Chief Obasanjo further reinforced the importance of agriculture as the foundation of Africa’s development, stressing that food security is central to sovereignty and independence. He warned that any people who cannot feed themselves risk being controlled by those who do.

He concluded the session with a thought-provoking reflection:

*“A man running frantically in a field of speargrass is either chasing something or running from something.”*

The interactive session provided a rare opportunity for the 2025 FALA winners to engage directly with one of Africa’s most respected statesmen, reinforcing the Foundation’s commitment to nurturing principled, forward-thinking leaders equipped to drive Africa’s sustainable development.