Lagos: The Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN), Amina Mohammed, has described the Olusegun Obasanjo Leadership Institute (OOLI) as a unique platform for leadership reflection and continuity. Mohammed made the remarks during a courtesy visit to Prof. Samuel Daramola, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the institute.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the statement was made by Prof. Elvis Otobo, Media Consultant of the institute, and issued to newsmen on Wednesday. Mohammed emphasized that the OOLI is a place where leadership can be discussed, remembered, and sustained for future generations. She highlighted the importance of building on the experiences of past leaders for the benefit of future generations.
The statement quoted Mohammed as saying that the leadership under Prof. Daramola is essential in driving OOLI’s programs and engaging stakeholders in continental leadership initiatives. The institute works alongside former African presidents, diplomats, and global scholars to advance its mission.
Mohammed also held a strategic meeting with former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, who is the Founder and Chairman of the institute’s board of trustees. The meeting focused on shared priorities such as peacebuilding, sustainable development, youth leadership, and strengthening governance institutions across Africa. The alignment between the OOLI’s vision and the UN’s broader agenda for inclusive and accountable leadership was reaffirmed, emphasizing the importance of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The statement quoted Obasanjo reiterating OOLI’s commitment to serving as a continental hub for leadership excellence. He stressed that the institute aims to ensure that African leadership is not left to chance, providing a foundation of tested wisdom and global engagement for future leaders.
Prof. Daramola, speaking on behalf of the Director of the institute, Gen. Martin Luther Agwai, described the visit as a significant milestone in OOLI’s international partnerships. He expressed that hosting the UN deputy secretary-general is both an honor and a validation of the institute’s work, aligning with its mission to translate values into impactful programs for communities and future leaders.
Agwai noted that the visit further positioned OOLI as a strategic partner in global conversations on governance, development, and leadership transformation. He emphasized that the visit opened new avenues for collaboration with multilateral institutions, universities, and civil society organizations worldwide, highlighting OOLI’s growing global relevance in leadership development and governance discourse across Africa and beyond.
Agwai further stated that the remarks of the UN official underscored OOLI as a living archive of African leadership experience and a forward-looking engine for nurturing the next generation of ethical and visionary leaders.