Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has emphasized that sustainable nation-building is only possible when economic, social, and political development is rooted in strong ethical values and a deep sense of social responsibility.

He made this statement in Abeokuta during the inaugural Olusegun Obasanjo Leadership Training Programme for Secondary School Prefects, organized by the Olusegun Obasanjo Leadership Institute (OOLI). The programme brought together nearly 1,000 head boys, head girls, and senior prefects from secondary schools across Ogun State.

Obasanjo highlighted the importance of social responsibility as a key pillar of nation-building, urging both individuals and institutions to embrace it. He described the prefect system as a leadership incubator, noting that although prefects are students, they are entrusted with authority to maintain discipline and assist school administration.

“Economic, social, and political development go hand in hand with nation-building. Societal responsibility is an ethical obligation for individuals and organisations to act in ways that benefit society,” he said.

He further explained the roles of school prefects: “A prefect is a senior pupil invested with authority by the school management to help maintain discipline and assist in administration. Power is delegated to students in areas such as food management, sanitation, or morning devotion. Prefects carry a little of a teacher’s authority and must demonstrate exemplary conduct.”

Obasanjo encouraged the students to set clear missions, visions, and goals, referencing Edwin Locke’s Goal-Setting Theory as a framework for personal growth and disciplined planning.

The Ogun State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, praised Obasanjo’s initiative, describing it as aligned with the state’s education reform agenda under Governor Dapo Abiodun. Arigbabu reminded prefects that true leadership is grounded in service, character, and influence, urging them to return to their schools as role models of discipline and excellence.

Professor Peter Okebukola, a member of the OOLI Governing Board, explained that the institute was established by Obasanjo to groom emerging leaders from the family unit to global platforms. He revealed that with over 25,000 secondary schools in Nigeria, the programme is ultimately intended for head boys and head girls nationwide.

“The training seeks to unlock and strengthen leadership potential in young Nigerians through structured capacity building,” Okebukola said. “These are the leaders of today and tomorrow—future Vice-Chancellors, governors, senators, and even global leaders. They already have God-given talent, but training is needed to enhance their leadership capacity.”