Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has stated that during his tenure, the late US President Jimmy Carter could not undertake any actions in Africa without Nigeria’s awareness.
Obasanjo made the remark on Monday, the 10th of November, 2025, in Abeokuta, Ogun State, at the Presidential Youth Mentorship Retreat (6.0), organised by the Youth Development Centre, part of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL).
His comment comes amid controversy over President Donald Trump’s threat of military intervention in Nigeria. Between the 31st of October and 1st of November, 2025, Trump criticised ongoing attacks on Christians in the country and stated that America was prepared to deploy its military if the federal government failed to halt killings by jihadist groups.
Trump’s statements have drawn varied reactions from the federal government, Nigerian leaders, and religious organisations. The federal government rejected the allegations, emphasising that insecurity in Nigeria affects all religious communities.
Although Obasanjo did not address the Trump controversy directly, he reflected on how the US under Carter treated Nigeria with respect. Obasanjo and Carter, who passed away in December 2024, were considered close friends. Earlier this year, in January, Obasanjo held a memorial service in Abeokuta to honour Carter, praising the former US President, who died at 100.
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Recalling Nigeria’s historical position, Obasanjo said, “right from independence, the world and, indeed, America saw Nigeria as Africa’s leader,” noting that the country had lost international confidence until the Murtala-Obasanjo military regime restored it.
On the US-Nigeria relationship under Carter, Obasanjo said, “They were not taking permission from us but they will tell us that ‘they are doing this.’
“When I was president and Head of State, three American presidents came to Nigeria. They have not lost anything that they were looking for in Nigeria. What did they see?
“At Independence, the world saw Nigeria as a giant coming up. Soon after independence, we lost that. When Murtala and I came into government, we brought it back.”