“Forgive Me, These Are My Own Tears” — Obasanjo Breaks Down Over Rising Hunger In Nigeria

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has made an emotional public statement over the alarming levels of poverty and hunger sweeping across Nigeria, saying it is the first time he has cried openly due to the depth of the nation’s suffering.

In a heartfelt address captured in a recent video, Obasanjo expressed deep concern about the worsening economic crisis, noting that the level of hardship many Nigerians now face is “extremely, extremely hot” and threatens the very dignity of human life.

“Forgive me, this is the first time I’m crying with my own tears,” the elder statesman said, visibly moved. “What people are going through in this country today is beyond poverty—it is starvation.”

Obasanjo urged Nigerians and policymakers to differentiate between relative poverty and absolute hunger. “A man riding a bicycle may be poor compared to someone with a car, but he is not hungry. Hunger is when you don’t know what you’ll eat in the morning,” he said.

Reflecting on his childhood in a rural village, Obasanjo recalled that despite limited means, families never faced hunger. “We had little, but there was always food. Garri in the morning, garri in the afternoon, maybe pounded yam at night. Today, many families go to bed unsure of tomorrow’s meal.”

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The former president attributed the deepening crisis to unjust economic structures and poor governance, emphasizing that while the world has enough resources to go around, inequality in distribution remains the major barrier. “God gave the world enough for everyone, but it is the way we manage and share resources that breeds hunger and poverty,” he said.

Obasanjo underscored education as a vital tool in combating poverty. “No nation can grow without educating its people. Education is the most powerful weapon against poverty,” he asserted. However, he stressed that beyond schooling, leadership rooted in character, empathy, and community values is essential for national transformation.

“Leadership should begin at home and grow into the nation. We need leaders who understand that ‘I am because we are.’ That is the African philosophy of unity and shared progress,” he said.

Concluding his remarks, Obasanjo appealed to Nigerians not to give up hope, insisting that every human being carries potential. “When people are given a chance to grow, they can lift not only themselves but their families and the nation.”

The emotional outpouring from one of Nigeria’s most influential leaders has sparked widespread reactions online, reigniting conversations about the state of the economy, inequality, and the urgent need for reform.