Our mentor crisis and one man's crusade

A recent visit to the African Leadership University (ALU) in Rwanda affirmed just how well the continent is endowed with ambitious young scholars representing its future.

In Kigali, I interacted with Gen-Zs from Kenya, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Ghana, Uganda and across Africa, all brimming with potential to become ethical and entrepreneurial leaders.

The young minds may very well be the Olusegun Obasanjo, Julius Nyerere, Kwame Nkrumah, Wangari Maathai, Tom Mboya and Nelson Mandela of tomorrow – focused not material gain but betterment of the continent.

Names of the above African patriots are engraved at the entrance of ALU, serving as a reminder to aspire to the transformative impact of the iconic figures. The young pan-Africans studying there are being groomed to be the change they wish to see, and take ownership of their future.

Understanding ALU’s mission and vision, against the need for mentorship to provide upcoming leaders with knowledge and guidance needed to stand on the shoulders of experienced figures, brings to mind the exemplary contributions of Mr Obasanjo to peace and stability.

Recently, a viral video of the 87-year-old Obasanjo walking through an airport, pulling his own bag without security detail, highlighted unique personal ethos. The man detests the ‘big man’ syndrome that plagues a continent rife with entitlement among political elites.

Mr Kizza Besigye, the Ugandan opposition politician, aptly describes Africa as having two distinct groups – the oppressors and the oppressed. The oppressors wield power and fabricate imaginary enemies to mask their failures but Mr Obasanjo defends the oppressed.

As the only military ruler in Africa known to have voluntarily handed over power to a civilian, Mr Obasanjo is respected even beyond the continent for his advocacy for equity and a new peace order. It’s remarkable how the retired politician remains humble, never resorting to the bushed refrain of ‘we’re sovereign and outsiders should keep off.’

In his diplomatic pursuits, Mr Obasanjo is always ready to step in whenever a situation calls for truce. He was instrumental in brokering peace in Ethiopia, leading to the Pretoria Agreement of November 2022, which ended chaos in Tigray that killed 600,000 and displaced millions.

In February, he was in Kenya to monitor progress in talks between President William Ruto and Opposition chief Raila Odinga following protests over the cost of living, which resulted in nearly 100 deaths. His efforts set the stage for formation of a UDA-ODM unity Cabinet.

Mr Obasanjo’s love for Kenya is fascinating. In July, he pitched camp in Nairobi when Raila declared his African Union Commission chairmanship bid. In his biography, My Watch, he details how attending Jaramogi Oginga Odinga’s burial in 1994 in Bondo led to his arrest by Sani Abacha.

Unlike leaders who hide behind the veil of sovereignty to shun scrutiny, Mr Obasanjo helped establish the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (Nepad) and the African Peer Review Mechanism, aimed at eradicating corruption, injustice and bad governance. He rightly believes that proper leadership mentorship will restore, rebuild and renew Africa.

His positive work as an African Union High Representative offers a strong foundation for mentees at ALU and other notable mentorship programmes like the Young African Leaders Initiative to build on. The veteran leader’s example highlights need for strategic mentorships that foster a mindset of selflessness among tomorrow’s leaders.

As we work to overcome a dark past characterised by ills of Iddi Amin, Mobutu Sese Seko, Robert Mugabe and others who made us become ‘a man eat man’ society, let’s elect leaders who bring change without negating our sovereignty. Our next generation of mentors must step up.

The need for fresh thinking in a continent facing civil wars and home to 22 of the world’s 26 poorest nations is urgent. In mentoring young minds, we must remember what’s possible when we prioritise collective good over personal gain. It can be done.

-The writer is a communications practitioner