United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed urged African nations to draw practical lessons from past leaders as a pathway to building a new generation of ethical and visionary leadership across the continent.

Amina Mohammed Urges Africa to reflect on leadership experiences during a visit to the Olusegun Obasanjo Leadership Institute, where discussions centred on governance, legacy and sustainable development.

Also read: Police nab 27-year-old over fake OPay shutdown claim

Speaking at the institute, Amina Mohammed described the platform as a vital space for preserving leadership knowledge and transferring it to younger generations.

“OOLI is a place for leadership to be discussed, a leadership to be remembered. Leadership for us to stand on the shoulders of those who have been there is important,” Amina Mohammed said.

The visit comes at a time when several African countries continue to grapple with governance challenges, youth unemployment and institutional weaknesses, issues that analysts say underscore the urgency of leadership reform and continuity.

Amina Mohammed emphasised that Africa must adopt a more intentional approach to leadership development.

“Africa as a continent must draw lessons from the experiences of past leaders to prepare the next generation of ethical and visionary leaders,” she said.

During the engagement, the UN deputy chief also held a closed door meeting with former President Olusegun Obasanjo, founder and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the institute.

The high level discussion focused on peacebuilding, strengthening governance institutions and advancing sustainable development goals across Africa.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo highlighted the purpose behind the institute, stressing that leadership should not be left to chance.

“Our goal at OOLI is to ensure that leadership in Africa is not left to chance. We are building a space where experience, scholarship, and practice meet, so that future leaders do not start from zero, but from a foundation of tested wisdom and global engagement,” Olusegun Obasanjo said.

The interaction also featured Professor Samuel Adedeji Daramola, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the institute, who described the visit as a strong validation of its mission.

He noted that Amina Mohammed’s reflections on continuity and legacy align with the institute’s objective of nurturing impactful leadership across the continent.

Observers say the visit represents a significant moment in ongoing efforts to reposition leadership discourse in Africa, particularly as global institutions increasingly advocate for inclusive governance and youth centred policies.

Also read: Police nab 27-year-old over fake OPay shutdown claim

With leadership transitions expected in several African countries in the coming years, Amina Mohammed’s message reinforces a broader call for continuity, accountability and the strategic use of historical experience as a foundation for future progress.