Obasanjo: As a NOUN student, I rejected favours and wrote my exam

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has recounted his experience during doctoral degree programme at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).

Speaking at the university’s convocation ceremony in Abuja on Saturday, Obasanjo said he rejected favours to facilitate his studies.

He said this is because he was determined to experience the academic process of obtaining his doctoral degree.

The former president, who was awarded a PhD in Christian Theology, added that there is no age limit nor status barrier for one to be educated.

He said:“I wrote my examination in my study centre with other students to utilise the learner support service like any other student.

“I went through the rigour and discipline of the graduate school like any post-graduate student.”

Obasanjo also took a swipe at the Nigeria’s leaders, blaming them for plunging the country into poverty.

He said Nigeria is poor due to the decisions made by its leaders.

“I have come out with the conviction that poverty is not our lot or the lot of any individual or group in Nigeria,” he said, adding: “It is the choice made consciously or unconsciously by our leaders.

“The beginning of getting Nigeria out of poverty into wealth creation and employment generation is in our choice of leaders who understand what development means and what it entails and who are ready to do what needs to be done and make hard choices that need to be made.

“This includes stepping on toes of friends and well-wishers who will not conform to the transformation or change agenda.”