by Nigeria’s former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, celebrated his 88th birthday today, March 5, 2025, with a lavish party attended by high-ranking officials, political personalities, and traditional rulers.
The event, which took place at The Delborough Hotel on Victoria Island in Lagos, brought together a number of significant figures to pay tribute to the elder statesman.
The prominent guests included former President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Patience; former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; and former Senate President Bukola Saraki and his wife, Toyin. The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, millionaire businessman Razaq Akanni Okoya and his wife, Shade, and former Imo State Governor Emeka Ihedioha were among those in attendance.
Popular socialites such as E-Money, Obi Cubana, and Cubana Chief Priest attended the party, which increased the event’s visibility.
In commemoration of the anniversary, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu paid tribute to Obasanjo, calling him a “extraordinary leader and statesman” whose contributions to Nigeria’s progress are still significant. In a statement marking the occasion, Tinubu emphasized Obasanjo’s decades of service and acknowledged his contribution in molding the country’s political landscape. He stated that while some of the former president’s initiatives in national affairs have been contentious, they have played a critical role in influencing public policy and holding authorities accountable.
Tinubu reflected on Obasanjo’s military career, recalling his involvement in ending the Nigerian Civil War. Obasanjo, a colonel in the Nigerian Army, accepted the document of capitulation from Biafran Army Commander, Col. Philip Effiong, in 1970, effectively ending the fight. He also praised Obasanjo’s leadership after General Murtala Muhammed’s killing in 1976, highlighting his devotion to democracy, which resulted in the smooth transfer to civilian administration in 1979.
Tinubu also praised Obasanjo’s return to leadership as Nigeria’s democratically elected president in 1999, adding that his administration inaugurated the Fourth Republic, which has now lasted 25 years.
Beyond his term in office, the former president has remained a powerful influence in national and international politics.Tinubu hailed him as a “global peace ambassador and troubleshooter,” emphasizing his work on conflict resolution, governance advocacy, and diplomatic contacts in Africa and beyond.
“At 88, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo is still robust and active. Tinubu remarked, “I pray to God for more years of wisdom and strength so that Nigeria and Africa can continue to benefit from his wealth of experience.”
