Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has once again stirred public curiosity after declaring that he still does not know his exact age.
Obasanjo made the remark on Sunday, December 7, during the Toyin Falola Interviews series titled “A Conversation with His Excellency, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.” The session was moderated by renowned historian Prof. Toyin Falola, alongside Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Dr. Matthew Kukah, and former presidential candidate, Prof. Kingsley Moghalu.
Speaking candidly, the former president said his only reference point for estimating his true age comes from his classmates in primary and secondary school—six of whom are still alive and all above 90.
“I don’t know my exact age, but I could judge from those who were in school with me,” Obasanjo said.
“I believe there are six of my classmates in secondary school still alive and none of them is less than 90 years of age. So I leave it to you to guess what my age could be.”
READ ALSO: Obasanjo Reacts To Claims Of Igbo Paternity
Obasanjo noted that although he doesn’t know his true date of birth, his primary school record card—now preserved at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL)—offers some clues.
The former president explained that he established the OOPL to preserve Nigeria’s institutional memory and ensure access to historical materials.
“We have digitalised over 3 million materials. We still have about the same number to digitalise,” he revealed.
“When these materials are digitalised, people can have access to them. We preserve the past, take note of the present and inspire the future.”
READ ALSO: Obasanjo: How Witches and Wizards Trapped Me In My Mother’s Womb Till 12th Month
Obasanjo said the library houses an extensive archive, including: his primary and secondary school records, manuscripts of books he wrote (including those drafted while in prison), a letter he wrote to the late General Sani Abacha after his son died in an accident, personal correspondence with his wife during his incarceration and even samples of maize he planted while in prison.
Obasanjo stressed that one of Nigeria’s biggest governance challenges is poor documentation.
“I believe one of the things we don’t do well in our society is keeping records. Institutional memory is not what we do very well,” he said.