Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has admitted that he does not know his exact age, relying instead on the ages of his surviving schoolmates to make an estimate.
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Speaking on Sunday at the Toyin Falola Interview Series, titled “A Conversation with His Excellency, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo,” he noted that none of his primary school friends are younger than 90, suggesting that he is likely over that age.
Obasanjo explained that many of his childhood peers are still alive, and their advanced ages provide the only clue he has about his own. The discussion was moderated by Professor Toyin Falola, with contributions from Bishop Matthew Kukah of the Sokoto Catholic Diocese and former presidential candidate Professor Kingsley Moghalu.
During the session, Obasanjo also highlighted the significance of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library as a tool for preserving Nigeria’s history and strengthening institutional memory. He revealed that over three million items have been digitised, with another three million still awaiting digitisation. The library’s collection includes his personal school reports, private letters, and historic correspondences, such as a message sent to the late General Sani Abacha after the death of his son and a letter to his wife while he was imprisoned.
Obasanjo emphasized that the library addresses Nigeria’s weak record-keeping tradition, offering a resource to document the past, preserve the present, and inspire future generations.
