Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has paid glowing tribute to late U.S. President Jimmy Carter, describing him as a “humanist par excellence” and a pivotal figure in his release from imprisonment under Nigeria’s late military dictator, General Sani Abacha.
Speaking during a memorial service held on Sunday at the Chapel of Christ The Glorious King, located in the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta, Obasanjo reflected on Carter’s extraordinary humanitarian contributions and personal interventions.
Obasanjo, who was detained by Abacha in 1995 for criticizing the military regime, credited Carter as the only non-African leader who directly intervened with Abacha, leading to his transfer from detention to house arrest on his farm.
The former Nigerian leader, who served as military Head of State from 1976 to 1979 and later as President from 1999 to 2007, shared his deep admiration for Carter’s legacy.
He highlighted Carter’s courageous stand against apartheid and colonialism in Southern Africa, his commitment to global peace, and his unwavering support for African development.
Carter’s historic 1978 state visit to Nigeria, the first by a sitting U.S. President, was also a major focus of Obasanjo’s reflections. Obasanjo described the visit as a milestone in U.S.-Africa relations, emphasizing Carter’s genuine commitment to African prosperity and empowerment.
The memorial service drew attention to the lasting friendship between the two leaders, underscoring Carter’s role not only as a statesman but also as a personal ally during one of the darkest periods in Obasanjo’s life.
“President Carter was one of my foreign friends who stuck their necks out to save my life and to seek my release from prison,” Obasanjo said. “On President Carter’s visit to Nigeria, he got Abacha to agree to take me from detention to house arrest on my farm. But that did not last for too long.”
“Many other friends and leaders intervened but President Carter was the only non-African leader, according to my information, that paid a visit to Abacha solely to plead for my release,” he added. “I would remain ever grateful to all who worked for my release from Abacha’s gulag. Abacha ensured that I would not be released. Within a week of his death though, I was released by his successor, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, who also facilitated my going round Africa and the rest of the world to thank all those who worked for my release.”
Obasanjo equally spoke of how Ted Turner, the Founder of CNN, also requested the assistance of Carter to get him freed from the prison, with Turner offering to take care of Obasanjo’s family wherever they chose to stay.
“In the US, I called on President Jimmy Carter, who told me all the efforts he made with other leaders and Abacha remained unyielding for my release. But the most surprising thing Carter said to me was, ‘Please see Ted Turner and thank him for his generosity. He came to me and asked me to get his friend, Obasanjo, released from prison. ‘I will take care of him and his family here or wherever he chooses to live.’”
Obasanjo said he was deeply moved by this gesture.
“I was touched and moved to tears. I immediately went to Ted who expressed to me the same sentiment that President Carter expressed,” he recalled. “He proved his generosity and I kept going back to President Carter anytime I could spare to express my gratitude to him.”
“For me, I would miss a great and true friend but I know we shall meet again in Paradise,” Obasanjo added.
He also reflected on Carter’s leadership qualities, which he admired deeply. “One great lesson I learned from President Carter was that in his leadership, he carried along an army of co-workers that shared the ideal and the burden of the work with him. He led by example and in humility and that made success to attend his way.”
“May his soul rest in peace,” Obasanjo concluded, reflecting on the lasting impact of Carter’s friendship and leadership on his life and on the world.
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