Many young Nigerians fail to excel academically because achievements are not recognized, Iyabo Obasanjo says

According to former Ogun central Senator, Iyabo Obasanjo, many young Nigerians fail to excel academically because their achievements are not sufficiently recognized.

In a discussion on the Morayo Show, she emphasized that fostering opportunities and acknowledging merit are crucial for motivating young people to improve their performance.

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Obasanjo pointed out that students who seem to be underachieving may not lack potential but are instead disheartened by a system that offers minimal rewards for diligence and academic success.

She shared an example of a former student who is now a professor at the University of Texas, highlighting that poor performance is often a result of a lack of incentives to excel.

“To encourage excellence, it must be rewarded. As leaders, we need to create more opportunities for young people, as talent will seek out places where it is valued,” she stated.

With a PhD in epidemiology and currently teaching public health in the U.S., Obasanjo reflected on her own upbringing as the eldest child of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, noting that her primary duty was to set a positive example rather than just caring for her siblings.

She also recounted her political journey, mentioning her tenure as senator for Ogun Central and her initial intention to run for governor under the APC, motivated by her supporters.

However, she eventually left the party due to dissatisfaction with its internal dynamics and unfulfilled promises made during the consensus process.