Former President Olusegun Obasanjo says he is not sure of his exact age. He explained that the only way he estimates his age is by looking at the ages of his surviving primary school classmates — and he believes none of them is younger than 90 years old.
Obasanjo said this on Sunday during the Toyin Falola Interview Series titled “A Conversation with His Excellency, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.” The interview was moderated by Professor Toyin Falola, with Bishop Matthew Kukah and former presidential candidate Professor Kingsley Moghalu also present.
Obasanjo said many of his childhood classmates are still alive, and since they are all over 90, he believes he is likely above 90 too — even though he still cannot confirm his exact year of birth.
He said:
“I don’t know my exact age, but I can guess from those who went to school with me. For example, the Olubara of Ibara, Oba Jacob Olufemi Omolade, is still alive. I also know about six of my secondary school classmates who are still alive, and none of them is less than 90. So you can guess my age from that.”
Obasanjo also talked about the purpose of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL). He said the library was created to keep important national records and help Nigerians remember their history.
He explained:
“We have digitalised over 3 million materials, and we still have about 3 million more to digitalise. When these materials are fully digitalised, people will be able to access them. The library helps us preserve the past, understand the present, and inspire the future.”
He said the archive contains his school records, personal letters, and historic documents — including a letter he wrote to General Sani Abacha after his son died, and another letter to his wife while he was in prison.
Obasanjo added:
“My school report cards from primary and secondary school are there. The manuscripts of books I wrote, including those I wrote in prison, are there. Even maize crops I planted while in prison are kept. I believe one problem we have in our society is that we don’t keep records well, and our institutional memory is very weak.”
