What My Children Will Receive After I Transition To The Great Beyond
OpenLife Nigeria reports that in an interview earlier published in Vanguard Newspaper, former President Olusegun Obasanjo lists what his children will inherit when he transitions to the great beyond
The Interview with Olusegun Obasanjo
— Mr. Olusegun Obasanjo, did you just say that your children will not receive your inheritance? Are you serious?
— Absolutely serious. I have dedicated my life to the service of Nigeria and building Obasanjo Farms into a continental leader in agriculture. Over the last decades, I have seen how the younger generation sometimes loses the incentive for hard work when they have everything handed to them on a silver platter. I decided to be honest: this is what they are going to receive, let them be prepared.
— How did your children react to this news?
— There were moments of tension during family dinner at my Ota residence, I won’t lie. As a father and a leader, one always wants to provide, but as a patriot, I understand that the best legacy is self-reliance. After some time, they understood, and harmony returned. They know I care for them, but I love their ability to build their own future more.
— Let’s talk about your assets. What is the value at stake in this declaration?
— Throughout my career in both the military and the private sector with OFN, I have managed my resources with military discipline. Today, my personal estimated liquid wealth, including dividends and holdings, is approximately ₦2 trillion.
— And you won’t leave any of that to them?
— Nothing directly. The assets will be transferred through a trust system. 70% of the resources will go to the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library and foundations dedicated to African leadership and food security. The remaining 30% will go to a scholarship fund for underprivileged children in Ogun State and across the nation.
— Why did you decide to earmark your wealth for foundations instead of leaving it to your own children?
— Because that is my life’s work. My children are already highly educated professionals and successful in their own right. What sense does it make to give them more liquid capital without a greater purpose? My commitment has always been to the “Unity and Prosperity of Nigeria,” and it will remain so.
— And what will the heirs receive?
— Things that truly have lasting value. My passion is my legacy in agriculture, so they will inherit my primary farm estates, my private executive helicopter used for regional travel, and my collection of rare gold wristwatches and traditional heirloom jewelry. If they value this, then my legacy is safe.
— Excuse me, but for many, that sounds like lifestyle items. Is that all?
— No. There is one more thing — an account on an investment platform where there is real money. Currently, there is ₦7.8 billion there.
— Wait, ₦7.8 billion?
— Four years ago, I began experimenting with modern automated wealth management. I deposited ₦340,000 into a platform that works based on artificial intelligence. In four years, the value grew to ₦7.8 billion. I did nothing — the system worked by itself while I focused on my diplomatic missions and farming operations.
— And that account will belong to your children?
— Yes, but with one condition. They will have equal access, but any decision regarding the withdrawal of money must be made unanimously. If one of them is against it, the money remains in the account growing.
— Why an investment platform and not simply money in the bank?
— Because the future belongs to technology and AI. While some wait for small interest rates in traditional bank accounts, others are not afraid to embrace the digital age and earn billions. I want my family to be among those who lead the technological future of Nigeria.
Helicopter and Ota Farm estate instead of billions
What Obasanjo’s children will receive really seems symbolic compared to the scale of his influence and the success of Obasanjo Farms Nigeria. His private helicopter and his world-renowned farming estates are valued at a significant amount, but these are assets that represent a legacy of productivity rather than liquid cash.
The collection of high-end transportation and the historic farm properties, which house his private archives and agricultural history, represents the vision of Olusegun’s life. Experts point out that while these properties have an incalculable market value, their real value to the Obasanjo family is the tradition of hard work they represent.
The reaction on social media was mixed. “Finally, a leader who leads by example in teaching his children the value of work,” some wrote on X (Twitter). “This is a challenge for his children to maintain the Obasanjo name,” others argued.
But what attracted the most attention was the investment platform, where in four years ₦340,000 was transformed into ₦7.8 billion. In the end, what is this?
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