Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has called for deeper questions on Nigeria’s Boko Haram insurgency.
He warned the conflict has lingered too long, becoming a daily reality for many citizens.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has urged Nigerians to begin asking fundamental questions about the Boko Haram insurgency, stressing that the militant group has grown into a dangerous force that continues to shape daily life in the country.
Speaking in Abuja on Friday at the public presentation of the book “Scars: Nigeria’s Journey and the Boko Haram Conundrum”, written by former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, Obasanjo described the insurgency as a crisis that has lasted far too long.
According to him, the persistence of Boko Haram attacks has made the menace feel like an everyday reality for many Nigerians. He noted that unless the root issues are interrogated, the conflict will remain unresolved. “We must begin to ask ourselves the right questions if we are to find meaningful solutions to what has now turned into a monster within our nation,” the former president said while reflecting on the insurgency.
Obasanjo, who wrote the foreword to Irabor’s book, explained that critical and honest dialogue is necessary to address the security challenge. He argued that the country cannot afford to treat the insurgency as business as usual, as doing so would only deepen the scars already left on communities and institutions.
The former leader further commended General Irabor for documenting Nigeria’s security experiences, saying the book provides an opportunity for policymakers, scholars, and citizens to engage in more robust discussions about the Boko Haram phenomenon and the wider fight against terrorism.
He reiterated that Nigeria must not shy away from tough conversations if it is serious about ending insurgency, adding that both leadership and the citizenry have roles to play in charting a new path toward peace and security.
