The Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Amina J. Mohammed, has urged African leaders and institutions to draw lessons from the experiences of past leaders in order to build a stronger and more sustainable future for the continent.

Mohammed made the call during a high-level visit to the Olusegun Obasanjo Leadership Institute (OOLI) in Abeokuta, Ogun State, where she described the institute as an important platform for reflecting on Africa’s leadership history and preparing future generations of leaders.

During the visit, the UN Deputy Secretary-General held discussions with Prof. Samuel Adedeji Daramola, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of OOLI and a member of its Board of Trustees. She praised the institute’s focus on leadership development, governance and the preservation of institutional knowledge.

Mohammed said it was important for Africa’s emerging leaders to benefit from the experiences of those who had served before them rather than starting from scratch. She described OOLI as a place where leadership could be discussed, remembered and sustained, stressing the importance of standing on the shoulders of those who had gone before.

According to her, the institute represents a living legacy of African leadership and provides an avenue through which the experiences of former leaders can continue to influence present and future generations.

Founded by former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, OOLI is focused on promoting ethical, visionary and transformational leadership through research, training, dialogue and strategic partnerships. The institute works with former African leaders, diplomats and scholars on issues relating to governance and leadership across the continent.

Following her engagement with Prof. Daramola, Mohammed held a closed-door meeting with Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, the institute’s founder and Chairman of its Board of Trustees. Discussions during the meeting centred on peace building, sustainable development, youth leadership and the strengthening of governance institutions across Africa.

The meeting also highlighted areas of common interest between OOLI’s leadership agenda and the United Nations’ broader objectives on inclusive and accountable governance, as well as the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Speaking on the visit, OOLI officials described Mohammed’s presence at the institute as a significant recognition of its work to promote leadership excellence. They said her emphasis on legacy, continuity and learning from experienced leaders aligned with the institute’s central mission.

Obasanjo, meanwhile, reaffirmed the institute’s ambition to serve as a continental hub for leadership development, saying future African leaders should be able to build on tested experience, scholarship and practical knowledge rather than begin their leadership journeys from zero.

The visit further strengthened OOLI’s links with international institutions and underscored the growing emphasis on developing ethical and visionary leadership as Africa seeks to address its governance, development and institutional challenges.