Obasanjo gave the charge during the maiden edition of the Obasanjo Back-to-School Project organised by the Youth Development Centre of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Represented by the Director of the Institute of African Culture and International Understanding, Emeritus Professor Peter Okebukola, the former president told the students that academic brilliance alone was not enough to guarantee lasting success.
He emphasised the importance of character, discipline, responsibility and perseverance, urging the students to develop values that would guide them beyond the classroom.
“Character, my dear students, is extremely important. Academic brilliance without good character is insufficient,” Obasanjo said.
The former president also encouraged the students to take their education seriously and develop a consistent reading culture. He urged them not to be discouraged by difficult subjects, particularly Mathematics, but to remain persistent and seek help whenever necessary.
“When Mathematics knocks you down, get up,” he said, encouraging the students to approach academic challenges with determination rather than giving up.
Obasanjo further cautioned the students against excessive use of smartphones and social media, advising them to manage their screen time and devote adequate attention to their studies, reading and personal development.
The Back-to-School Project was organised to support students from less privileged backgrounds and encourage them to remain focused on their education.
More than 100 secondary school students selected from six local government areas in Ogun State received school bags, notebooks, writing materials, socks and other educational supplies during the programme.
The event also featured career guidance, a pep talk and recreational activities designed to encourage the students and expose them to different possibilities for their future.
The initiative reflects the broader importance of combining access to educational resources with character development, particularly among young people preparing for higher education, employment and leadership responsibilities.
Obasanjo urged the students to recognise that their future success would depend not only on academic qualifications but also on the values and habits they develop while growing up.
He encouraged them to remain disciplined, respectful and committed to learning, stressing that education should prepare young people not only to pass examinations but also to become responsible members of society.
The former president’s message comes amid continuing discussions about the need to strengthen character education and values among young Nigerians, alongside efforts to improve access to quality education.
For the students who participated in the programme, the message was clear: academic excellence can open doors, but good character, discipline and perseverance are essential for sustaining success throughout life.
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