“Why I will never stop having children” – Obasanjo opens up

Former Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo, has said he will never stop having children, explaining that life does not end with biological childbirth but continues through generations.

Obasanjo made the statement while hosting the leadership of the Paediatric Association of Nigeria (PAN), led by its President, Dr. Ekanem Ekure, at his residence inside the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Monday.

According to him, although he no longer gives birth and his children are now adults, the cycle of life continues through his grandchildren and future generations.

“I am no longer giving birth to children, and my children are now adults. But my children are still having children, and my grandchildren are having children, so I will never stop having children.

Because when I stop, my children will not stop, and when my children stop, my grandchildren will not stop, and the cycle continues,” Obasanjo said.

The former president stressed that the protection and wellbeing of children is a collective and lifelong responsibility, noting that the future of nations depends on how well children are protected today.

Obasanjo described children as the foundation of every civilisation and called for improved care, survival, and development.

He applauded paediatricians for the demanding nature of their work, describing paediatrics as a unique and challenging medical specialty.

“The problem of dealing with children is that they are not like adults, so you must be able to feel for them.
If it were myself coming to you as an adult, you would ask me where I am having the pain… but children won’t be able to say all that,” he said.

Obasanjo’s remarks highlight the enduring responsibility adults owe to future generations and the critical role child welfare plays in nation-building.