Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and his daughter, former senator Iyabo Obasanjo, turned a formal gathering into a comedy‑filled session on Friday evening when they traded light‑hearted jabs at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) auditorium in Abeokuta, Ogun State, while discussing the role of artificial intelligence in national development.
What was the event about?
The gathering was the Ajibosin Platform, an annual symposium held as part of the Odun Omo Olowu festival. The panel, which included Iyabo – a former health commissioner and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the Ogun Central senatorial seat – focused on the theme “Leveraging Artificial Intelligence to Solve Grassroots Problems and Accelerate National Development.”
How did Iyabo spark the laughter?
When moderator Prof. Yemi Oke, SAN, invited Iyabo to speak, she began by greeting dignitaries such as the Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Oba Saka Matemilola, former Minister of Industry Mrs. Onipeko Akande, and her father, who also holds the title Balogun of Owu Kingdom. She concluded her salutations with a tongue‑in‑cheek comment, stating she “doesn’t know” former President Obasanjo. The remark instantly provoked chuckles from the crowd.
What was Obasanjo’s response?
Obasanjo took the microphone shortly after, admitting he knows little about AI but warning that “anything that is not in your control can be abused against you.” He then quipped, “Iyabo doesn’t know her father. That’s abuse of AI already,” prompting another wave of laughter.
Did he address broader economic issues?
Yes. The former president, often referred to as the “Ota‑farmer,” criticized the uncritical adoption of economic policies championed by young, foreign‑trained experts. He said, “They are brilliant boys and girls, so they went to Ivy League universities, Oxford, Cambridge, and all that.” Turning to his daughter, he added, “Some of my children, including Iyabo here, went to those universities. She went to one of the Ivy League universities. But how can Iyabo now be the one who will tell me how I will run my home?”
What is the background of their relationship?
Daily Trust reported that the duo had previously been at odds after Iyabo sent a scathing letter to her father. In a recent interview with TVC, Iyabo downplayed any lingering rift, describing their bond as “more than friends now,” noting that at 60 (she will be 60 next year) and 90 (her father will be 90 next year) she no longer needs “a lot of fathering.”
What is Iyabo’s current political trajectory?
After a 15‑year hiatus, Iyabo returned to active politics in Ogun State earlier this year. She served as the senator for Ogun Central from 2011 to 2017 before losing a re‑election bid. She briefly joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and sought the governorship ticket, but after losing to Senator Solomon Adeola, she rejoined the PDP in May. In June, the PDP awarded her the senatorial ticket for Ogun Central ahead of the 2027 general election.