NIGERIA: INTRO: Nigeria's former President Olusegun Obasanjo becomes the country's oldest undergraduate

The former ruler of Africa's most populous country is now studying hard for a Bachelor's Degree in Theology. Olusegun Obasanjo - who also owns his own university - is the country's oldest undergraduate. Nigeria's former president Olusegun Obasanjo undertook his first exams last Saturday (August 5), which could lead towards a Bachelor's Degree in Theology at the National Open University School of Arts and Sciences in Abeokuta. "I have chosen a line of study, which I want to acquire knowledge not for a meal ticket, not for a profession, not for a job but to know more about my God, my creator, and I have chosen that line - Christian Theology", Obasanjo said before the exam. Although the former ruler of Africa's most populous country spent about two-and-a-half hours taking the test, he was confident afterwards of getting top marks. Obasanjo - the country's oldest undergraduate - already owns his own university. Seventy-year-old Obasanjo said the university had not accorded him any special treatment other than allowing him to drive in with his motorcade. He added that there was "no age limit, no position limit, no question of I'm too busy to learn." Obasanjo, a former military ruler, swapped army garb for civilian attire, and became Nigeria's first civilian president in 16 years in 1999. He stepped down in April 2007, paving the way for his handpicked successor Umaru Yar' Adua, to win controversial elections. Obasanjo is credited for initiating major economic reforms and a war on corruption.

ITN Source | August 9, 2007

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