Former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, has ruled out any future ambition to contest for the governorship of Lagos State, saying his priority has shifted to mentoring the next generation of leaders.

Obanikoro made the declaration during an interview on the Mic On Podcast hosted by Seun Okinbaloye, where he reflected on his political journey and future aspirations.

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According to the former minister, his age and experience have convinced him that it is time to invest in developing younger Nigerians rather than pursuing elective office.

“My governorship ambition is completely off the table,” he said. “I’m 66 years old, and at this stage of my life, I want to focus on things that will positively impact the coming generation.”

He stressed the importance of mentorship, arguing that Nigeria needs experienced leaders to guide younger citizens, particularly as traditional family structures and societal values continue to decline.

“There is a pressing need for people like us to mentor the younger generation. The family structure has more or less collapsed, and our value system is deteriorating. The best contribution we can make now is to help prepare the next generation for leadership,” Obanikoro stated.

He urged Nigerian youths to remain patient and committed to nation-building, expressing confidence that they would eventually take over the leadership of the country.

“Whether we like it or not, the younger generation will inherit Nigeria. They should remain calm, stay focused and prepare themselves for that responsibility,” he added.

Reflecting on his previous political ambitions, Obanikoro said he had no regrets about challenging the political structure led by President Bola Tinubu during his bid for the Lagos governorship.

According to him, his decision at the time was driven purely by his desire to serve the state.

“At that point in my life, all I wanted was to achieve my ambition of becoming governor. I wasn’t thinking about whether I was contesting against my political family or the Bola Tinubu structure. I simply believed I had a vision for Lagos and wanted the opportunity to implement it,” he said.

Obanikoro’s remarks come shortly after the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for the 2027 Lagos State election, Obafemi Hamzat, appointed him as the Director-General of his campaign organisation.