Former Vice President Prof Yemi Osinbajo left office in May 2023 after serving as Nigeria's fifth democratically elected vice president. A few days before his departure, a small group of journalists and writers visited his State House office in Abuja to present a jointly authored book on his stewardship. The delegation was led by lawyer and columnist Richard Akinola, and each member made brief remarks while Osinbajo listened. When Etim Etim spoke, he said, "your Excellency, I know that you are going to play big on the international stage…I have no doubts that you'd do Nigeria proud…". Within weeks of leaving the vice‑presidency, Osinbajo was appointed head of the Commonwealth Observer Group for Sierra Leone's 2023 general elections, a role reserved for leaders of high credibility. By July 2023 he became Global Advisor to the New York‑based Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP). In August he launched the think‑tank Future Perspectives, and in September he was named Board Chair of the Climate Action Platform for Africa (CAP‑A). An associate later told the author that his calendar for 2026 is already full, reflecting appointments to senior positions in nine global organisations. The author contrasts Osinbajo's rising international profile with the legal troubles of several former colleagues from the same administration, including Malami, El Rufai and Emefiele.
Osinbajo's accumulation of nine senior international appointments within three years sets him apart from many of his former cabinet mates now facing corruption trials.
His post‑office trajectory began with the Commonwealth observer role for Sierra Leone's 2023 elections, followed by a Global Advisor seat at GEAPP in July, the creation of Future Perspectives in August, and the chairmanship of CAP‑A in September. These positions underscore the credibility and expertise attributed to him, while contemporaries such as Malami, El Rufai and Emefiele are confronting legal repercussions.
For ordinary Nigerians, Osinbajo's platform could translate into greater advocacy for climate finance and sustainable energy policies that directly affect communities dependent on unreliable power supplies. His influence in global forums may also pressure domestic actors to adopt more transparent practices.
The pattern suggests that former Nigerian officials are increasingly turning to international bodies to rebuild stature, even as domestic anti‑corruption drives intensify, highlighting a split between global recognition and local accountability.
