President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has praised former President Goodluck Jonathan as a statesman whose actions helped safeguard Nigeria’s democracy at a critical moment.

Speaking on Thursday at the 10th anniversary dinner of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation in Abuja, President Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, described Jonathan as “a guardian of our collective values” whose legacy continues to resonate beyond his time in office.

Tinubu said Jonathan’s decision to concede the 2015 presidential election remains a defining lesson in leadership and a testament to democratic maturity.

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“There can never be enough words to express the depth of our national gratitude to him. Former President Jonathan has remained the same guardian of our collective values since leaving office,” he said.

Tinubu noted that by establishing the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, Jonathan demonstrated that public service does not end after leaving office.

“Life begins anew when we leave the high offices for which we are elected,” he said, adding that the former president’s work through the foundation affirms that national service is a continuum.

The President drew a distinction between leaders who use their influence positively after leaving office and those who do the opposite.

“Some choose a vehicle that serves only themselves—one that pursues causes capable of harming the very society that once carried them. The other group chooses a nobler path: devoting their life to the service of humanity,” he said.

Tinubu also warned that global democracy, including in West Africa, has come under severe strain over the last decade, weakened by “adventurists, extremists, actors intoxicated by power, and those who see institutions as inconveniences and elections as mere formalities.”

He emphasised that Jonathan had demonstrated the principle that “nobody’s ambition supersedes the sovereignty of the state,” urging Nigerians to embrace tolerance and respect electoral outcomes.

“No matter whether our preferred candidates win or lose, we must learn to respect the wishes of those who vote differently. Democracy offers us repeated opportunities to renew our mandates,” he said.

Tinubu described the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation as a model for meaningful civic engagement, adding that democracy thrives only where government and citizens work together.

“Our democracy stands because of people like former President Goodluck Jonathan—people who believe that the Nigerian state is bigger than any individual,” he said.

The President congratulated Jonathan and expressed hope that the foundation would continue to contribute to a more peaceful and prosperous Africa.

Earlier, former President Jonathan thanked Vice President Shettima, former President Ernest Koroma of Sierra Leone and other dignitaries for honouring the event.

He said the foundation was inspired by the challenges and experiences he faced while in office.

Over the past decade, he noted, the foundation has focused on diplomacy, good governance, election management and strengthening democratic institutions.

Jonathan also expressed sympathy over recent incidents of abduction and attacks across the country, urging political leaders to show greater responsibility in addressing threats to the security and welfare of Nigerians.

Guest speaker Dr Mohammed Ibn Chambas highlighted the importance of functional democratic institutions and stressed that young people must be central to efforts aimed at stabilising the continent.

He said Africa’s future depends on effective youth empowerment programmes, an independent judiciary, a free press and the strengthening of democratic systems.

Dr Chambas also commended Jonathan’s leadership record, describing him as a leader committed to democratic values and the sanctity of human life, noting that the former president continues to demonstrate relevance and impact outside public office.

Dignitaries at the event included former President of Sierra Leone, Dr Ernest Bai Koroma; former First Ladies Dame Patience Jonathan and Hajiya Maryam Abacha; former SGFs Pius Anyim and Boss Mustapha; former Speaker of the House of Representatives Aminu Waziri Tambuwal; former Governors Emeka Ihedioha (Imo), Attahiru Bafarawa (Sokoto), Boni Haruna (Adamawa), and Chief Jonah Jang (Plateau); serving and former lawmakers; former ministers; and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, among others.