Former President Olusegun Obasanjo told a packed room at the “Lagos to the World” launch on Sunday, May 31, 2026, that he has lived with diabetes for more than 40 years.
“I have a disease that is not curable yet, and that’s diabetes.
“I have been diagnosed diabetic more than 40 years ago. I still manage it.”
He said he manages the condition with an active life, a disciplined diet, regular exercise, rest, routine check-ups and strict use of prescribed drugs — basically what he calls “DREMS.” As he put it: “So diet, rest, and exercise are very, very important. And then there’s what I call DREMS. D — Diet, R — Rest, E — Exercise, and M — Medical,”
On his routine: “But what do I do? I play squash three times a week — Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, if I’m around. I watch what I eat.
“Diet can be exciting, can be pleasurable. But if you eat badly, then the consequence can also be bad for you. And then rest.”
Obasanjo urged older Nigerians to take regular health checks seriously and to screen early.
