Peter Obi, a leading contender for the 2027 presidential election under the banner of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has issued a stark warning about the future of Nigeria if the nation fails to prioritise education.
Mr. Obi revealed on his X (formerly Twitter) account on Wednesday that he had hosted the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency Mr. Gautier Mignot, at his residence in Onitsha, describing the meeting as “enriching” and involving “useful conversations.”
The discussion followed a lecture delivered by Mr. Obi on Tuesday at Coal City University in Enugu, where he addressed the topic of ‘Repositioning Nigeria’s education sector for national growth and global competitiveness.’
He praised the university’s Vice-Chancellor and management team for their dedication to academic excellence and fostering national debate.
Speaking after the lecture, Mr. Obi highlighted the critical link between education and national development, stating, “No nation rises above the quality of its education system.”
He pointed to Nigeria’s low Human Development Index (HDI) score of 0.548 and persistently high unemployment as “clear symptoms of chronic underinvestment in education and human capital development.”
Mr. Obi presented concerning statistics, noting that Nigeria allocates less than 10% of its national budget to education – significantly below the globally recommended 15-20%. This underfunding, he argued, contributes to youth unemployment exceeding 30%, a life expectancy hovering between 50-55 years, and literacy rates below average at 59-65%.
He contrasted Nigeria’s performance with that of countries like Indonesia, Egypt, and South Africa, all of which boast higher HDI scores (0.72-0.75), improved life expectancy (above 65 years), and higher literacy levels, alongside per capita incomes exceeding $3,500 – compared to Nigeria’s approximately $1,000.
Mr. Obi attributed this success to “sustained and deliberate investment in education, healthcare, and broader human capital development,” emphasising that the difference lies not in innate talent, but in “priority and policy consistency.”
Mr. Obi called for a comprehensive review of Nigeria’s education funding model, advocating for stronger public-private partnerships and more inclusive policies.
He also argued that private universities should be included in intervention frameworks such as TETFund, given their contribution to national capacity building.
“Education is not charity; it is the foundation of national growth and the gateway to global competitiveness,” he said. “With sustained investment in education and a deliberate focus on human capital development, a new Nigeria is not only possible – it is inevitable.”
