Former Anambra State Governor and 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has blamed Nigeria’s persistent underdevelopment on poor leadership, saying the country has the people and resources required to prosper.
Obi stated this in Washington, D.C., while engaging young Nigerian professionals drawn from medicine, law, engineering, education, technology and business.
He said Nigeria’s economic, political and institutional challenges cannot be fully addressed without first reforming the country’s leadership.
“THE MOST IMPORTANT REFORM NIGERIA NEEDS IS THE REFORM OF LEADERSHIP ITSELF,” Obi said.
He argued that Nigeria is not short of intelligent citizens, natural resources or hardworking and innovative young people, but has suffered from leadership that fails to put citizens first and properly manage public resources.
Obi called for leaders who will strengthen institutions, invest in education and healthcare, support businesses, create jobs and expand opportunities for young Nigerians.
He also challenged the country to rethink its relationship with the Nigerian diaspora, saying Nigerians abroad remain an important part of the country and should be partners in its development.
According to him, Nigeria must become a country where young people can build their future at home, while those in the diaspora can return, invest and contribute without fear.
“Our greatest resource is not beneath our soil; it is our people,” Obi said.
“If we get leadership right, we can get Nigeria right.”
He maintained that building a better Nigeria would require responsible leadership, stronger institutions, prudent management of public resources and citizens willing to continue demanding accountability.
