The 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has stressed the urgent need to confront Nigeria’s deepening education crisis, warning that the nation risks jeopardizing its future without immediate reforms.
Obi made the call on Saturday, October 4, in Washington DC, while addressing members of the Nigeria Friendship Association (NFA), a group of Nigerian professionals founded nearly 30 years ago by students in the U.S.
He later shared highlights of the meeting on his official X account on Sunday, October 5.
Obi praised the association’s longstanding support for education both in the U.S. and Nigeria, describing their commitment as inspiring.
“What struck me most about them is their unwavering commitment to education, which they have supported consistently over the years,” he wrote.
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The former governor emphasized that Nigeria’s 24 million out-of-school children—the highest figure globally— pose a grave challenge to national development. He warned that “no nation grows beyond the quality of its human capital,” adding that education is vital to building such capital.
Obi also urged urgent investment in preparing Nigerian youths for a future driven by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and global competition, noting that education is now essential for survival and leadership in the modern world.
He lauded the Nigeria Friendship Association’s dedication to advancing learning, compassion, and community development, concluding with his familiar message of hope: “A New Nigeria is POssible.”