Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has renewed his call for a national overhaul of Nigeria’s education sector, warning that the country cannot attain meaningful development without prioritising the learning needs of its children.
Speaking at the NAPPS International Conference in Umuahia on Tuesday, Obi said the country’s prolonged neglect of essential sectors continues to undermine growth.
“Yesterday, at the NAPPS International Conference in Umuahia, I emphasised that no nation can rise above the quality of education it gives its children. Our continued neglect of education and healthcare remains a major reason for our economic and social decline,” he said.
Obi, in a post on X on Thursday, praised private school owners for their resilience and contributions, noting that they have stepped into roles the government should naturally occupy. “I commended private school proprietors for their resilience. They are now carrying responsibilities the government ought to shoulder, and their role in shaping over 60% of Nigeria’s basic education sector cannot be overstated,” he stated.
He stressed the need for urgent reforms, including improved teacher training, curriculum modernisation, and technology-driven learning systems. Obi also renewed his advocacy for policies that guarantee affordable access to quality education. “I called for stronger teacher training, modernised curricula, technology-driven learning, and policies that make quality education affordable for all,” he added.
The former Anambra State governor was honoured with the NAPPS National Role Model Award, a recognition he described as a motivation to young Nigerians. “I was honoured to receive the NAPPS National Role Model Award, presented as an encouragement to millions of students across the country,” he said.
He also recalled his administration’s support for both public and private schools, noting that his government supplied buses, computers, generators, and critical learning tools to enhance the education system. “I also reflected on my time as Governor, when we supported both public and private schools with buses, computers, generators, and essential learning tools,” Obi remarked.
Reiterating the importance of education in Nigeria’s development agenda, Obi urged leaders to move beyond rhetoric and back their commitments with adequate funding and strategic planning. “Education must become Nigeria’s top priority—not merely in speeches, but in budgetary commitment, planning, and execution. It remains the most reliable path to national transformation,” he concluded.
