Amanze Chinonye
Nigeria must move away from an economy heavily reliant on consumption and imports and focus on production, investment and job creation, presidential candidate Peter Obi said on Friday, outlining the economic message he plans to take to voters ahead of the 2027 presidential election, Prime Business Africa reports.
Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), said his campaign would be a national conversation about rebuilding Africa’s most populous country and improving living standards.
Join our WhatsApp Channel“Our experiences differ, but our conclusion is clear: Nigeria must invest in its people and manage its public resources responsibly,” Obi said at a press conference in Onitsha, in southeastern Anambra state.
He said voters should judge those seeking political office by their records, policies and plans, and demand clear answers on whether Nigerians were better off, could afford basic necessities such as food, education and healthcare, and whether businesses could expand and create jobs.
“Nigeria cannot import its way to prosperity,” Obi said. “We will produce more of what we consume, process more of what we produce, and compete more effectively in global markets.”
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Nigeria, with a population of more than 200 million, has one of Africa’s largest consumer markets and labour forces, Obi said, describing these as potential drivers of investment and economic growth if supported by higher domestic production.
He said an NDC government would seek to turn the country’s human capital and natural resources into productive assets, with agriculture, manufacturing, technology, construction, energy, creative industries and services playing central roles.
Obi also identified poverty, food insecurity, insecurity and unemployment as major challenges facing the country.
He cited an International Monetary Fund estimate that 63%, or more than 140 million Nigerians, live at or below the national poverty line. He also said humanitarian agencies estimate that 35 million people would require food assistance during the 2026 lean season.
About 3.6 million Nigerians remain internally displaced, largely because of conflict and insecurity, while millions of young people enter the labour market each year with limited access to productive employment, he said.
Obi said insecurity had disrupted agriculture, education, trade and investment and displaced millions of Nigerians.
He called for stronger intelligence gathering and coordination among security agencies, improved policing and border management, and greater use of technology to tackle insecurity.
“Insecurity has displaced millions of Nigerians and continues to disrupt agriculture, education, trade and investment,” he said.
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Obi also urged voters to scrutinise candidates seeking the presidency, saying anyone asking for their mandate should be willing to travel across the country, engage directly with citizens and answer their questions.
“Any presidential candidate who lacks the resolve to travel across the country, meet the people, and respond to their questions lacks the capacity to govern it,” he said.
Obi, who finished third in Nigeria’s 2023 presidential election, said the country faced challenges of “existential importance” but maintained that it could overcome them through effective leadership, responsible management of public resources and a sustained focus on production.
“I enter this contest with one firm belief: Nigeria can work, and Nigeria must work,” he said.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
