Former Governor Peter Obi has called on Nigerians to focus on cultivating competent leadership and robust institutions as the key to unlocking the country’s vast potential.
Speaking at the 2025 Leadership Forum Conference organized by the Medical Research and Humanitarian Society (MEDRHUS) at UNEC Enugu, Obi addressed the theme: “Rethinking Leadership: Uniting a Divided People.”
Obi highlighted Nigeria’s abundant natural resources, fertile land, and favourable climate, noting that these endowments surpass many comparable nations. Yet, he argued, the country continues to lag due to weak institutions and insufficient leadership grounded in competence and compassion.
“The challenges we face—ethnic and religious tensions, poor healthcare, low life expectancy, and rising infant mortality—reflect leadership failure, not the character of the Nigerian people,” Obi said. He stressed that prioritizing education and human development is crucial for meaningful progress.
Drawing lessons from countries such as Indonesia and India, which achieved economic and social transformation through strong institutions and investments in people, Obi urged Nigerians to follow suit. He encouraged young people to explore opportunities abroad while remaining committed to building a better Nigeria at home.
“Strong institutions, the rule of law, and competent leadership are the keys to unlocking our nation’s potential. A new Nigeria is possible,” he concluded.