***Says Nigeria’s Future Depends on It
Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, has warned that Nigeria cannot achieve meaningful national transformation without a decisive investment in education. Speaking yesterday at the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) International Conference in Umuahia, Obi said no nation has ever risen beyond the quality of education it provides for its children.
Obi lamented that Nigeria’s longstanding neglect of education and healthcare continues to fuel economic stagnation, insecurity, and social decline.
He commended private school proprietors for their resilience, noting that they now bear responsibilities that should ordinarily rest on government shoulders.
According to him, private schools account for more than 60% of the country’s basic education sector—a testament to both their impact and the gaps left by government underfunding.
He urged authorities at all levels to prioritise teacher training, upgrade curricula, infuse technology into classrooms, and implement policies that make quality education accessible and affordable to all families.
Obi was presented with the NAPPS National Role Model Award, which he described as a recognition meant to inspire millions of Nigerian students striving for a better future.
He recalled his tenure as Governor of Anambra State, where his administration supported both public and private schools with buses, computers, generators, and essential learning equipment.
Reiterating that education must become Nigeria’s number-one priority, Obi stressed that transformation cannot occur through rhetoric but through sustained budgetary commitment, strategic planning, and effective implementation.
“Education,” he said, “remains the most reliable path to national transformation.”