ICYMI: Peter Obi pledges quality education, accessible healthcare in new policy roadmap

Politics

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has pledged to prioritise quality education and accessible healthcare if elected, describing the two sectors as the foundation for rebuilding Nigeria and driving sustainable national development.

Obi made the pledge in the second part of his policy document, “Roadmap to a New Nigeria That Is Possible,” titled “Education and Healthcare: The Foundation of a Renewed Nigeria.”

In a statement released on Wednesday, the former Anambra State governor said the transformation of Nigeria must begin with strategic investments in human capital.

He recalled that the first part of his roadmap, unveiled on July 1, outlined a broad framework for national renewal centred on rebuilding human capital through education, healthcare, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), character and civic education, and reforms aimed at shifting Nigeria from a consumption-driven economy to a production-driven one.

According to Obi, the second instalment expands on education and healthcare because they are the pillars upon which prosperous nations are built.

“Education and healthcare are the cornerstones of the foundation that will ensure that a son of nobody can become somebody and lift many out of the ranks of the disaffected who often become tools in the insecurity challenges confronting our nation,” he said.

Citing global evidence, Obi argued that countries with strong education and healthcare systems consistently achieve higher levels of economic growth and social development.

He referenced Nobel Prize-winning economist Angus Deaton and his book, The Great Escape: Health, Wealth, and the Origins of Inequality, saying the work demonstrates the close relationship between education, health and national prosperity.

Obi also rejected the growing perception among some young Nigerians that “education is a scam.”

“Nothing could be further from the truth,” he said.

“Education, when combined with good health, provides the ladder for individual upward mobility and drives economic growth for the nation.”

The NDC presidential candidate said Nigeria must deliberately align its education system with national development priorities, drawing lessons from countries such as Singapore and China.

He noted that Singapore successfully linked education to economic transformation, while former Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping consistently emphasised education as a key driver of China’s development from 1978 onward.

Outlining his proposals, Obi said his administration would strengthen collaboration among the three tiers of government through education commissions.

He said primary education would be managed at the community and local government levels with stronger parental involvement and curricula tailored to local economic realities and value chains.

According to him, state governments would receive targeted grants and incentives to expand access to high-quality Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as well as general secondary education.

Obi also pledged reforms in the university system aimed at encouraging higher institutions to specialise in specific areas of teaching and research.

He said the approach would improve global competitiveness and produce graduates equipped with the skills required for the future workforce.

The policy document forms part of Obi’s broader vision for national renewal, which he said will be released in phases in the coming weeks and months.