JUST IN: Peter Obi unveils vision for productive Nigeria, pledges education, healthcare reforms

Politics

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Peter Obi, has unveiled a broad vision for transforming Nigeria, promising sweeping reforms in education, healthcare, industrialisation and governance if elected president in 2027.

In a statement titled “My Vision for a Productive and Prosperous Nigeria” released on Wednesday, Obi said his administration would focus on building a united, inclusive and productive nation driven by investments in human capital and accountable leadership.

The former Anambra State governor said that when he first sought the presidency, he pledged to place Nigeria on the path of national unity and transformation, adding that he would, in the coming weeks and months, present a comprehensive roadmap to reverse the country’s decline.

“Today, being the 1st of July, 2026, I wish to humbly recall that when I decided to contest for the office of President of Nigeria, I pledged to place Nigeria on the path of unity and national transformation,” Obi said.

“As the Nigeria Democratic Congress candidate, I will, in the coming weeks and months, provide insights into the roadmap that I am confident will help curb abuse in government, halt the decline in the quality of life of Nigerians and usher in an era of unity, peace, sustained progress and prosperity.”

According to him, the proposed reforms are anchored on the principles of unity, inclusion, social justice, equity and the freedom of every Nigerian to pursue lawful aspirations.

Obi identified education and healthcare as the foundation of his development agenda, describing robust human capital as the country’s most critical infrastructure.

“Robust human capital is indispensable infrastructure for national progress. It serves as the fundamental capital upon which daily life, economic expansion and the delivery of essential public services depend,” he said.

He pledged that one of the first actions of his administration would be the establishment of a national task force to drastically reduce the number of out-of-school children.

The NDC candidate also promised to prioritise Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as part of a broader industrialisation strategy built around agriculture, value addition and industrial parks across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones.

According to Obi, government would partner with the private sector and faith-based institutions to strengthen vocational education and establish apprenticeship programmes modelled after Germany’s dual education system.

He said the initiative would address the paradox of high unemployment existing alongside a shortage of skilled labour that has forced many Nigerian entrepreneurs to establish businesses abroad.

Obi further pledged to strengthen character and civic education to promote integrity, trust, responsible leadership and shared national values.

He argued that rebuilding trust in public institutions is essential for enterprise, national cohesion and sustainable economic growth.

In a separate statement issued on Monday titled “What Truly Should Be Our Priority Now as Leaders of a Nation?”, Obi criticised what he described as the political class’s misplaced priorities amid worsening insecurity and economic hardship.

He said questions contained in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) nomination form prompted him to reflect on the state of leadership in the country.

Referring to a section asking whether a candidate had ever been declared of unsound mind, Obi questioned whether Nigeria’s political leaders were demonstrating the qualities of responsible leadership.

“When Nigerians, including children and security personnel, are being abducted into the bushes, citizens cannot travel safely on our highways, several million Nigerians are uncertain where their next meal will come from, and several billions are being siphoned through non-existent agencies and projects, should politics really be our primary preoccupation?” he asked.

Obi said a responsible government would have declared insecurity, hunger and corruption a national emergency and mobilised all relevant institutions to confront the crises.

He also called for greater transparency in Nigeria’s electoral process, urging INEC to publish the academic certificates and credentials submitted by all candidates seeking elective office.

“Transparency strengthens democracy and builds public trust. Nigeria’s problems are too serious for politics as usual. It is time for leadership defined by competence, character, capacity, compassion and commitment to service,” Obi said.