Obi: Nigeria Has Everything It Needs to Prosper

The presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2027 election, Peter Obi, has said Nigeria has the human and natural resources required to achieve prosperity, arguing that the country’s persistent poverty and hunger are largely the result of years of mismanagement and corruption.

Obi made the remarks in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where he participated as a guest and panellist at the 66th Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium.

The former Anambra State governor said the discussion focused on practical ways to rebuild Nigeria and improve the lives of its citizens.

According to Obi, Nigeria’s abundant human and natural resources mean the country should not be associated with extreme poverty and hunger.

“With our vast human and natural resources, Nigeria has no business being associated with extreme poverty and hunger.”

He particularly identified agriculture as a major opportunity for economic transformation, arguing that Nigeria has no justification for importing food despite its vast agricultural potential.

Obi said increased investment, effective policies and political will could transform agriculture into one of Nigeria’s largest sources of wealth, particularly in Northern Nigeria, where he noted that large expanses of farmland could drive economic growth.

He said Nigeria could become self-sufficient in food production, create millions of jobs and eventually export food to other countries if the agricultural sector is properly developed.

On fuel subsidy removal, Obi reiterated the position he held in 2023, saying the subsidy system was affected by corruption and should have been reformed before being phased out.

He said his preferred approach would have been to eliminate corruption within the system, establish the actual cost of the subsidy and implement a carefully planned and phased removal.

“Savings from subsidy removal should have been transparently invested in clearly defined, measurable development priorities, especially agriculture, healthcare, education, poverty reduction, and security.”

Obi argued that Nigerians should see tangible benefits from any subsidy reform, stressing that citizens should not be subjected to higher energy costs without corresponding improvements in their living conditions.

The NDC candidate said Nigeria must prioritise food security, healthcare, education, infrastructure, human capital development, national security and national unity.

“Nigeria has all it needs to prosper,” Obi said, adding that what the country needs is competent, honest and purposeful leadership that places the common good above personal interests.