By Ali Elias
Former Anambra State Governor and presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has said Nigeria’s persistent poverty, hunger and underdevelopment are not a reflection of the country’s resources, but largely the consequence of years of mismanagement and corruption.
Obi stated this in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where he participated as a guest and panelist at the 66th Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
Speaking on how to rebuild Nigeria and make the country work for its citizens, Obi said the country possessed enormous human and natural resources capable of driving sustainable prosperity.
“I reiterated my long-held view that the poverty and hunger Nigerians face today are largely the result of years of mismanagement and corruption by leaders entrusted with our commonwealth,” he said.
“With our vast human and natural resources, Nigeria has no business being associated with extreme poverty and hunger.”
Obi particularly questioned Nigeria’s continued dependence on food imports despite its vast agricultural potential.
“We have no business importing food when we possess enormous agricultural potential,” he said.
“With the right investment, policies, and political will, agriculture can become one of Nigeria’s greatest sources of wealth.”
He identified northern Nigeria’s vast agricultural land as a major economic opportunity, arguing that the region could play a central role in transforming the country’s economy.
“Northern Nigeria’s vast farmland, in particular, can drive major economic transformation,” Obi said.
“If countries with fewer resources have transformed their agricultural sectors, Nigeria can feed itself, create millions of jobs, and export food to the world.”
Subsidy removal
On the controversial removal of petrol subsidy, Obi maintained the position he took during the 2023 presidential election, saying the system had become deeply compromised by corruption.
“On fuel subsidy removal, I remain committed to the position I took in 2023: the subsidy system was riddled with corruption,” he said.
“My approach was to eliminate the corruption, establish the actual subsidy cost, and then carry out a carefully planned, phased removal.”
According to him, removing the subsidy should not be an end in itself, but should produce measurable improvements in the lives of Nigerians.
“Savings from subsidy removal should have been transparently invested in clearly defined, measurable development priorities, especially agriculture, healthcare, education, poverty reduction, and security,” he said.
“I remain convinced that subsidy removal must deliver real benefits to Nigerians; citizens should not bear higher energy costs while the savings remain unaccounted for or fail to improve their lives.”
Obi said the country must therefore direct its resources towards areas capable of improving the welfare and productive capacity of its citizens.
“Nigeria must focus its investments on what matters most: food security, healthcare, education, infrastructure, human capital, national security, and unity,” he said.
He maintained that Nigeria’s challenge was not a shortage of resources or opportunities, but the quality and purpose of leadership entrusted with managing them.
“Nigeria has all it needs to prosper,” Obi declared.
“What remains is competent, honest, and purposeful leadership that puts the common good above personal interests.”
As usual he concluded: “A New Nigeria is Possible”, and then, “Nigeria will be OK.”