Obi unveils vision for productive Nigeria

Etim Ekpimah

Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has outlined his vision for a productive and prosperous Nigeria, pledging far-reaching reforms in education, healthcare and workforce development if elected president under the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

In a statement issued on Wednesday, 1 July 2026, Obi said his administration would pursue policies to promote national unity, improve living standards, and reposition the country for sustainable economic growth.

“Today, 1 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,” he said.

Obi added that, as the NDC presidential candidate, he would, “in the coming weeks and months, share details of the roadmap I am confident will curb abuse in government, halt the decline in living standards for Nigerians at all levels, and usher in an era of unity, peace, sustained progress and prosperity.”

He said the proposed roadmap is anchored on “a commitment to unity, inclusion, social justice, equity, and the freedom of every citizen to pursue their lawful aspirations.”

According to Obi, reforms in education and healthcare would form the cornerstone of his administration’s human capital development agenda.

“Central to this proposed roadmap are major reforms in education and healthcare, the very foundation of human capital development,” he said.

Describing a skilled workforce as critical to national development, Obi said, “A capable workforce is indispensable infrastructure for national advancement. It is the fundamental capital upon which daily life, economic growth and the delivery of essential public services rely.”

He stressed that both sectors require urgent reforms “if we are to unlock the demographic dividend offered by our young population.”

Obi pledged that, if elected, his administration would immediately establish a task force to address the growing number of out-of-school children, adding that he would give priority to Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).

“From the start of my presidency, we will set up a task force dedicated to drastically reducing the crisis of out-of-school children. We will prioritise Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to support our drive for large-scale industrialisation, built on our agricultural strengths and value addition across supply chains, organised around industrial parks in development zones across all geopolitical regions of the country,” he said.

He also promised to upgrade TVET institutions through partnerships involving government, the private sector, social entrepreneurs and faith-based education providers.

“We will fund and upgrade facilities at TVET institutions through partnerships between government, the private sector and social entrepreneurs – including faith-based education providers – to create apprenticeship opportunities in private businesses, modelled on Germany’s dual education system,” Obi stated.

The former Anambra State governor said Nigeria must address the disconnect between high unemployment and the shortage of skilled labour, which he noted has forced many entrepreneurs to relocate their businesses abroad.

“We must tackle decisively the situation where unemployment remains high, yet Nigerian entrepreneurs set up operations abroad because skilled labour is scarce at home. This is vital for the common good, and to enable our shift from a consumption-led economy to one driven by production,” he said.

Obi added that character and civic education would be prioritised under his proposed governance model to promote trust, leadership and shared national values.

Obi, however,  reaffirmed his campaign slogan: “A New Nigeria is Possible.”