2027: Peter Obi gives hints of plans for ‘productive Nigeria’ if elected

By Ayorinde Oluokun

The presidential candidate of National Democratic Congress, NDC, for 2027 general election, Peter Obi has said he will pursue a vision anchored on robust development of human capital for productive and prosperous Nigeria if he is elected to office.

Peter Obi said this in a statement published on his social media handles on Wednesday while recalling that he had pledged to place Nigeria on the path of unity and national transformation when he decided to contest for presidency.

He added that as the candidate of NDC he will provide insights into the roadmap that will help curb abuse in government, halt the decline in the quality of life of Nigerians at all levels, and usher in an era of unity, peace, sustained progress, and prosperity if he is elected to office in the next few months.

He added that the is anchored on a commitment to unity, inclusion, social justice, equity, and the freedom of every citizen to pursue lawful dreams.

“Central to this proposed roadmap are significant reforms in education and healthcare, which are at the core of human capital development.

“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.

“These are foundational areas that we must reform with energy and determination if we are to reap the demographic dividend of our youthful population,” Obi said.

Giving further details of the vision, the NDC presidential candidate said from the outset of his presidency, he will establish a task force dedicated to drastically reducing the menace of out-of-school children.

He added that his government will also place greater emphasis on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to support Nigeria’s drive for massive industrialisation, anchored on our agricultural endowments and value addition across value chains organised around industrial parks to be located in development zones across the geopolitical regions of the country.

Obi added that funding and the equipment for the TVET institutions will be sourced through partnerships among government, the private sector, and social entrepreneurs such as faith-based educators, will facilitate apprenticeship opportunities in the private sector, similar to the German dual education system.

“The situation in which unemployment remains high while Nigerian entrepreneurs establish businesses elsewhere because skilled labour is scarce must be confronted decisively. Doing so is essential for the common good and for facilitating our transition from a consumption-driven economy to a production-driven one,” said Obi

He added that his administration will also put emphasis on character and civic education to emphasise the values that foster trust which, according to him, is an “essential ingredient for enterprise and leadership – as well as shared national values, will receive significant attention within the tripartite approach to governance that we propose”