Former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, has reiterated the need for Nigeria to prioritize education and healthcare as the foundation for national transformation.
Speaking at the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) International Conference in Umuahia, Obi stressed that โno nation can rise above the quality of education it gives its children.โ He warned that continued neglect of these critical sectors remains a major driver of Nigeriaโs economic and social decline.
Obi commended private school proprietors for their resilience, noting that they now shoulder responsibilities that should ordinarily fall to government. He highlighted their role in shaping over 60% of Nigeriaโs basic education sector, and called for reforms including stronger teacher training, modernized curricula, technology-driven learning, and policies that make quality education affordable for all.
During the event, Obi was presented with the NAPPS National Role Model Award, which he described as an encouragement to millions of students across the country. He also reflected on his tenure as governor, recalling initiatives that provided public and private schools with buses, computers, generators, and essential learning tools.
Obi concluded by urging policymakers to move beyond rhetoric and demonstrate real commitment through budgetary allocations, planning, and execution. He emphasized that education remains the most reliable path to Nigeriaโs transformation.
