Former Presidential candidate Peter Obi has issued a powerful call to action, stating that Nigeria cannot experience any meaningful national transformation without making decisive and sustained investment in education its top priority.
A Dire Warning at NAPPS Conference
Speaking at the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) International Conference in Umuahia, the Labour Party stalwart emphasized that no nation has ever grown beyond the quality of education it offers its children. He lamented the country's longstanding neglect of the education and healthcare sectors, which he identified as the root cause of economic stagnation, widespread insecurity, and a troubling social decline.
Obi specifically commended private school proprietors for their resilience in a challenging environment. He revealed that private schools now account for more than 60 percent of the country's basic education sector, a statistic that highlights their immense impact but also underscores the severe gaps created by the chronic underfunding of public education.
A Blueprint for Educational Reform
The former Governor of Anambra State did not just highlight problems; he provided a clear path forward. He urged authorities at all levels to immediately prioritise teacher training, update outdated curricula, deploy technology in classrooms, and implement policies that make quality education both accessible and affordable for every Nigerian family.
In recognition of his advocacy, Obi was honoured with the NAPPS National Role Model Award. He accepted the award, describing it as a recognition meant to inspire the millions of Nigerian students who are striving for a better future. He recalled that during his tenure as Governor, his administration supported both public and private schools with essential resources like buses, computers, and generators.
Linking Education to National Security
Reiterating his core message, Obi stressed that transformation will not come through empty rhetoric but through consistent budgetary commitment, strategic planning, and effective implementation. He powerfully stated that "Education remains the most reliable path to national transformation."
In a sobering connection, Obi also condemned the recent devastating attacks in Kebbi and Zamfara states. He described the repeated violence across the country as "devastating and unacceptable losses," noting that his heart was heavy upon receiving the news while he was in Monaco. He pointed out that entire communities now live in fear and that schools, which should be safe havens, have become vulnerable targets for terrorists.
Obi asserted that these tragedies highlight a worsening security situation that Nigeria must never accept as normal. He called on all levels of government to urgently intensify security efforts, overhaul the nation's security architecture, and ensure the safe rescue of all abducted victims, insisting that Nigerian children must never be left at the mercy of terrorists.
