Kalu Okoronkwo, a communications strategist and leadership advocate, has challenged the persistent perception that former Anambra State Governor and 2027 presidential hopeful Peter Obi is unwilling to give money. In an opinion article shared with Legit.ng on Monday, July 27, Okoronkwo argued that the phrase "I no dey give shishi" (I don't give even a kobo) has become unfairly attached to Obi's public image, despite documented evidence of substantial philanthropy.
Evidence of Multimillion Naira Donations
Okoronkwo presented a list of institutions that reportedly received support from Obi between 2024 and 2025. Beneficiaries include Immaculate Heart of Mary Specialist Hospital, Nkpor; Annunciation Specialist Hospital; Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital; St Charles Borromeo Specialist Hospital; Good Hope Specialist Hospital; Community Health Centre, Amafor; Anglican School of Nursing Sciences; College of Nursing Sciences, Amichi; and St Gerald's Hospital, Kaduna. Educational institutions such as the University on the Niger, Paul University, nursing schools across several states, science colleges, and secondary schools were also named.
According to Okoronkwo, reports linked to Obi's donations in 2024 amounted to approximately ₦677 million across schools, hospitals, and charitable organisations. Healthcare-related interventions publicly reported in 2025 were estimated at about ₦330 million.
Challenging the 'Stingy' Narrative
Okoronkwo questioned how a man repeatedly branded "stingy" could leave a trail of multimillion naira donations. "How does a man repeatedly branded 'stingy' leave behind a trail of multimillion naira donations to hospitals, nursing schools, universities, humanitarian organisations, churches and community institutions across Nigeria?" he wrote. "How does someone immortalised in Nigeria's political folklore by the phrase 'I no dey give shishi' emerge as one of the country's most consistently documented private supporter of healthcare and education?"
The analyst argued that Obi's philanthropy differs from typical politician handouts. Instead of distributing food items, cash, or relief materials at public events, Obi's reported donations focus on institutions that provide long-term services. "A nursing school educates healthcare professionals for generations. A hospital upgraded today continues to treat patients long after election posters have faded," Okoronkwo noted. He emphasised that institutions can continue serving communities beyond the political careers of their supporters.
Donations Span Nigeria's Regions
Okoronkwo highlighted that the reported interventions were not limited to Obi's home region in the South-East. Examples include St Gerald's Hospital in Kaduna (North-West), Grimard College of Nursing Sciences in Kogi (North-Central), and St Philomena College of Nursing in Benin City, Edo (South-South). The article also mentioned reported support for institutions serving Muslim communities, including an Almajiri school and the Federation of Muslim Women's Associations in Kaduna.
Obi's 65th birthday in July 2026 was marked by donations rather than an elaborate celebration. According to the article, Obi donated N10 million to St Raphael's Hospital in Umueri, Anambra State, and another N10 million to the Catholic Diocese of Ogoja, Cross River State.
Judging Leaders by Evidence, Not Slogans
While defending Obi's charitable record, Okoronkwo cautioned that philanthropy alone should not measure a political leader. Leadership should be judged by competence, accountability, integrity, vision, and performance in office. He urged Nigerians to examine political claims against available evidence instead of relying on popular slogans. "History is seldom written by slogans; it is written by evidence. Whether one supports Peter Obi politically is ultimately a matter of personal conviction. The more enduring question raised by his documented pattern of giving is larger than any individual politician," Okoronkwo wrote.
Obi, who is the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, is expected to feature prominently in discussions ahead of the 2027 presidential election. Earlier, Obi defended his tenure's savings, stating he left $150 million in Anambra's treasury in 2014, challenging former governors to match that record.
