Obi unveils education, industrialisation agenda

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress for the 2027 election, Peter Obi, has unveiled his vision for a “productive and prosperous Nigeria,” promising sweeping reforms in education, healthcare and industrialisation if elected.

In a statement issued on Wednesday to mark the new month, Obi said his administration would prioritise human capital development, national unity and inclusive governance as the foundation for economic transformation.

He recalled that his decision to seek the presidency was driven by a commitment to place Nigeria “on the path of unity and national transformation.”

“Now, as the Nigeria Democratic Congress candidate, I will, in the coming weeks and months, provide insights into the roadmap that I am confident 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,” Obi said.

According to him, the proposed roadmap is anchored on “unity, inclusion, social justice, equity, and the freedom of every citizen to pursue lawful dreams.”

The former Anambra State Governor said education and healthcare would receive priority attention because of their critical role in developing the country’s human capital.

“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,” he stated.

Obi pledged that one of the first actions of his administration would be the establishment of a task force to significantly reduce the number of out-of-school children across the country.

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He also promised to strengthen Technical and Vocational Education and Training as part of efforts to support industrialisation, agricultural value addition and job creation.

“From the outset of my presidency, we will establish a task force dedicated to drastically reducing the menace of out-of-school children.

“We will place greater emphasis on Technical and Vocational Education and Training to support our 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.

“Funding and improving the equipment of TVET institutions, 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,” he said.

He added that character and civic education would also feature prominently in his administration’s education reforms to promote trust, responsible leadership and shared national values.

Obi concluded the statement with his campaign slogan, saying, “A New Nigeria is Possible.”