Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress for the 2027 election, has shared his plan for a “productive and prosperous Nigeria,” promising major changes in education, healthcare and industrialisation if elected.
In a statement released on Wednesday to mark the new month, Obi said his government would focus on human capital development, national unity and inclusive governance as the base for economic growth.
He said his decision to run for president was driven by a desire 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.
He said the roadmap is built 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 be top priorities because of their role in building 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 said one of the first steps of his administration would be to set up a task force to greatly reduce the number of out-of-school children in Nigeria.
He also promised to strengthen Technical and Vocational Education and Training 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.
Obi added that character and civic education would also be part of his education reforms to encourage trust, responsible leadership and shared national values.
He ended the statement with his campaign slogan, saying, “A New Nigeria is Possible.”
