Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, has criticized the Nigerian government, claiming it harbors more corrupt individuals than the wider society. Speaking at Nexford University’s 4th graduation ceremony in Lagos, Obi expressed concerns about the misuse of public resources by officials.
“For governance, don’t think when we talk about vices it is only Yahoo boys,” Obi said, referring to internet fraudsters. “There are actually more Yahoo people in government than there are outside because we have turned the entire country into a crime scene where people inside are stealing, and people outside are stealing.”
Obi urged the graduates to champion positive transformation, emphasizing the importance of leadership built on integrity and character.
“It is about leadership and igniting the future. It is not rocket science but it is difficult. It is being able to have a strong character, the ability not to do the wrong thing,” he said.
Acknowledging the challenges younger generations face, Obi charged the graduates to use their education to foster a better society.
“You are a victim of Nigeria because our age and the age before have refused to do what is right, and you are suffering it,” he added.
On the sidelines of the event, Obi advocated for a hybrid approach to education, combining online and traditional learning. He highlighted the success of similar models in India, Pakistan, and Turkey, urging Nigeria to follow suit.
“We need to massively educate people because education is one of the most important tools of development. The more educated any country or society is, the more developed,” Obi noted.
The event underscored the role of education and leadership in addressing Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges.
