The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi, has expressed confidence that Nigeria can still be transformed into a nation of pride, dignity, and prosperity.
Obi explained that the transformation can be achieved by prioritising critical sectors of the economy and making effective use of the country’s available resources.
He made these remarks in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, following his engagement with economist and political scientist, Professor James Robinson, in the United States of America (USA).
“My last engagement of 3-day trip to the USA was defining and enriching, including over two hours of lunch and a walk meeting with the distinguished Professor James Robinson, alongside Professors Korieh and Utomi. Professor James Robinson was co-author of ‘Why Nations Fail’ and a Nobel Laureate in Economics on ‘Prosperity of Nations’.
“My interest in meeting him was stirred by one of his penetrating observations, that there are nations in the world which clearly know the path to prosperity, yet consistently fail to take it. Among his examples was Nigeria.
“That remark struck me profoundly. It was not merely an academic statement but as a mirror held up to our nation. In our conversation, Professor Robinson reminded me that nations must possess the humility to remain learners if they are to advance. For me, the dialogue was both challenging and inspiring,” Obi stated.
He noted that the conversation strengthened his conviction that Nigeria’s renewal requires difficult choices.
“With committed reforming and prioritising critical sectors of development, we can leapfrog our turnaround,” the politician said.
He also highlighted other recent engagements aimed at gaining insights into development models that Nigeria can learn from.
“Earlier this year, in pursuit of similar insights, I visited Johns Hopkins University to meet Professor Peter M. Lewis, the author of ‘Growing Apart: Oil, Politics, and Economic Change in Indonesia and Nigeria’.
“His comparative study of Indonesia and Nigeria – two nations that began with similar trajectories but diverged so starkly – posed an unavoidable question: why did one move in the right direction while the other faltered? To seek answers, I travelled to Indonesia itself, where I held constructive engagements with six ministers, a former Vice President, and Indonesia’s most Popular President Joko Widodo.”
The former Anambra governor reiterated that these encounters across continents, with some of the finest minds and most experienced leaders, have deepened his conviction that Nigeria’s story is not a closed chapter of decline, but an unfinished narrative with the potential for redemption.
He added: “With competent and visionary leadership – rooted in capacity, character, commitment, and compassion – Nigeria can still be transformed into a nation of pride, dignity, and prosperity.”
