The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi, has expressed disappointment over Nigeria’s absence from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) list of the fastest-growing economies in Africa.
The recent report from the IMF outlined the top 10 fastest growing economies on the continent, highlighting their progress through innovation, investment, and resource development. The counties listed include South Sudan, Guinea, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Republic of Benin, Niger Republic, Uganda, Cote d’Ivoire, The Gambia, and Senegal.
Reacting to the report on Thursday, Obi said: “I have read with keen interest the recent IMF report listing Africa’s fastest-growing economies, and I cannot help but reflect on Nigeria’s absence from that list. These nations are not richer than us in natural resources, but they have become richer in discipline, leadership, and commitment to improving their people and their human capital.
“They are growing their economies through investing in critical areas of development education, healthcare and pulling people out of poverty, while ensuring fiscal prudence and stability. Our own economy, sadly, continues to struggle under the weight of poor policy choices, corruption, and waste. We must return to the basics: production over consumption, human capital over patronage, and governance over politics.”
He noted that Nigeria has all it takes not just to be among the fastest-growing economies, but to lead them, emphasising that what the country needs is competent and compassionate leadership —one that sees governance as a call to service, not as a transaction for the criminal acquisition of unearned wealth.
The former Anambra State governor urged Nigerian leaders to recommit themselves to building a nation that values transparency, productivity, and shared prosperity, adding that with the right leadership and collective will, Nigeria can once again become the pride of Africa.
He further stated that if smaller nations can grow their economies through discipline and commitment to clear policy direction, then “the giant of Africa must awaken.”
