Obi Unveils Roadmap for National Transformation, Pledges Education, Healthcare Reforms, TVET Expansion, Industrialisation
The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has unveiled his roadmap for a productive and prosperous Nigeria, with significant reforms in education and healthcare at its core.
In a statement on Wednesday, Obi recalled that when he decided to contest for the office of President, he pledged to place Nigeria on the path of unity and national transformation.
“Now, as the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) 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,” he stated.
Obi disclosed that his vision is anchored on a commitment to unity, inclusion, social justice, equity, and the freedom of every citizen to pursue lawful dreams.
He explained that central to the proposed roadmap are significant reforms in education and healthcare, noting that both sectors are at the core of human capital development.
Obi stressed that robust human capital is indispensable to national progress, serving as the foundation for daily life, economic expansion, and the delivery of essential public services.
“These are foundational areas that we must reform with energy and determination if we are to reap the demographic dividend of our youthful population,” he said.
He also revealed that, from the outset of his presidency, his administration would establish a task force dedicated to drastically reducing the number of out-of-school children.
“We will place greater emphasis on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) 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,” he pledged.
Obi emphasised that funding TVET institutions and upgrading their equipment through partnerships among the government, the private sector, and social entrepreneurs such as faith-based educators would facilitate apprenticeship opportunities in the private sector, similar to the German dual education system.
He asserted that the situation in which unemployment remains high while Nigerian entrepreneurs establish businesses elsewhere because skilled labour is scarce must be confronted decisively.
He further argued that doing so is essential for the common good and for facilitating Nigeria’s transition from a consumption-driven economy to a production-driven one.
Obi highlighted character and civic education as essential for fostering trust, describing trust as a vital ingredient for enterprise and leadership.
He added that character and civic education, as well as shared national values, would receive significant attention under the proposed tripartite approach to governance.
