2027 Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has said, the future of Nigeria is “bright”.
However, he added, only if the country makes the “deliberate choices” to move from “consumption to production” and from “poverty to prosperity”.
The former Governor of Anambra State made the statement during a high-level roundtable discussion with the title ‘Nigeria in 2027 and Beyond’, which held at the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) in the German Capital, Berlin.
The event pulled together different personalities – “policymakers, diplomats, development experts, business leaders, representatives of international organisations, and members of the international media” – to talk about the future of Nigeria, as well as, “its role in an increasingly interconnected global landscape”, Obi said.
Discussions focused on the democratic journey of Nigeria beyond 2027, and the need to bolster bilateral partnerships that can speed up “economic growth and improve the lives of our people”.
Obi said, the main focus “was how Nigeria can deepen collaboration with international partners to support Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), recognising that they remain the backbone of every productive economy and are indispensable to job creation, innovation, wealth creation, and sustainable national development”.
Also, ideas were exchanged on “strengthening democratic institutions, expanding trade and investment opportunities, promoting regional stability, improving governance, and creating an enabling environment that inspires confidence among citizens, investors, and Nigeria’s international partners”.
At the discussions, the 2023 Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) echoed his “unwavering belief” that Nigeria has all that is required both “human and natural resources” to emerge a “prosperous, secure, and globally competitive nation”.
He opined, what the country needs is “competent, accountable, and compassionate leadership that prioritises investment in people, education, healthcare, productive enterprise, the rule of law, and strong institutions over politics of consumption”.
The former African Democratic Congress (ADC) member said, Nigeria must abandon “division” and embrace “unity”; he added, by accepting “good governance, fiscal responsibility, and productive partnerships with the international community, we can build an economy that works for all Nigerians and restores our nation’s standing among the comity of nations”
Obi expressed his gratitude to the European Council for the invitation.
He said, discussions like these are “vital in fostering mutual understanding, strengthening international cooperation, and building enduring partnerships for the benefit of Nigeria, Africa, and the global community”.
