‘Not lack of talent’ — Peter Obi blames leadership for Nigeria’s World Cup absence

The Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, has said Nigeria’s absence from the 2026 FIFA World Cup reflects a failure of leadership rather than a shortage of talent, pointing to the performances of Nigerian artists and athletes with Nigerian roots at the tournament.

The development was disclosed in a statement posted on Obi’s official social media page.

According to Obi, the participation of Nigerian entertainers and the presence of Nigerians representing other countries at the World Cup highlighted the need for political leaders to create an environment that allows young people to develop and maximise their talents.

“Nigeria’s absence from the World Cup stems not from a lack of talent but from a conspicuous deficiency in political leadership that has failed to create an enabling environment for talent development,” Obi stated.

He said the performances of Nigerian artists and the number of Nigerians competing for other nations demonstrated the country’s untapped potential and underscored the need for greater investment in youth development.

Obi also commended music star, Davido for using his platform to draw attention to insecurity in Nigeria during the tournament.

According to him, Davido appeared in a custom black leather jacket bearing the inscription “BRING THEM HOME”, alongside the names of 39 schoolchildren and seven teachers reportedly abducted by bandits in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

“By utilizing his international platform, Davido effectively highlighted Nigeria’s security crisis, transcending mere entertainment,” Obi said.

Obi said Nigeria’s security challenges require both national and international attention.

He, however, maintained that Nigeria could still overcome its challenges through effective leadership and deliberate efforts to create opportunities for young people.

Obi added that a better and more productive Nigeria remained achievable.