Peter Obi Says Nigerian Youths Are the Nations Biggest Asset

(Peter Obi. Photo by Sky News)

Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, has characterised Nigerian youths as the nation’s foremost asset rather than a burden requiring management.

In a statement posted on social media on Wednesday marking International Youth Day, the former Anambra State governor praised young Nigerians for their courage, creativity, ingenuity, and substantial potential, positioning them not merely as future leaders but as indispensable contributors to Nigeria’s present.

Obi underscored the imperative for Nigeria to establish conditions where young people can realise their aspirations without necessity of emigration.

He stressed the requirement for heightened investment in education quality, vocational training, healthcare services, technological infrastructure, sports development, and meaningful employment pathways.

Drawing on a recent encounter whilst travelling to Bauchi, Obi reflected on two aircraft captains aged 20 and 28 and their young crew, whose proficiency and professionalism demonstrated that youth can achieve excellence when afforded opportunities to develop skills, engage productively, and assume leadership roles.

He noted that across multiple sectors football, technology, medicine, aviation, entrepreneurship, academia, and creative industries Nigerian young people continue to exhibit exceptional talent.

The deficiency, he argued, lay not in talent availability but in deliberate, systemic investment and conditions conducive to its development.

Obi pledged his commitment to establishing a Nigeria in which every young person possesses opportunities to learn, work, innovate, lead, and thrive.

He concluded that a transformed Nigeria becomes attainable through active youth engagement and participation.