By Chibuike Nwabuko
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – The Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi has said that the Northern Nigeria has all it takes to lead a new Nigerian prosperity if leaders choose to invest in people and potential.
Disclosing this on his X account handle on Monday, Obi hinted that he made the statement at the National Political Consultative Northern Group Meeting held on Sunday in Abuja.
He further said the passionate call was made for Northern Nigeria to harness its vast untapped potential in agriculture and education to transform the region—and the entire nation.
Speaking as a special invitee, the former Anambra state governor spotlighted Northern Nigeria’s underutilized land and human resources, stressing the urgent need for inclusive development and visionary leadership.
According to him, “One of our greatest physical assets is our land,” “yet we continue to treat it like a burden rather than a blessing.”
He compared Nigeria’s rice output to that of Bangladesh, noting that while Nigeria produces about 5–6 million tonnes annually, Bangladesh—despite being nearly equal in land size to just two Nigerian states, Niger and Borno—produces ten times more. “With fewer people and far more land, Northern Nigeria has every reason to surpass Bangladesh, yet we lag woefully behind.”
Obi further stated that Sri Lanka, a country smaller than Taraba State, which earns up to $2 billion annually from tea exports. “Taraba can do even more—but the land lies fallow,” he lamented.
On education, the former governor did not hold back. Citing the North’s high out-of-school population, particularly Almajiri children, he said, “These children are not a problem—they’re our greatest untapped human asset.” Drawing from personal road travels across the region, he highlighted efforts in Kaduna where mobile schools are already making a difference, suggesting this model be scaled up.
He also called attention to the irony of Nigeria receiving grain donations from war-torn Ukraine, despite the North being 20% larger in landmass than the European grain giant. “It’s not just shameful, it’s a wake-up call,” he said.
Finally, he took aim at leadership and mismanagement, referencing the ₦7 trillion uncovered in padded budgets. “Imagine channeling that into agriculture, education, healthcare, and security,” he said. “The transformation would be immeasurable.”
