Chicago, USA — (PRECISE POST) – Former Nigerian presidential candidate and Labour Party leader, Peter Obi, has called for urgent, competent, and compassionate leadership across Africa to ensure the continent does not miss out on the transformative opportunities offered by Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Speaking at the 2025 Annual Conference of the Nigerian Association of Pharmacists and Pharmaceutical Scientists in the Americas (NAPPSA) in Chicago, where he delivered the keynote address, Obi emphasized that AI is a continuation of the global digital revolution and holds significant promise for healthcare and pharmaceutical development.
The Anambra-born politician and businessman, disclosed this on Saturday in a statement he personally signed and released on his X handle accoumt.
However, he warned that Africa—particularly Nigeria—risks being left behind due to chronic issues of poor leadership, weak policy environments, and lack of effective implementation. Drawing on past experiences with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Obi lamented that while Asian countries successfully integrated these frameworks into national planning, many African nations fell short.
> “To harness the opportunities of the AI revolution, competent leadership is non-negotiable,” Obi stated.
“We need leaders with capacity, character, compassion, and commitment—leaders who understand the transformative potential of AI and can position our societies to embrace it as a tool to leapfrog development.”
Later in the day, Obi also delivered another keynote speech at the University of Chicago, during an event themed “Youth and Development Across the Diaspora: Vision, Purpose, Impact.”
Opting for an interactive, dialogue-based approach instead of a formal address, Obi engaged participants in a dynamic question-and-answer session that explored the role of diaspora youth in Africa’s future.
He concluded by urging young Africans abroad to remain actively involved in the continent’s development, noting that Africa’s future will be shaped not only by domestic policies but also by the innovation and solidarity of its diaspora.
