The 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has said that Nigeria’s northern region holds the power to transform the entire country. He described the North as Nigeria’s “greatest asset” and called for greater investment in agriculture and education to lift the region—and the country—out of poverty.
Obi made this statement on Sunday during a meeting with members of the National Political Consultative Group (North) in Abuja. He stressed that the persistent poverty in the region is not due to lack of potential, but poor investment in key sectors.
“The greatest asset of this country is the North. I’ve always said it. The North can change Nigeria,” Obi declared.
He pointed out that northern Nigeria has enormous agricultural resources that, if properly harnessed, could generate more income than crude oil. As an example, he compared Nigeria’s rice production with that of Bangladesh.
“Nigeria produces less than six million tonnes of rice. That’s less than 10 percent of what Bangladesh produces,” he said. “Bangladesh has a land area of just 148,600 square kilometers—about the size of Niger and Borno states combined.”
Obi also linked rising poverty in the region to the worsening security situation, noting that when people lack basic needs, they are more likely to fall into the hands of criminal groups.
“When people don’t know where their next meal will come from, you can never control their actions. That’s why banditry thrives. It all rests on the government to solve it,” he said.
The former Anambra State governor urged the federal government to invest more in education as a lasting solution to insecurity and underdevelopment. He emphasized the importance of reaching out to out-of-school children, particularly the Almajiri, who he described as “some of the most brilliant minds God created.”
“Our children are not in school. I’ve sat with Almajiri children. If they can’t go to school, take the school to them,” Obi suggested.
Despite the numerous challenges facing the country, Obi expressed confidence that Nigeria can still be reformed through visionary leadership and targeted investment in key areas.
“There’s a lot of work to be done, but I believe Nigeria can be turned around,” he concluded.
Peter Obi’s comments come at a time when national conversations around poverty, insecurity, and development continue to dominate political discourse, particularly ahead of the 2027 general elections. Many political observers have praised his focus on data and solutions-driven approaches to Nigeria’s development.
The North, with its large population and abundant land resources, has long been viewed as critical to Nigeria’s food security and economic future. However, insecurity and poor infrastructure have slowed progress in the region for years.
Obi’s call highlights the urgent need for inclusive development that recognizes the unique strengths of each region and invests in human capital as a foundation for national growth.
