Former presidential candidate and prominent public commentator, Peter Obi, has criticised the Nigerian government for sending an unusually large delegation of 749 officials to the 30th Conference of Parties (COP30) on climate change. He described the move as a “bitter twist of irony,” considering the millions of Nigerians living in severe poverty.
In a statement shared on social media, Obi compared Nigeria’s delegation size to that of China, which sent 789 delegates to the climate summit. While acknowledging Nigeria’s need to have a strong voice in international climate discussions, he argued that the country’s current economic and social realities make such a large delegation inappropriate.
“Again, in a bitter twist of irony, we thank Nigeria for having the third-largest delegation at COP30, with 749 delegates, similar to China with 789 delegates. Yet, our people—about 150 million living in multidimensional poverty—struggle daily with food insecurity, inadequate healthcare, and limited access to basic services,” Obi wrote.
Obi’s comments highlight the stark contrast between Nigeria’s international representation and the living conditions of its citizens. He noted that while China had a similar number of delegates, the Asian country boasts a far higher Human Development Index (HDI), better healthcare, and longer life expectancy.
According to Obi, life expectancy in Nigeria stands at 54 years, compared to 79 years in China. Nigeria’s GDP is just over $200 billion, barely 1% of China’s $18.74 trillion GDP. GDP per capita in Nigeria is less than 10% of China’s $13,300 per person.
“These numbers demonstrate why Nigeria should not be sending a delegation of this size. The human and financial resources expended on hundreds of officials travelling abroad could instead be directed toward urgent social investments at home, improving healthcare, education, and living conditions to lift our people out of poverty,” Obi stated.
Obi further highlighted that 63% of Nigerians, approximately 150 million people, live in multidimensional poverty, facing deprivations in health, education, and overall living standards. In contrast, only 3.9% of China’s population faces similar hardships.
The former Anambra State governor stressed that Nigeria’s participation on the global stage should reflect responsible leadership and prioritize citizens’ needs. He argued that the nation’s engagement in international climate negotiations must demonstrate genuine capacity and commitment, rather than being overshadowed by costly delegations that offer limited returns.
“Our participation on the international stage must reflect responsible leadership, one that truly prioritizes the needs of our people and demonstrates our genuine capacity to engage meaningfully in global climate action,” Obi said.
Obi’s comments come amid ongoing criticism of government spending in Nigeria, where many citizens continue to face severe economic challenges despite record national revenues from oil exports. Analysts have argued that excessive spending on foreign travel by government officials often diverts funds away from critical domestic sectors such as health, education, and infrastructure.
In recent years, Nigeria has faced mounting public scrutiny over government expenditures, with civil society groups and media outlets calling for stricter accountability in the use of public funds. Obi’s statement adds to the growing chorus demanding more prudent allocation of resources, particularly given the country’s current socio-economic challenges.
The COP30 summit, held in 2025, attracted delegates from countries across the globe to discuss strategies for combating climate change, reducing carbon emissions, and promoting sustainable development. While participation in such events is essential for international diplomacy, Obi’s intervention raises questions about the balance between representation abroad and addressing urgent domestic needs.
Obi concluded his remarks by urging Nigerian leaders to adopt a more citizen-focused approach to governance, emphasizing that international engagement should complement, rather than overshadow, efforts to improve the welfare of Nigerians.
“True leadership is measured by how well the needs of the people are met. While international representation is important, it should not come at the expense of those who continue to struggle daily. Our leaders must find a balance that serves both national interest and citizen welfare,” he said.
