Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, Mr. Peter Obi, has called on African youths to rise and demand ethical, competent, and accountable leadership across the continent.
Obi made the call during the Ubuntu Africa Youth Assembly Series, a virtual forum organised by the Global Peace Foundation (GPF) on Sunday, under the theme “Ethical Leadership and Empowering Youth.”
He said Africa’s biggest opportunity lies in its large youth population, estimated at over 400 million, and stressed that no continent can develop or prosper if it ignores or neglects its young people.
“It’s time for African youths to stop watching from the sidelines. They must get involved and demand good leadership at every level,” Obi said.
The event, which formed part of the African Renaissance Initiative, seeks to promote intergenerational dialogue, ethical leadership, and youth participation in governance and nation-building.
Speaking passionately during the forum, the former Anambra State Governor described Africa’s young people as its most valuable resource. He argued that investing in youth is the only way the continent can achieve long-term development.
“Any society that neglects or despises its young people is doomed to fail,” Obi warned. “Nations are judged not by their wealth in natural resources, but by the strength and quality of their human capital.”
He also criticised the selfishness and corruption that, according to him, continue to weaken entrepreneurship and development across Africa. “Selfishness and corruption are killing innovation. They are the reasons our continent is rich, yet our people are poor,” he said.
Referencing the Ubuntu philosophy, Obi encouraged African leaders and citizens to embrace collective growth and a shared sense of humanity. “Ubuntu means ‘I am because you are.’ It is a powerful African philosophy that teaches community values, empathy, and mutual respect,” he said.
Obi stressed that building a better Africa requires leadership driven by compassion, honesty, and character — not greed or personal interest.
He dismissed suggestions that his views amount to “demarketing Africa,” insisting that his criticisms are driven by the desire to see the continent rise to its true potential.
“I don’t say these things to condemn Africa but to challenge us. We must adopt models that work and commit to real change,” he said.
Obi urged African governments to borrow practical ideas from countries that have achieved sustained economic growth, such as China, Indonesia, and the Netherlands.
He noted that these countries have made significant progress by focusing on education, healthcare, and support for small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs). According to him, SMEs have the power to lift millions out of poverty, if properly supported.
“Indonesia and China invested in their people and used entrepreneurship to reduce poverty. Why can’t Africa do the same? Why are we importing food when countries like the Netherlands — with limited arable land — are feeding the world?” he asked.
He challenged African leaders to prioritise education, health, and youth empowerment rather than cling to outdated systems that continue to fail.
Obi insisted that Africa’s main problem is not war or natural disasters, but bad leadership. “We are not victims of natural disasters. Our biggest disaster is leadership failure,” he said. “We can change that if we focus on electing leaders with capacity, compassion, and character.”
He encouraged African youths to take responsibility for their future and play an active role in shaping it. “African youths need encouragement, not pity. They need opportunity, not tokenism. Our youths are creative, resilient, and ready — they just need the right environment to thrive.”
Earlier in his opening remarks, Rev. Fr. Canice Chinyeaka Enyiaka, Director of African Peace Initiative and Engagement at the Global Peace Foundation and moderator of the session, reaffirmed the relevance of Ubuntu to Africa’s future.
He said Ubuntu can drive a moral and social transformation across the continent, and help rebuild broken systems by placing humanity and ethics at the centre of governance.
The Ubuntu Africa Youth Assembly brought together young leaders and thought influencers from across the continent to discuss the future of Africa and the kind of leadership needed to move it forward.
