Former Anambra State Governor and 2023 Labour Party Presidential Candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has described many Nigerian internet fraudsters, popularly known as Yahoo boys, as “geniuses who need redirection.”
Obi made this statement while speaking at the Golden Health Conference held at the Archbishop Patterson Auditorium, All Saints Cathedral, Onitsha, on Saturday. The event, themed “Money Beyond Wealth,” brought together students, professionals, and youth leaders to discuss the moral, social, and economic responsibilities that come with wealth creation.
Addressing the gathering, Obi said while money is an essential part of human existence, it only becomes true wealth when it is earned through ethical means and used to benefit both the individual and society.
“Money becomes real wealth only when it is earned through ethical means and used to uplift both the individual and society in an edifying manner,” Obi said.
He condemned the rising obsession with quick riches, particularly among young people who engage in cybercrime, warning that the country risks losing a generation of talented minds to moral decay if nothing is done.
“Looking at what these Yahoo boys do, there is no doubt that many of them are geniuses,” Obi stated. “The challenge before us as a society is to redirect them — to channel their ingenuity into productive ventures that will not only dignify them but also benefit the nation.”
The former governor said the moral decay in society stems largely from leadership failure and the bad examples set by people in power. According to him, Nigeria cannot build a healthy society when corruption, greed, and impunity are celebrated by those in leadership positions.
“We cannot build a healthy society when those in authority glorify greed, celebrate impunity, and promote corruption,” he lamented.
He explained that leadership plays a central role in shaping national values, noting that when political leaders are dishonest, the ripple effect extends to every sector of society.
“Getting it right as a nation must begin with getting it right in politics. When political leadership fails, every other sector suffers,” Obi added.
Obi urged Nigerian leaders to prioritize integrity, transparency, and service over self-interest, saying that only by doing so can the country inspire its young people to follow the right path.
Encouraging Nigerian youths to embrace creativity, hard work, and enterprise, Obi advised them to invest their energy in productive ventures rather than shortcuts to wealth.
He revisited an earlier controversy where he was reportedly misquoted about night vigils. Clarifying his statement, Obi said he never condemned night vigils but only encouraged young people to balance spiritual activities with productive work.
“There is nothing wrong with night vigils,” he explained. “What I said was that while Friday and Saturday nights can be for vigils, the other nights should be for productive work. We must build a culture that values creativity, diligence, and enterprise.”
Obi also challenged the government to invest in young people by providing platforms for innovation and entrepreneurship. He cited Indonesia as an example of a country that transformed its economy by empowering its youth population.
“In Indonesia, the government supports young entrepreneurs through functional ministries, financial aid, and innovation hubs,” Obi said. “That’s how they turned their young population into an engine for development. Unfortunately, in Nigeria, our creative youth are neglected.”
Peter Obi stressed that young Nigerians involved in cybercrime often possess rare technical and creative skills that could be used for positive impact if properly nurtured. He called for policies that identify, train, and redirect these talents into productive areas such as information technology, digital security, and entrepreneurship.
“If we can channel the intelligence of our young people into innovation, technology, and creativity, Nigeria will become a global powerhouse,” he said. “Our problem is not a lack of talent; it is the failure to recognize and guide it.”
The Labour Party leader concluded by urging both leaders and citizens to focus on moral rebuilding and national discipline. He said true progress would only come when Nigerians place value on honesty, service, and ethical wealth creation.
“Our young people must see hard work and integrity as the true measure of success,” he said. “When leadership sets the right example, the people will follow.”
The conference ended with a call for partnership between the church, government, and private sector to mentor young Nigerians and redirect their energy toward innovation and national development.
