Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has called for a strategic shift in Nigeria’s development priorities, urging greater investment in women as a key driver of economic growth and national progress.
In a statement titled “Channelling Our Women to Critical Areas of Development,” Obi lamented that Nigeria continues to lag behind other nations that are making deliberate investments in human capital, particularly women. He stressed that despite women making up over half of the population, they remain underutilized in leadership, management, and productive sectors of the economy.
Drawing comparisons with countries in Scandinavia, as well as developing economies like Indonesia and Bangladesh, Obi highlighted how empowering women has translated into measurable economic gains. He noted that women dominate small and medium-scale enterprises in Indonesia, while in Bangladesh, they form a significant portion of the workforce in the garment industry—one of the country’s top revenue-generating sectors.
Obi criticized what he described as misplaced national priorities, pointing to the country’s focus on less impactful activities instead of policies that promote education, inclusion, and economic empowerment for women.
He called on policymakers to adopt reforms that integrate women more fully into critical sectors, arguing that such steps would boost productivity and reposition Nigeria on the path of sustainable development.
According to him, a renewed commitment to investing in people—especially women—could help rebuild the nation and restore its global standing.
