Peter Obi Praises North, Says Region is Nigeria’s Greatest Asset

Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has described Nigeria’s northern region as the country’s “greatest asset,” asserting that it holds the key to the nation’s transformation.

Speaking at the National Political Consultative Group (North) meeting in Abuja on Sunday, Obi lamented the persistent poverty in the region, which he attributed to a lack of investment, particularly in agriculture and education. He stressed that if fully tapped, the North could generate more wealth than the oil sector.

“The greatest asset of this country is the North. I’ve always said it. The North can change Nigeria,” Obi stated.

He cited rice production as a clear example of the region’s potential, pointing out that Nigeria’s total annual output is under six million tonnes  far below that of countries like Bangladesh, despite Nigeria’s larger landmass. “Bangladesh has just 148,600 square kilometers—about the size of Niger and Borno states combined,” he added.

Obi linked the widespread poverty in the North to insecurity, warning that economic desperation makes the population vulnerable to crime and recruitment by insurgent 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 governor emphasized urgent investment in education, urging the government to reach underserved communities.

“Our children are not in school. I’ve sat with Almajiri children—they are some of the most brilliant minds God created. If they can’t go to school, take the school to them,” he said.

Despite current challenges, Obi expressed confidence in Nigeria’s potential. “There’s a lot of work to be done, but I believe Nigeria can be turned around,” he concluded.