Peter Obi: Nigeria Is the Worst Place to Be Born

Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), has described Nigeria as “the worst place to be born,” pointing to poverty, insecurity, hunger and unemployment as major challenges facing the country.

Obi made the remarks in his Independence Day address on Thursday as Nigeria celebrated its 66th anniversary.

The former Anambra State governor criticised the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration, saying the challenges facing Nigerians had continued despite promises made in 2023.

“Despite the promises made by the APC government in 2023, our nation continues to face deepening challenges across virtually every critical sector of national life,” Obi said.

He highlighted poverty and hardship, the number of children out of school, insecurity, banditry and kidnapping.

“Today, we stand before the world as a nation with the highest number of people living in poverty and hardship, over 140 million; with the highest number of out-of-school children, with the highest out-of-school children, over 80 million; one of the most terrorised and insecure country with rampant banditry, kidnapping.”

Obi also raised concerns over hunger and mortality rates, while referring to the recent death of 37 young people.

“Recently, we lost 37 young people in their productive age. Where millions struggle for hunger, we are now one of the hungrest country of the world, 109 moved to 115 in the recent times with food organisations saying that by the end of this year, 40 million will face extreme hunger.”

“We’ve had one of the worst infant and maternal mortality rates in the world today,” he added.

Turning to the situation facing young Nigerians, Obi said unemployment and drug prevalence were also major concerns.

“Today, Nigeria is the worst place to be born. Our youth unemployment is the highest; over 35 million youths are unemployed, and we have one of the worst drug prevalences globally.”

Remarks Contrast With Tinubu’s Independence Day Message

Obi’s comments came hours after President Bola Tinubu delivered his Independence Day address, in which he said Nigeria had moved beyond the difficult phase of economic reforms.

Tinubu said the country was now entering a period focused on “shared and widespread prosperity.”

“The emergency treatment is over. The foundation has been repaired,” the President said.

He also declared: “Nigeria has corrected its course. We have passed through our own Red Sea. This is not the time to look back.”

Tinubu said the next phase of his administration would focus on translating economic reforms into improved living standards, including lower costs, greater production and more opportunities for Nigerians.

The two Independence Day messages offered sharply different assessments of Nigeria’s current situation, with Obi highlighting persistent social and economic difficulties and Tinubu emphasizing the government’s claimed progress from its economic reforms.

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