By Ihechi Enyinnaya
The Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Mr. Peter Obi, has called on Nigerians at home and abroad to unite in rebuilding the nation through education, describing it as the most vital investment for the country’s future.
Obi made this appeal on Friday evening while addressing members of the Nigeria Friendship Association in Washington DC — a group of professionals founded nearly 30 years ago by Nigerians who studied in the United States.
He praised the association for its “unwavering commitment to education”, noting that its members, now accomplished professionals living in the Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia area (DMV) and beyond, have consistently supported learning initiatives both in the U.S. and in Nigeria.
> “Education remains the most vital investment any nation can make in its future,” Obi said. “With over 24 million out-of-school children — the highest number in the world — Nigeria has over 24 million reasons to fear what lies ahead if we fail to act.”
He stressed that no nation can rise above the quality of its human capital, emphasizing that education is the foundation for building a prosperous society.
Obi also highlighted the growing impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the global economy, warning that nations lagging behind in education risk being left out of the new world of innovation and work.
“In a time when Artificial Intelligence is transforming the world, education is no longer optional; it is essential for daily life. We must equip our young people with the knowledge and skills to compete globally — not just to survive but to lead,” he added.
Concluding his address, Obi commended the Nigeria Friendship Association for its continued contribution to educational development.