Peter Obi urges investment in young people, condemns 80% youth unemployment

Former Anambra State Governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has described Nigeria’s youth unemployment rate of 80 per cent as an indictment on the nation’s leadership and economic direction.

Obi made the remarks in a post on his verified X handle, responding to a report by ActionAid and Plan International.

The report indicates that more than 80 million Nigerian youths are unemployed, a staggering figure given the country’s large population. Obi contrasted Nigeria’s situation with South Africa, where a 60 per cent youth unemployment rate translates to six million unemployed young people—over 70 million fewer than in Nigeria.

“When millions of youths are unemployed, it is not a youth problem, it is a leadership failure,” Obi said, accusing the President Bola Tinubu-led All Progressives Congress administration of prioritising wasteful spending, corruption, and unproductive borrowing over investments in young Nigerians.

Obi urged deliberate investments in production, support for micro, small, and medium enterprises, and the adoption of transparent, people-centred governance to create jobs and lift youth out of poverty.

He emphasised that Nigeria’s youths should be viewed as the engine of national productivity and growth.

“Nigeria deserves competent, credible, compassionate, and capable leadership, one that will create opportunities and empower our young Nigerians.

A New Nigeria is possible,” Obi added, calling on young people to participate in electing leaders committed to their development.