The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has unveiled a roadmap for Nigeria’s economic revival, promising reforms focused on human capital development, industrialisation, education, healthcare and good governance.
In a statement titled “My Vision for a Productive and Prosperous Nigeria” released on Wednesday, Obi said his administration would pursue policies aimed at restoring national unity, improving the quality of life and repositioning the country for sustained prosperity.
“Today, being the 1st of July, 2026, I wish to humbly recall that when I decided to contest for the office of President of Nigeria, I pledged to place Nigeria on the path of unity and national transformation,” Obi said.
He added, “Now, as the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate, I will, in the coming weeks and months, provide insights into the roadmap that I am confident will help curb abuse in government, halt the decline in the quality of life of Nigerians at all levels, and usher in an era of unity, peace, sustained progress, and prosperity.”
According to him, the vision is “anchored on a commitment to unity, inclusion, social justice, equity, and the freedom of every citizen to pursue lawful dreams.”
The former Anambra State governor identified education and healthcare as the foundation of his economic agenda, saying, “Central to this proposed roadmap are significant reforms in education and healthcare, which are at the core of human capital development.”
He stressed that “robust human capital is indispensable infrastructure for national progress,” describing it as “the fundamental capital upon which daily life, economic expansion, and the delivery of essential public services depend.”
Obi disclosed that one of the first steps his administration would take would be to tackle the challenge of out-of-school children.
“From the outset of my presidency, we will establish a task force dedicated to drastically reducing the menace of out-of-school children,” he said.
He also pledged to prioritise Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), saying greater emphasis would be placed on the sector to support “massive industrialisation, anchored on our agricultural endowments and value addition across value chains organised around industrial parks.”
According to him, funding and equipping TVET institutions through partnerships involving government, the private sector and faith-based educators would expand apprenticeship opportunities in line with Germany’s dual education system.
Obi argued that Nigeria must address its shortage of skilled manpower despite widespread unemployment.
“The situation in which unemployment remains high while Nigerian entrepreneurs establish businesses elsewhere because skilled labour is scarce must be confronted decisively,” he said.
“Doing so is essential for the common good and for facilitating our transition from a consumption-driven economy to a production-driven one.”
He further pledged to strengthen character and civic education, saying the values that promote trust, enterprise and leadership would receive significant attention under his proposed governance model.