2023 Labour Party Presidential candidate Peter Obi has expressed concern over Nigeria’s worsening poverty rate, contrasting the situation with countries like China, India, and Vietnam, which have lifted millions of citizens out of poverty through disciplined policy execution.
Peter Obi spoke on the theme “Execution as a Competitive Edge” while delivering the keynote address at the inaugural Lagos Business School (LBS) All MBA Students Conference, which hosted visiting MBA students from Cambridge University’s Judge Business School.
Highlights of his remarks were later shared on his X platform.
Execution and Leadership: Key to National Progress
Peter Obi emphasized that planning and strategy alone are insufficient without effective implementation.
“Execution that delivers results is driven by competent and responsible leadership with capacity, compassion, and character to drive disciplined and committed implementation of sound policies and strategies,” he said.
He cited China, India, and Vietnam as examples of nations where disciplined execution under capable leadership has translated into measurable progress.
During the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) era (2000–2015) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) period (2015–2030), China lifted over 430 million people out of poverty, India lifted 270 million, and Vietnam lifted 45 million, significantly improving their Human Development Index (HDI).
Nigeria’s Leadership Deficit and Poverty Challenge
Peter Obi expressed regret that Nigeria and much of Sub-Saharan Africa have struggled to achieve similar results despite participating in the same global initiatives.
“While these countries and others are lifting people out of poverty, more people are falling into poverty in Nigeria, with over 130 million Nigerians presently classified as multidimensionally poor,” he lamented.
The former Anambra State governor stressed that the lack of competent leadership and inconsistent policy execution has left Nigeria behind, even as other nations progress.
He further noted that competent leadership is not only essential in governance but also in corporate boards and management teams, which ensures sustainability and growth.
Peter Obi concluded by urging the country to adopt leaders with capacity, compassion, character, and commitment to disciplined execution.
“That is what Nigeria needs today. A New Nigeria is Possible,” he declared.