Nigeria @66: Peter Obi laments rising cases of out-of-school children

Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. Peter Obi, has declared that Nigeria currently has one of the largest populations of people living in poverty in the world, with over 140 million citizens facing severe economic hardship.

Obi also lamented the growing number of out-of-school children, estimated at over 18 million, describing it as a major threat to the country’s future.

In a national broadcast to mark Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary on Thursday in Abuja, the NDC presidential candidate said the occasion should not only be a time for celebration but also a moment for honest reflection on the state of the nation and the direction it is heading.

According to him, despite Nigeria’s enormous human and natural resources, the country has continued to experience a steady decline in critical areas of national development, raising concerns about leadership and governance.

The former Anambra state governor further highlighted the worsening security situation, saying terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and violent crimes continue to claim lives across the country.

He referenced the recent death of 37 young Nigerians, describing it as another painful reminder of the insecurity that has become a recurring feature of national life.

Obi also painted a grim picture of hunger and food insecurity, warning that more than 40 million Nigerians could face extreme hunger by the end of 2026 if urgent steps are not taken.

He listed high infant and maternal mortality rates, widespread youth unemployment and underemployment, rising drug abuse among young people and low life expectancy as additional indicators of national decline.

According to him, Nigeria’s average life expectancy of about 54 years remains significantly below the global average, while drug abuse prevalence among the youth has reached alarming levels.

“This reality demands serious, sober and honest reflection. Our greatest problem is not a lack of resources but the failure to convert our enormous resources into human development, productivity, security and shared prosperity,” Obi said.

The NDC presidential candidate disclosed that he recently visited Sokoto State alongside Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, where they held consultations on insecurity, poverty, unemployment and the challenge of out-of-school children.

He said the visit to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp at Ramin Kura in Sokoto exposed the depth of human suffering in the country, as thousands of women and children displaced by insecurity continue to live in deplorable conditions.

According to him, many of the children in the camp have no access to education, while healthcare services remain inadequate.

“What we saw in Ramin Kura is not an isolated story. It reflects the suffering experienced in different forms across many parts of Nigeria,” he stated.