Former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, has criticized Nigeria’s ongoing trend of prioritizing wasteful expenditures over essential human welfare. In a statement addressing the recently reported spending of approximately $9 million on foreign lobbyists based in Washington, Obi highlighted the stark contrast between managing international perceptions and the declining conditions faced by citizens at home.
Obi described this spending as a painful indication of how public funds are utilized to create a facade of success abroad, while neglecting pressing local issues. He emphasized that this is merely a symptom of the more profound leadership failures plaguing Nigeria, which have resulted in a stagnation in the Human Development Index (HDI) rankings for over three decades.
Noting that Nigeria has remained in the low HDI category since 1990, Obi compared the country’s progress to that of nations like China and Indonesia, which have successfully advanced to higher HDI levels through targeted policy choices and effective leadership. He stressed that these advancements were not due to luck or natural resources but rather deliberate and well-implemented strategies.
On health, one of the key components of the HDI, Obi painted a concerning picture, stating that Nigeria currently ranks among the lowest globally for life expectancy. He pointed out that the country has one of the highest maternal mortality rates, emphasizing that childbirth has become precarious for Nigerian women. Instead of addressing these healthcare crises, Obi lamented the misallocation of resources toward image management.
He argued that the $9 million diverted to lobbyists could have been strategically invested in essential healthcare infrastructure, such as purchasing medical equipment or improving hospital services. Obi claimed that such an investment could significantly enhance healthcare delivery and, in turn, positively affect Nigeria’s global image.
Obi concluded by asserting that Nigeria’s challenges are not rooted in a lack of funds but in poor prioritization and ineffective governance. He called for a complete reassessment of how taxpayers’ money is utilized, urging leaders to focus on what genuinely benefits the citizens instead of perpetuating illusions of success while real issues are neglected.
