Lagos, Nigeria – 18 July 2025 – Former presidential candidate and Labour Party figure Peter Obi has announced a donation of ₦15 million to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) Dental Students Association, aimed at upgrading their laboratory facilities and boosting the department’s graduation quota. The gesture comes in response to an urgent appeal from the students, who sought ₦40 million to aid their re-accreditation process.
In a Facebook post shared today, Mr Obi explained that he had received the students’ letter earlier this week but delayed action out of respect for the national mourning period following the death of a former Nigerian president. “Now that the mourning has officially ended, I felt it was important to act without delay,” he wrote. “Today, I visited, because we cannot, in good conscience, continue to allow our young people to suffer due to leadership failure.”
The donation underscores Mr Obi’s longstanding commitment to education and healthcare in Nigeria. He described it as a “modest” contribution to support the continuous education of medical and dental students at the university. However, the announcement was coupled with sharp criticism of the country’s leadership for prioritising luxury expenditures over essential sectors.
“I continue to question the kind of country we are building, where our leaders and public servants spend millions on luxury cars and ignore critical areas of development, health, education, and pulling people out of poverty,” Mr Obi stated. “It is a tragedy of misplaced priorities. When we fail to prioritise education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation, but invest billions in conference centres and bus parks, we betray our youth and undermine the future of our dear nation.”
Mr Obi’s remarks echo his frequent calls for fiscal responsibility and investment in human capital, themes that were central to his 2023 presidential campaign. As governor of Anambra State from 2006 to 2014, he was known for initiatives focused on education and infrastructure, often positioning himself as an advocate for Nigeria’s youth.
The UNN Dental Students Association has yet to issue a formal response to the donation, but the funds are expected to contribute significantly towards their laboratory enhancements, which are crucial for maintaining accreditation standards and increasing the number of graduating dentists.
This latest act of philanthropy adds to Mr Obi’s growing list of interventions in education and health. Earlier this year, he supported similar causes in other institutions, reinforcing his message that Nigeria must “invest in the future of the Nigerian youth” to build a sustainable nation.
