Peter Obi, former Governor of Anambra State and prominent Nigerian political figure, has reiterated his stance that poverty and criminality in Nigeria are deeply intertwined, attributing the nation’s escalating security challenges to decades of poor governance and systemic neglect. In a powerful statement, Obi emphasised that true development lies in addressing human capital through investments in education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation, rather than pursuing grandiose projects with little societal impact.
“The more we pull people out of poverty, the more we reduce criminality, and the reverse is also true. You cannot separate security from human development; they are inextricably linked,” Obi declared. He described Nigeria’s current security crisis as a direct consequence of “misplaced priorities, mismanagement of public resources, monumental corruption, and systemic neglect.” With nearly 100 million Nigerians living in extreme poverty and over 140 million facing multidimensional poverty, Obi warned that the country is on a precarious path unless urgent action is taken.
Obi stressed that development should focus on critical sectors that uplift human dignity, dismissing billion-naira contracts for “white elephant projects” as superficial. “Real development means investing in education, healthcare, and poverty eradication,” he said, underscoring their role in building a resilient society. He echoed the sentiments of General Christopher Musa, Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, who recently noted, “You cannot fight insecurity with bullets alone. You must address the root causes: poverty, unemployment, lack of education, and injustice.” Obi highlighted this alignment between military and civilian perspectives as evidence that Nigeria’s security strategy must prioritise human welfare.
Drawing on historical wisdom, Obi referenced the late Mallam Aminu Kano, who famously stated, “The problem with Nigeria is that we abandon the masses and then criminalise their hunger.” Obi warned that neglecting education and basic needs creates fertile ground for extremism and unrest. “A child out of school today becomes vulnerable to manipulation tomorrow. A family that goes to bed hungry becomes a breeding ground for resentment,” he said.
Quoting Mother Teresa, Obi added, “When a poor person dies of hunger, it has happened because neither you nor I wanted to give that person what he or she needed.” He called for a disruption of Nigeria’s cycle of policy failures, urging leaders to prioritise investments in education, health, and agriculture. “These are not just economic priorities; they are national security imperatives,” he asserted.
Obi concluded with a clarion call for change: “Every naira we invest in people today is one less bullet we need to fire tomorrow. That is the real meaning of security. That is how we build a new Nigeria that is possible.” His remarks have sparked renewed discussions on the need for a holistic approach to Nigeria’s challenges, blending human development with security reforms.
