Ideas leave a trail.

Nigeria’s Education Sector Facing Crisis of Great Magnitude - UBEC Boss The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) stated recently that Nigeria’s education sector is facing a crisis of great magnitude, with over 20 million children out of school, and many more unable to read or write. They emphasised that children who are enrolled in school are not learning. These scary statistics were also mirrored by WAEC, as they confirmed that the recently released WASSCE is the worst academic performance in five years, with only 38% of students passing. At a time when education should be our most urgent national priority and most critical investment, we as leaders continue to spend trillions on infrastructures, most of which contribute little or nothing to the measurable development index and cannot be completed and renovations that are a misplaced priority, while the foundational sectors like education remain in crisis. Education is the most powerful investment we can make in the future of this nation. We must urgently redirect our focus towards building our national human capital by providing quality and functional schools and investing in access to learning for every Nigerian child. A nation that neglects its young people has no future. We must urgently redirect our priorities, and invest in quality education. Our children deserve classrooms, not abandoned projects. To build a stronger, safer, and more prosperous nation, we must invest in our children, because when we fail them, we have failed our nation. A New Nigeria is POssible. -PO

On behalf of my family and the Obidients family, I want to deeply extend my condolences to His Excellency, President John Mahama, and the great People of Ghana over the tragic loss of Honourable Minister Edward Boamah, Honourable Minister Ibrahim Mohammed and other public officials in the unfortunate helicopter crash today. This is a painful moment not just for Ghana but for all of us across the region who stand in solidarity with you. To the families of the bereaved, the people of Ghana, and the members of the Armed Forces, please accept my deepest sympathy and solidarity. May God comfort the families and the entire nation in this time of sorrow, and may the departed rest in perfect peace, Amen. -PO

The Future We Must Invest In: Nadis’s and Others I warmly congratulate Miss Nafisa Abdullah Aminu, the exceptional 17-year-old student from Yobe State, on her outstanding achievement at the 2025 TeenEagle Global Finals in London. Her emergence as the top English language performer globally, outshining over 20,000 participants from 69 countries, is not only a personal triumph but a moment of great national pride. Nafisa’s brilliance, nurtured through discipline, family support, and quality education at Nigerian Tulip International College, has proven once again that Nigerian youths can excel on the world stage when given the opportunity. This remarkable feat calls for meaningful recognition. I strongly urge the Federal Government to honour Nafisa and all other students who recently brought academic honour to the country. A fully funded scholarship would not only reward her excellence but also inspire other students across the country to pursue education with passion and purpose. Education remains the most powerful investment we can make in the future of our country. Let us, as a nation, demonstrate that academic excellence is a national value. I encourage the government to formally receive Nafisa and her teacher at the presidency as a symbol of our collective commitment to education. Recognising and supporting achievers like her is how we build a nation where merit is honoured and greatness is nurtured. -PO

Nations Like Nigeria, Know What To Do To Prosper, But Just Can’t Do It. - James A. Robinson, Nobel Laureate in Economics, 2024 In July this year, the United Nations issued a frightening warning that 34 million Nigerians are at risk of hunger. This was also published in national dailies on August 1, 2025. This is not just an abstract statistic. It speaks of real people - our parents, children, neighbours, and friends - who are going to bed hungry and waking up without hope of a meal. So, while the country faces acute hunger — with Nigeria ranked among the hungriest countries in the world and classified under the category of “serious hunger”, the Federal Government of Nigeria announced a ₦712 billion budget for the renovation of an airport on the same August 1, 2025. It is profoundly troubling that at a time when millions of Nigerians are facing the crushing burden of hunger, the Federal Government has chosen to approve a staggering ₦712.3 billion—not to feed its people, not to lift them out of hardship, and not to invest in their well-being, but to renovate an airport. This raises a fundamental and urgent question: Where are our national priorities? Let us not forget: in 2013, Nigeria secured a $500 million loan from the China Exim Bank, supplemented by counterpart funding, to upgrade five international airports - Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Port Harcourt, and Enugu. If that massive investment was made barely a decade ago, what justifies an even larger sum today for just one airport - especially at a time when Nigerians are starving, internally displaced, and desperate? As a nation, our primary obligation is to protect and provide for our people, to ensure they are fed, healthy, and secure. While physical infrastructure like airports and roads matter, they cannot prioritise against hunger, health, education and security. Food security itself is a national security and economic strategy. Development is about choices. It’s about understanding that national progress begins with the basics: human development, not with grandiose infrastructure projects. A government that builds grandiose infrastructure while its people starve is not building a nation - it is betraying one. The time has come to rethink our priorities and put Nigerians first in every policy, every budget, and every decision. We must prioritise and concentrate our resources in critical areas of development: security of lives and property, health, education and pulling our people out of poverty. A New Nigeria is POssible. -PO

If Service is the motive Turning the Tide in Four Years is Possible I still find it baffling that my decision to do a term of four years, if given the mandate to rule this country, is generating so much agitation. By this feeling, we are doubting the fact that a sincere leader can achieve much in 48 months. I have never been desperate in the pursuit of power, or anything else, for that matter. There are some traits associated with desperation, which in no way are in any of my political behaviours in the past and now, like engaging in overly aggressive rhetoric or actions to prove a point or gain attention; becoming overly defensive or reactive to criticism, often to the point of appearing paranoid. Making unrealistic or unfulfillable promises to win support or approval, resorting to personal attacks or character assassination to discredit opponents or frequently changing positions or policies to suit immediate political needs. What drives me is not personal ambition, but a deep, commitment to see Nigeria work. And if the sacrifice required of me is four years of sincere, accountable leadership, so be it. Throughout my political journey, I have never been involved in thuggery, the snatching of ballot boxes, or any form of electoral malpractice. I challenge anyone: conduct your investigations. You will find no stains of rigging or violence associated with my name. I have always chosen the path of peace, principle, and civility. Ask those who have contested against me—none were ever denied their rights, framed, or falsely accused. None was asked to place their advert materials or break the bank to do so. I believe in fair competition, not manufactured victories. In four years we can confront corruption head-on, redirecting resources to priority areas. For instance, the trillions used to acquire new presidential jets and other unnecessary expenses at this time could have been channelled into education, healthcare, or infrastructure. Within the same period, we ensure that the rule is sacrosanct and the rule of law is strictly followed. Within the same period, we can conduct free, fair and credible elections Leadership, to me, is not about entitlement. It is about service. If given the mandate, for just one term, I will dedicate every moment to building a Nigeria that works for all. -PO

MISSION V ACCOMPLISHED Congratulations D’TIGRESS, you did it. You played like true queens of the court, fearless, fast, and unstoppable. Again, you’ve made Nigeria proud, you’ve made Africa proud, and you’ve made history by being the AfroBasket champions 5 times in a row. To the players, thank you for giving us your absolute best, for pouring your heart into every game, and for showing the world what Nigerian excellence looks like. Your prowess on the court was exceptional. And to Coach Wakama, thank you for your leadership, strategy, and belief in this team, you guided them like a true champion maker. Congratulations Queens @DtigressNG, you are indomitable. -PO

My One-Term, Four-Year Vow Is Sacrosanct One of the greatest American Presidents, Abraham Lincoln, served only four years, yet his legacy endures as a model of principled leadership. Another iconic figure, John F. Kennedy, did not even complete a full term, yet his vision and ideals continue to inspire generations. In Africa, Nelson Mandela, revered globally as a symbol of justice and reconciliation, chose to serve only one term as President of South Africa, despite immense public pressure to stay longer. His decision was a deliberate act of leadership, a statement that power must serve the people, not the self. Indeed, history shows that the longer many African leaders remain in power, the more likely they are to be corrupted by it. Longevity in office is not a mark of success; rather, it is purposeful, accountable service - however brief - that defines true statesmanship. It is within this context that I reiterate my vow: I will serve only one term of four years if elected President. And that vow is sacrosanct. I am fully aware that the decay in our society has made trust one of the scarcest and most sceptically viewed commodities. Many Nigerians, understandably, no longer take politicians at their word. But even in this climate of cynicism, there are still a few whose actions have matched their words - whose integrity is built on verifiable precedent. Recently, I became aware of two statements aimed, albeit indirectly, at my vow to serve only a single four-year term. One person remarked that even if I swore by a shrine, I still wouldn’t be believed. Another suggested that anyone talking about doing only one term should undergo psychiatric evaluation. I understand the basis of their scepticism. They are judging me by their own standards - where political promises are made to be broken. But they forget, or perhaps choose to ignore, that Peter Obi is not cut from that cloth. I have a verifiable track record that speaks louder than speculation. In my political life, my word is my bond. When I entered politics in Anambra State, I made clear and measurable promises to the people: to improve education and healthcare, to open up rural areas through road construction, and to manage public funds with prudence. I fulfilled each of those promises without deviation. I did not swear by a shrine, nor have I been certified mentally unstable as a result of honouring my word. My vow to serve only one term of four years is a solemn commitment, rooted in my conviction that purposeful, transparent leadership does not require an eternity. If making such a promise qualifies me for psychiatric evaluation, then we may as well question the mental fitness of those who framed our Constitution, which clearly stipulates a four-year renewable tenure. I maintain without equivocation: if elected, I will not spend a day longer than four years in office. In fact, I believe that service should be impactful, not eternal. We must rebuild trust in our country. I have dedicated my public life to demonstrating that leadership with integrity is not a myth. I have done it before, and I do not intend to betray that trust under any circumstances. Forty-eight months is enough for any leader who is focused and prepared to make a meaningful difference. In that time, I intend not merely to make an impression, but to deliver on concrete promises to: sanitise our governance system; tackle insecurity through effective and accountable use of national resources; prioritise education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation; catalyse small businesses as engines of growth ; and combat corruption with unflinching resolve. Above all, I will dedicate myself to transforming Nigeria from a consuming nation into a productive one, where agriculture, technology, and manufacturing replace rent-seeking and waste as our national anchors. These are not utopian dreams. They are realistic, actionable goals that are achievable within four years. A new Nigeria is POssible. -PO

It is profoundly disheartening that, notwithstanding the pendency of several applications before the court—including duly filed and served committal proceedings—the individual who unlawfully entered the premises of Next Foods Limited in Ikeja GRA has continued to act with brazen impunity, showing utter disregard for both the authority of the court and the sanctity of public order. It is a well-established principle of law, and indeed of civil society, that once parties have submitted their grievances to the judiciary, they are duty-bound to maintain the status quo and allow the court to determine the issues before it. Any deviation from this principle not only undermines the justice system but also sets a dangerous precedent for lawlessness. My younger brother, who serves as the Chairman of Next Limited, and I have spared no effort in trying to identify and reach out to the woman who lays claim to the property in question, with the sincere intention of exploring a peaceful and amicable resolution. Regrettably, all such efforts have yielded no fruitful outcome, as she remains evasive and inaccessible. -PO

Congratulations, D’Tigress. You gave an incredible semi-final performance. I watched with all smiles and so much pride as you came from behind in the third quarter to show true dominance and secure your place in the finals. You have made Nigeria proud yet again, 10 years unbeaten is nothing but dominance. As you prepare for the finals, we are all with you, cheering you to make history once again. Go finish what you started, Nigeria stands with you. Bring the trophy home. -PO

90th Birthday Tribute to Professor Christina Chinwe Achebe Dear Professor Achebe, On this joyful occasion of your 90th birthday, I join your family, friends, and admirers across the world in celebrating a life of purpose and distinction. Beyond being the devoted wife of the iconic Chinua Achebe, you have carved your own extraordinary legacy—as an educator, scholar, and mentor. From Queen’s College, Lagos to the University of London, UNN, and UMass Amherst, your academic journey has inspired generations. Your leadership in education, both in Nigeria and abroad, and your authorship of over 60 scholarly works, remain enduring contributions to knowledge and nation-building. At 90, you are a beacon of grace, wisdom, and integrity. May God bless you with continued strength, peace, and the love of all those whose lives you’ve touched. Happy 90th Birthday, Professor. We celebrate you with pride and gratitude. -PO

Nri-Ezedi: Justice Beyond the Letter of the Law Yesterday, I had the solemn honour of attending the burial of the former Chief Judge of Anambra state, Justice Umennoli Emmanuel Nri Ezedi. He was a towering figure in our legal history and one of the finest jurists of his generation. His life and work reminded me of the enduring wisdom of St. Augustine, who taught that without justice, states become little more than gangs of robbers. Justice Ezedi was unique in his judicial temperament - measured, principled, and deeply deliberate in both thought and action. He upheld the law not as a mere technical instrument, but as a moral compass to guide society towards truth and fairness. I remember vividly the period of my impeachment. At that critical moment, even without any personal acquaintance with me, Justice Ezedi courageously rose above sentiment and external pressure. He examined the facts, weighed the legal arguments, and, with clarity and conviction, declared the action null and void. His judgment was not only a triumph of law over arbitrariness, but also a reaffirmation of justice in its purest form. In life, he stood as a beacon of integrity; in death, he leaves behind a legacy that will continue to inspire generations. -PO

Today in Abuja, I joined other well-meaning Nigerians, alongside past governors of the year 1999, to celebrate an exemplary father and outstanding entrepreneur, Sir Chief Dr. Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion, the Esama of Benin Kingdom, at his book presentation titled The Chronicles of a Legend. His life shows that education can uplift lives and transform nations. Through his vision, he founded Nigeria’s first privately-owned university, Igbinedion University, Okada, proving that knowledge is the true foundation of progress. I reiterated that Chief Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion is truly a productive Nigerian, a man with great passion for education, health, and productivity and whose entrepreneurial spirit earned him several business that employs thousands of Nigerians today, contributing immensely to our nation’s growth. People like our father, Chief Igbinedion, are people we should celebrate rather than showering honours on those who add little or no value to our nation. He deserves to be duly recognised by our country while he is still here with us, for his immense contributions and unwavering patriotic service to the nation. Today, we honour a man whose life story embodies patriotism, enterprise, and the transformative power of education. May God continue to bless him and honour those like him who have contributed to building a better Nigeria through entrepreneurship and productivity. A New Nigeria is POssible. -PO

Managing Disaster is a critical aspect of governance that every government should take seriously. The frequency of disasters in our country and the needless bloodletting should raise concerns for our government at all levels. My heart goes out to the families of the latest disaster who have lost loved ones and to all those injured in the tragic flood in Yola. This is another painful reminder of the urgent need for serious investment in disaster preparedness, environmental protection, and urban infrastructure across Nigeria. I acknowledge and commend the prompt action taken by the State Government of Adamawa, the Police Command and other agencies of Government in the rescue efforts. However, disasters must no longer be reduced to passing headlines. It is time for our government, at all levels, to embrace a proactive approach. Investing in effective drainage infrastructure to protect our people and preserve their means of livelihood. I stand in solidarity with the affected communities in Adamawa State and call on NEMA and other relevant authorities to move swiftly to provide relief and long-term support for the victims. May the souls of the departed rest in peace, and may healing come swiftly to the injured and displaced. –PO

Leadership Failure: Nigeria’s Greatest Burden I have consistently maintained that leadership failure lies at the heart of Nigeria’s problems. Until we confront it head-on, the country cannot move in the right direction. The cumulative effect of poor leadership remains our greatest obstacle to development. This calls for urgent disruption of the current retrogressive system and the enthronement of leaders with competence, character, capacity, and compassion. Our declining governance has drawn global attention, as shown in the recent statement by the U.S. Diplomatic Mission in Nigeria, echoed in The Africa Report (https://t.co/h1LOxXx1tk) - a clear confirmation of what many of us have long said. Once again, let me be clear: you cannot ask the people to keep fasting while you feast every day. As Chinua Achebe rightly said, “The trouble with Nigeria is simply and squarely a failure of leadership.” I speak out to help build a new Nigeria, free of criminality and corruption. But instead of addressing the message, those who have hijacked our country deploy media thugs to insult and distract. Now that the American government has made similar observations, perhaps they too will become targets. To all well-meaning Nigerians: this must stop. We must dismantle the system of criminality. We have voted based on tribe and religion for too long - it is time to vote for competence. Let us move from waste, looting, and reckless borrowing to production. Let us build a Nigeria that works. A New Nigeria is POssible. -PO

On July 22, 2025, the Nigerian Senate approved an additional $21 billion, €2.2 billion, ¥15 billion of external borrowing for the 2025–2026 fiscal cycle. It also approved a N750.98 billion domestic bond issuance and a €65 65million grant. With an already existing public debt of about N149.39 trillion as at the first quarter of 2025, adding the approved loans of about N37.2 trillion) brings our current total debt to about N187 trillion with concerns that our debt might likely be over N200 trillion by the end of 2025. As our GDP before rebasing was about N269.2 trillion (about $180 billion), the government has borrowed the equivalent of nearly 70% of our previous GDP. Even after the rebasing, which pushed our GDP to about N372.8 trillion (about $243. 7billion), the government would have borrowed about 50.16 % of the new GDP (with the approved loans), the highest debt-to-GDP ratio in our history as a nation. While the year-on-year increase is about N27.72 trillion and the quarter-on-quarter increase is about N4.72 trillion, we are accumulating very exponential levels of unsustainable debt with little or nothing to show for it in critical areas such as education, healthcare, electricity generation, security of lives and property, and pulling people out of poverty. We still rank low in all major human development indicators. While education is underfunded and standard in continuous decline, healthcare remains inaccessible to millions of Nigerians particularly the poor. Security of lives and property has deteriorated with over 10,217 people killed and 672 villages sacked between May 29th 2023, and May 29th 2025, even when security spending has significantly increased from N2.98 trillion in 2023 to N4.91 trillion in 2025. Infrastructure decay persists across the country, with about 135,000km of our 195,000km of roads remaining unpaved, largely unmotorable, and unusable. It is the same depressing situation in almost all sectors of the economy, with the power sector an unquestionable example, with less than 5,000 MW supplied for over 200 million Nigerians. Today, over two years after the present government took over and with all the humongous borrowing, we are still confronted with negative reports of worsening poverty with about 133 million (63%) Nigerians classified as multi-dimensionally poor, increasing unemployment and disheartening news like 652 children dead as the malnutrition crisis worsens in Northern Nigeria. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), also known as Doctors Without Borders, has just sounded the alarm over an escalating malnutrition crisis in Northern Nigeria, with Katsina State emerging as one of the worst-hit areas. This is a country blessed with enormous resources, yet nobody should go to bed hungry. Still, a persistent deficiency in leadership has thrown the majority of our citizens into increasing multi-dimensional poverty. Borrowing is not inherently bad if it is sustainable and tied to productive investments with measurable outcomes. Unfortunately, this current pattern of borrowing without accountability, without transparency, and without transformational impact is simply mortgaging the future of our children. The government should consider the inter-generational consequences of their unsustainable borrowings and show at least a minimum consideration and interest in future of young and unborn Nigerians. We must return to a disciplined and prudent economic management culture, cutting the cost of governance, blocking leakages, investing in human capital, and building a productive economy. Nigeria cannot continue to borrow recklessly while poverty deepens and public trust erodes. It is time to stop this fiscal indiscipline. We must build a New Nigeria, where leadership is responsible, development is people-centred, and every kobo borrowed or spent delivers a measurable impact to achieve sustainable and inclusive development and growth. A new Nigeria is POssible. -PO

Warm birthday wishes to the Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Charles Soludo. Your Excellency, My dear elder brother, My family and I join other men and women of goodwill in rejoicing with you as you mark another year today. May God continue to bless you with strength, wisdom, and good health as you serve our dear state and nation. Happy Birthday, Your Excellency. -PO

In November 2022, while campaigning in Delta State, the then APC Presidential Candidate, Bola Tinubu, now the President, berated the other Presidential Candidate (Peter Obi), he was ashamed to call his name, saying "Na statistics we go chop all I want is to put food on the table of Nigerians”. Now 2 years into his 4-year tenure, Nigeria is classified as one of the hungriest nations in the world with millions of Nigerians not knowing where their next meal will come from. President Tinubu is now overfeeding Nigerians with wrong Statistics from wrong unemployment figures, wrong inflation figures, and now GDP rebasing, all to put a positive spin on our deteriorating economic and household conditions. Governance is not a rocket science, it's not a gamble, like I have always reiterated, it requires sincerity of purpose, character, competence, capacity and compassion. A new Nigeria is POssible. -PO

Today, I had the honour of attending the Foundation Laying/ Graduation Ceremony of the Dominican Sisters’ College, Abatete in Anambra State. I have actually been part of the institution's trajectory since my time as Governor of Anambra State. While serving as the Governor of Anambra State, I constructed the girls’ hostel of the school from scratch, ensuring that the female students had a safe, secure, and conducive environment to live and learn. Today, I laid the foundation of the boys' hostel and continued my commitment to the school by donating ₦25 million. Education remains the most productive investment any nation can make. It is the foundation of progress, the initial ladder of pulling people out of poverty, and the bedrock of peace and development. We must continue to support our health and educational institutions and poverty alleviation if we are to build a strong and sustainable nation for our future leaders. A New Nigeria is POssible. -PO

Naija Spirit Not just the first to get it done, but the best to ever do it. A big congratulations to our outstanding Super Falcons of Nigeria for becoming the African Women’s Football Champions and winning the 2025 WAFCON! 💚⚽️🇳🇬 I watched as our girls never gave up. Just as I said before the game, it was an exemplary display of the indomitable Naija spirit. This is more than a win—you have shown true dominance in African football. From every Nigerian heart across the world, we say thank you for making us proud. Today, history bows to your greatness. Congratulations, Super Falcons. Mission X—done and dusted. A new Nigeria is POssible. -PO

Today, I was a special guest/ Guest Speaker at two Secondary school graduation ceremonies in Rivers and Anambra states. First was a long-standing graduation invitation from Port Harcourt, Rivers State, at Bishop Okoye Spiritan Secondary School. It was a truly inspiring experience engaging with the bright and determined students. I was also very impressed to see that the students were champions of the recent Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) exams. I encouraged them that, through education, they cannot only develop their country but also take over the world. Thereafter, I travelled to Obosi, Anambra State, where I attended the graduation ceremony of Divine Rays British School. In Obosi, I encouraged the students to stay focused and never stop believing in their dreams, no matter how big they may seem, and that their background should not define their future, because with hard work, integrity, and faith, they can become leaders who transform Nigeria. To the exceptional staff and students, thank you for the warm welcome and the opportunity to share in your journey. A New Nigeria POssible. -PO