I’ll return Nigerian youths to farming if elected president in 2027 — Peter Obi

Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has promised to tackle youth unemployment by returning Nigerian youths to farming and small-scale businesses if elected president in 2027.

Obi said the plan would be part of his administration’s effort to move Nigeria from a consumption-based economy to one driven by production, investment and job creation.

He made the remarks on Saturday in Kaduna at a political gathering organised by the NDC, where he and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, addressed supporters on their plans for Nigeria.

According to Obi, creating productive opportunities for young Nigerians would also help address the country’s growing drug problem, which he linked to unemployment.

“Our population is about 230 million. Indonesia is 280 million. But they are doing better than us because their youths are employed,” he said.

He said his administration would support youths who return to agriculture and small businesses, while also educating them about the dangers of drug use.

“We will help the youths to find something to do. We will make sure they go back to farm.

“We will make sure they go back to small businesses. We will support them and tell them the bad effects of drugs.”

Obi also outlined his proposed approach to government borrowing, saying loans under his administration would be directed towards investments rather than consumption.

“If you elect us to serve, we will only borrow money for investment,” he said.

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“We’re no longer going to borrow money for consumption. We want to move Nigeria from consumption to production. By that, we will create jobs.”

The former governor of Anambra further proposed tougher penalties for people involved in the importation and distribution of illegal drugs, arguing that existing laws were not sufficient to address the problem.

“Nigeria does not have adequate laws for those who are importing drugs,” he said.

“If I become president, drugs will fetch life sentence. If you deal in drugs that will kill our youths and everything, you are going to face life imprisonment. We cannot take it.

“While the global drug prevalence is about 5 percent, Nigeria is 14 percent. It’s not acceptable. And it’s because of the unemployment of the youths.”

Obi said his proposed administration would also be inclusive and anchored on unity and investment as he outlined his plans for addressing unemployment and other challenges facing the country.