Peter Obi, who ran for president in 2023 with the Labour Party, says the northern part of Nigeria is very important for the country’s future. He calls the North Nigeria’s “greatest asset” because it has a lot of potential to help improve the whole nation.

Obi said this during a meeting in Abuja with a group focused on northern issues. He talked about how poverty is still a big problem in the North, and this happens because not enough money and resources have gone into things like education and farming.

He believes the North can be the force that changes Nigeria for the better. The region has a lot of farmland that is not used enough, and farming could bring in more money than oil, which Nigeria depends on a lot.

Using rice as an example, Obi explained that Nigeria grows less rice than countries with much smaller land areas. For example, Bangladesh produces much more rice, even though it is smaller than just two states in Nigeria.

Obi also warned that poverty makes insecurity worse in the North. When people don’t know how they will get food, it’s easier for criminals to take advantage of them. He said the government must act to fix this problem.

He pointed out that when people are pulled out of poverty, the country will become safer. Education is a key part of this solution. Obi said many children, especially Almajiri children, are smart but do not get a chance to go to school.

He suggested that if children cannot come to school, then schools should find a way to reach the children. This way, more young people can learn and have better opportunities.

Even though Nigeria faces many problems, Obi is hopeful. He believes the country can be fixed with good leadership and smart investments, especially in the North.