Former Labour Party presidential candidate in Nigeria’s 2023 elections, Peter Gregory Obi, has called on young Africans to take action and demand good leadership across the continent.
Speaking at the Ubuntu Africa Youth Assembly Series, organized by the Global Peace Foundation (GPF), Obi emphasized that Africa’s young population—estimated at over 400 million—is the continent’s greatest strength. The event, themed “Ethical Leadership and Empowering Youth,” was held virtually on Sunday as part of the African Renaissance Initiative. It aimed to promote moral leadership, intergenerational dialogue, and active youth participation in governance.
Obi warned that any country that neglects its youth is bound to fail. Referring to the Ubuntu philosophy, he reminded Africans that success comes from unity and shared humanity, adding, “I am because you are.” He described Ubuntu as one of Africa’s oldest values that promotes community growth and mutual support.
The former Anambra State governor also expressed concern about the poor state of African economies despite the abundance of natural and human resources. According to him, many African leaders have refused to learn from other nations that have achieved lasting progress. He urged leaders to adopt practical models that encourage good governance, productivity, and inclusiveness.
Obi further advised African governments to invest deliberately in education, healthcare, and poverty reduction through entrepreneurship. He pointed to countries like China and Indonesia, which achieved economic growth by empowering small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and focusing on human capital development.
He stated, “A nation’s strength lies in the quality of its people. Selfishness and corruption continue to kill entrepreneurship and deepen poverty in Africa. The Ubuntu philosophy is about building a world where everyone supports one another’s success.”
Obi dismissed claims that his comments were meant to demarket Africa. Instead, he explained that he speaks out of a sincere desire to see Africa led by honest, compassionate, and accountable leaders.
He encouraged young Africans to stay hopeful and pursue their dreams, noting that countries like China, the U.S., and Indonesia owe much of their progress to their energetic and creative youth populations. He also compared Africa’s poor food security with nations like the Netherlands, which exports food despite having little arable land, blaming Africa’s challenges on bad leadership and mismanagement rather than a lack of resources.
In his opening speech, Rev. Fr. Canice Chinyeaka Enyiaka, Director of African Peace Initiative and Engagement at the Global Peace Foundation, highlighted the importance of the Ubuntu philosophy in Africa’s moral and social renewal.
