Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has pledged to prioritise job creation by encouraging Nigerian youths to return to agriculture and small-scale businesses if elected president in 2027.
Obi made the promise on Saturday in Kaduna at an NDC political gathering, where he and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, outlined their plans for addressing unemployment and other economic challenges facing the country.
The former Anambra State governor said an NDC administration would pursue an inclusive government focused on national unity, investment and increased production.
According to Obi, the government would restrict borrowing to investments capable of generating economic returns and creating employment.
“If you elect us to serve, we will only borrow money for investment. 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,” he said.
Obi cited Indonesia as an example of a country with a larger population that, according to him, has achieved stronger economic outcomes by keeping a significant proportion of its young population employed.
“Nigeria’s population is about 230 million, while Indonesia has 280 million. But they are doing better than us because their youths are employed,” he said.
He pledged that his administration would create opportunities for young Nigerians through agriculture and small businesses while also addressing the dangers associated with drug abuse.
“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 said.
The NDC candidate also expressed concern over drug abuse in Nigeria, arguing that unemployment among young people was contributing to the problem.
Obi said existing laws against drug trafficking were inadequate and pledged tougher penalties for drug dealers if elected.
“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.”
Obi further claimed that Nigeria’s drug prevalence rate was significantly higher than the global average, putting it at about 14 per cent compared with a global rate of about five per cent.
He attributed the situation partly to youth unemployment and reiterated his commitment to creating productive opportunities for young Nigerians through agriculture, entrepreneurship and other sectors.
