Presidential Candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Peter Obi, has pledged to expand opportunities in agriculture and small businesses as part of his strategy to address youth unemployment if elected president in 2027.
Obi made the pledge on Saturday in Kaduna during a political gathering organised by the NDC, where he appeared alongside his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso.
The former Anambra State governor said his proposed administration would prioritise productive investment and reduce reliance on borrowing to finance government consumption.
“If you elect us to serve, we will only borrow money for investment,” Obi said.
He said Nigeria needed to move away from a consumption-led economy towards increased domestic production, arguing that such a shift would create more employment opportunities.
READ ALSO: Two Nigerians killed as xenophobic attacks escalate in South Africa
“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 said Nigeria’s large population could become an economic advantage if more young people were engaged in productive activities.
He compared Nigeria with Indonesia, saying the Southeast Asian country, despite having a larger population, had achieved better economic outcomes partly because more of its young population was employed.
“Our population is about 230 million. Indonesia is 280 million. But they are doing better than us because their youths are employed,” he said.
Related Articles
According to Obi, his administration would encourage young Nigerians to return to agriculture while providing support for small businesses.
READ ALSO: NDC, Obidient Movement demand probe into attack on Obi’s convoy in Benue
“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,” he said.
The NDC candidate also proposed tougher punishment for drug importers, linking the prevalence of illicit drug use to unemployment among young Nigerians.
Obi said existing legislation was inadequate to deter drug importation and pledged life imprisonment for those involved in the trade 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.”
He also cited a drug prevalence rate of about 14 percent in Nigeria, compared with a global rate of roughly five percent, and attributed the country’s higher rate partly to youth unemploymen
Related Articles
