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Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has said Nigeria must move from consumption to production, insisting that the country cannot build a prosperous future by relying heavily on imports.
In a statement signed by Idris Zekeri Jnr, POMR spokesman, on August 21, 2026, and made available to the Daily Sun, Obi said his campaign ahead of the 2027 general election would focus on rebuilding the country and addressing challenges affecting Nigerians.
Obi, who spoke to journalists at a press conference in Onitsha, Anambra State, said he and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, had different backgrounds and experiences but shared the objective of improving the living conditions of Nigerians, particularly the poor.
“Our experiences differ, but our conclusion is clear: Nigeria must invest in its people and manage its public resources responsibly,” he said.
On the economy, Obi said Nigeria required more than reactive reforms, arguing that the performance of government should be measured by whether citizens were experiencing tangible improvements in their daily lives.
“Regarding building an economy that works, Nigeria needs more than mere reactive reforms. The real questions are: Are Nigerians better off than they were four years ago? Can they afford food, education, and healthcare? Can businesses grow, produce, and generate jobs? Can young people secure productive employment? Can farmers work safely and get their produce to market?” he asked.
He urged Nigerians to demand direct answers from political leaders as the country prepares for the 2027 elections, saying the period presented an opportunity for citizens to assess the records, ideas and plans of those seeking their mandate.
“This moment gives Nigerians the opportunity to evaluate the records, ideas, and plans of those seeking their mandate to lead their country at a time of significant uncertainty in our rapidly changing world. I consider myself quite privileged to be among those asking for your mandate to address these national challenges. I enter this contest with one firm belief: Nigeria can work, and Nigeria must work. Nigeria faces numerous serious challenges; some are indeed of existential importance,” Obi said.
Citing poverty, food insecurity, displacement and unemployment among the country’s major challenges, he said, “According to the IMF, 63%, or over 140 million Nigerians, live at or below the national poverty line, while humanitarian agencies estimate that 35 million people will require food aid during the 2026 lean season. About 3.6 million Nigerians remain internally displaced, largely due to conflict and insecurity. Each year, millions of young people join the labour market, yet many struggle to find meaningful opportunities.”
On his proposed shift from consumption to production, Obi said Nigeria’s large population and domestic market could become major drivers of economic growth if properly harnessed.
“Nigeria, with a population now exceeding two hundred million and continuing to grow rapidly, has one of Africa’s largest domestic markets and labour forces. This is an opportunity we must capitalise on to transform our nation’s future. Nigeria cannot import its way to prosperity. We will produce more of what we consume, process more of what we produce, and compete more effectively in global markets,” he said.
He added, “We will harness our collective experience in public funds management, the private sector, and the civil service to turn our population into productive human capital, our natural resources into value-added industries, and our domestic market into an engine for investment and enterprise. Agriculture, manufacturing, technology, construction, energy, creative industries, and services all have vital roles to play.”
On insecurity, Obi said the problem had consequences beyond the loss of lives, noting its impact on agriculture, education, trade and investment.
“Insecurity has displaced millions of Nigerians and continues to disrupt agriculture, education, trade, and investment. Our response must therefore be comprehensive. We need to improve intelligence gathering and coordination among security agencies, strengthen policing and border management, and make better use of technology,” he said.
Obi also addressed healthcare, unemployment and democracy, while urging Nigerians to scrutinise presidential candidates before deciding who should receive their votes in 2027.
“Any presidential candidate who lacks the resolve to travel across the country, meet the people, and respond to their questions lacks the capacity to govern it,” he said.
Obi’s campaign message is therefore centred on turning Nigeria’s population, resources and domestic market into productive assets capable of supporting sustainable economic growth.
