Peter Obi, former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, has expressed deep concern over the prolonged strike by public primary school teachers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), which has kept pupils at home for more than three months. In a passionate post shared on X (formerly Twitter), Obi described education as the most essential and immeasurable pillar of human development and warned that the country cannot progress while its children remain uneducated.
He reminded the public that education remains the cornerstone of national development, referencing well-established studies which show that nations with higher literacy rates are more likely to experience economic and social progress. According to him, the most meaningful investment any country can make is in the education of its young population.
Obi pointed out that Nigeria is not only a signatory to the Millennium Development Goals and Sustainable Development Goals, but also operates under the Universal Basic Education law. These frameworks are designed to guarantee every Nigerian child the right to quality basic education. Yet, in practice, children in Abuja, the capital city of Africa’s most populous nation, are being denied that right due to unresolved issues between teachers and the government.
He noted with disappointment that while the strike drags on, efforts continue to be poured into renovating infrastructure instead of resolving the education crisis. Obi emphasized that although infrastructure is important, it should not take precedence over developing human capital. He stated that true development begins with building people—particularly through education—and not just by constructing roads or buildings.
Reflecting on the initial reaction to the strike, Obi said many had expected a quick resolution given that it was happening in Abuja. However, three months have passed and the situation remains unchanged. He described this as a clear case of misplaced priorities, arguing that any government that truly seeks to build a better Nigeria must start by educating its people.
He warned that neglecting children’s education today will only deepen poverty, increase insecurity, and stunt national growth in the future. He concluded by calling for urgent action to resolve the strike and focus attention on improving Nigeria’s basic education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation systems as the foundation for real national development.
