Why the voter registration exercise should be extended.
As we continue to encourage Nigerians to participate actively in our democracy, I respectfully appeal to INEC to consider extending the voter registration window to the latest practical date that still allows adequate time for the preparation of a credible voters’ register before the 2027 general elections.
Every day, more young Nigerians attain the age of 18 and become constitutionally eligible to vote. They are not just our future; they are stakeholders in our present. It would be unfortunate if many of them were denied the opportunity to exercise their civic responsibility simply because the registration process closed long before the elections.
Moreover, this position is legally supported by the High Court judgment delivered on 22 November 2022 in Anaja Salmat & 3 Others v. INEC (Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1342/2022). In that decision, the Federal High Court held that voter registration should continue until 90 days before a general election to protect the constitutional voting rights of eligible Nigerians.
I appreciate the enormous responsibility placed on INEC to deliver free, fair, and credible elections. I also recognise the need for sufficient time to clean the register and make the necessary logistical preparations. However, our electoral process should, as much as possible, maximise participation rather than limit it.
A democracy is strengthened when every eligible citizen has the opportunity to be heard. I therefore urge INEC to adopt a registration timeline that protects the integrity of the process while ensuring that no eligible Nigerian, especially our young people, is unnecessarily disenfranchised. -PO
Happy 65th Birthday, Your Excellency, Our P.R.O, @PeterObi !
On behalf of the Management, Staff, and Students of Dominican University, Ibadan, we celebrate your leadership, dedication to service, passion for education, and consistent call for a better Nigeria that has inspired many, especially young people who believe in the power of responsible leadership.
Happy 65th Birthday, Sir.
Reflections on My 65th Birthday
Today, July 19, 2026, marks my 65th birthday. At sixty-five, birthdays should naturally become moments of deep reflection - moments to look back with gratitude to Almighty God for His abundant graces, examine the journey so far, and ask how the remaining years can be devoted more meaningfully to the service of God and humanity.
Perhaps in countries where basic human needs have largely been met, where institutions function effectively, and where citizens enjoy a greater measure of security and dignity, such attainments may rightly call for elaborate celebrations. In Nigeria, however, our reality compels a different kind of reflection.
Our nation is blessed with enormous human and natural resources, yet millions of our people continue to struggle with challenges that demand our collective attention. We cannot afford to celebrate ourselves excessively while many around us are burdened by poverty, ill health, unemployment, and limited opportunities. Rather, occasions such as this should remind us of our responsibility to contribute towards building a nation where future generations can genuinely celebrate.
This is why I have always seen birthdays not merely as occasions for personal celebration, but as opportunities for sober reflection, thanksgiving, and a renewed commitment to service.
As I reflected today, I came to a simple conclusion: the greatest celebration of life is not what we receive from others, but the lives we can touch positively.
This conviction has guided my approach throughout my years in business, in the corporate world, and as Governor of Anambra State. In each of these roles, I have tried to see every privilege not as a personal entitlement but as an opportunity to improve the lives of others.
Whenever people or institutions sought to celebrate me with expensive gifts or elaborate ceremonies, I encouraged them instead to redirect those resources towards projects that would have a lasting impact. Over the years, this philosophy has resulted in the building of schools, hostel blocks, support to schools, and other facilities that continue to benefit the less privileged. I have always believed that resources meant for personal comfort can often be transformed into instruments of hope for many.
The greatest honour anyone can receive is not found in gifts, ceremonies, or public admiration, but in knowing that one’s life has contributed, however modestly, to making another person’s life better.
Today, therefore, I give thanks to Almighty God for the gift of life and for bringing me to this important milestone of 65 years. I began the day with a Mass of Thanksgiving in Onitsha, thanking God for His grace, protection, guidance, and the countless blessings He has bestowed upon me over the years.
After the Mass, I proceeded to St. Raphael’s Hospital, Umueri, a small rural hospital in Anambra East Local Government Area. In furtherance of my belief that birthdays should be occasions for service rather than self-indulgence, I donated the sum of ₦10 million to support the hospital’s work of providing quality healthcare to the people.
As I was conducted around the hospital and saw patients in their moments of vulnerability, I was reminded again of our shared humanity. Some of those receiving care may not even have the financial means to settle their hospital bills, yet they deserve compassion, dignity, and access to quality healthcare. Their condition was a reminder that leadership, in its truest form, is about caring for people, especially those who cannot repay our kindness.
Hospitals and schools remain two of the greatest investments any society can make. A hospital preserves life; a school shapes the future. Supporting both is, therefore, not just an act of charity - it is an investment in humanity and in the future of our nation.
Celebrating a Great Mind, Prof. Barth Nnaji, at 70 and Congratulating a Young Intellectual, Prof. Chimaeze Adi, on His Inspiring Inaugural Lecture
Today, in Enugu, I joined other Nigerians of goodwill in celebrating a great mind—an accomplished scientist, innovator, and one of the pioneers of the E-Design concept—Prof. Barth Nnaji, as he marked his 70th birthday.
The tributes paid to Prof. Nnaji by friends, associates, and admirers reflected the profound impact he has made in engineering, academia, public service, and the power sector.
The occasion also brought back fond memories of my interactions with Prof. Nnaji, especially during my tenure as Chairman of the South-East Governors’ Forum. We worked closely together on the ambitious initiative to assume greater responsibility for power in the South-East, driven by our shared conviction that reliable electricity remains one of the strongest foundations for economic growth, industrialisation, and job creation. His depth of knowledge, clarity of vision, and practical approach left a lasting impression on all of us.
May Prof. Nnaji’s light continue to shine ever more brightly.
From Enugu, I travelled to Lagos to attend the inspiring 23rd Inaugural Lecture, “The End of Development Economics,” delivered by one of our country’s promising young intellectuals, Prof. Alpheus Bongo Chimaeze Adi of Pan-Atlantic University. The lecture addressed many important issues relating to economics and development.
I first met Prof. Adi during my 2022 presidential campaign. Even then, he distinguished himself as one of our outstanding young intellectuals, demonstrating a profound understanding of economics and development issues.
It was a fitting celebration of two remarkable minds from different generations, whose lives have been defined by excellence, innovation, patriotism, and commitment to Nigeria’s development. -PO
It is with profound sadness that I received the news of the homegoing of my elder brother, Rev. Dr. William Okoye, a distinguished servant of God whose life was defined by deep faith, sacrificial service, and commitment to raising men and women of integrity.
Rev. Okoye belonged to that rare generation of spiritual leaders who understood that the true measure of ministry is not in the size of its platforms but in the depth of its impact on humanity. Through his teachings, leadership, and personal example, he inspired countless people to live lives of purpose, righteousness, discipline, and hope.
His passing is a great loss to his family, the entire All Christians Fellowship Mission (ACFM), the Body of Christ, and our dear nation, Nigeria, at a time when our country yearns for voices that unite, heal, and inspire people to pursue justice, peace, and compassion.
As we mourn, we also celebrate a life well lived—a life poured out in faithful service to God and humanity. Though his earthly journey has come to an end, the values he embodied and the lives he transformed will continue to speak for generations.
May his memory continue to challenge us to live selflessly, love sincerely, and labour faithfully for the advancement of God’s kingdom and the building of a just, peaceful, and prosperous Nigeria.
May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace. -PO
Imagine they found a naked, dead woman in Peter Obi’s house… PhD of endangered species and Uba Sani’s puppet would already be livestreaming their outrage from abroad.
Roadmap to a New Nigeria That Is Possible – Part II
Education and Healthcare: The Foundation of a Renewed Nigeria
Recall that on July 1st, in Part 1 of "My Vision for a Productive and Prosperous Nigeria," I outlined the broad framework of my proposed roadmap for national renewal. In it, I emphasised that the transformation of Nigeria must begin with rebuilding our human capital through quality education and healthcare, supported by reforms in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), character and civic education, and strategic investments that will move our nation from a consumption-driven economy to a production-driven one. I promised to follow up with other parts in the coming weeks and months.
Today, July 16th, in the middle of July, I wish to expand on these two critical pillars - education and healthcare - because they are the bedrock upon which every prosperous nation is built. They are the cornerstones of the foundation that will ensure that a son of nobody can become somebody and remove many from the ranks of the disaffected who often become tools in the insecurity challenges confronting us.
Evidence from around the world shows that quality education and accessible healthcare are among the clearest distinctions between thriving nations and lagging ones. Princeton University Nobel Prize-winning economist Angus Deaton highlights this reality in his book, “The Great Escape: Health, Wealth, and the Origins of Inequality.”
Nothing, therefore, could be further from the truth than the claim by some young people that “education is a scam.” Education, when combined with good health, provides the ladder for individual upward mobility and drives economic growth for the nation.
We must become more intentional about aligning education with our national priorities, as Singapore did, and challenge our country to value education in the same way Deng Xiaoping repeatedly urged China to do from 1978 onwards, with the remarkable transformation we see today.
We will work through commissions that strengthen collaboration among the tiers of government, ensuring that primary education is domiciled at the community and local government levels, with strong parental involvement and curricula that are sensitive to local economic factor endowments and the value chains derived from them.
State governments will be supported to expand high-quality Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), as well as general secondary education, through targeted grants and incentives.
We are also developing schemes that will enable universities to focus more deliberately on specialised areas of teaching and research, making them globally competitive while producing a workforce equipped for the demands of the future.
A NEW Nigeria is POssible. -PO
Nigeria in Focus at the ECFR Berlin Roundtable.
Yesterday, at the invitation of the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR), I had the honour of participating in a high-level roundtable discussion titled “Nigeria in 2027 and Beyond,” held at the ECFR office in Berlin, Germany.
The dialogue brought together policymakers, diplomats, development experts, business leaders, representatives of international organisations, and members of the international media to discuss Nigeria’s future and its role in an increasingly interconnected global landscape.
Our discussions centred on Nigeria’s democratic journey beyond 2027, international affairs, development cooperation, and the need to strengthen bilateral partnerships that can accelerate economic growth and improve the lives of our people. A key focus of the engagement was how Nigeria can deepen collaboration with international partners to support Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), recognising that they remain the backbone of every productive economy and are indispensable to job creation, innovation, wealth creation, and sustainable national development.
We also exchanged views on strengthening democratic institutions, expanding trade and investment opportunities, promoting regional stability, improving governance, and creating an enabling environment that inspires confidence among citizens, investors, and Nigeria’s international partners.
I was encouraged by the thoughtful contributions and genuine interest demonstrated by participants in Nigeria’s future. The presence of senior representatives from the German Federal Government, development agencies, business associations, policy institutes, foundations, international organisations, and respected global media organisations underscores the strategic importance of Nigeria and the shared desire to see our nation realise its enormous potential.
During the discussions, I reiterated my unwavering belief that Nigeria possesses all the human and natural resources required to become a prosperous, secure, and globally competitive nation. What is required is competent, accountable, and compassionate leadership that prioritises investment in people, education, healthcare, productive enterprise, the rule of law, and strong institutions over politics of consumption.
Nigeria’s future is bright, but only if we make the deliberate choices that will move our country from consumption to production, from poverty to prosperity, and from division to unity. By embracing good governance, fiscal responsibility, and productive partnerships with the international community, we can build an economy that works for all Nigerians and restores our nation’s standing among the comity of nations.
I sincerely thank the European Council on Foreign Relations for the invitation and all participants for a frank, engaging, and constructive exchange of ideas. Conversations such as these remain vital in fostering mutual understanding, strengthening international cooperation, and building enduring partnerships for the benefit of Nigeria, Africa, and the global community.
A New Nigeria Is POssible. - PO
The Unending Killings in Benue and Plateau- Worrisome.
The tragic news of yet another round of killings in Benue and Plateau States is both painful and deeply disturbing. The reported murder of at least sixteen innocent Nigerians in the Otukpo-Nobi community of Benue State, alongside the horrific killing of nine members of the same family, a two-month-old baby, in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, once again reminds us that the relentless cycle of bloodshed in parts of our country has persisted for far too long.
For years, families in Benue, Plateau and other communities across Nigeria have lived under the constant shadow of fear, violence and displacement. Mothers have buried their children, children have become orphans overnight, farmers have abandoned their lands, and entire communities have been left devastated. We cannot continue to accept this tragic cycle as though it were normal. It is not.
The primary responsibility of any government is the protection of lives and property. Every Nigerian life is sacred, and every life lost is one too many. These are not mere statistics; they are fathers, mothers, children, breadwinners and future leaders whose dreams have been violently cut short.
The time has come to move beyond routine condemnations after every attack. Nigerians deserve a security architecture that is proactive rather than reactive, driven by intelligence, rapid response and accountability. Those responsible for these atrocities must be identified, arrested and prosecuted. The culture of impunity must end.
I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and to the governments and people of Benue and Plateau States. I pray that God grants comfort to all who mourn, healing to the injured, and strength to every community struggling to rebuild after these repeated tragedies.
This is not about politics; it is about humanity. We must summon the collective will to secure our nation and restore hope to our people. No country can develop when its citizens live in fear, and no society can prosper when innocent blood continues to flow unchecked.
A New Nigeria is POssible. -PO
The Role of the Diaspora African in Sustainable Development
On Friday, July 10, 2026, I had the honour of delivering the keynote address at Mandela Hall, African Union Permanent Observer Mission to the United Nations in New York, on _The Role of the Diaspora African in Sustainable Development across Africa.
Africa is a continent of immense riches. Indeed, it is the richest continent in the world, not only because of its vast mineral resources but also because of its greatest asset, its people. It is the second largest continent by landmass, after Asia, covering more than 30 million square kilometres. It is also the second most populous continent, with over 1.5 billion people. Significantly, more than one billion of these are young people in their productive years, making Africa home to the largest youthful workforce in the world.
When this demographic advantage is combined with nearly one billion hectares of arable land, about 60% of which remains uncultivated, it becomes clear that Africa possesses everything required not only to feed itself but also to become the food capital of the world.
Regrettably, despite this enormous potential, Africa remains home to the largest concentration of the world’s poorest people. Of the approximately 800 million people living in extreme poverty globally, nearly 60% are in Africa. That is about 480 million people, with Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo among the countries most affected. In other words, nearly one in every three Africans lives in extreme poverty. Likewise, in multidimensional poverty, Africa continues to bear the greatest burden.
The question, therefore, is simple. With all these advantages, why has Africa not been able to lift its people out of poverty?
It means there is a missing link. That missing link is Competent Leadership with Capacity, Compassion, Character, and Commitment to good governance.
What Africa needs is leadership that will rise to the challenge and drive the continent in the right direction. This means competent leadership with character, capacity, compassion and commitment to begin turning the continent around. When we get leadership right, everything else begins to change. We start realising our true potential.
So, what is the role of the Diaspora African in this journey?
You have an enormous role to play.
Because you live in societies where institutions largely work, where democracy is strengthened by accountability and where systems function more effectively, you have both an opportunity and a responsibility to help build Africa. It is time to become stronger advocates for good governance. Even where you cannot vote, your voices matter. They should be heard both at home and abroad whenever things are going wrong on our continent. Stand firmly for what is right. Speak truth to the leaders who visit you. Let them know where they are getting it wrong. That is what some of us have continued to do.
The contribution of the African diaspora extends far beyond advocacy. History teaches us that many of the world’s great economic transformations were driven, in part, by their diaspora communities.
Japan offers one example. Following the Meiji Restoration of 1868, the country embraced modernisation and benefited immensely from Japanese scholars, professionals and citizens who studied and worked abroad, especially in Germany, before returning home to drive the technological transformation for which Japan is admired today.
China presents another remarkable example. It was under Deng Xiaoping’s reforms, beginning in 1978, that China embraced education, innovation and global engagement. These reforms created opportunities for the Chinese diaspora to contribute significantly to the country’s extraordinary economic transformation. In 1980, China had more people living in poverty than Africa. Today, China has reduced extreme poverty dramatically, while Africa continues to struggle with the challenge.
The Disheartening Humiliation of Prof. Aghaji
Every day in this country, we find ourselves in a bizarre situation that we find difficult to understand: where we are and how we got to this uncivilised behaviour and rascality. Worse still, when you try to bring these abnormalities to the attention of those concerned, they resort to abuse instead of appreciation.
Just this morning, my attention was drawn to the disrespectful and humiliating circumstances surrounding the apprehension of Professor Martin Aghaji, a distinguished 74-year-old medical expert. This man was not invited, nor was any direct contact made with him. Instead, they invaded his home at Independent Layout, Enugu, in the dead of the night, at 2 a.m., to arrest him in front of his visiting daughter.
As an internationally recognised cardiothoracic surgeon, esteemed academic, and elder statesman, Professor Aghaji warrants a considerable degree of respect, both because of his advanced age and his substantial contributions to our nation. More importantly, however, every Nigerian, irrespective of status or profession, deserves to be treated with dignity and in accordance with the rule of law. After the humiliation of breaking into his house and whisking him away from Enugu to Lagos for three days, all he got was, “Sorry, we made a mistake.”
The public outcry concerning the state’s handling of Professor Aghaji’s case highlights a wider conflict between the actions of state security agencies and the imperative to safeguard professional integrity and individual dignity. Such conduct directed at a 74-year-old might not only exacerbate the critical “brain drain” but also severely damage the country’s already precarious healthcare infrastructure.
This incident brings to mind the similar mistreatment of a medical practitioner in Akwa Ibom, which prompted the Nigeria Medical Association to consider a nationwide strike. Fortunately, due to prompt intervention, a formal public apology was issued to the affected doctor.
The practice of treating highly regarded, ethical professionals - and indeed any Nigerian - like common criminals sets a dangerous precedent that undermines the rule of law across all sectors. Therefore, we must conduct ourselves with civility in the discharge of our public duties. A superior and renewed Nigeria is indeed POssible. -PO
Congratulations to all the African countries representing our continent at the World Cup. Your performances have made Africa proud.
Special congratulations to Cape Verde, a nation with a landmass of 4,033 sq km, which is less than 0.5% of Nigeria’s landmass of 923,768 sq km, and a population of about 550,000, which is less than 0.25% of Nigeria’s population of 230,000,000. For context, Cape Verde has about 200,000 fewer people than Ogbomoso. Yet, they reached the knockout stage of the World Cup.
Cape Verde has once again demonstrated that greatness is not determined by size or population, but by planning and disciplined execution. When systems work, even the smallest nations can compete with the best in the world.
Nigeria’s absence from the World Cup is not a consequence of a lack of talent. It is the result of years of poor administration, weak institutions, and leadership that has consistently failed to build sustainable systems.
This is the lesson for us as a nation: if we can get leadership right, strengthen our institutions, plan and execute properly, and reward talent over connections, Nigeria can become a global success story, not only in football but also in other areas.
A new Nigeria is POssible … and Nigeria will be OK. -PO
Farewell to a Faithful Shepherd
I am deeply saddened by the news of the passing of Archbishop Augustine Obiora Akubeze, Metropolitan Archbishop of the Benin City Ecclesiastical Province, who returned to the Lord yesterday.
The news is particularly poignant because it comes after I recently had the privilege of seeing him as the homilist at the Thanksgiving Mass marking the 90th birthday of Anthony Cardinal Okogie. I also cherish the warm moments we shared on that memorable occasion.
Archbishop Akubeze was a remarkable and compassionate shepherd - a courageous voice of truth who served the Church and our nation with distinction. As former President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), he provided exemplary leadership, championing spiritual renewal, justice, peace, and the integral development of the human person. His humility, wisdom, and unwavering commitment to the Gospel will remain an inspiration, while his dedication to the welfare of God’s people will never be forgotten.
On behalf of my family, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the Archdiocese of Benin City, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, the entire Catholic faithful, and his loved ones.
May the Lord whom he served so faithfully receive him into His eternal glory, grant him eternal rest, and console all who mourn his passing. -PO
The wait is over.
We have 2 golds: Chimdiebube Onwubiko and Don Anele Munachimso.
We are the best in the world!
Egejurum Onyedikachi’s name was omitted. He should have a gold.
“The Crisis Started When I Refused His N12.5bn Demand" - DG Adeniyi
— DG Adeniyi says the Chief of Staff asked him for N12.5 billion and all the problem began when he refused to pay.