2027: Peter Obi Vows To Create Task Force To Tackle Out-of-school Children Crisis
The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2027 general election, Peter Obi, has pledged to establish a national task force to drastically reduce the number of out-of-school children if elected president.
Obi also outlined an ambitious agenda centred on education, healthcare, industrialisation and human capital development, saying the reforms would form the foundation of a "productive and prosperous Nigeria."
In a statement issued on Wednesday to mark the beginning of a new month, the former Anambra State governor said his administration would pursue policies aimed at rebuilding the country's economy through investments in people, while promoting national unity, inclusion and good governance.
He explained that his decision to seek the presidency was driven by a desire to place Nigeria on "the path of unity and national transformation."
Obi said Nigerians would, in the coming weeks and months, receive details of his proposed policy blueprint.
"Now, as the Nigeria Democratic Congress candidate, I will, in the coming weeks and months, provide insights into the roadmap that I am confident will help curb abuse in government, halt the decline in the quality of life of Nigerians at all levels, and usher in an era of unity, peace, sustained progress, and prosperity," he said.
According to him, the roadmap would be anchored on "unity, inclusion, social justice, equity, and the freedom of every citizen to pursue lawful dreams."
The former governor identified education and healthcare as critical sectors that would receive immediate attention, describing human capital as the bedrock of sustainable national development.
"Robust human capital is indispensable infrastructure for national progress. It serves as the fundamental capital upon which daily life, economic expansion, and the delivery of essential public services depend," Obi stated.
He said one of the first initiatives of his administration would be the creation of a dedicated task force to address Nigeria's growing out-of-school children crisis.
"From the outset of my presidency, we will establish a task force dedicated to drastically reducing the menace of out-of-school children," he said.
Obi further pledged to expand Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), describing it as a key driver of industrial growth, agricultural value addition and employment generation.
He said the proposed reforms would include increased funding for vocational institutions, improved equipment and stronger collaboration between government, the private sector and faith-based education providers.
"We will place greater emphasis on Technical and Vocational Education and Training to support our drive for massive industrialisation, anchored on our agricultural endowments and value addition across value chains organised around industrial parks to be located in development zones across the geopolitical regions of the country.
"Funding and improving the equipment of TVET institutions, through partnerships among government, the private sector, and social entrepreneurs such as faith-based educators, will facilitate apprenticeship opportunities in the private sector, similar to the German dual education system.
"The situation in which unemployment remains high while Nigerian entrepreneurs establish businesses elsewhere because skilled labour is scarce must be confronted decisively," he added.
Obi also disclosed that his administration would introduce stronger character and civic education programmes to promote responsible leadership, strengthen public trust and foster shared national values among Nigerians.