Peter Obi Advocates Transformational Leadership and Investment in Education at London Business School Dialogue
By Njenje Media News Correspondent | London, UK | June 1, 2025
In a powerful fireside discussion at the London Business School, hosted by the Africa Business Club, on the theme “From Promise to Prosperity: Charting Africa’s Development with Political Will and Vision”, the former Governor of Anambra State and Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, delivered an urgent call for transformational leadership, investment in human capital, and ethical governance across Africa. The event drew a full house of students, professionals, and diaspora leaders, eager to engage with one of Nigeria’s most vocal advocates for reform.
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Seated in a relaxed setting, Obi reflected candidly on his journey from business to public service, making it clear that the move was neither easy nor financially motivated. “I was already doing well in business. I could afford to fly private,” he said. “But I chose to serve because if we, the people with capacity, refuse to get involved, the system will be left in the hands of those who don’t care.”
He spoke passionately about Africa’s vast potential and how mismanagement, not a lack of resources, is holding the continent back. “Africa is not poor—Africa is poorly managed. We have everything: land, population, and natural resources. What we lack is leadership that puts the people first.”
Throughout the conversation, Obi returned to the theme of education as the foundation for national development. “Every country that has made progress—Vietnam, China, Singapore—they all invested heavily in education. That is the game-changer,” he emphasised. “We cannot expect to develop when our schools are closed and our budgets prioritise everything but learning.”
His remarks were backed by statistics and comparisons. “In 1990, China had over 750 million people living in poverty. Today, it’s under 50 million. What changed? Education. Vietnam came out of the war, invested in its people, and lifted millions out of poverty. What excuse does Africa have?”
When asked why so many young, educated Africans avoid politics, Obi didn’t mince words. “Politics is dirty because good people abandoned it. If we keep saying it’s not our business, we’ll keep getting the same results. We must get involved. That’s the only way to clean up the system.”
A lively Q&A session followed, where students challenged him on political polarisation, economic policy, and how to reshape public perception about governance. One participant raised the issue of weak opposition parties and their impact on Nigeria’s democracy. Obi warned that the concentration of power in one political bloc is dangerous. “A strong democracy requires a viable opposition. Without it, you kill accountability, and people suffer.”
He also addressed questions on attracting capital to the continent, noting that beyond financial aid or foreign direct investment, the most important currency is trust. “Investors go where they see good governance, rule of law, and infrastructure. You can’t expect capital to stay in chaos.”
One particularly emotional exchange came when a participant questioned how to revive civic consciousness among African populations that have normalised mediocrity in leadership. Obi responded, “The people didn’t become like this by accident. Years of neglect, poor education, and broken systems have shaped this mindset. But, the same way it was created, it can be changed. That’s why we need leaders who serve as examples.”
He closed with a vision of public service grounded in impact, not legacy. “When I leave this world, I don’t want to be remembered for what I owned. I want people to say, ‘schools were open when he led,’ ‘healthcare worked,’ ‘lives were improved.’ That’s what leadership should be.”
The session ended with a standing ovation, as attendees praised his honesty, clarity, and unwavering commitment to a better Africa.
For the full photos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/Qg6Z3iz1JMcRvSCk6
Published by Njenje Media. All rights reserved.
