In a powerful call to action, former presidential candidate and prominent public figure, Peter Obi, has reignited national discourse on the state of education infrastructure in Nigeria, declaring: “Our children deserve classrooms, not abandoned projects.”
Speaking at a youth development summit in Abuja, Obi condemned the widespread neglect of educational facilities across the country, citing numerous instances where schools remain dilapidated or incomplete while funds allocated for their construction vanish into bureaucratic oblivion.
“We cannot continue to mortgage the future of our children,” Obi stated. “Every abandoned school project is a broken promise. Every child learning under a leaking roof or beneath a tree is a reminder of our failure to prioritize what truly matters.”
Obi’s remarks come amid growing concern over Nigeria’s education sector, where thousands of school buildings remain unfinished or in disrepair. According to recent reports, over 10,000 public school projects nationwide have either stalled or been abandoned due to mismanagement, corruption, or lack of political will.
He emphasized that investment in education is not merely a budgetary line item but a moral obligation: “We must shift our mindset. A completed classroom is not just bricks and mortar—it’s a sanctuary of hope, a launchpad for dreams, and a shield against poverty.”
Obi urged government agencies, contractors, and stakeholders to be held accountable for failed projects, advocating for transparent audits and community-driven oversight. He also called on private sector partners and civil society organizations to join hands in reviving abandoned schools and ensuring every Nigerian child has access to safe, functional learning spaces.
In closing, Obi painted a vision of a Nigeria where education is sacred and every child, regardless of background, has the tools to thrive: “Let us build a nation where no child is left behind. Where classrooms replace excuses, and where the sound of learning drowns out the silence of neglect.”