“Misplaced focus” – Peter Obi Urges Shift in National Priorities Following Ozoro Incident
Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has called for a radical shift in Nigeria’s development focus, advocating for massive investment in women as the engine for economic growth. In a statement titled “Channelling Our Women to Critical Areas of Development” released on Saturday, March 21, 2026, Obi lamented that Nigeria continues to lag behind global peers by failing to integrate women into leadership and high-impact economic sectors.
His comments come on the heels of the widely condemned “raping festival” in Ozoro, Delta State, where viral videos showed women being assaulted under the guise of tradition. Obi highlighted the stark contrast between this local reality and the global trend, where successful nations prioritize human capital and the safety of their female population.
Drawing comparisons with international economies, Obi pointed out that women are the backbone of thriving markets in Asia. He stated, “In Indonesia, for instance, women own over 50% of SMEs, which provide about 98% of jobs. Similarly, in Bangladesh, women make up about 60% of the workforce in the garment industry, generating about $50 billion—far more than what Nigeria earns annually from crude oil exports.”
The former governor criticized the Nigerian government for what he described as “misplaced focus” on trivialities while ignoring the economic potential of more than half of its citizens. He argued, “Instead of ensuring that our women are educated and meaningfully integrated into leadership and management structures, where they have consistently proven to contribute significantly to development, we fall short.”
Obi warned that Nigeria’s current trajectory, which often overlooks or suppresses the rights of women, undermines any real chance at national rebuilding. He stressed that success in modern governance is measured by how a nation empowers its most vulnerable and productive segments, rather than by adhering to regressive cultural norms.
Concluding his statement, Obi urged policymakers to move beyond rhetoric and implement strategic investments in female education and entrepreneurship. He maintained, “That’s how you move a country forward, not by staying quiet,” insisting that a gender-balanced approach is the only sustainable way to restore Nigeria’s national pride and economic stability.
