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Peter Obi Condemns Nigeria’s $9 Million Expenditure on Foreign Lobbying Amid Domestic Crises
Former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi has sharply criticized the Nigerian Federal Government following reports that approximately $9 million of public funds were allocated to foreign lobbyists in Washington, D.C. He condemned this spending as emblematic of Nigeria’s ongoing tendency to favor wasteful expenditures over the urgent needs of its citizens.
Obi Highlights Misplaced Priorities in Government Spending
In a statement shared on his X (formerly Twitter) account last Friday, Obi described the alleged $9 million lobbying contract as a stark example of how Nigerian public resources are frequently diverted to shape international perceptions, even as the country’s internal conditions worsen.
He emphasized that Nigeria’s deepening developmental challenges stem largely from flawed leadership decisions. “It is both disheartening and alarming that our leaders persistently channel funds into corruption, propaganda, and superficial image management rather than investing in meaningful development,” Obi remarked.
Comparative Development: Nigeria’s Stagnation Versus Regional Progress
Obi drew attention to Nigeria’s stagnant position on the Human Development Index (HDI), noting that the country has remained in the low HDI bracket for over three decades-from 1990 through 2025. In contrast, nations with similar starting points, such as Indonesia and Vietnam, have successfully transitioned from low to medium, and even high HDI categories.
“These countries’ progress is not a matter of luck or natural resources but the result of deliberate policy choices and consistent, effective governance,” Obi explained.
Health Indicators Paint a Grim Picture
Focusing on health-a critical component of the HDI-Obi underscored Nigeria’s alarming global rankings. The nation currently has one of the lowest life expectancies worldwide and ranks among the top two countries for maternal mortality rates, making childbirth perilous for many Nigerian women.
“Instead of channeling funds into life-saving healthcare infrastructure and services, millions are spent on foreign lobbying efforts aimed at masking these failures,” he lamented.
Redirecting Funds Could Transform Healthcare Delivery
Obi argued that the $9 million spent on lobbying could have been more effectively invested in Nigeria’s healthcare system. “This amount could fully finance the 2024 capital budget for at least one major teaching hospital in each geopolitical zone, significantly improving patient outcomes and life expectancy,” he stated.
By reallocating such funds, Nigeria could enhance medical equipment availability, upgrade facilities, and ultimately save countless lives, thereby improving the country’s international reputation through tangible progress rather than costly image management.
Leadership and Prioritization: The Core Issues
According to Obi, Nigeria’s challenges are not due to a lack of financial resources but rather stem from poor prioritization, weak discipline, and ineffective governance. “Every naira collected from taxpayers should directly benefit Nigerians. Instead, citizens continue to suffer in under-resourced hospitals while the government spends millions on foreign agents to create a false narrative of stability,” he asserted.
Obi concluded with a call for a fundamental shift in governance: “We cannot afford to live in denial while our reality worsens. The era of prioritizing trivial matters over critical human needs must end.”
