Former Governor of Nigeria, Peter Obi, has urged African nations to invest more in women and youth as a pathway to sustainable national development.
Obi spoke yesterday, 10th March, at the REFELA National Conference in Banjul, themed “Accelerating Representation, Safeguarding, and Strengthening Women’s Rights.” He addressed the gathering as both Guest Speaker and Chief Guest.
Focusing on this year’s International Women’s Day theme, “Give to Gain”, Obi said the prosperity of nations depends on how seriously they invest in human capital, particularly women. He emphasized that providing women with equal access to education, finance, and leadership opportunities transforms them into critical drivers of national development.
He cited Nobel Laureate in Economics, Amartya Sen, noting that billions of women remain “missing” from economic transactions, a gap that slows development in Africa and other developing countries. Obi called for deliberate investment in education, healthcare, skills development, and economic inclusion for women and youth.
Obi also thanked the Mayor of Banjul, Rohey Malick Lowe, for the warm reception and for hosting his team, as well as the Nigerian community in The Gambia for engaging with him during the event.
He urged women to step into leadership and public service roles, stating that empowering women, fostering accountability, and prioritizing education are essential for transforming Africa’s potential into tangible progress—a vision he described as “development as freedom.”
Obi concluded by reiterating his belief that with inclusive leadership and strategic human capital investment, a new and prosperous Nigeria is achievable.
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