In a pointed critique of Nigeria’s fiscal priorities, Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the last general election, has raised concerns about the country’s spending on governance, particularly highlighting the disparity between lawmakers’ extravagant expenditures and the dire state of the education sector.
Obi’s remarks, shared via a series of posts on X, draw attention to the alarming cost of governance in Nigeria, underscoring that the average PhD holder would need to save for approximately 85 years to afford the N160 million SUVs driven by lawmakers. This stark comparison aims to illuminate the systemic issues within Nigeria’s governance and educational funding.
According to Obi, the current spending patterns reveal a troubling disregard for educational investment. He pointed out that while a Grade 2 lecturer earns a modest N150,000 per month, legislators enjoy monthly salaries of around N21 million. This disparity highlights the misalignment between the government’s fiscal priorities and its commitment to education.
Obi elaborated on the issue, noting that the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC) has recently addressed the decline in university education standards. However, Obi argues that the proposed solution—producing more PhD holders—fails to address the broader problems, including the excessive time required to obtain a PhD and the incongruity between academic salaries and educational attainment in Nigeria.
“The situation requires the production of more PhD holders to address these issues,” Obi stated. “However, the Executive Secretary’s solution overlooks several obstacles, such as the unnecessarily prolonged time it takes to obtain a PhD in Nigeria and the frustrating disparity between wages and the level of academic attainment in the country.”
Obi emphasized that a Grade 2 lecturer’s annual salary of approximately N1.8 million contrasts sharply with the legislative salaries. He pointed out that legislators, who only need a secondary school certificate for their roles, receive monthly pay that amounts to over ten years of a PhD holder’s salary. Additionally, the provision of N160 million SUVs to lawmakers further exacerbates the issue.
“This disparity is the root of the problem,” Obi remarked. “Legislators are provided with SUVs worth N160 million from the public purse. For a PhD holder to afford such a vehicle, it would take over 85 years of saving every kobo earned.”
Obi’s critique extends beyond financial disparities to call for a fundamental shift in Nigeria’s approach to governance and education. He argues that the government should prioritize investment in education over self-serving expenditures, fostering a culture of knowledge and innovation rather than political patronage.
“The solution lies in shifting our society from a consumption-driven mindset to a production-oriented approach,” Obi suggested. “By prioritizing investment in education and innovation, we can create a system that celebrates knowledge, expertise, and dedication, rather than political positions and influence.”
Obi’s advocacy for educational reform reflects a broader desire to restore Nigeria’s prestige in global education rankings and improve the quality of higher education. By addressing the financial imbalances and redirecting focus toward educational investment, Obi envisions a more equitable and productive future for Nigeria.
In conclusion, Peter Obi’s critique of Nigeria’s spending on lawmakers and his call for educational reform highlight the urgent need for a reevaluation of the country’s fiscal priorities. By addressing the glaring disparities and investing in education, Nigeria can work towards a more balanced and progressive system that values knowledge and innovation.
