Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has promised to prioritise youth employment by encouraging young Nigerians to engage in agriculture and small-scale businesses if elected president in 2027.

Obi made the pledge on Saturday in Kaduna while addressing supporters at an NDC political gathering alongside his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso.

The former Anambra State governor said his proposed administration would focus on moving the Nigerian economy away from what he described as excessive dependence on consumption and towards production.

“If you elect us to serve, we will only borrow money for investment,” Obi said.

“We’re no longer going to borrow money for consumption. We want to move Nigeria from consumption to production. By that, we will create jobs.”

He said creating productive opportunities for young people would be central to addressing unemployment and other social challenges facing the country.

Obi compared Nigeria with Indonesia, noting that although Indonesia has a larger population, he attributed part of its stronger economic performance to the number of young people engaged in productive activities.

“Our population is about 230 million. Indonesia is 280 million. But they are doing better than us because their youths are employed,” he said.

The NDC candidate said his administration would seek to provide young Nigerians with opportunities in agriculture and small businesses.

“We will help the youths to find something to do. We will make sure they go back to farm,” he said.

“We will make sure they go back to small businesses. We will support them and tell them the bad effects of drugs.”

Obi also linked youth unemployment to the country’s drug problem, expressing concern over what he described as the prevalence of drug use in Nigeria.

He argued that existing laws were insufficient to deter those involved in bringing drugs into the country and proposed tougher punishment if elected.

“Nigeria does not have adequate laws for those who are importing drugs,” he said.

“If I become president, drugs will fetch life sentence. If you deal in drugs that will kill our youths and everything, you are going to face life imprisonment. We cannot take it.”

Obi also cited a difference between global drug prevalence and the figure he attributed to Nigeria, saying the situation was unacceptable.

“While the global drug prevalence is about 5 percent, Nigeria is 14 percent. It’s not acceptable. And it’s because of the unemployment of the youths,” he said.

The former Anambra governor said his broader economic approach would centre on investment, production and job creation, rather than borrowing to fund consumption. (The Sun)