..Says Political choices, not resources, are driving Nigeria’s economic challenges
Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has said that Nigerians need to elect the right leaders, build independent institutions to protect long-term public interests, and cut out abuses by political actors to make progress.
Speaking at the 2026 TheNiche Annual Lecture themed “Governing the Economy: Choices, Trade-Offs and National Priorities,” Otti said Nigeria’s economic challenges stem less from a lack of resources and more from repeated poor political choices.
Otti warned that the outcome of the 2027 general elections will have long-term consequences on national development.
He said: “You cannot separate national economic realities from the decision of political actors. This is an open invitation to all of us, especially young professionals in the room, to begin to show more than a passing interest in political discourse.
“Prudent application of public resources, respect for the rule of law, independence of institutions, and all such issues that promote transparency in the public sector are down to the choice of leaders we make, our pattern of interaction with public institutions, and the level of commitment we apply to our patriotic duties as citizens and stakeholders in the democratic process. Our institutions need to become more resilient.
“But again, that would not happen by just wishing or talking about it. We need to make committed and unwavering demands to move the needle.
“When we consistently elect the right leaders, build independent institutions to protect long-term public interests, and cut out abuses by political actors, we can then move the gear to monitor the procurement process in public institutions, cutting waste, and blocking channels of leakages, because every couple matters.
“They are both what I consider fundamental to jump-starting our development. Other nations are not better than Nigeria, but they consistently make better political choices. That is the difference.
“There is no silver bullet for Nigeria’s economic challenges. “Economics is about cold, hard facts, not vanities or wishful thinking.
“The next phase of our development must be people-oriented, driven by the creation of new jobs, expansion of business opportunities for local and foreign investors, and the prioritisation of efficient service delivery in public sector institutions, especially education and health.
“People are our biggest assets, so we must invest generously in our wealth of human capital, for that is what I consider our truest and most enduring wealth, far above the treasures that are buried beneath our soil.
“To appreciate how infinite our human capital is, think of the exploits of our people in medicine, engineering, information technology, economics, finance, sports, arts, and in other sectors where value creation is driven by the power of the human mind and intellect.”
In his welcome address, the Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of TheNiche, Mr Ikechukwu Amaechi, said the newspaper will always anchor its position on the need for social justice, fairness and respect for human and communal rights.
We will be uncompromising against any form of discrimination and subjugation, either by tribe, gender or religion.
The Chairman of the occasion, Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, said public office is not meant to enrich the occupants but is a call for service.
Sanusi said: “If anyone ever had doubts about the qualities of Alex, all you have to do is look at Abia State in the last three years.
“And for all of us who have had the opportunity to serve in public service, I had the opportunity to serve in the Central Bank, and he had the opportunity to serve in Abia. We must remember that public service is an honour. And I have said this over and over again.
“If you want to make money, go into business. Aliko Dangote is the richest African, nobody complains, he is a businessman. You don’t go to be a governor or a minister or a president to make money.
“That is not where you go to. And we have turned politics into a business. God gives you an opportunity, chooses you among millions and gives you an office for three years or four years or five years.
“A chance to write your name in gold. A chance to impact people’s lives. A chance to leave a legacy.
“You go to ABI today, you see the roads, you see the bridges, you see the electricity, you see the industries. At the end of the day, that is what people remember.”
Other attendees include Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe; NLC President, Joe Ajaero; Gen. Ike Nwachukwu (rtd.); former NBA President, Olisa Agbakoba SAN; a 95-year-old Elder Uma Eleazu and other senior figures from government, civil society, and traditional institutions.
