The 2023 Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party (LP) and former Anambra governor, Peter Obi, on Friday blamed Nigeria’s underdevelopment on the government’s failure to invest in education.

Obi who made during a visit to St. John Vienney Science College, Ukwulu, Anambra State, described education as the real engine of national growth.

The economic expert who celebrated the school’s recent international science victory in a competition held in June 2025 also presented a ₦10 million cheque to the school.

He commended the students’ recent feat in winning the UK-Nigeria debate competition, after defeating several international schools.

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He urged them to continue working hard, saying education is the only sure way to become great and outstanding in life. He also criticized various governments for neglecting vital sectors.

He praised the school’s proprietor, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Obimma, for doing what government should be doing.

He said: “The biggest asset of any nation is its people, human capital. And the most meaningful investment is in education.

“No nation can develop without prioritizing learning. If oil made a country rich, Venezuela would be the richest in the world. They have ten times more oil than Nigeria. But it’s not about oil, it’s about knowledge.

“This is the problem with Nigeria, our leaders are too busy celebrating, consuming, and wasting everyone’s time. We thank God for people like you.” Obi said.