Nigerian presidential hopeful Peter Obi has emphasized the need for Nigeria to adopt proven development strategies, drawing inspiration from Indonesia’s economic and social progress. Obi recently embarked on a five-day study trip to Indonesia, engaging with top stakeholders on critical areas such as security, education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s economic trajectory compared to Indonesia, Obi highlighted the stark contrast in progress over the past two decades. In 2004, Indonesia’s per capita income stood at $1,136, slightly ahead of Nigeria’s $963. However, by 2024, Indonesia’s per capita income has surged to approximately $5,000, while Nigeria’s remains at around $1,000. Likewise, Indonesia has improved its Human Development Index (HDI) from medium to high, while Nigeria still lags in the low category.
“Indonesia now has 98% health insurance coverage, while Nigeria has less than 10%,” Obi pointed out, emphasizing the urgency of adopting policies that have yielded success in comparable nations.
The former governor of Anambra State plans to share key insights from his trip over the coming days, reinforcing his long-held belief that learning from tested models is the key to sustainable development.
“A new Nigeria is POssible,” he concluded.
