Renowned Nigerian statesman and presidential hopeful, Mr. Peter Obi, touched down at London Gatwick Airport earlier today, arriving aboard an Air Peace flight ahead of his participation at the 2025 Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC) Trade and Investment Summit. The event, which will take place at the prestigious Mansion House in London on April 7 and 8, is expected to attract leading global business leaders, policymakers, and investors from across the Commonwealth.
Obi, a consistent advocate of homegrown solutions to Africa’s economic challenges, proudly acknowledged that this marked his third trip to the United Kingdom aboard Air Peace Airline — Nigeria’s foremost indigenous carrier. The airline, he noted, continues to demonstrate the resilience and capacity of Nigerian enterprises to compete and excel on international platforms.
“Aboard the flight were other notable Nigerians, including Apostle Johnson Suleman. Each time I fly Air Peace, I am filled with a deep sense of pride and hope. This airline is a testament to what is possible when Nigerian businesses are given the environment to thrive. It represents our entrepreneurial spirit and capacity to scale beyond borders,” Obi remarked.
Obi’s presence at the CWEIC Summit is not merely symbolic. As a founding member of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council’s Governing Board — a role he has held since the council’s inception in 1997 — he is expected to deliver a keynote address, lending his voice to critical discussions on trade, investment, and sustainable development across member nations.
Speaking ahead of the summit, Obi emphasized that meaningful development in Nigeria, and indeed across Africa, will only be achieved through deliberate investment in sectors that directly impact human capital and economic empowerment.
“For Nigeria to be on the path of sustainable growth and inclusive development, we must invest heavily in critical sectors — education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation. These areas directly influence productivity and long-term stability. In particular, we must focus on strengthening small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs), which remain the lifeblood of any economy,” Obi stated.
He argued that SMEs serve as the engine room for innovation, job creation, and equitable wealth distribution, stressing that targeted policies and access to capital can unlock their full potential and reposition Nigeria as a leading economy in Africa and beyond.
Obi’s participation at the summit is also expected to strengthen Nigeria’s ties with key international stakeholders, including investors seeking opportunities within Africa’s largest economy. As global attention turns to sustainable partnerships and enterprise-led development within the Commonwealth, Obi is poised to make a strong case for investing in Nigeria’s economic transformation through a people-focused and transparent governance framework.
Concluding his remarks, Obi reiterated his belief in a brighter future for Nigeria, built on discipline, vision, and inclusive development:
“We have all it takes to reposition Nigeria as a beacon of hope and productivity. The key lies in our commitment to invest in our people, empower our businesses, and build institutions that serve. Indeed, a new Nigeria is POssible.”
The 2025 CWEIC Trade and Investment Summit is expected to set the tone for renewed Commonwealth cooperation in areas such as technology, energy transition, finance, infrastructure, and inclusive growth — all areas where Obi has consistently urged strategic focus and international collaboration.
By Anthony Emeka Nwosu
