Mr. Peter Obi Engagements at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France

Mr. Peter Obi the Former Anambra State Governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, held a series of high-level engagements at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, where he met with lawmakers across several committees to discuss renewed cooperation between Africa and the European Union. His visit focused on governance, security, economic reforms, Nigeria–EU relations, and the future of Africa’s youthful population in a rapidly changing global environment.

Mr. Peter Obi joined in parliamentary sessions and held discussions with members of the Committee on Foreign Affairs; the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs; the Committee on Transport and Tourism; the Committee on Development; and the Africa–EU Delegation Committee. The meetings provided a platform for extensive dialogue on the continent’s challenges and opportunities, and the role Europe can play in supporting meaningful reforms.

Throughout the engagements, Mr. Peter Obi urged European policymakers to deepen their strategic involvement in Africa, describing the continent as a region with extraordinary potential but one that continues to face deep-seated governance weaknesses. He explained that while Africa is home to vast natural and human resources, it has not translated these into widespread prosperity because of persistent issues such as corruption, weak institutions and leadership deficits. Citing Nigeria as an example, he noted that the country’s abundant talent and resources contrast sharply with the levels of poverty and economic stagnation experienced by millions.

Mr. Peter Obi told lawmakers that Europe’s partnership with Africa must be anchored on long-term commitments that promote accountability, institutional reforms and credible democratic processes. He emphasized that governance support — including electoral transparency, anti-corruption systems and leadership development — would help African countries build stronger foundations for sustainable growth.

During the discussions, he also outlined several sectors where collaboration with Europe would significantly accelerate Nigeria’s development. One of the major areas he highlighted was security, stressing that instability in parts of Africa has far-reaching consequences not only on local communities but also on global peace and migration patterns. He urged the EU to work closely with African governments on intelligence sharing, counter-terrorism support, modern security technologies and capacity building for law enforcement agencies. According to him, addressing insecurity is central to stabilizing the continent and encouraging investment.

Mr. Peter Obi further stressed the importance of improving Africa’s electricity generation and distribution systems. He observed that no modern economy can thrive without stable and affordable power, and urged Europe to expand its technical and investor support for Africa’s energy transition. He noted that improved power access would boost industrialization, expand small businesses, power innovation and create millions of jobs for young people.

Education and healthcare were also major points of discussion. Mr. Peter Obi told the lawmakers that Africa’s population — especially its youth — represents one of the most valuable demographics in the world, but inadequate investment in skills, innovation, schools and hospitals continues to hold back progress. He called for stronger collaboration in teacher training, digital learning systems, vocational development, public health infrastructure and research partnerships that can help African countries nurture a globally competitive workforce.

Mr. Peter Obi devoted significant attention to the continent’s young people, describing them as energetic, talented and eager to contribute to global development. He expressed concern that many Nigerian youths feel compelled to leave the country due to limited opportunities, despite their potential to drive economic growth at home. He encouraged the EU to support initiatives that encourage entrepreneurship, digital creativity, cultural exchange and access to modern tools that can help young innovators thrive in their own countries. According to him, empowering young people is not only beneficial for Africa but also for Europe, as global prosperity is increasingly interconnected.

He also discussed the importance of economic reforms that expand local production, enhance access to finance, grow small and medium-scale enterprises and reduce poverty. Mr. Peter Obi emphasized that with the right policies, millions of Africans can transition out of poverty, strengthening regional stability and opening new markets for global partners.
In his closing remarks, Mr. Peter Obi reaffirmed his belief that Africa — and Nigeria in particular — can become a continent defined not by its challenges but by its potential. He expressed optimism that with sincere leadership, strategic partnerships and sustained investment in people and institutions, Africa can achieve inclusive growth and contribute more meaningfully to global peace and innovation.

He stated that his engagements in Strasbourg reflect a commitment to strengthening global cooperation that supports accountability, development and productivity. He noted that collaborative efforts between Africa and the EU are essential for tackling shared challenges such as migration pressures, climate impacts, economic disruptions and security threats.