Former Governor of Anambra State and 2023 presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has condemned the exploitation of Nigerian youths by politicians.
Speaking during an address at Johns Hopkins University in Washington DC, Obi criticized the disturbing trend where political actors weaponize vulnerable youths to suppress dissent and discredit voices calling for progressive change.
According to him, some youths are paid as little as ₦20,000 to attack citizens who advocate for a better future on social media.
“In Nigeria, politicians pay youths ₦20,000 to insult those advocating for their future on social media,” Obi stated.
He urged Nigerian leaders to invest in education, skills development, and job creation rather than manipulating the youth for political gain.
According to Obi, the path to a prosperous nation lies in harnessing the creativity and energy of its young population for constructive, not destructive, purposes.
The speech was part of his ongoing engagements with global institutions, where he has consistently called for governance reforms, transparency, and youth empowerment as cornerstones for national development.
