Obi Urges African Leaders to Create Conditions to Bring Diaspora Talent Home

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate for Nigeria's Democratic Congress (NDC), has called on African leaders to foster enabling environments that would encourage professionals living abroad to return and contribute to the continent's development. He stressed that good governance and credible elections are fundamental to achieving sustainable progress and effectively utilizing Africa's vast human capital.

In a statement shared on X, Obi highlighted that Africa possesses a wealth of human capital globally, especially within the medical field. However, he noted that this resource remains largely untapped due to poor governance and unfavorable conditions on the continent. He drew parallels with China and India, suggesting that deliberate leadership and sound policies can significantly alleviate poverty and drive national transformation.

Obi pointed to China's success in reducing extreme poverty to less than 10 percent of Africa's current figure. He also cited India's effective leverage of its diaspora medical professionals, which has established the country as a global leader in healthcare systems and medical tourism. Obi believes Africa can achieve similar progress by engaging its numerous skilled doctors and healthcare professionals scattered across the globe.

"Africa has countless brilliant doctors and healthcare professionals across the diaspora who possess the knowledge and experience to help achieve similar progress," Obi stated. "What remains essential is the creation of an enabling environment that will attract them home." He also urged Africans living abroad to remain actively involved in promoting democratic values across the continent, emphasizing that their contributions extend beyond financial remittances.

“

Africa has countless brilliant doctors and healthcare professionals across the diaspora who possess the knowledge and experience to help achieve similar progress. What remains essential is the creation of an enabling environment that will attract them home.