Peter Obi Clarifies N15 Million Donation to Nursing Schools Is Non-Political

Former Anambra State Governor and Peter Obi, has reassured Nigerians that his contributions to nursing schools across the country are purely philanthropic and not politically motivated.

Speaking at St. Philomena Nursing School in Benin City, Obi donated N15 million to support the institution, highlighting the critical role nurses play in healthcare delivery and emphasising the need for strategic investment in training healthcare professionals.

Investing in Nigeria’s Healthcare Future

Obi stressed that his donations, which have been ongoing since his tenure as governor of Anambra State, are aimed at strengthening the nation’s healthcare workforce.

“Nurses are essential in the health sector, and Nigeria needs to train more nurses to meet the health needs of the people,” he said, noting that the country lags behind nations like Indonesia, which boasts a primary healthcare centre in every village and over 90% medical insurance coverage.

He urged the federal government to focus more on primary healthcare, saying, “Every village in Indonesia has a primary healthcare centre manned by two or three nurses, and doctors come every other day. We don’t have it here.”

A Global Perspective on Nursing Talent

Highlighting the international demand for Nigerian nurses, Obi shared, “Nurses are needed all over the world; you are one of those rare commodities. I went to a hospital in Germany, and the first three nurses I met were from Nigeria.”

He also recounted his humanitarian work prior to and during his political career, including missions to Afghanistan, Rwanda, and Haiti, underscoring that his support for healthcare education is driven by a commitment to human development rather than politics.

“I chose to come because we need to invest in the future of these children,” Obi said, adding that he visits over 60 nursing schools annually, regardless of the political leanings of their communities.

Focus on Development Over Politics

Obi emphasised that his philanthropy aims at improving Nigeria’s healthcare sector and equipping nurses to meet local and international demand, stressing that the initiative is about nation-building rather than electoral influence.