‘We Spend Millions to Mask Failures’ — Peter Obi Slams FG on $9 Million Lobbying Contract

According to Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential contender, the $9 million that the Federal Government allegedly spent on foreign lobbyists might have been prudently utilized to enhance healthcare skills and buy necessary hospital equipment.

According to reports, Peter Obi called the Federal Government’s approval of a $9 million contract for lobbying services in the US a national disgrace in a post via 𝕏 on Friday.

According to Peter Obi, Nigerian politicians’ continued preference for waste, corruption, misinformation, lies, and negative aspects of progress over constructive initiatives is both tragic and alarming.

The former governor of Anambra State claims that instead of funding life-saving systems, the FG spends millions trying to hide the nation’s shortcomings.

“Recently, it was reported that $9 million of taxpayer funds were spent on lobbyists in Washington, which I believe is just a small fraction of the global waste occurring in the same manner,” he said. This is consistent with Nigeria’s shameful state.

This is just a tiny illustration of how needless expenditure has contributed to the current state of failure in our country. We can examine the Human Development Index (HDI), a crucial indicator of development, to better highlight the effects of such waste. From 1990 to 2025, Nigeria has been stuck in the low HDI category for 35 years.

Comparable countries in the same low category, including China (where Nigeria’s per capita income was three times higher in 1990) and Indonesia, on the other hand, have progressed from low to medium and now high.

“These countries’ accomplishments were the outcome of decisions and the combined effects of both good and bad leadership, not fate, miracles, or natural endowments.” This emphasizes how crucial priority is.

Let’s examine the components of the HDI—life expectancy (health), education, and per capita income (poverty)—to further clarify the ramifications of the $9 million expenditure. Nigeria is falling short on all three counts. For example, let’s look at the $9 million, or almost N14 billion, that was spent incorrectly in the health sector. Nigeria is currently among the top two nations in the world for maternal mortality and has the lowest life expectancy in the world, making childbirth one of the riskiest experiences for Nigerian women. We spend millions trying to hide our mistakes rather than funding life-saving technologies.

“The $9 million spent on foreign lobbyists might have been prudently utilized to buy necessary medical equipment for Nigerian hospitals, enhancing our capacity to provide healthcare and boosting our country’s reputation.

“This $9 million will immediately improve survival rates, treatment, and life expectancy by covering the whole 2024 capital budget for at least one large teaching hospital in each zone. The money is there, but good leadership, discipline, and priority are missing.