The Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, has criticised the large number of delegates the Nigerian government sends to international events.
In a post on his verified X handle on Saturday, Obi described the practice as a misplaced priority, noting that about 150 million Nigerians live in multidimensional poverty, struggling daily with food insecurity, inadequate healthcare, and limited access to basic services.
The former Anambra State governor emphasised that Nigeria cannot be compared to China, which has both a larger population and a far bigger economy.
Obi argued that the country’s international engagements should reflect responsible leadership, one that genuinely prioritises the welfare of Nigerians and demonstrates the nation’s capacity to engage meaningfully on issues like global climate action.
“Again, in a bitter twist of irony, we thank Nigeria for having the third-largest delegation at COP30, with 749 delegates, close to China’s 789 delegates,” he wrote.
“While Nigeria should indeed have a strong voice in global climate discussions, this spectacle comes at a heavy cost to our people, with around 150 million living in multidimensional poverty, facing daily challenges such as food insecurity, poor healthcare, and lack of basic services.
“Meanwhile, our leaders travel abroad in large numbers, funded by taxpayers, while the citizens they are meant to serve continue to suffer.
“Compare this with China: although its delegation is similar in size, China enjoys a high Human Development Index, whereas Nigeria’s is low, with life expectancy at only 54 years compared to China’s 79 years.
‘China’s GDP stands at $18.74 trillion, while Nigeria’s is barely $200 billion, just over 1% of China’s. GDP per capita in China is about $13,300, while Nigeria’s is below 10% of that, highlighting the vast economic disparity.
“Furthermore, 63% of Nigerians, around 150 million people, live in multidimensional poverty, experiencing deprivations in health, education, and living standards. In China, the figure is just 3.9%, despite a population roughly seven times larger than ours.
“This stark contrast shows why Nigeria should not be sending such a large delegation. The human and financial resources spent on hundreds of officials travelling abroad could instead be invested at home in healthcare, education, and other urgent social services, lifting our people out of poverty.”
