Super Bowl: Nigerian NFL Stars Show Nigeria Not Lacking Talent but Leadership – Peter Obi
Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has said Nigeria is not lacking in talent but has, for years, suffered from leadership failure that has prevented its citizens from reaching their full potential.
In a statement shared on Monday via his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, Obi said the thought crossed his mind as he prepared to watch the Super Bowl, the National Football League’s championship game, featuring the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
According to him, the presence of Nigerian-born players and those of Nigerian heritage on one of the world’s biggest sporting stages was a powerful reminder of what Nigerians could achieve when given the right environment to succeed.
“As I prepared to watch the Super Bowl tonight, I was reminded of Nigeria’s vast potential. On the field were three exceptional Nigerians making their nation proud on the world’s biggest sporting stage,” he wrote.
Obi mentioned Michael Onwenu of the New England Patriots, Uchenna Nwosu of the Seattle Seahawks, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba of the Seattle Seahawks, who is of Nigerian descent, as examples of Nigerians excelling globally.
He noted that their achievements were not accidental but the result of discipline, opportunity and systems that recognise and reward talent.
“Their success is not accidental; it is the result of discipline, opportunity, and systems that recognise and reward talent,” he stated.
The former Anambra State governor said watching their performances highlighted what Nigerians could accomplish if similar systems were established at home, stressing that the country’s persistent struggles were not due to a lack of gifted individuals but poor leadership.
“Watching them, one cannot help but reflect on what Nigerians can achieve when provided with the right environment to thrive.
“If our country were governed with vision, competence, and integrity, and if leadership focused on building strong institutions, investing in people, and creating equal opportunities, there would be no limit to what Nigerians could accomplish—not just in sports, but in science, technology, business, education, and every sphere of human endeavour,” he said.
Obi emphasised that Nigeria’s long-standing problem was not a shortage of talent but the failure to harness it effectively.
“Nigeria is not lacking in talent. What we have lacked for too long is leadership that unleashes that talent,” he said.
He further noted that getting leadership right would enable Nigeria to compete favourably on the global stage and consistently excel.
“When we get leadership right, Nigeria will not only participate on the global stage but will consistently excel and lead,” Obi added.
