Peter Obi Announces ₦20 Million Donation to UNICAL's Faculty of Dentistry
Peter Obi Urges Government to Prioritize Education, Donates ₦20 Million to UNICAL's Faculty of Dentistry
Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has criticized the Nigerian government for neglecting students' basic educational needs, particularly at the University of Calabar (UNICAL). While speaking at the Calabar Airport, Obi described the situation at UNICAL as a reflection of failed leadership and a glaring case of leadership failure in Nigeria's education sector.
Obi highlighted the Faculty of Dentistry as a prime example of the neglect in the education sector. He strongly believes that education, not natural resources like oil, is the real engine of national growth and human capital development. The ₦20 million donation he made to the Faculty of Dentistry was intended to support the upgrade of critical infrastructure, specifically the procurement of 15 additional dental chairs, a requirement set by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria for expanding the faculty's student intake.
In a bid to alleviate the burden on students, Obi called on the authorities to consider the plight of UNICAL students, whose academic progress had been hampered by inadequate facilities. He urged other well-meaning Nigerians and leaders to support institutions like UNICAL, emphasizing the importance of educating and empowering the country's citizens.
Peter Obi's commitment to education extends beyond UNICAL. He has demonstrated his dedication by making significant personal donations to educational institutions across Nigeria. For example, on July 4, 2025, he donated ₦10 million to St. John Vianney Science College in Ukwulu, Anambra State, celebrating their success in an international UK-Nigeria debate competition.
In practice, Obi has critically advocated for government funding and investment in education, arguing that Nigeria's underdevelopment stems largely from a failure to prioritize education and other critical areas. He has warned that Nigeria’s escalating national debt is unsustainable partly because critical sectors like education are underfunded despite the borrowing, highlighting the government’s misallocation of resources.
Despite the lack of explicit mention of his specific actions towards the University of Calabar, Obi's consistent advocacy and donations to educational institutions imply a general stance of supporting universities and schools broadly across Nigeria, emphasizing equitable access to quality education.
- Peter Obi, a former presidential candidate, has spoken out about the Nigerian government's alleged neglect of educational needs, specifically at the University of Calabar (UNICAL).
- During an event at the Calabar Airport, Obi criticized the government for what he perceives as a reflection of failed leadership and a lack of prioritization in the education sector.
- In response to the reported neglect, Obi donated ₦20 million to UNICAL's Faculty of Dentistry to support the procurement of 15 additional dental chairs, an action he took as a call to other leaders and well-meaning Nigerians to support educational institutions.
- Moreover, Obi has made significant donations to other educational institutions across Nigeria, such as St. John Vianney Science College in Ukwulu, Anambra State, on July 4, 2025.
- Obi is a strong advocate for government funding and investment in education, arguing that underdevelopment in Nigeria is largely due to a failure to prioritize education and other critical areas, and warning about the unsustainable national debt and the government’s misallocation of resources.
