Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, has emphasized the need for Nigeria to have leaders who respect public opinion and actively work with citizens to foster national development. Speaking in Yola at the 16th Annual Founder’s Day and 20th Anniversary celebration of the American University of Nigeria (AUN), Obi highlighted the importance of humility in leadership and the willingness to listen and learn. He stated that leaders should avoid acting as though they "know it all" if the country is to achieve meaningful progress.
At the same event, Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 PDP presidential candidate, defended the establishment of AUN, which he founded, as an institution modeled after the American education system. He expressed pride in providing Nigerians and others with access to high-quality education akin to that in the U.S., without the need to travel abroad.
These remarks underscore the importance of visionary and inclusive leadership, as well as the role of education in driving development in Nigeria.