Obi Meets Commonwealth Secretary-General, Discusses Democracy, Education, and Youth Empowerment

The Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has continued his global consultations with a visit to the Commonwealth Headquarters in London, United Kingdom, where he discussed democracy, education, and youth empowerment.

Accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Margaret Obi, the former Anambra State governor met with the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey — the first African woman to lead the 56-member organisation.

According to a statement shared on his X (formerly Twitter) handle, Obi said their discussions focused on strengthening democratic governance, expanding access to quality education, and empowering young people across the Commonwealth.

“With over 2.5 billion of the Commonwealth’s population under 30, young people remain the organisation’s greatest asset and hope for the future,” Obi said. “For Nigeria, a nation richly endowed with human and natural resources, meaningful investment in education, innovation, and entrepreneurship is key to unlocking the vast potential of our youth.”

He added that tackling youth unemployment requires “intentional and practical action” through skills development, access to quality education, and policies that support small and medium-sized enterprises.

Secretary-General Botchwey reaffirmed her commitment to education, youth engagement, and employment creation, describing these as central to the Commonwealth’s development agenda. She also emphasised the importance of inclusive governance, justice, and equal opportunity in building sustainable democracies.

Obi commended Botchwey for her “trailblazing and reform-driven leadership,” noting that her vision continues to amplify the voices of developing nations and inspire collaboration among member states.

“I remain confident that with leaders like her, the Commonwealth will continue to serve as a beacon of unity, hope, and shared progress for its member nations,” Obi stated.