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Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate for the Labour Party, has put forward a solution to strengthen the Nigerian passport and restore its global reputation.
During a Twitter space session
organized by Parallel Facts, a Nigerian news network, Obi stated that the key
to earning respect for the Nigerian passport is to have something valuable to
offer to the world.
Obi, a former governor of
Anambra, said that “respect cannot be earned when a nation is perceived as
economically weak and dependent on others. To gain respect as individuals or as
a nation, the first step is to put our own house in order by building a strong
and stable economy.
The Nigerian passport is among
the bottom 20 to hold in 2023, with visa-free access to only 46 countries
according to the Henley Passport Index, a ranking system that evaluates the
number of destinations passport holders can visit without requiring a visa.
Obi highlighted the importance of
having a robust foreign policy, which he believes is directly linked to a
strong domestic policy. He cited examples of international groupings like G7
and G20, formed based on economic strength, and expressed disappointment that
Nigeria is not yet a member of such influential forums.
Sharing a personal anecdote, Obi
revealed that despite having the opportunity to obtain dual citizenship and
residency in other countries, he has chosen to remain solely a Nigerian
citizen. He stressed that Nigeria’s leaders, including politicians like
himself, have collectively failed the country by not building a better society
for future generations.
Obi called for change, stating
that the Nigerian passport can only become respected globally when the nation
achieves progress and development. He called on everyone to do the right thing
and work towards building a better Nigeria, emphasizing that respect is earned
through responsible and proper actions.
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