Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the reported award of scholarships to students in St. Lucia, despite Nigeria’s growing education crisis.
Speaking during an exclusive interview on the Sunday edition of Channels TV Politics Today, aired on Monday, July 7, 2025, Obi expressed disappointment that the federal government was prioritizing foreign diplomacy over urgent domestic needs.
“We have 18 million out-of-school children in Nigeria, but Tinubu gave scholarships to students in St. Lucia,” Obi said. “How can a country that cannot cater for its own children be giving scholarships abroad? Charity must begin at home.”
Obi, known for his frugal and reformist stance on public spending, said such actions highlight the disconnect between leadership and the struggles of ordinary Nigerians.
He questioned the logic behind allocating scarce national resources to foreign beneficiaries while millions of Nigerian children remain without access to basic education.
His comment follows widespread reactions to reports that the Nigerian government extended education grants to Caribbean students during a recent diplomatic visit. The move has drawn criticism from civil society groups and education advocates.
Supporters of the president argue the scholarships are part of broader foreign policy strategies to strengthen international ties.
However, Obi insisted that the government must first tackle domestic challenges particularly in education, healthcare, and poverty before extending aid abroad.
