Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has criticised President Bola Tinubu for awarding scholarships to students from Saint Lucia and other Caribbean nations, calling the move a “betrayal” of Nigerian children who are being denied access to education.

In a statement on Wednesday, Obi expressed deep concern over the decision, pointing out that Nigeria currently has the highest number of out-of-school children globally—estimated at around 20 million. He described the education sector as being in a state of collapse, citing the prolonged closure of public schools in the Federal Capital Territory and months of unpaid teachers’ salaries.

Obi questioned the rationale behind offering scholarships abroad while local students suffer, asking:
“How does it make sense for a president to visit a country with better educational statistics and still offer them scholarships funded by Nigerian taxpayers, while our own children remain out of school and teachers go unpaid?”

He drew comparisons between Nigeria and Saint Lucia, highlighting Nigeria’s literacy rate of less than 60% and a life expectancy of 54 years, in contrast to Saint Lucia’s literacy rate of over 90% and life expectancy of 72 years.

Nigeria ranks 161st out of 193 countries on the Human Development Index (HDI), placing it in the “Low Human Development” category, whereas Saint Lucia is classified in the “High” category.

Obi said Tinubu’s action proves he recognises the value of education—but sadly chooses to invest it outside Nigeria.
He urged Nigerians to speak out against such misplaced priorities and work collectively to secure a better future for the country’s children.