Peter Obi Donates N60 Million to UNINIGER and Iyienu Nursing School

In a significant move aimed at improving healthcare and education infrastructure, Mr. Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, on Thursday donated a total of N60 million to two key institutions: the University of the Niger (UNINIGER) and the Iyienu School of Nursing at the Iyienu Mission Hospital, Ogidi.

Obi’s donation to UNINIGER, located in Umunya, includes N50 million to support the institution’s continued development. The funds are intended to enhance academic and infrastructural progress, addressing the growing demand for improved facilities in Nigerian universities. Obi emphasized that investing in education, healthcare, and poverty reduction was crucial for sustainable national development.

During his visit to the Iyienu School of Nursing, Obi further demonstrated his commitment to improving the healthcare sector by presenting N10 million to the institution. The donation is expected to aid in the development of infrastructure at the nursing school, which plays a vital role in addressing the shortage of healthcare professionals in Nigeria.

In his address, Obi underscored the pressing challenges facing the health and education sectors in Nigeria, particularly the acute shortage of doctors and nurses. “We are currently facing a shortage of healthcare professionals, which is well below the World Health Organization's recommendations,” he stated. “The solution lies in investing more aggressively in the training of our healthcare workforce.”

Obi’s involvement in the educational and healthcare sectors is not a new development. As the former Governor of Anambra State, he played a pivotal role in revitalizing the education system, including the return of schools to the Church and significant support for their development. His commitment to healthcare was equally notable, with interventions that led to infrastructure development across key health institutions.

The Anglican Bishop on the Niger, Bishop Owen Nwokolo, praised Obi for his continued dedication to the improvement of education and healthcare, recalling the earlier intervention that helped Iyienu School of Nursing achieve accreditation.

“Iyienu School of Nursing was one of the first institutions to benefit from Obi’s leadership when he was Governor,” Bishop Nwokolo said. “His support has not only continued post-tenure but has made a lasting impact on the development of the school and its facilities.”

Prof. Nebo, Vice Chancellor of UNINIGER, also commended Obi’s longstanding devotion to education, noting that his efforts during his tenure as governor had sparked a regional movement that saw the Eastern states rise in educational rankings.

Students of both institutions were visibly excited about Obi’s visit and generous contributions. Mr. Ikenna Offor, a medical student at the university, shared his appreciation, recounting the significant improvements in the school’s infrastructure made possible by Obi’s earlier contributions. “It’s amazing to see the generosity of this great man, who has helped build hostels, medical facilities, and much more,” Offor said.