August 22, 2025 – The Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, has raised concerns over the Federal Government’s approval of ₦142 billion for the construction of bus terminals across Nigeria. He described the move as a clear case of misplaced priority.
“The difference between the success and failure of the development in any nation is how you prioritise your scarce resources,” Obi stated. He pointed out that while the government is channeling ₦142 billion into bus terminals, the entire budget allocated in 2024 for all federal university teaching hospitals and federal psychiatric centres is less than ₦100 billion.
According to him, this decision reflects “lack of competence, lack of focus and poor leadership.” Obi stressed that health should be a major area of investment, as Nigeria’s healthcare system is already underfunded and deteriorating.
He added that the World Health Organization recently reported that over 20 million Nigerians are currently living with mental health challenges.
“This is disturbing, considering that Health is one of the most critical areas of development, which is deteriorating and remains grossly underfunded,” he said. Obi noted that approving more money for bus terminals than the entire teaching hospital system in the country shows a serious gap in governance.
He described the action as “not only a misplaced priority but a tragic irony of our country.” Obi concluded with a call for a change in leadership direction, adding, “This is not governance. A New Nigeria is POssible.”