In a powerful address at the REFELA National Conference in Banjul, The Gambia on Tuesday, former Nigerian Presidential candidate Peter Obi issued a compelling call to action for African nations: invest in women to unlock national prosperity.
Speaking as the Guest of Honour, Obi argued that the economic and social stability of the continent is inextricably linked to the empowerment of its female population.
Addressing the theme, ‘Accelerating Representation, Safeguarding, and Strengthening Women’s Rights,’ Obi drew a direct line between human capital investment and sustainable development.
“The prosperity of nations is directly tied to how seriously they invest in their people, particularly women,” he stated, emphasizing that providing equal access to education, finance, and leadership is not merely a matter of rights, but a strategic imperative for growth.
He echoed the concerns of Nobel laureate Amartya Sen, highlighting the billions of “missing” women in economic transactions as a significant barrier to development in Africa and other emerging economies.
Obi asserted that for countries like Nigeria and The Gambia, the path to a prosperous future requires “aggressive, deliberate, and strategic investment in human capital.”
Obi outlined a clear vision for this transformation, prioritizing education, healthcare, and skills development as the cornerstones of an inclusive economy. 
He stressed that empowering women and youth is the foundation upon which sustainable growth can be built, describing this approach as “development as freedom.”
The Former Governor of Anambra State concluded with a call for more women to step into leadership and public service roles, celebrating their crucial contributions to society.
He expressed his gratitude to the Mayor of Banjul, Hon. Rohey Malick Lowe, for the invitation and the warm reception, reaffirming his belief that a “New Nigeria is POssible” through the collective empowerment of all its citizens.
