Peter Obi contributes ₦15 million to UNN Dentistry College after alleged licence withdrawal
Following the revocation of the University of Nigeria Nsukka’s licence to run its Dentistry Department, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has donated ₦15 million to support the institution.
Obi’s financial support comes shortly after the department reportedly lost its accreditation to train dental surgeons.
Writing in a post shared on X, the former governor of Anambra State explained that he had received a letter from the university’s dental students’ association.
Obi stated that the letter sought urgent financial assistance totalling ₦40 million to upgrade the department’s laboratory.
He further noted that the students indicated that the funding would help improve the department’s graduation and induction quota, which is essential to the re-accreditation process.
“Out of respect for the national mourning following the passing of our former president, I refrained from making any public statements during that period. Now that the mourning has officially ended, I felt it was important to act without delay,” Obi wrote on X.
He explained that his visit was prompted by the pressing need to alleviate the suffering of students, which he attributed to leadership shortcomings.
“Today, I visited, because we cannot, in good conscience, continue to allow our young people to suffer due to leadership failure,” Obi wrote on X.
He added that, as part of his continuous dedication to enhancing education and healthcare in Nigeria, he had donated the sum to the dental students.
“As part of my unwavering commitment to advancing education and healthcare in our dear nation, I made a modest donation of ₦15,000,000 to the University of Nigeria Dental Students Association to assist in their continuous education as students of the medical and dental department of the school,” Obi added.
He also criticised the extravagant lifestyle of certain Nigerian politicians, who, he said, have failed in their duty to improve the lives of citizens.
Obi cautioned that when a country neglects education and healthcare, it jeopardises the future of its youth.
He said, “I continue to question the kind of country we are building, where our leaders and public servants spend millions on luxury cars and ignore critical areas of development, health, education, and pulling people out of poverty. It is a tragedy of misplaced priorities.
“When we fail to prioritise education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation, but invest billions in conference centres and bus parks, we betray our youth and undermine the future of our dear nation. We must invest in the future of the Nigerian youth,” he warned.
