Former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has criticized Nigeria’s business environment, drawing a sharp comparison between his experience in the United Kingdom and what operates locally.
Speaking on the challenges faced by entrepreneurs, Obi said Nigeria lacks a structured support system that encourages job creation and rewards business growth.
UK System Rewards Job Creation
Obi explained that in the United Kingdom, businesses that create employment are often recognized and appreciated by government institutions.
“When doing business in the UK, local government wrote me a thank you letter for employing five people… later I even received recognition from the Prime Minister,” he said.
He described it as a system that motivates entrepreneurs to expand and create more jobs.
Nigeria Focuses on Taxation, Not Support
In contrast, Obi said Nigeria’s approach is largely centered on taxation, with little or no encouragement for growing businesses.
According to him, many young entrepreneurs struggle due to lack of institutional backing and policy support.
“In Nigeria, the only thing the government has with young people is tax… the support system is terrible,” he added.
Call for Structural Reform
Obi’s remarks add to ongoing debates about Nigeria’s economic structure and the need for reforms that promote entrepreneurship, job creation, and business sustainability.
He emphasized that without proper support systems, economic growth will remain limited despite the country’s human potential.
When doing business in the UK, local government wrote me a thank you letter for employing 5 people. By the time I was employing 20-30 people, I was getting a letter from the Prime Minister. In Nigeria, the only business the government has with the young people is tax, the support… pic.twitter.com/Ip4Jf4nJwH
— DGov (@omoluabi1sq) April 12, 2026
