Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has warned that tolerating unverified academic credentials among public officials could weaken societal standards and pose a threat to Nigeria’s future.
Obi, in a post on his X handle on Tuesday, said the issue should not be viewed as a matter concerning any particular individual, but as a broader question of accountability, integrity and the values being passed on to future generations.
He urged Nigerians to resist the temptation to overlook questionable, missing or unverified academic credentials simply because they are associated with political allies or individuals they support.
According to the former Anambra State governor, the process through which individuals attain positions of responsibility is as important as their performance in office.
He stressed that leadership must be founded on transparency, accountability and adherence to established standards.
Obi warned that normalising the abandonment of basic credential verification could set a dangerous precedent, potentially allowing unqualified individuals to occupy critical professional and public positions.
He further cautioned that such a practice could weaken public institutions and erode confidence in professions where rigorous training, qualifications and certification are essential.
The former presidential candidate maintained that Nigeria must not sacrifice its long-term future for short-term political interests, insisting that truth, accountability and due process must apply equally to all citizens, regardless of their status or political affiliation.
He called on Nigerians to defend principles rather than sentiments and to prioritise the country’s long-term development over political expediency.
Obi added that building a better Nigeria would require both citizens and leaders to uphold the right values, even when doing so may be difficult or inconvenient.
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