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NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi meets Swiss Ambassador Patrick Egloff to deepen Nigeria-Switzerland development cooperation
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Discussions centre on education, healthcare, poverty reduction, and human capital development as key drivers of sustainable national growth
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Obi commends Switzerland’s longstanding support for economic development, humanitarian assistance, cultural cooperation, and peace-building efforts, particularly in North-East Nigeria
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Former Anambra governor says stronger international partnerships anchored on shared values are critical to building a prosperous, inclusive, and economically resilient Nigeria
July 22 , (THEWILL) — The presidential candidate of the National Democratic Coalition (NDC) for the 2027 general election, Peter Obi, has called for stronger development cooperation between Nigeria and Switzerland, stressing that strategic international partnerships are essential to improving education, healthcare, and reducing poverty across the country.
Obi made the call after a meeting with the Swiss Ambassador to Nigeria, Patrick Egloff, during which both men discussed Nigeria’s development priorities and opportunities for deeper bilateral collaboration in sectors critical to national progress.
In a statement issued after the meeting on Tuesday, Obi described the engagement as productive and forward-looking, noting that their discussions focused on Nigeria’s developmental journey and the need to place greater emphasis on human capital development.
According to him, education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation remain the foundations of sustainable development and should continue to receive priority attention from governments and development partners.
“Our discussion centred on our country’s developmental journey, with particular emphasis on the critical sectors that drive development—education, healthcare, and lifting people out of poverty,” Obi said.
The former Anambra State governor expressed appreciation to the Swiss Confederation for its longstanding partnership with Nigeria, acknowledging its contributions to economic development, humanitarian assistance, cultural cooperation, and peace-building initiatives.
He paid particular tribute to Switzerland’s interventions in North-East Nigeria, where humanitarian and development programmes have continued to support communities affected by insurgency and displacement.
“I expressed my gratitude for the invaluable contributions of the Swiss Confederation to Nigeria’s development, especially its support for critical economic, cultural, humanitarian, and peace-building initiatives, particularly in the North-East,” he stated.
Obi noted that sustained collaboration between Nigeria and countries committed to development would help address persistent socio-economic challenges while strengthening institutions and improving the quality of life for citizens.
Human Development Key to National Progress
The NDC presidential candidate maintained that meaningful national development cannot be achieved without deliberate investments in people through quality education, accessible healthcare, and policies that create economic opportunities for millions of Nigerians.
He argued that partnerships founded on shared values, mutual respect, and a common commitment to human development remain indispensable to Nigeria’s quest for inclusive growth and long-term prosperity.
“Building stronger partnerships founded on shared values and a commitment to human development remains essential to creating a more prosperous and inclusive Nigeria,” Obi added.
Switzerland has remained one of Nigeria’s important development partners, supporting programmes in governance, humanitarian response, peacebuilding, economic development, vocational education, migration management, and public health.
Obi’s meeting with Ambassador Egloff comes amid renewed conversations on the role of international partnerships in helping Nigeria confront poverty, strengthen public institutions, and accelerate sustainable economic development.
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