Who Is Peter Obi?

Peter Gregory Obi CON is a Nigerian politician and businessman, who was the vice presidential candidate in the 2019 Nigerian general election under the People’s Democratic Party (P.D.P). He was the former governor of Anambra State serving from 17 March 2006 to 2 November 2006, when he was impeached and from 9 February 2007 to 29 May 2007 after his impeachment was overturned. Although a fresh election was held on 29 April 2007, he was reappointed governor on 14 June 2007 after a court ruling that he should be allowed to complete a four-year term. He was re-elected to a second-term in office during the February 6th, 2010 gubernatorial elections.

In May 2022, he was chosen as the Labour Party (Nigeria) candidate in the 2023 Nigerian presidential election.

Early life and education

Peter Obi was born on 19 July 1961 at Onitsha. He attended Christ the King College, Onitsha, where he completed his secondary school education. He was admitted to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, in 1980, graduating with a B.A (Hons) in philosophy in 1984.

Peter Obi attended Lagos business school, Nigeria, where he did his Chief executive program, Harvard business school, Cambridge, USA, where he did two programs, London School of Economics, Columbia southwest school, New York, USA, Institute for management development, Switzerland where he also got two certificates in Senior Executive Program and Chief Executive Officers program. He also attended Kellogg graduate school of Management, USA, Oxford University:Said business school and Cambridge University: George business school.

Pre-political career

Peter Obi was a business man and trader before he ventured into politics. According to Peter Obi, he started his life as a trader, being born into trading family before venturing into the corporate world. He held leadership positions in some private establishments. Some of the companies he served includes: Next International Nigeria Ltd, Chairman and director of Guardian Express Mortgage Bank Ltd, Guardian Express Bank Plc, Future View Securities Ltd, Paymaster Nigeria Ltd, Chams Nigeria Ltd, Data Corp Ltd and Card Centre Ltd. He was the youngest chairman of Fidelity Bank Plc.

Awards and Honors

These are some of the notable awards of Peter Obi

Sun Newspaper’s Man of the Year (2007)
Thisday Newspaper’s Most Prudent Governor in Nigeria (2009)
This Day‘s Governor of the Decade (2020)
Champion Newspaper’s Nigeria’s Most Trustworthy Governor (2009)
West Africa ICT Development Award for Governor of the Year (2010)
Zik Leadership Prize (2011)
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation‘s Best Performing Governor on Immunization in South-East Nigeria (2012)^[34]
Ezeife Leadership Foundation’s Leadership and Good Governance Award (2012)
Methodist Church of Nigeria‘s Golden Award on Prudence (2012); Business Hallmark Newspaper’s Man of the Year (2012)
Silverbird’s Man of the Year (2013)
The Voice Newspaper’s Award for Outstanding Example in Leadership and Governance (2014)
Champion Newspaper’s Most Outstanding Igbo Man of the Decade (2014)
Nigerian Library Association‘s Golden Merit Award (2014)
Pontifical Equestrian Order of Saint Sylvester Pope and Martyr (2014)
Catholic Diocese of Onitsha’s Golden Jubilee Award (2015)