Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, has pointed to widespread poverty as a key factor behind Africa’s growing security problems, with over 50% of the population living in multidimensional poverty.

Speaking at an international forum in Athens, Greece, alongside former presidents and high-ranking officials, Obi underscored unemployment, corruption, inequality, and poverty  as the main drivers of insecurity and instability across the continent.

During his address, Obi stressed the urgent need for Africa to adapt to global changes, highlighting the disparity between the continent’s abundant resources and its governance failures. He remarked, “To achieve collective security, Africa must prioritize poverty alleviation, justice, and equality.”

Obi raised concerns about rising insecurity, corruption, and youth unemployment, stating that more than half of the world’s multidimensional poor live in Sub-Saharan Africa, with Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo having over 60% of their populations facing poverty and severe inequality. He also cautioned against the increasing control of security by non-state actors in certain African countries, calling for greater investment in critical sectors like health and education to foster sustainable development across the continent.