Former Anambra governor outlines reforms on governance, SMEs and productivity at ECFR roundtable on Nigeria’s future

Former Anambra State Governor and Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has taken Nigeria’s post-2027 vision to the global stage, engaging top policymakers, diplomats, business leaders and development experts at a high-level roundtable in Berlin, Germany.

The event, organised by the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) and themed “Nigeria in 2027 and Beyond,” convened influential stakeholders from governments, international organisations, private sector groups, policy institutes and global media. Discussions centred on Nigeria’s democratic trajectory, economic outlook and strategic role in global affairs.

Speaking at the forum, Obi stressed the urgent need to strengthen democratic institutions, improve governance standards and expand trade and investment opportunities. He called for deeper international partnerships to unlock Nigeria’s economic potential and accelerate sustainable growth.

A major focus of his intervention was the role of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), which he described as the backbone of economic transformation. Obi argued that supporting SMEs would drive job creation, innovation and wealth generation, while helping to reposition the country’s economy.

He further advocated a decisive shift from a consumption-driven system to a production-oriented economy anchored on productivity and value creation.

Obi maintained that Nigeria possesses the human capital and natural resources required to compete globally but warned that progress depends on accountable leadership and sustained investment in critical sectors such as education, healthcare and enterprise development.

The Berlin roundtable also offered participants a platform to explore strategies for boosting investor confidence, deepening international cooperation and strengthening Nigeria’s standing on the global stage.