I have read with keen interest the recent IMF report listing Africa’s fastest-growing economies, and I cannot help but reflect on Nigeria’s absence from that list.

These nations are not richer than us in natural resources, but they have become richer in discipline, leadership, and commitment to improving their people and their human capital. They are growing their economies through investing in critical areas of development education, healthcare and pulling people out of poverty, while ensuring fiscal prudence and stability.

Our own economy, sadly, continues to struggle under the weight of poor policy choices, corruption, and waste. We must return to the basics: production over consumption, human capital over patronage, and governance over politics.

Nigeria has all it takes to not just be amongst the fastest growing economies, but to lead them. What we need is competent and compassionate leadership, one that sees governance as a call to service, not as a transaction for criminal acquisition of unearned wealth. Let us recommit ourselves to building a nation that values transparency, productivity, and shared prosperity.

With the right leadership and collective will, Nigeria can once again become the pride of Africa. If smaller nations can grow their economy through discipline and commitment to clear policy direction, then the giant of Africa must awaken.

A New Nigeria is POssible.

• Peter Obi