Former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, has shared insights from his administration’s successful collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), emphasizing the importance of transparency, accountability, and strong governance systems in achieving sustainable development.
Speaking at the UNDP Community of Practice for Governance and Peace building Conference, Obi commended the UNDP for its support to governments across Africa.
“Many African states and sub-national governments have benefited from the UNDP’s expertise, and I can proudly count Anambra State during my administration as one of them,” he said.
Dr. David Omozuafoh, Head of Regional Governance and Rule of Law at UNDP, recounted the initial challenges of the partnership. According to him, the UNDP had previously withdrawn from Anambra State due to mismanagement of resources by a prior administration and was initially hesitant to collaborate with Obi.
Obi explained how he regained the organization’s trust.“I requested a meeting and candidly explained why Anambra needed support, how we were committed to reform, and the governance systems we had put in place to ensure that every intervention would be used for the public good. I assured them that our people deserved better and that we were ready to be held accountable for results,” he said
The UNDP subsequently returned to Anambra State, and the collaboration yielded remarkable outcomes. Dr. Omozuafoh noted that Anambra became the best-performing state in Nigeria in implementing the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), particularly in health and education.
The state was later cited as a model for other sub-national governments, prompting Obi to be invited to New York to present the approach internationally.
Reflecting on the experience, Obi urged continued collaboration between governments, civil society, and international partners.
“We must work together to build societies where accountability, justice, and shared economic growth are the foundation upon which we build the future we want for our children and generations to come.”