Peter Obi Critiques Cancellations of University Lectures

Peter Obi, the former president of the Labour Party and former governor of Anambra State, expressed concern over the repeated cancellations of university engagements across Nigeria, which he described as a disturbing pattern threatening intellectual freedom in the country. His statement, released on Saturday via X, was in relation to a scheduled keynote lecture at Obafemi Awolowo University in Ibadan at 9 AM, which was called off due to a political summit commencing at noon.

Obi pointed out that this was not an isolated incident, revealing that similar cancellations had occurred on ten separate occasions. He emphasized the negative impact of these cancellations on the academic environment, noting that his alma mater, the University of Nigeria Nsukka, was equally affected.

Obi contrasted this experience with his recent engagements at prestigious institutions abroad, such as Oxford and Harvard, where he was able to freely deliver lectures. He questioned the implications of these restrictions on Nigeria's growth and called for a society that encourages knowledge sharing without fear.