The Regent of Abagana and former PDP presidential aspirant, Dr. Nwachukwu Anakwenze, has declared that Nigeria has the potential to rise as a global power if its young population is empowered with education, technology, and opportunities.

He made this bold assertion on NTA’s Business Express while analyzing global economic trends on June 24, 2025.

Speaking on the shifting dynamics of world economies, Anakwenze noted that America still leads as the world’s strongest nation but is now locked in a fierce contest with China. He reminded Nigerians that China was insignificant at the time of Nigeria’s independence but surged ahead through strong leadership, while India, once considered backward, has also advanced far beyond Nigeria.

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“We have more resources than these people! China and Japan don’t have it but they come to Nigeria to buy. Then they build Toyota and Nissan and Nigerians will buy. We are playing catch-up. What we should be thinking about is to match their level. We are moving, but we are not running,” Anakwenze said pointedly.

The US-based medical doctor called for national unity, insisting that every ethnic group in Nigeria possesses unique strengths. He cited the Yoruba’s excellence in administration, the Igbo’s dominance in business, and the Hausa’s prowess in agriculture, stressing that only teamwork can propel Nigeria to world-power status.

“It’s too late for the old people but not too late for the youths! Young Nigerians can match and compete with any country. They can defeat Americans, Chinese, and Europeans. My fight is for the young people. I am fighting for their empowerment and that’s why I advocate for free education in Nigeria,” he declared passionately.

Anakwenze emphasized that government cannot absorb all graduates into public service but insisted the private sector can create mass employment if properly supported. He urged the construction of nationwide railway and road systems to connect industrial hubs, arguing that Nigeria must “start to build or never prosper.”

On diaspora contributions, he urged government to rally Nigerian businesses to build and manage private refineries and industries, noting this would yield better results than state-controlled enterprises. For him, the ultimate reform is simple: “Nigeria must return to production and manufacturing. What is stopping us from being the biggest tyre producer in the world? We have the raw materials! Let us return to agriculture. We used to be the biggest producer of palm oil and cocoa. We need to restart.”