Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has described Nigeria as “the worst place to be born,” citing poverty, insecurity, unemployment, hunger and poor social outcomes.

Obi made the assertion in his Independence Day message on Thursday as Nigeria marked its 66th anniversary, accusing the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government of failing to reverse the country’s challenges.

He said more than 140 million Nigerians were living in poverty and hardship, while the country continued to grapple with a large out-of-school population, insecurity and widespread unemployment.

“Today, Nigeria is the worst place to be born,” Obi said, adding that youth unemployment remained a major concern.

The former Anambra State governor also raised concerns about hunger, infant and maternal mortality and the security situation, while referring to the recent deaths of 37 young people.

He said Nigeria had become increasingly difficult for young people, with millions struggling to secure jobs and meet basic needs.

Obi’s assessment came shortly after President Bola Tinubu delivered his Independence Day address, in which he said the country had moved beyond the difficult phase of economic reforms and was entering an era of prosperity.

Tinubu said the government had “corrected its course” and laid the foundation for a more prosperous Nigeria, urging citizens to look ahead rather than back at the difficulties of the reform period.

The President said the government’s objective was to build a Nigeria where prosperity is broadly shared and every child can aspire beyond the circumstances of their birth.

Obi, however, maintained that the country’s current conditions required urgent action on poverty, security, education, healthcare and employment.