Former Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has urged the Federal and State Governments, as well as corporate bodies and individuals to harness the potential of Nigerian youth through sports.

Obi made this comments on Sunday via a post on his official X account, while reacting to the May 2, 2026 “Chaos in the Ring 4” celebrity boxing match in Lagos where comedian Carter Efe defeated singer Portable.

The former Governor of Anambra State praised the sportsmanship and the ability of the boxing event to capture the attention of young Nigerians.

“I followed the recent celebrity boxing match where Carter Efe emerged victorious over the reigning champion, Portable. I congratulate the winner on his determination and commend both participants for embracing the spirit of sportsmanship,” Obi said.

“Such healthy competition, grounded in respect and fairness, is a culture we must consciously imbibe as a nation, especially in a time when unity and mutual respect are greatly needed.

“It is worthy to note that what began as light-hearted entertainment is rapidly evolving into a platform that commands widespread attention, particularly among young Nigerians. Beyond the rings, it reflects the energy, creativity, and resilience of our youth.

“More importantly, it has the capacity to discover and nurture talents who, with the right support and structure, could become the Anthony Joshuas of the future, placing Nigeria firmly on the global sporting map.”

Obi called for investment, proper regulation, and institutional support to transform celebrity boxing and similar youth-driven entertainment into a viable industry for talent discovery, job creation, discipline, and global sporting success.

“It is therefore important that we look more deeply into such events. With deliberate investment, proper regulation, and institutional backing, this emerging space can be transformed into a viable industry – one that creates employment, instills discipline, and channels youthful energy into productive ventures,” he said.

In doing so, he said everyone involved is not only entertaining, but also empowering and building pathways for sustainable national development.

“A new Nigeria is POssible,” added Obi with the post highlighting his consistent focus on channeling youthful energy and creativity into structured opportunities for sustainable national development.