The presidential campaign of Dr. Esther Nkem Okereke, candidate of the National Rescue Movement (NRM), is gathering momentum as the party expands its political organisation and presents its policy proposals to Nigerians ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Okereke, a Nollywood actress, filmmaker, entrepreneur and humanitarian, has continued to outline her vision for addressing Nigeria's economic and social challenges through an ambitious governance framework known as the ESTHER Agenda.
Her campaign combines the six pillars of the ESTHER Agenda with the NRM's broader Rescue Nigeria Blueprint, which party leaders describe as a comprehensive framework for national recovery, institutional reform and sustainable development.
The party formally inaugurated its Presidential Campaign Council on September 29, 2026, establishing organisational structures extending from the national level to geopolitical zones, states, local government areas, wards and polling units.
Speaking at the inauguration, Okereke said her campaign would emphasise evidence-based policies, peaceful political engagement and measurable development outcomes.
Beyond Political Promises: The ESTHER Agenda
Central to Okereke's presidential campaign is a six-pillar development programme organised around the letters of her name.
The ESTHER Agenda identifies interconnected priorities for national transformation:
- E — Energy, Education and Economic Renaissance: Improving electricity supply, educational opportunities and economic productivity.
- S — Security and Social Welfare: Addressing insecurity while improving the protection and welfare of vulnerable Nigerians.
- T — Technology, Transformation and Transparency: Modernising government institutions, encouraging innovation and strengthening accountability.
- H — Healthcare and Housing: Expanding access to essential healthcare services and affordable housing.
- E — Enterprise and Employment: Supporting entrepreneurship, encouraging investment and creating employment opportunities.
- R — Resuscitation, Recovery and Reorientation: Revitalising national institutions, recovering misappropriated public resources and promoting a renewed culture of public responsibility.
During a recent interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, Okereke explained that her proposals were intended to provide specific policy directions rather than general political promises.
She also identified Nigeria's human capital, particularly its young people and women, as a major resource for national development.
Tackling Nigeria's Electricity Crisis
Electricity has emerged as one of the most prominent issues in Okereke's campaign.
During an October 14 appearance on Channels Television, the presidential candidate identified inadequate power supply as a major constraint on businesses, industrial productivity and employment.
She argued that unstable electricity increases operating costs, contributes to business failures and discourages investment.
Under her proposed energy programme, Okereke has outlined an ambition to increase Nigeria's electricity generation capacity to 20,000 megawatts.
The campaign has also identified improvements in electricity infrastructure and the development of mini-grid systems among its energy priorities.
The proposed expansion would require substantial investment, infrastructure improvements and coordination across Nigeria's electricity sector.
According to Okereke, reliable electricity would support manufacturing, entrepreneurship, agricultural processing, technology development and economic growth.
Economic Recovery and Employment Creation
The ESTHER Agenda also places considerable emphasis on economic productivity, enterprise development and job creation.
Okereke has outlined a target of 500,000 jobs annually, with particular attention to opportunities for young Nigerians in technology and enterprise development.
Her economic proposals recognise agriculture, manufacturing, technology, entrepreneurship and human capital development as important contributors to economic diversification.
The candidate has argued that Nigeria's natural resources, entrepreneurial capacity and youthful population offer opportunities for increased domestic production and economic growth.
Her campaign has also addressed the cost-of-living pressures facing households, identifying food security, transportation affordability and access to essential services as important policy considerations.
The NRM's position is that economic policy should be evaluated not only through national growth figures but also through its effects on employment, household incomes and living standards.
Detailed implementation arrangements, financing requirements and timelines will be important considerations in assessing these proposals.
Security as a Foundation for National Development
Insecurity remains another central issue in the NRM presidential campaign.
Okereke has proposed reforms to Nigeria's security architecture, including modernisation, stronger intelligence capabilities and improvements in the country's ability to respond to terrorism, kidnapping and other violent crimes.
The candidate has linked insecurity to wider economic consequences, including reduced agricultural production, population displacement, disrupted commercial activities and declining investor confidence.
During her recent media engagements, she argued that improvements in public safety would be essential for attracting investment and expanding economic opportunities.
The NRM's policy framework similarly identifies peace, security, effective institutions and the rule of law as foundations for national development.
Education, Healthcare and Human Capital Development
Education and healthcare also occupy prominent positions in Okereke's proposed programme.
The candidate has called for urgent reforms to Nigeria's education sector, including improvements in educational infrastructure and learning opportunities.
Her proposals place emphasis on the importance of developing skills that respond to changing labour-market requirements and technological developments.
The ESTHER Agenda also addresses healthcare access, housing affordability and social protection.
Okereke has connected these priorities to the broader objective of improving living standards and creating opportunities for families and communities.
Through her campaign, she has also drawn attention to the circumstances of widows, orphans, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable populations, citing her previous humanitarian activities as an influence on her political priorities.
Recovering Public Resources and Strengthening Accountability
Institutional reform and accountability form another component of the NRM's policy programme.
Okereke has proposed recovering stolen public resources and directing recovered funds towards national infrastructure.
During a recent interview, she outlined a proposal for a National Recovery Infrastructure Fund, which would finance projects such as roads, electricity infrastructure and other public investments using recovered assets.
The party has also advocated more transparent government processes, stronger public institutions and improvements in the management of national resources.
NRM National Chairman Prince Dr. Chinedu Obi has described corruption as a challenge that extends beyond the diversion of public funds, arguing that weak institutional accountability also affects public services, investment and governance costs.
The party's governing philosophy places the rule of law, institutional accountability and economic productivity among its principal objectives.
A Presidential Candidate Drawing on Business and Humanitarian Experience
Although Okereke is widely recognised for her work in Nollywood, her presidential campaign has increasingly highlighted her activities beyond the entertainment industry.
She has described her experience in real estate, hospitality, sports, entertainment and production, as well as her involvement in humanitarian initiatives.
During an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, Okereke said her business activities involved approximately 200 employees across different sectors.
She has presented these experiences as part of her background in organisational management, entrepreneurship and public engagement.
In recent interviews, she has also addressed questions concerning women's participation in national leadership.
Speaking on Channels Television's Sunrise Daily on October 14, Okereke argued that her candidacy should be assessed on the substance of her policy framework and proposed programme for governing Nigeria.
NRM Expands Campaign Organisation Across Nigeria
Beyond the candidate's media engagements, the National Rescue Movement is developing the organisational structures required for its participation in the 2027 elections.
The inauguration of the party's Presidential Campaign Council in September marked an important stage in that process.
The council is expected to coordinate political activities across Nigeria's six geopolitical zones and strengthen party structures at state, local government, ward and polling-unit levels.
The party has indicated that its campaign will focus on peaceful political participation, policy engagement, grassroots organisation and compliance with electoral laws.
National Chairman Prince Dr. Chinedu Obi has also presented a six-point party policy framework addressing institutional reform, economic productivity, human capital, security, infrastructure and technological development.
These priorities complement the candidate's ESTHER Agenda and the NRM's existing manifesto.
The Road to 2027: Policies, Accountability and National Development
With preparations for the 2027 elections progressing, Okereke's campaign is increasingly focused on explaining its policy proposals and the development outcomes it seeks to achieve.
The National Rescue Movement has identified economic recovery, electricity, security, education, healthcare, employment and institutional reform as priority areas of its proposed administration.
Its presidential candidate has also outlined measurable ambitions, including expanded electricity generation and annual employment creation targets.
As the campaign develops, further details concerning funding, implementation schedules and institutional responsibilities will provide additional information for Nigerians evaluating the programme.
For the NRM, the ESTHER Agenda and Rescue Nigeria Blueprint represent the policy foundations of its participation in the 2027 presidential contest.
Through her ongoing campaign, Dr. Esther Nkem Okereke is presenting Nigerians with the National Rescue Movement's proposals for economic renewal, improved public services, institutional accountability and long-term national development.
