Renowned academic and spiritual leader, Engr. Prof. Sabitu A. Olagoke, has called on the Federal Government to urgently overhaul Nigeria’s educational system to curb quackery, insecurity, and the growing threat of terrorism.
He made the call while delivering the keynote address at the Shafaudeen Annual Stakeholders’ International Conference and O’Leg Grand Finale, themed “Empower the Youth to Protect Them from Poverty and Terrorism,” held at the CRCT Hall, Shafaudeen Headquarters, Wakajaye, Ibadan, Oyo state capital.
Delivering the keynote address titled “Revive Nigeria Education System To Stop Quackery and Insecurity Challenges,” Prof. Olagoke lamented Nigeria’s chronic underfunding of education, which falls far below UNESCO’s 26% benchmark, and accused political leaders of weakening technical education through corruption, indiscipline, and misplaced priorities.
Using India as a case study, he highlighted how the Asian nation produces globally sought-after technicians while Nigeria continues to churn out theoretical graduates lacking practical skills. He cited the 2025 Dangote Refinery recruitment of 11,000 Indian technicians as a painful example of Nigeria’s technical manpower deficit.
Prof. Olagoke listed Nigeria’s vast mineral wealth across all 36 states, warning that the country will remain underdeveloped unless it produces skilled professionals capable of transforming these resources. He described Nigeria’s governance as “hoodlum driven,” blaming corruption, quackery, and poor classroom infrastructure for the nation’s economic stagnation and rising insecurity.
He also compared Nigeria with South Africa and Singapore, arguing that both nations advanced because they embraced functional education and disciplined leadership, while Nigeria politicized development.
The keynote stressed the need for youth empowerment through technical training, value reorientation, entrepreneurship, prudent spending, and leadership grooming. He urged young people to acquire skills, start small businesses, volunteer, join innovation hubs, and build strong personal values to secure their future.
The conference featured a panel discussion on youth emancipation, with experts drawn from academia, engineering, security management, and media offering solutions to unemployment, insecurity, and youth vulnerability.
A major highlight of the event was the presentation of awards and prizes to winners of the O’Leg competition, celebrating excellence and promoting youth innovation.
Prof. Olagoke concluded by insisting that no nation can defeat insecurity without first fixing its education system.
“Government must revive Nigeria’s educational system to stop quackery and insecurity challenges,” he declared.
