OGSA: Education remains a powerful instrument for personal growth and societal development- Prof. Erin
… Education is the only Joker That Breaks the Door of Opportunities – Abubakar
By Olusegun HOSEA.
3rd July, 2026.
The old students of Oyemekun Grammar School, Akure, Set 1996, have celebrated thirty years of their reunion anniversary at the college premises. The Senior Prefect of the set, Abubakar Jelili, in his opening remarks, said education is the only joker that breaks the door of opportunities. According to him, students should endeavour to take their education seriously if they want to fly higher in the world.
Professor Erin Olayinka maintained that education remains a powerful instrument for personal growth and societal development despite growing perceptions among many young people that formal learning no longer guarantees success. He made the submission while delivering a symposium lecture titled, “Education is a Scam: The Way Forward,” during the reunion celebration.
The programme, with a symposium lecture titled, “Education is a Scam: The Way Forward,” was anchored by one of the alumni of the set, Professor Erin Olayinka, a Professor of Accounting at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa, who discussed the topic vividly with the learners. According to him, he took the audience through most of the challenges facing the elite who spent most of their time studying one course or another in the university and graduated without white-collar jobs, which made society think that education was a scam. He revealed that low pay, lack of a good working environment, and other challenges that made people think education is a scam are among the reasons discouraging the younger ones and making them say education is a scam. Speaking further, Professor Erin disclosed to the people the benefits involved in education and being disciplined in all aspects of life. The Professor also laid out the benefits or advantages of education to include: * Discipline * Confidence in what you do * Education teaches you how to solve problems * Network and relationships * Critical thinking * It teaches you good communication skills * Creativity and * Emotional intelligence * Digital literacy * Leadership. He gave some of the ways forward on why education is not a scam, stating that people should not depend only on certificates alone.
In his words: “Don’t chase certificates alone but build competence.” * Learn practical skills like coding, video editing, programming, AI, and leadership, etc. * Build character * Integrity, resilience, and honesty * Read beyond the classroom * Build relationships, networking, and friendships * Engage in quality reading as it broadens your horizon. *
He said The old formula was education equals certificate, and certificate equals jobs, but the new formula is education plus certificate, character, skills, and innovation for sustainable success. * Depending on certificates alone is a scam, but your skills, integrity, network, and worthy character are qualities that could lead you to succeed in life. He called on the FG to build a robust system for learners to be comfortable and confident in their learning. He said society today celebrates some people who never passed through the full walls of universities, higher institutions, secondary schools, or high schools, yet they appear successful. The question you must ask is: what is the source of their wealth, and when did they acquire it? Not everyone driving expensive cars and living lavishly is doing what is right. This session is titled “Education Is a Scam:
He explained The Way Forward. That ” We have five parts to discuss. The first question is: Why do many young people say education is a scam? Many believe that because of Nigeria’s economy, going to school does not guarantee employment. Some complete their education and still struggle to find jobs or opportunities to establish businesses. Others argue that students do not study courses that truly elevate them or improve their lives. Some compare themselves with friends who did not attend school but have become successful, leading them to conclude that education is unnecessary. These views are common because society has many graduates without jobs. However, a job is not limited to sitting in an air-conditioned office or driving an official vehicle. Any legitimate work, whether skilled or unskilled, is a job. Some successful entrepreneurs never completed university education, and many young people point to them as examples. They ask why they should study when others succeeded without formal qualifications. Yet, education is not limited to university. One can complete secondary school and learn a skill that leads to success. University education alone is not the only path to prosperity. Another reason people believe education is a scam is that employers often value experience more than certificates. A certificate is important, but experience and practical competence frequently determine opportunities. Consequently, some individuals feel there is no need to spend years in school. Nevertheless, attending a university, polytechnic, or college of education is also a process of learning life skills. Students interact with peers, build networks, learn respect, persistence, tolerance, and other qualities that shape character. Education is therefore much more than obtaining a certificate. Many graduates also work in low-paying jobs despite earning excellent degrees. In difficult economic conditions, some earn salaries that hardly sustain their families. This reality causes many people to question the value of spending years studying demanding courses. At the same time, others succeed in businesses such as automobile sales, fashion design, transportation services, and other ventures without university qualifications. These examples reinforce the perception that education is unnecessary. The emergence of artificial intelligence and changing technologies has further intensified the debate. Certain occupations that existed decades ago are disappearing, leading some to wonder whether university education still guarantees relevance in the modern world. However, the important question remains: Is education truly a scam? Education is not a scam. Education provides discipline. It teaches punctuality, responsibility, and consistency. The habit of waking early, attending school regularly, and meeting expectations prepares individuals for professional life. Education also builds confidence. It encourages people to express themselves, defend their ideas, and engage meaningfully with society. Another major benefit is problem-solving. Beyond certificates, education broadens the mind and develops the ability to think critically, conduct research, and create solutions to societal challenges. Many technological innovations and breakthroughs exist because of education. Education also fosters networks and relationships. The connections formed in school often become valuable throughout life. Classmates may become doctors, engineers, entrepreneurs, pilots, or leaders in different fields. Strong networks and social skills open doors to opportunities that qualifications alone cannot provide. Communication skills are equally important. Regardless of whether one studies science, arts, or commercial subjects, the ability to communicate effectively remains essential. Selling products, sharing ideas, leading teams, and building businesses all depend on strong communication abilities. English remains the common language of communication in Nigeria and in many international environments. Young people must therefore continue improving their communication skills, as these abilities may determine future success. Education shapes character and prepares individuals for a rapidly changing world. The future demands creativity, innovation, digital literacy, emotional intelligence, leadership, entrepreneurship, adaptability, and effective communication. Digital literacy, in particular, has become indispensable. The modern world increasingly depends on technology, and young people must develop the skills required to thrive in a digital environment. Ultimately, education is not merely about obtaining certificates. It is about building discipline, confidence, networks, communication abilities, critical thinking, and the capacity to solve problems. Education remains one of the most powerful tools for personal growth and societal development. The event also featured an interactive session and awards given to ten students, with scholarships awarded to some of them to continue their education. Speaking on behalf of some of the students, Ebenezer Agene thanked the alumni for their gestures and prayed for God’s guidance upon them for the awards.
PRESIDENT JOHNSON OLANIYAN’S RESPONSE
The President of the set, Mr Johnson Olaniyan, thanked God for sparing their lives to witness the programme and called on the members not to relent in their efforts. He called for government intervention in the development of the school and also called for stronger security for the protection of the learners in the school so that they could achieve their future destinies. The set also called for the rehabilitation of the boarding system of the school in order to enhance its attractiveness. They also frowned on the indiscipline displayed by students during their sign-out after finishing their WAEC examinations. In response, members of the global leadership debunked the social media clip, stating that it was not Oyemekun students who were seen in the video, as the content creator was only trying to trend on social media. He said the government and the global leadership of the school had taken up the matter.i
GLOBAL PRESIDENT’S VISIT AND RESPONSE
The climax of the event was the visit of the alumni global president, Hon. Afe Olowookere, PhD, to appreciate what they had done for the development of the union and the school at large. In his response, the president said he was very happy and glad to receive them and that he knew God would continue to protect them. He appreciated God on their behalf and thanked them for coming back to their alma mater to give back. He said it was a laudable and commendable idea. He appreciated them for maintaining the legacy of the school and for coordinating themselves well, as well as for providing educational tools like marker boards and cash for the development of the school. He acknowledged the immediate past global president for his efforts in building the alumni secretariat for the executives. He said he had mobilised all of them to see the need to contribute to the development of the school. He stated that there was a lot to be done for the school and admonished them not to relent in their efforts. The unity and pooling of resources together, he said, would enable them to achieve more for the development of the school. He appreciated them once again for their contributions to the school and admonished them not to allow the standard of the school to go down.
