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Nigeria’s problems are often discussed in terms of corruption, weak institutions, or poor leadership. But beneath all of these lies a more foundational issue—education, not just as schooling, but as a system that shapes thinking, discipline, and accountability. At present, there is a visible shift in how some national institutions respond to misconduct. The office of the Inspector General of Police has shown signs of increased responsiveness. Public complaints—especially those amplified through social media—are no longer ignored as easily as they once were. Officers are sometimes queried, sanctioned, or even arrested when credible evidence emerges. This suggests that, at the top, there is at least an awareness that public trust must be earned and maintained. Yet, despite this effort, the persistence of misconduct at the lower levels reveals a deeper problem. The issue is not simply about leadership at the top; it is about the quality, mindset, and formation of those who make up the system. When institutions such as the Nigeria Police Force or the Nigerian Armed Forces are populated through compromised entry processes—whether by favoritism, influence, or other unmerited means—the foundation becomes weak. No amount of top-down enforcement can fully correct a system that is structurally flawed at the point of entry. This brings us back to education—not merely as a certificate, but as a filter and a formative process. Raising the minimum standard for entry into critical institutions, such as requiring a first degree, may not eliminate misconduct. A university education does not automatically produce integrity. However, it introduces something important: exposure, structure, and, to some extent, awareness of consequences. A person who has spent years in a structured academic environment is more likely to understand systems, rules, and the implications of breaking them. Even when such individuals engage in wrongdoing, they tend to do so with an awareness that actions have consequences. This awareness, however imperfect, can act as a restraint. It can reduce impulsiveness and introduce calculation—an understanding that misconduct carries risks that must be avoided or managed. Critics may argue that many highly educated individuals in Nigeria—politicians, executives, and public officials—still engage in corruption. This is true. However, their actions often reveal a different pattern. They operate with caution, using systems, loopholes, and cover to shield themselves. While this does not justify their actions, it highlights a key point: education influences behavior, even in wrongdoing. It introduces strategy where there might otherwise be recklessness. Now, imagine combining this baseline of awareness with a truly functional legal and enforcement system—one that is capable of detecting, exposing, and prosecuting misconduct effectively. In such a scenario, the same “intelligence” used to evade the law would become insufficient. The system would then be strong enough to identify and remove bad actors, regardless of how calculated they are. The real goal, therefore, is not to create “smarter offenders,” but to build a society where education shapes citizens who understand both the value of integrity and the inevitability of accountability. When individuals know—deeply and convincingly—that misconduct will lead to consequences, behavior begins to change. Nigeria’s path forward requires more than reactive enforcement. It demands a proactive restructuring of how people enter and operate within institutions. Merit must replace influence. Standards must replace shortcuts. Education must move from being a mere qualification to becoming a true foundation for national development. Until this shift happens, efforts at reform—no matter how well-intentioned—will continue to address symptoms rather than the root cause. And that root, as uncomfortable as it may be to admit, remains the quality of education and the standards by which individuals are formed and admitted into the systems that govern us all. The guardians of education have failed us all and this is the root of Nigeria’s problems. Written by: Mr. Otokiti Olaoluwa

Where did Nigeria get it wrong as a nation. This is a question that will birth different responses from different people and they’ll all have different points of view. One of the most spoken words on the streets of Lagos is that “education is a scam” should this statement be considered as a fact or a misunderstanding of the word education. Why should anyone consider education as a scam? Is it? Should education and enlightenment be used interchangeably as it has always been used? Another important question is that can one only get educated within the four walls of a classroom? How does education affect national building? How does education affect the future of our dear country, Nigeria? Who can be termed or referred to as an educated person? Should one be considered as being educated just because you can speak English or are there other traits and character to consider? The Nigeria Punch newspaper published as at the 8th of September 2023 that the Nigerian education outlook is still poor. Statistics has it documented that the level of literacy in Nigeria is still very low pegged at 63% in comparison to other countries. The question to consider is why hasn’t these statistics changed over the years. We can write a very long list spelling out the problems facing Nigeria but who actually has the solutions and where did we get it wrong. Where did we miss it? Did corruption and selfishness start all of a sudden? The answer is NO.The truth is that what ever happened or did not happen started from our mindset. Some people have sold their twisted mindset on this subject matter to others who bought the narrative and soon it became a slogan on the streets in Nigeria the “education is a scam”.Our mindset must change. We must undergo a process of learning, unlearning and relearning. I am certain that the beginning of the change we want to see will start from our mindset. We need to educate our minds. Many won’t agree with my submission but I wish to put it out there that the declining state of Nigeria education system is one of the major causes of Nigeria’s current predicament.  Where are the guardians of education? Why have we traded our values for sweeties? Why have we all become so greedy that we want the resources of the whole world for ourselves.? Why can we be creative and constructive to solve problems?Is the saying true that nothing good can come out of Africa? Are we all demon incarnates? It’s time we show the world that the assumptions about African and Nigerians are not true but how can we do that when we cannot trust each other to be faithful and honest. The change we All anticipate must start with you. I am certain that the starting line will be to promote our values and make sure that all Nigerians are educated and enlightened. We must never trade our values for sweeties and the civilization we see in the developed economies. Only this way can we reverse the declining trend ion our economy. I challenge the guardian of our education to take a critical look at the effects of having more illiterates and unenlightened citizen in any economy. The first major problem would be that the citizens will never be able to reach a conclusion about anything because they would be reasoning at different levels. The developed economies whom we are so brazen to emulate will always make sure their citizens are lettered and enlightened thereby ensure a large majority of its citizens would reason at the same level. It’s time we seek the connection between education, enlightenment and the economic progress in our country. It’s time we promote our values and abuse the mind set and slangs that instruct people not to be educated such as “education is a scam”. The truth be told many of the people who promote these ugly narratives always pay for their children and wards to be educated abroad.Ladies and gentlemen permit me to conclude by saying that EDUCATION IS NOT A SCAM. A word is enough for the wise. Written by Otokiti Olaoluwa Mr.

Are indecently dressed girls supposed to get all the flak for this ill? There are a lot of people to blame too but all our efforts at stemming this ill have been fruitless because the peoples opinions are borne out of hypocrisy and double standards. Do you think if the response scantly dressed girls got were so negative they’ll still continue to flash thighs, skin and breasts? No. Indecent dressing simply thrives because the men condole it, appreciate it and even promote it only to turn around to condemn it in newspapers and public fora. If a girl dressed so scandalously got toasted or was even given lifts by ten men in a single day, why should such a girl want to turn out properly dressed since on a day she does she doesn’t even get a look from a single man?  Perhaps we have attacked this issue from a wrong perspective badgering these immature women to change. Why don’t we try a different tact? Badgering the boys and the men to change their orientation and reduce their overt fascination with the near naked female forum? Perhaps if we did this then the ladies would realise that the only way to attract a man is too dress decently but how possible is it when men and women are only attracted to evil.  Perhaps it is difficult because their parents dress the same way to their social events. This unhealthy competition with the younger generation might continue for eternity since the younger girls and ladies are trying very hard to snatch their husbands so brazenly, these women are really at a loss at what to do. Perhaps these oldies are seemingly relapsing into adolescence succumbing to the need to feel young all over again, a craving which can only be achieved through fashion and cosmetics. Perhaps we have two classes of women both struggling to outdo themselves to get naked so who will correct the other. Perhaps it’s the need for our men and women to belong to the “enlightened classed that supposedly live abroad” thereby trading our culture and values for their way of life. Remember we are Africans and we have a way of life. In this age of permissiveness we must all change our ways for our moral imperative not to be totally upended. Perhaps its time for fathers to start behaving like gentlemen not lechers, mothers like ladies and not courtesans before their daughters can behave like good girls and not the whores they are increasingly beginning to take after. Or perhaps ………… Otokiti Olaoluwa Mr.