Reactions and commentaries on Senator Remi Tinubu’s recent comments on “Akara, Kuli Kuli, and Roasted Corn business” continue unabated, with the latest intervention coming from the Area Commander, Nigeria Police Force, Ijebu-Ode Area Command, ACP Wasiu Yusuf, who has said the First Lady’s comments “were taken out of context.”
ACP Wasiu Yusuf stated this while delivering a keynote address, “The link between Quality Education and National Security”, at the Grand Finale of the 2026 Fountline STEM Quiz Competition organised by the Fountline Kid Foundation, in conjunction with the Ijebu Ode Local Government Legislative Council, with the theme “Building a Secure Nation Through Quality Education.”
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ACP Yusuf said Senator Remi Tinubu’s message was the need for Nigerians to embrace self-reliance and entrepreneurship and have less dependence on “white-collar jobs”.
He posited that Nigeria, as a developing nation, needs to focus more on investing in technical and vocational education to produce highly skilled students who can venture into businesses upon graduation.
He said, “What I think a country like Nigeria needs now is not just an ordinary ABC. It’s not how fluent you are; it’s not how proficient you are in your spoken ability; that one will not take us anywhere. If you like, speak English more than Wole Soyinka, it will not bring food on your table. What we need is education that will make our students, our graduates reliant when they leave the school environment, and that is what is making China and Japan to be great presently.
“So, we need vocational education, education that will give our students, our graduates an opportunity to stand on their feet, not to wait for government jobs, monthly (salary), whatever. Now, what the First Lady, Madam Tinubu, what she said concerning akara, moi moi or whatever, it was taken out of context – and trust me, Nigerians are very good in skits, in making fun of whatever situation – that was not what she meant. You can be an Akara woman and still progress and educate your children. You can be somebody who makes moi moi or kuli kuli or whatever, and you develop from there. But waiting for white-collar jobs will not take us anywhere.”
ACP Yusuf, who delivered an abridged keynote address due to other engagements, stated that education is vital to national security, saying that individuals who are truly educated and learned would not take the law into their hands, but would rather follow due process.
He said, “We have educated illiterates; we have people that went to university, but the university didn’t go through them. An example is what happened yesterday at Ijagun, where some students went and vandalised a police station; that is very wrong. When a wrong has been made, or there is an offence, you don’t take the law into your hands. If you are truly educated, you know what to do.
“But, ladies and gentlemen, both education and security are intertwined. You cannot separate one from the other. Without education, there cannot be national security.”
The Majority Leader of the Ijebu-Ode Legislative Council, Hon. Salami Olayiwola Quadri, in his keynote address “The Role of Government as Stakeholders in Building a Secure Nation through Quality Education”, emphasised the need for safety and security in schools and a peaceful learning environment to guarantee quality education.
He opined that pupils and students can only be comfortable learning in classrooms when the school premises are fully secured and free from security threats.
He said, “Today, if you want to know the future of any nation, you look at the classroom, and also, if you want to know how secure the future will be, you look at how that classroom is being protected, because that is where it starts from….When we look at physical security, for example, the government is so concerned in having a secure environment for our people.
“Security is not about soldiers or policemen. When we go to our primary schools, and we feel comfortable that the perimeter of that school is secure; the school has fence all around, it has gates, the classrooms have windows, they have doors, so I think that alone will give comfort to the pupils to take their time and learn. Unlike when we don’t have fence, where there is fear that anything can happen at any time; that is a major concern and responsibility of government.”
Hon. Salami Quadri added that education remains an important tool for upward social mobility, noting that the present quality of education will reflect in the quality of leaders the nation produces in the future.
He said, “You will agree with me that knowledge also creates prosperity. In the sense that when we have prosperity, that means poverty will be reduced, and the position where we have knowledge, and we have learned people, there is tendency that if government want to reduce poverty in our community, it is also important we look at the quality of education that is being given to our people, right from primary school to higher institution.
“A nation that invests in quality education is a nation that invests in peace. A school that is safe is a factory for future leaders.”
He, however, said that education was not the responsibility of government alone, and urged other stakeholders, including parents, teachers, and community associations, to play their roles in ensuring quality education. He also called on residents to imbibe the culture of “when you see something, you say something” by reaching out to the appropriate authorities to report security concerns and perceived “abnormalities” in schools within their communities.
The Chairman of Ogun State Universal Basic Education Board (Ogun SUBEB), Evangelist Olalekan Ifede, in his keynote address “Building a Secure Nation through Quality Education”, said that investment in quality education is needed to build knowledge, skills, and character among the citizenry.
Evangelist Ifede, represented by SUBEB’s Director of Academic and School Services, Kehinde Anifowose, called for a whole-of-society approach and commitment to education, highlighting the roles of the government, parents, teachers, and civil society.
He said, “A nation that invests in quality education equips its citizens not only with knowledge and skills, but also with values such as integrity, tolerance, critical thinking and respect for the rule of law. These qualities help reduce crime, discourage extremism and promote national unity. So, quality education empowers young people with opportunities for meaningful employment, entrepreneurship, and economic conditions that can contribute positively to the community and to national development.
“However, achieving this vision requires collective commitment of every one of us. The government must provide adequate funding, safe learning environment for learners, qualified teachers and modern learning resources. Parents, communities and the private sector and civil society also have vital roles to play in supporting education and nurturing the character of our children.”
Kehinde Anifowose, in her goodwill message, applauded the organisers of the STEM Quiz competition, and said the programme will boost interest and knowledge in STEM subjects, which she described as the foundation of innovation and national development.
Anifowose noted that STEM Education is crucial in developing the skills and confidence needed to thrive in the 21st-century global economy.
She said, “The Board extends its commendation to Ambassador Thompson Paul, Founder and Coordinator, Fountline Kid Foundation, for this laudable initiative, as a programme of this nature will go to a large extent to stimulate learners’ interest in STEM education while promoting academic excellence among learners.
“This competition represents another significant milestone in our collective effort to strengthen basic education in Ogun State. It reflects our commitment to equipping our children with the knowledge, skills, creativity and confidence needed to thrive in the 21st-century global economy. It aligns with the present government’s commitment to national innovation, creativity, critical thinking and problem-solving among our learners. Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) are the foundation of innovation and national development.”
Anifowose also expressed optimism on the long-term prospects of the Fountline STEM Quiz Competition and its impact on public primary schools in the state.
She said, “STEM education prepares our children to become scientists, engineers, innovators and technology leaders capable of contributing meaningfully to Ogun State and Nigeria…. Ogun SUBEB is proud to support this vision. As we continue to strengthen STEM education, let us work together to build a generation of innovators who will shape the future of Ogun State and Nigeria.
“It is my sincere hope that this competition will require a lifelong vision for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics across all public primary schools in Ijebu-Ode LGA and Ogun State as a whole.”
Other dignitaries at the event include the Vice-Chairman of Ijebu-Ode Local Government, Hon. Titilayo Julius Adeyemi, the Ijebu-Ode Local Government Education Secretary, Felix Adeyemi Ayankoya, and the Chairman, Nigeria Union of Teachers, Ijebu-Ode Branch, Comrade Idowu Odunsi.
Members of the Ijebu-Ode Legislative Council (co-organisers of the competition) were also in attendance, including the Leader, Hon. Clement Adenaike Olusesan, the Deputy Leader, Hon. Saula Adesola Ogundare, and the Chairman, House Committee on Youth and Sports, Hon. Akeem Idowu Allison.
Read here for the winners of the STEM Quiz Competition and their prizes.
