In a powerful statement this week, Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu explained why he will continue to support education initiatives across Ogun State and beyond. The Chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT and Cyber Security stressed that education is not just another policy item but the backbone of individual opportunity and national prosperity. His remarks came as he presented laptops and cash awards to teachers who had participated in his recently concluded ICT training programme in Abeokuta.
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Putting Education First for Youth and Teachers
The closing ceremony for the Senator’s Information and Communication Technology capacity-building programme was a celebration of progress, but it was also a reminder of the work that still lies ahead. Around 220 teachers received new laptops and ₦100,000 each in cash as part of the rewards for completing the ICT training designed to strengthen digital teaching skills. The event was held at the ICT Building of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic.
In his address, Salisu recalled how education shaped his own life and career. He highlighted that without a solid educational foundation, his journey to the Senate would have been much more difficult. For him, investing in education is a personal conviction as much as a public duty. Salisu described the initiative as a sign of his belief that teachers should be equipped with up-to-date tools and skills to prepare learners for the realities of the digital age.
The programme targeted selected teachers from different parts of Ogun State, prioritising those who need enhanced ICT skills to deliver modern education effectively. Salisu was clear that in a world where technology and innovation are driving progress, teachers must be at the forefront of that transformation. As he put it, “education is the heartbeat of development and progress in life.”
Battling Misconceptions Among Youth
A central theme of the senator’s speech was a plea to young Nigerians who now describe education as a “scam” or unimportant. Salisu challenged this narrative, urging youths to rethink how they view formal learning and skills acquisition. He said that when young people dismiss education, they undervalue their potential and weaken the country’s future prospects.
“If we want innovation, progress and real opportunities for every Nigerian, we cannot see education as irrelevant,” he told the gathering. He insisted that education remains an unmatched gateway to self-discovery and national advancement.
Salisu also pointed to global shifts in how national wealth is measured. In the modern economy, he argued, a nation’s strength lies in the intellect and skills of its people rather than its natural resources. In his view, Nigeria must tap into opportunities within ICT, digital literacy and emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence if it is to compete on the world stage.
A Year of Sustained Educational Support
The laptops and cash awards marked the culmination of one more year of intensive educational support from the senator’s office. According to Salisu, this latest initiative was one of six or seven different education empowerment programmes he sponsored throughout the year. Past efforts included training undergraduate students, providing classroom materials, and establishing ICT laboratories in public schools.
Among the schools that benefitted from these interventions were Nawairudeen Secondary School in Obantoko, Abeokuta, and Agbado District Comprehensive High School. These efforts were aimed at ensuring that even in public institutions, students and teachers have access to modern learning tools and environments.
Salisu underscored that teachers are the most critical drivers of learning outcomes. For that reason, he chose this phase of his empowerment programme to focus on strengthening teacher competence in digital skills. He said his office plans to deepen collaboration with the Ogun State Ministry of Education to expand these efforts further.
Celebrating Excellence and Building Partnerships
The event also presented an opportunity to recognise teachers who have excelled at the state and national levels. Several award-winning educators received laptops as affirmation for their dedication to teaching. These recognitions included the Best Teacher in Ogun State 2024 and the Best Teacher in Nigeria 2025 awards, among others.
Ogun State’s Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Abayomi Arigbabu, praised Senator Salisu’s sustained investment in education. He described the senator’s approach as strategic and aligned with the government’s broader commitment to improving skills and knowledge across the state. Arigbabu emphasised that these efforts contribute to a brighter future for learners in Ogun State and beyond.
Salisu’s leadership in this space echoes a growing recognition among Nigerian stakeholders that education must be prioritised to drive economic and social development. Recent federal and private sector moves, including expanded scholarship funds and new support initiatives, underscore this trend. For example, large education funding projects and increased scholarship grants aim to reduce barriers that keep young Nigerians from completing their studies.
Looking Ahead
Senator Salisu closed his remarks with a call to the media and civil society to help reinforce the value of education across the country. He encouraged journalists to spotlight success stories and inspire more young people to embrace learning as a lifelong journey rather than a burden or an outdated process.
For Salisu and many others, education is not merely a sector to be managed by policy. It is a force that shapes character, unlocks potential and transforms communities. His continued investment in education programmes reflects a deep belief that human capital development is foundational to Nigeria’s progress.
The challenge, Salisu says, is not just to build classrooms and provide equipment. It is to nurture a culture that places a high value on knowledge, innovation and opportunity. With that vision, he hopes to see more Nigerian youth equipped to lead in the digital era and take their rightful place in the global economy.
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