The Founder and Spiritual Head of Shafaudeen-in-Islam Worldwide, Professor Sabit Olagoke JP, has urged the Federal Government to integrate an Artisans’ Short-Term Training Scheme into university curricula as well as those of professional bodies.
The initiative, he said, would enhance skill development and certification across conventional, distance, and virtual learning institutions, promoting inclusivity to meet globalization goals.
Olagoke made the call during the Shafaudeen 2025 Interdisciplinary plenary session, held at the Shafaudeen Center for Religious Cooperation and Tolerance in Ibadan.
In his lecture titled: “Bury Not The Talents of Our Children,” he emphasised the need for an enabling environment for skill development, enabling children to compete effectively in the global market.
He reiterated that the Nigerian government must urgently allocate at least 26% of the national budget to education, as recommended by UNESCO.
This funding, according to him, should prioritise Technical Colleges and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), to foster entrepreneurship and fulfill the physiological needs of the population.
“Technical and polytechnic education must be adequately equipped to absorb graduates from Technical Colleges and TVET,” Olagoke stated.
He argued that education should not only focus on cognitive development but also empower children to contribute productively to the nation.
Olagoke cited the success stories of young achievers like Esther Okade, who excelled academically at a young age, as evidence that a conducive environment is crucial for functional education.
He urged the government to leverage anti-graft agencies to combat examination malpractices and to empower institutions like the EFCC and SERVICOM to foster youth development.
In his remark, the Zonal Coordinator of the National Business and Technical Education Board (NABTEB), Dr. Adewuni Oladapo, echoed these sentiments, emphasising the need for a supportive environment for national development through technical education.
He urged the government to change the perception of technical education from a fallback option to a prestigious career path.
According to him, everyone should contribute to national development and we cannot do that without paying attention to technical education. That is the bedrock of development.
” We are appealing to government at all levels and well meaning nigerians to encourage technical education. Gone are the days where you see technical education as education for drop outs, in fact we expect the best to go into technical education. It’s education that has to do with skills acquisition and that is what can help us have more technicians and technologists”, he emphasized
In a presentation on Financial Inclusion, former Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN staff, Alhaji Yusuf Abdulaadi Olayiwola outlined critical success factors for financial inclusion, including expanding access to financial services, addressing infrastructure challenges, and fostering a cashless economy.
The financial expert noted that to have a sustainable development goals, a development goals for a performance review should be enhanced which include improving skills, increasing productivity, and developing leadership skills.
According to him, for financial inclusion to have meaningful impact in Nigeria more than what it is at present, the SMART MODEL( Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) which is well known to be effective approach for writing employee performance goals should be included in our day to day activities
He saidwith this innovation in financial inclusiveness, the sustainability and continuity would be assured.
One of the speakers and Proprietor, FASSATECH School, Ibadan, Engr. Luqmon Fasasi advocated for the Involvement of artisans in technical education.
He decried the inadequate funding of the sector of education which he said is critical to national development,urging government to inject adequate fund and provide necessary equipment to the education sector.
In his own address, Dr Yusuf Lukman from the Oyo State Housing Corporation, called on Nigerian government at all levels to focus more on agriculture, provision of infrastructure,and allow the local governments to function as they should to alleviate the sufferings of the people.
Dr Lukman also advised government to invest in human capital, encourage entrepreneurship, increase funding to the education sector, health care reform,and promote national unity among others
Highlight of the occasion was the presentation of awards to winners of the annual Olagoke Education Legacy (O’LEG) competition, with 101 schools participating.
In the senior category, Adepoju Imisioluwa from St. Luke’s College School II, Ibadan, secured first place, followed by Olayiwola from Ibadan City Academy, Eleta, in second, and Olaniyan Abdul-Somod of Iwo Muslim Comprehensive College and Semir Abdul-Qohar of Olugbon Muslim Model College in third and fourth, respectively.
In the junior category, Oyesiji Ismail of Muslim Model College, Oke-Ado emerged as the champion, with Hamzat Kodijat of St. Anne’s School II, Molete, taking second place, followed by Adediran of Shafaudeen Comprehensive College in third, and Okunade Grace of Sharon Rose College, Saki, in fourth.
