By Richard Odusanya
In 1947, Chief Obafemi Awolowo wrote, “Path to Nigerian Freedom.” He was 38.
His warning was simple: Nigeria’s survival depended on Mass Education and Deliberate Economic Planning. Without them, independence would be, “freedom in name only”, and would end in tribalism, corruption, and chaos.”
78 years later, the prophecy is our reality.
From prison in 1966, Awolowo said: “A nation of illiterates cannot have a stable government. Ignorance breeds insecurity.”
He also warned: _“When a man is ignorant and hungry, he becomes desperate. Desperation breeds crime.”
As Premier, he proved it by delivering free education. “No nation can rise above the level of its education.” He was mocked as “utopian.”
Other regions chose patronage over schools. The result is Awolowo’s feared _“insecure federation.”_
Look at 2026:
1. IGNORANCE: 70%+ of out-of-school children. Literacy below 40% in some states.
2. ECONOMIC DOWNTURN: No planning, oil dependence, millions idle.
3. INSECURITY: The same profile Awolowo predicted.
This is not a 2-year problem. _This is a 70-year policy debt.
The question is not, who to blame. The question is, what to build.
We build with the “3Cs”
CONSCIENCE – Admit where we failed since 1947
COMPETENCE – Invest in schools, skills, planning
CHARACTER – Choose nation over tribe
Awolowo gave the blueprint. The 3Cs give the discipline.
_“If you keep a man ignorant, you enslave him and endanger the whole society.”_
Let us finish the work.
Richard Odusanya
WISEMAN | Conscience of WITNESS 2026_
