• Says only access to education can guarantee peace in Nigeria
• Tinubu unveils remodelled Tolu Schools Complex, fresh food industrial hub at Lekki
• ‘Today’s education is more than preparing children to pass exams, but for entrepreneurial’

Founder and Chancellor of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola, has said that his personal aspiration and commitment remain to make the Nigerian university system one of the very best in the world.

According to him, education remains the surest passport out of hunger, poverty, and despair, noting that Nigeria, Africa and indeed the world, would become more peaceful, more prosperous, and more progressive when quality and affordable education is made accessible to all.

The legal icon spoke yesterday during the presentation of the award of the Icon Man of the Year 2026, by the Triangle News International Magazine, which was earlier received on his behalf in London by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Smeranda Olarinde.

He said: “As my personal story clearly shows, education remains the surest passport out of hunger, poverty, and despair. It has, therefore, been my lifelong desire and commitment to provide the same opportunity for transformative education, which Wolsey Hall gave to me and to millions of underprivileged people in Nigeria and across the globe.”

Meanwhile, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has inaugurated the remodelled Tolu Schools Complex, comprising 36 schools, adjudged as the largest in sub-Saharan West Africa, in Ajegunle, Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Council of Lagos State.

The President also inaugurated the Maracana Stadium, Ajegunle, with 19 mini football pitches, renamed after him.

Tinubu, who was represented by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, commended Lagos State Government for its significant progress in education, infrastructural renewal and empowerment.

He also virtually unveiled the Fresh Food industrial Hub, Abijo, Ibeju Lekki.

In his remark, Sanwo-Olu noted that the complete regeneration of the school’s complex was a courageous one, built for the 21st-century generation to create a more conducive learning environment for future leaders, urging the students, teachers and parents to maintain the facilities.

The governor said that education is not just to prepare children to pass examinations in today’s world, but also to prepare them to thrive in a changing world, saying that it is the reason the state government built a four-storey vocational and skills acquisition centre with dedicated workshops.

He said that the facility was deliberately designed to bridge the gap between academic instruction and practical competence.

“We want our young people to leave school not only with certificates, but with capability as well as not only with ambition, but with employable and entrepreneurial skills,” the governor stated.

Earlier, Chairman, Lagos State Special Committee on the Rehabilitation of Public Schools, Hakeem Smith, noted that the challenges encountered during the project were overwhelming, but the passion to deliver a world-class learning and teaching environment pushed them to deliver an all-inclusive school.