Former Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, has urged Nigerian youths to embrace hard work, integrity, and discipline as they transition from academic life into the realities of the wider world.
Fashola gave the charge while delivering the 40th Convocation Lecture of the University of Ilorin, Kwara State, on Wednesday. The lecture, themed “The Gen-Z Playbook: Navigating Work and the Real World,” formed part of events marking the University’s Golden Jubilee celebration and 40th Convocation Ceremony.
Addressing an audience of graduating students, academics, and dignitaries, the former Lagos State governor commended the University for its enduring contribution to education and national development. He congratulated the graduates for reaching a major milestone in their lives, adding that the real test begins after school.
“You are stepping into a defining phase of your lives where many will be chasing jobs that are not enough,” he said. “Your values, instincts, and what your parents taught you about right and wrong should guide you.”
Fashola stressed that courage and character are critical in an era shaped by social media and artificial intelligence, warning that online platforms can distort reality and influence behaviour.
“The real world is different from the world of gloss and perception you see online,” he said. “Not everything you see on social media is true. People are seeking to manipulate your thoughts and control your actions each time you click a button.”
He urged young people to use digital platforms responsibly by promoting positive causes rather than indulging in indecent posts or online conflicts. “Social media can be a useful tool to showcase the positive parts of you, but not your body parts,” he quipped. “If the conversation becomes toxic, you don’t belong there, leave and never go back.”
On the topic of financial prudence, Fashola advised the graduates to cultivate a savings culture, invest in durable assets such as land, and steer clear of betting and gambling, which he described as unsustainable paths to wealth.
“Avoid gambling and betting; they are not the way to sustainable prosperity unless you are the operator,” he said.
The former minister also encouraged the graduates to build productive relationships, seek mentorship, and make the most of their National Youth Service Corps year by respecting their host communities and embracing cultural diversity.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s rising influence in global music, fashion, and film, Fashola expressed optimism about the country’s future, noting that the younger generation holds the key to projecting the Nigerian dream to the world.
“The world is now your oyster. Find opportunities in difficulty, work hard, and project yourselves,” he said. “The world has been waiting for the expression and explosion of the Nigerian dream.”
He concluded his lecture with a call to action: “To dare is to do. Please dare and do with hard work, integrity, and character.”
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, commended Fashola for his insightful and inspiring address, describing it as timely guidance for a generation navigating complex global realities.
