Former Interim National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief Bisi Akande, has outlined what he believes is the most realistic path to ending Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.
The former Osun governor said the country must return to serious, wide-reaching investment in education. He described mass education as the foundation for long-term peace and stability.
Akande spoke on Friday during activities marking his 87th birthday. The event took place at his country home in Ila, Osun State. Journalists were present at the gathering.
The former APC chairman expressed concern over the steady decline in Nigeria’s education system. He warned that poor learning standards threaten the country’s future.
According to him, graduates produced by weak educational structures will struggle to compete with their peers globally.
Akande said insecurity in Nigeria has many faces. He listed terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping as major symptoms. He insisted that these problems cannot be solved through force alone. He argued that education remains the most sustainable solution.
“The answer to insecurity is mass education. Obafemi Awolowo introduced mass education about 70 years ago, around 1955, and that is why we are not killing ourselves in the South-West,” Akande said.
He explained that regions that invested early in education now enjoy relative social stability. He said the impact of quality education goes beyond classrooms. According to him, it shapes values, discipline, and respect for life.
He urged younger generations to take education more seriously. He noted that insecurity cannot disappear overnight. However, he said consistent and deep learning can reduce it over time.
“Now, look at Boko Haram, banditry and kidnapping. Let people study very deeply. Your generation cannot eradicate insecurity completely, but it can be gradually eliminated if you adopt deep, mass, universal education.”
Akande further stated that education defines humanity and morality. He warned that ignorance often fuels violence and crime.
“When you are not educated, you are like an animal. You don’t mind killing people; you can be a murderer and not be ashamed of it,” he said.
He called on government at all levels to prioritize education funding. He also urged leaders to see schools as security infrastructure, not social charity.