The Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Obafemi Hamzat, has said Nigeria no longer needs passive graduates but active, solution-driven citizens capable of addressing the country’s social, economic, and developmental challenges.
Hamzat remarked on Tuesday in Osogbo, Osun State, while delivering a speech as chairman of the occasion at the 15th convocation lecture of Fountain University, Osogbo. He was represented at the event by the Lagos State Commissioner for Home Affairs, Mr Layode Olanrewaju.
Speaking against the backdrop of persistent concerns that many school leavers are ill-prepared for the realities of today’s labour market, the deputy governor urged graduating students to see their convocation not merely as a celebration, but as a transition into a more demanding phase of life that requires character, responsibility, and initiative.
“As graduates, you surely have a role to play. The world does not need more passive graduates. It needs active citizens. It needs architects of solutions, healers of divisions, and stewards of our shared future,” Hamzat said.
He noted that while universities equip students with specialised knowledge and critical thinking skills, these alone are not sufficient to thrive in an increasingly complex world. According to him, graduates must also cultivate wisdom, compassion, and the ability to apply their learning to real-life situations.
“Yes, the university has equipped you with two fundamental tools — specialised knowledge and critical thinking. But today, I urge you to cultivate a third, even more crucial dimension: wisdom and compassion,” he added.
Hamzat encouraged the graduands to think creatively, continuously reassess their ideas, and remain adaptable in the face of challenges. He stressed that success in life would depend on their willingness to apply the skills and values imbibed during their years of study to diverse experiences and encounters beyond the classroom.
The convocation lecture, titled ‘From Faith to Fortune: Building a Prosperous Ummah Through Leadership, Education, Innovation, and Economic Empowerment’, was delivered by Mr Kazeem Adeduntan, founder and president of Sequoia Holdings. In his lecture, Adeduntan challenged Islamic scholars to expand their roles beyond religious leadership to economic and technological thought leadership.
He described Muslims globally as “sleeping giants” and called for the emergence of experts in areas such as Islamic digital ethics, Islamic venture finance, and Islamic biomedical law. According to him, moral guidance must extend into modern spaces such as boardrooms, financial markets, and digital platforms.
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of Fountain University, Prof. Ramota Karim, reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to advancing knowledge, nurturing character, and serving humanity. She disclosed that the university invested over ₦2.7 billion in capital projects during the academic session, adding that the institution would continue to respond boldly to global demands while upholding its core values.
Karim also announced that 426 undergraduates and 81 postgraduate students were graduating at the convocation, including 43 First Class degree holders and a PhD graduate in Biological Science (Microbiology option).
