Former Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, has urged Nigerian youths, especially recent graduates, to embrace hard work, personal discipline, and integrity as they prepare to face life beyond the university walls.
Fashola gave the advice on Wednesday while delivering the 40th Convocation Lecture of the University of Ilorin, Kwara State, titled “The Gen-Z Playbook: Navigating Work and the Real World.”
Addressing the enthusiastic graduating students, the former Lagos State governor congratulated them for achieving a major milestone in their lives and commended their parents and lecturers for contributing to their success.
He said while convocation ceremonies are moments of celebration, the real challenge begins after graduation as they step into a world full of competition, distractions, and difficult choices.
“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 reminded the graduates that courage and character are crucial for success, especially in an era where social media and artificial intelligence are shaping human behavior.
“The real world is different from the world of gloss and perception you see on social media,” he cautioned. “Not everything you see online is true. There are people seeking to manipulate your thoughts and control your actions each time you click a button.”
He advised graduates to use social media responsibly to promote their work, causes, and achievements, while avoiding indecent content, hate speech, or online confrontations.
“Social media can be a useful tool to showcase the positive parts of you, but not your body parts,” he quipped. “If the language or conversation gets nasty, you don’t belong there, leave and never go back.”
On financial management, Fashola urged the graduates to cultivate a savings culture, invest wisely, and stay away from gambling and betting, which he described as unreliable paths to wealth.
“Developing the habit of saving and investing is a good step towards financial discipline,” he said. “Avoid gambling and betting; they are not the way to sustainable prosperity unless you are the operator.”
He also encouraged investment in land rather than in fleeting possessions like cars or fashion items that quickly lose value.
The former governor further advised young graduates to build meaningful relationships, seek mentorship, and embrace cultural diversity during their National Youth Service Corps year.
“Work hard, respect your host communities, and make friends. Some of the people I met during Youth Corps have remained my lifelong friends,” he shared.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s cultural evolution, Fashola expressed optimism about the country’s growing global influence in music, fashion, and film, urging youths to use their talents for international impact.
“The world is now your oyster. Find opportunities in difficulty, work hard, and project yourselves,” he charged. “The world has been waiting for the expression and explosion of the Nigerian dream.”
Fashola concluded his lecture by encouraging graduates to live by courage, character, and diligence.
“To dare is to do,” he said. “Please dare and do, with hard work, integrity, and character.”
The University of Ilorin is graduating a total of 13,868 students during its 40th Convocation Ceremonies, with 316 students earning First Class honours.
The event coincides with the university’s Golden Jubilee Anniversary, marking 50 years of academic excellence, innovation, and service to humanity.
