The Secretary-General of the Ogun State Muslim Council, Asiwaju Kamal’deen Akintunde, on Saturday endorsed the Federal Government’s push for technical and vocational education as well as its policy to curb the proliferation of universities, describing both as critical to building a modern economy.
Akintunde spoke in Abeokuta during the 20th Founder’s Day Lecture of Crescent University, where he was honoured with the 2026 Bola Ajibola Community Award for his contributions to youth development, promotion of faith, and inter-faith harmony.
The Muslim leader said the government’s emphasis on skills acquisition and technology-driven education aligned with the demands of a 21st-century economy.
He also supported the policy of consolidating existing universities rather than establishing new ones, noting that quality must take precedence over quantity in the nation’s higher education system.
“The strategic focus on technical and vocational education and the integration of technology are the right steps toward a modern economy,” he said.
“Furthermore, the systematic reduction in the proliferation of new universities—choosing instead to consolidate and strengthen existing ones—is a commendable pursuit of quality over quantity.”
Akintunde, however, cautioned that policy formulation alone would not yield results without effective implementation, urging the Federal Government to ensure that the reforms translate into measurable improvements in the education sector.
“I urge the Federal Government to ensure these reforms are realistic and impactful at the grassroots. Our policies must not just exist in the corridors of power; they must be felt in the lives of the students and the efficiency of the teachers,” he added.
He described his award as a call to greater service rather than a personal achievement, dedicating it to the late founder of Crescent University, Prince Bola Ajibola (SAN), as well as Muslim youths and staff of the Ogun State Muslim Council Secretariat.
Akintunde pledged to sustain his advocacy for youth development and interfaith harmony through platforms including NACOMYO, MUSWEN, NSCIA, and the Ogun State Muslim Council.
Two other Nigerians were also honoured at the event: retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Adeleye Oyebade, for his contributions to security reform and community policing, and Aare Kazeem Bakinson for his services to education and societal development.
Charging students at the event, Akintunde urged them to pursue excellence and contribute meaningfully to national development.
“Excellence is not a coincidence; it is a habit. Let us work for a society that is educated, equitable, and committed to the common good,” he said.
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