The founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Afe Babalola, believes politics has become the only lucrative business in Nigeria.

The legal icon spoke during the 11th convocation ceremony of Afe Babalola University on Saturday, lamenting that education is gradually being relegated to the background with politics taking centre stage.

The ABUAD founder recounted his experience with a first-class graduate who turned down further education after a master’s degree because he saw a secondary school colleague who didn’t go to a higher institution achieve material success in politics.

"I was the Pro-Chancellor of the University of Lagos and a young man came out with first class in Chemistry and had the highest score that year. I called him and said, ‘I am going to give you a scholarship to do your master’s.

“He was very happy and he agreed; he passed his masters. I had forgotten all about him, then he came in and said, ‘Sir, thank you for the scholarship given to me’ and I said ‘Yes, proceed to your Ph.D.’ and he said ‘No’ and I said ‘Why?’

"He said, ‘My colleague who was in class with me in secondary school did not go to university; he is the chairman of the local government of my place. He is riding a car; he has a house.’ I was depressed.

“I said, ‘What do you want to do now?’ He said, ‘I want to go into politics.’ I wept inside me. That is what your country has made of Nigeria. The only business in this country today which is lucrative is politics,” Babalola said.

He said that while he does not disapprove of any political ambitions, he believes that politics has become less ethical and more of personal gain than about serving the public good.

“I do not say you cannot be a politician but to be a politician is different from what we have now. Who thinks that politics is for making money? Politics is for service,” the legal icon added.

“I was a Chancellor and Pro-Chancellor before and I never had a kobo because I saw it as service. People go now to make money from public money given to them.”

According to him, the nation lacks strong leadership and high-quality education.

“Our problem in this country is leadership in Africa. People believe that when they come out of university, they should go and work or alternatively, go into politics,” he said.

“What we need in this country is quality education. When you have quality education, you have power and when you have power, every other thing submerges,” Afe Babalola said.

markannan:
So afe babalola Is still alive

Rostikol:
Nigerians and careless statements.

So all the millions of mansions and exotic cars across the country are owned by politicians. No business people, no professionals. Just politicians.

A legal mind of his stature making such a careless remark is unbecoming.

Rostikol:
Nigerians and careless statements.

So all the millions of mansions and exotic cars across the country are owned by politicians. No business people, no professionals. Just politicians.

A legal mind of his stature making such a careless remark is unbecoming.

dhope:

What is careless in what he said? If anti-graft agents in Nigeria are as potent as they should, majority of those who you're referring to would be cooling their feet behind bars and lose the properties ure seeing that were illegally acquired due to affiliation to politicians or made through illegal political connection. Dangote is their father/role model, you will tell us he is not a politician but we know how it goes. Nigerians are their own problems because they lack the basic education Afe Babalola was referring to.

Holluwhakemmy:
Yes of course that's why they are are killing themselves because of huge amount of money they are getting from it.
They are refers to as Ojelu

Rostikol:


YOU ARE TALKING RUBBISH.

HOW MANY RICH POLITICIANS ARE THERE IN NIGERIA?

ARE THEY EVEN UP TO 2,000?

YOU PEOPLE LACK STATISTICAL SENSE.

THIS COUNTRY OF 220 MILLION PEOPLE IS FILLED WITH TENS OF MILLIONS OF PROSPEROUS PEOPLE.

99% OF THEM ARE NOT POLITICIANS AND HAVE NO CONNECTION TO POLITICIANS.

FACT.

SO ANYONE THAT SAYS “POLITICS IS THE ONLY PROFITABLE BUSINESS IN NIGERIA” IS AN ILLITERATE TALKING RUBBISH.

wunmi590:


I said it, alot of people are now delving into politics, just to cashout from government money..

90% of Nigerian politicians are only there to infrastructure their pocket, family and generations yet unborn

Blitzking:
Just win one small political post in your community and watch millions flow into ur acct. Not joke..dem go
con do wooden bridge...sink borehole or well Or buy grinding machines and sewing machine...motorcycles and keke napep call am empowerment and loot the treasury dry...use the poor masses for photo ops..GOD PURNISH POVERTY.

wunmi590:


I said it, alot of people are now delving into politics, just to cashout from government money..

90% of Nigerian politicians are only there to infrastructure their pocket, family and generations yet unborn

Lanre1st:
True talk or let say Bitter truth

Many successful business around you see try to tie their self to politicians, even multinational companies. Even no economy policy work in this country, we can point to Dangote, Otedola, Adenuga, BUA but the truth is none of them make the stride without political backing.
Even to get employed, if you manage to be employed without you brilliance it remains how to climb the organizational ladder to the top. I remember a 24 years fresh graduate made chairman of Road maintenance agency, many experienced with higher certificate can not attain the post without politi s. Or do you think VC, Minister, INEC chairman, Directors, are selected base on their performance alone? Politics are involved

Rostikol:


YOU ARE TALKING RUBBISH.

HOW MANY RICH POLITICIANS ARE THERE IN NIGERIA?

ARE THEY EVEN UP TO 2,000?

YOU PEOPLE LACK STATISTICAL SENSE.

THIS COUNTRY OF 220 MILLION PEOPLE IS FILLED WITH TENS OF MILLIONS OF PROSPEROUS PEOPLE.

99% OF THEM ARE NOT POLITICIANS AND HAVE NO CONNECTION TO POLITICIANS.

FACT.

SO ANYONE THAT SAYS “POLITICS IS THE ONLY PROFITABLE BUSINESS IN NIGERIA” IS AN ILLITERATE TALKING RUBBISH.