Olusegun Adeyemo
A well known rights activist in Ibadan, Comrade Oluwakemi Ademola-Aremu, has urged Nigerian youths to rise up and take full ownership of public institutions, particularly the education sector, by actively challenging corruption, poor governance, and systemic mismanagement.
In an exclusive interview with Journal Nigeria, Comrade Ademola-Aremu stressed that the future of Nigeria depends largely on how engaged and determined its youth are in reclaiming and safeguarding the nation’s educational institutions from further decay.
She lamented the current state of Nigeria’s education system, saying the government has continued to pay lip service to its development while deliberately maintaining a structure that disempowers citizens through poor access to quality education.
“Our youth must realize that their future is tied to the state of education in the country,” she said. “They must become active stakeholders, demand transparency, and hold leaders accountable. Without their involvement, the system will remain a tool of control rather than a platform for liberation and progress.”
Comrade Ademola-Aremu did not mince words in her criticism of what she described as the government’s indifference to the welfare of education workers, particularly university lecturers. She said many highly qualified academic professionals are being pushed to the brink, with some considering emigration due to a lack of institutional support, poor remuneration, and decaying infrastructure.
“Lecturers are grossly underappreciated despite their qualifications and sacrifices. The brain drain in the education sector is real, and it’s hurting our national development. The government is doing too little to retain these critical minds,” she added.
According to her, education remains one of the most powerful tools for transforming society, enabling citizens to question policies, challenge oppression, and advocate for justice and equity.
“An educated populace is a threat to bad governance, which is why there is little real investment in public education. Education enlightens people — it empowers them to challenge injustice and push for accountability,” Comrade Ademola-Aremu stated.
She called on students, youth organizations, and civil society to unite in defending the education sector. She stressed that silence in the face of systemic failure is a betrayal of future generations who will inherit the consequences of today’s negligence.
“The time to act is now. If we don’t fix the education sector, we’re condemning our children to a cycle of ignorance and poverty. This is not just about the present — it’s about the survival of Nigeria as a nation,” she concluded.
Her remarks come at a time when the nation is grappling with recurring strikes in tertiary institutions, poor funding, outdated curricula, and deteriorating learning environments. Analysts and education stakeholders have consistently raised alarms over the urgent need for reform, calling for more robust policies, adequate funding, and the political will to implement them.
Comrade Ademola-Aremu’s passionate appeal adds to a growing call for youth-led advocacy and reform in Nigeria’s education sector, seen by many as the cornerstone for national development, civic consciousness, and long-term prosperity.