The Vice Chancellor of the Lagos State University, LASU, Professor Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, mni, NPOM, has called on educators in Nigeria to embrace godliness, character, and intentional leadership as tools for shaping the next generation.
She made the call at the 4th edition of the Pastor (Mrs) Folu Adeboye Annual Birthday Public Lecture on Education, which took place at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Youth Centre, Redemption City, to commemorate the 77th birthday of Mummy Folu Adeboye, wife of the General Overseer of RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye.
Delivering her lecture titled “The Character and Personality of Educators on the Outcome of Christian Education,” Professor Olatunji-Bello, who is also the Zonal Pastor in charge of Zone 9, Lagos Province 1, decried the growing absence of godliness in the nation’s education system.
She lamented that while children are acquiring technical skills, many lack a moral compass due to an education devoid of character development.
“Two stand out: the lack of access to education and the prevalence of education devoid of godliness. The result is a generation with technical skills but without a moral compass,” she said.
Citing UNICEF and UNESCO statistics, she noted that over 10.5 million Nigerian children remain out of school, and those enrolled are often shaped by a system that prioritises academics over values.
“Education is increasingly secular. It fails to answer life’s most important question: What is the purpose of life? The answer is to please God,” she stated.
Quoting Proverbs 1:7, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,” she highlighted how the removal of spiritual and moral teachings has contributed to rising societal ills like cybercrime, corruption, and thuggery.
Professor Olatunji-Bello offered Scripture-based recommendations for educators, schools, and policymakers. She urged teachers to pursue personal spiritual growth and model Christlike virtues such as patience, integrity, and empathy.
“Educators must act in loco parentis. They must offer godly love and guidance, just as Christ and godly mentors like Sonya Carson did,” she noted.
She encouraged Christian schools to design Christ-centred curricula and foster school cultures rooted in biblical virtues such as honesty and compassion. Christ the Redeemer’s Nursery and Primary School (CRNPS) was cited as a model in this regard.
To policymakers, she advocated for curriculum reforms that include spiritual development, greater access to quality education, and partnerships with Christian institutions. “We must allow room in our national education frameworks for schools to teach from a biblical worldview while maintaining academic rigour,” she said.
In her closing remarks, she stressed that educators are “vessels of influence, raising not just scholars, but godly, compassionate leaders for tomorrow.”
Professor Olatunji-Bello also paid tribute to Pastor (Mrs) Folu Adeboye, describing her as “an exceptional woman, a true Amazon for Christ, a symbol of godliness, humility, and unwavering service.” She was presented with an award of honour at the event.
Dignitaries at the lecture included Mr Olatunji Bello, head of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC); Her Excellency Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo, wife of the former Vice-President; Her Excellency Mrs Bamidele Abiodun, wife of the Ogun State Governor; gospel minister Nathaniel Bassey; RCCG Governing Council members; Vice-Chancellors; traditional rulers and other notable personalities.
Also present on the Vice-Chancellor’s delegation were Professor Adenike Boyo, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration); Dr Omawunmi Makinde, University Librarian; members of the Vice-Chancellor’s Office; representatives from the Momentous Women and Men for Good Governance in Lagos State Tertiary Institutions (MOWLAS and MOMLAS); and the Centre for Information and Public Relations (CIPR).