* At 8th M-First Series workshop, First Class Muslim Foundation chairman challenges high achievers to turn global exposure into national development
Top-performing Nigerian graduates have been urged to return home after gaining education, experience and exposure abroad and deploy their knowledge and skills towards the development of Nigeria.
The Director-General of the Lagos State Education Assurance, Dr Sulaimon Ogunmuyiwa, made the call at the closing of the eighth edition of the annual M-First Series workshop organised by the First Class Muslim Foundation in Lagos.
The three-day intensive programme brought together 50 outstanding first-class graduates from across Nigeria for career guidance, executive mentorship and strategic networking.
Dr. Ogunmuyiwa, who is Chairman of the First Class Muslim Foundation, challenged the graduates to reconsider permanent migration as the ultimate reward for academic excellence, saying international exposure should instead help them acquire additional knowledge and experience that could benefit Nigeria.
“Having a first-class degree doesn’t mean that you can only excel outside the country. If you go out of the country, it should be to gain education, experience, and exposure. Go abroad, acquire the needed knowledge, and return to develop the country. We do not support the japa syndrome. You cannot receive all your training here and then deploy it strictly for the benefit of foreign nations,” he said.
He also argued that the changing employment situation in some foreign countries should encourage young Nigerians to make more strategic decisions about migration.
“The truth is that jobs are no longer as readily available in Europe and elsewhere. People are returning in search of opportunities. The best approach is to gain additional knowledge and exposure abroad, and then return to Nigeria to benefit the country,” Dr. Ogunmuyiwa said.
He described the first-class graduates as a major national asset, noting that their academic performance demonstrated their ability to make meaningful contributions to the country.
“The fact that you earned a first-class degree here is a testament to your capability and a major asset to the nation,” he added.
First-class degree opens different career paths
Dr. Ogunmuyiwa also challenged the perception that first-class graduates are naturally destined for academic careers.
“Earning a first-class degree does not mean you are limited to lecturing,” he said.
According to him, graduates can pursue careers in both academia and industry, with movement between the two sectors possible as their interests and experience develop.
“There are two distinct pathways, academia and industry. The main advantage for top graduates is that they possess the academic prowess to make an impact. Some will enter industry and later return to academia; the progression works both ways,” he said.
He urged the participants to understand their interests and develop the right attitude towards personal growth, warning against becoming too comfortable with familiar environments.
“Your interests must align with your attitude for optimal development. Do not remain in your comfort zone for too long,” he said.
‘Don’t wait for opportunities, create them’
The workshop also exposed the participants to different perspectives on leadership, career development and opportunity creation.
The Rector of Yaba College of Technology, Engr Dr Ibrahim Abdul, spoke on leading beyond borders, while the former Rector of Lagos State Polytechnic, Dr Nurudeen Olaleye, encouraged the graduates to take responsibility for creating opportunities rather than waiting for them.
Dr. Olaleye said, “It’s important to leverage opportunities that come your way. If opportunity does not knock, build a door and break it open.”
Experts urge graduates to adapt, make informed career choices
Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Controller at Baker Hughes, Mutiu Adelu, urged the participants to remain focused on their goals while developing the flexibility required to respond to changing circumstances.
“Whatever is not taking you closer to your set goal is taking you farther from it. You must be flexible and adaptable to achieve your goals,” Adelu advised.
The Chief Executive Officer of Omnicom Solutions Limited, Engr Faheed Olajide, similarly encouraged the graduates to make informed decisions, stressing that their present circumstances are shaped by the choices they make over time.
“Today is a bundle of your past decisions. Gather as much information as possible before taking any decision,” Olajide said.
KPMG Nigeria Partner, Olabimpe Afolabi, guided the scholars on finding their professional niche, while the Grand Mentor of the Nasir Giwa Mentorship Programme shared insights on overcoming obstacles.
Professor Ismail Ibraheem of the University of Lagos also detailed pathways to global professional certification, encouraging the graduates to continue developing their expertise beyond their university education.
Bombata urges graduates to plan for career, family
The programme also addressed the personal side of success, with participants receiving guidance on marriage and mental wellness.
The Founder of Hearthub Solutions, Mrs Bushra Okeowo Bombata, urged the graduates to approach marriage and personal relationships with faith and intentionality.
“One of the things that makes your marriage work is when you truly and sincerely trust Allah. Money will not do it all the time, intentional care does. Once you know where you are going, it will be easier to know how to get there,” Bombata said.
Her session broadened the conversation around achievement, highlighting the need for graduates to balance professional ambitions with personal wellbeing and family life.
Five-year plans for future goals
The workshop ended with the presentation of five-year plans by the participants, giving them an opportunity to translate the lessons from the programme into defined professional and personal goals.
Certificates were subsequently presented to the graduates by Modupe Kadiri, Chief Financial Officer of MTN Nigeria.
The eighth M-First Series therefore moved beyond celebrating academic achievement, challenging the participants to think about what they would do with the opportunities their first-class degrees had created.
The central message was that global exposure should expand the graduates’ capabilities without necessarily separating them permanently from the country that produced them, while academic excellence should be matched by adaptability, continuous learning, professional development and a commitment to meaningful contribution.
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