It’s Becoming Difficult To Find People Of Integrity – Osinbajo

• Former Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo expressed concern over the difficulty of finding individuals with integrity, emphasizing its importance for long-term success
• Osinbajo highlighted the need for alternative education models in Nigeria, as traditional universities cannot accommodate the growing demand for higher education

Former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has expressed concern that finding people of integrity is becoming increasingly difficult. He made this remark on Saturday during the 2024 matriculation ceremony of Miva Open University in Abuja.

Osinbajo highlighted the challenges of delivering higher education in Africa, stressing that the traditional “brick-and-mortar” model of building physical universities cannot accommodate the growing demand.

He pointed out that over 1.7 million students sit for the UTME exam every year, but only about 400,000 are admitted to universities, leaving 1.3 million eligible students without opportunities for higher education.

With Nigeria’s population growing by 6 million annually, he emphasized the need for alternative education models, such as open universities.

Addressing the students, Osinbajo emphasized that success lies in making a lasting impact, not just short-term achievements.

He stressed the importance of integrity as the foundation for long-term success, urging students to consistently apply high moral values, repay debts, and keep promises.

He noted that integrity is increasingly rare and in high demand, even among those in positions of power.

“Life is a marathon, not a sprint,” he said, adding that trust is essential for personal and professional relationships and that those with integrity are likelier to succeed in the long run.

The Vice Chancellor of Miva Open University, Prof. Tayo Arulogun, also spoke during the ceremony. He announced that over 3,000 students were matriculating into 14 undergraduate programs across four schools.

He praised the university’s first year’s progress and growing popularity among young people seeking access to higher education.