By DAYO ADESULU
The Rector of Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Dr. Ibraheem Adedotun Abdul, has warned that the growing exposure of Nigerian youths to crime, cultism, drug abuse and other social vices poses a serious threat to the country’s future.
Abdul issued the warning when a delegation from the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF-CACCOV), led by its State Coordinator, Dr. Oladimeji Moses, visited YABATECH to explore a strategic partnership focused on crime prevention, youth sensitisation and campus security. The visit also involved the President of the YABATECH Alumni Association, Bldr. Yemi Osinbajo.
YABATECH Rector: Protecting Youths Is Protecting Nigeria’s Future
The Rector stressed that the fight against crime should not focus solely on arresting and prosecuting offenders. Instead, he called for stronger preventive education and early intervention to stop young people from being drawn into criminal activities.
“It’s not only about securing now. It’s about securing the future. If you want to attack the future of education, just destroy their youth,” Abdul said.
According to him, the damage caused by youth involvement in criminal activities extends beyond individuals and their families. Nigeria could also lose a generation of potential leaders, professionals and innovators if young people are allowed to be derailed by negative influences.
He therefore emphasised the important role tertiary institutions must play in protecting students from harmful influences while preparing them for responsible citizenship and leadership.
College Backs Preventive Security Approach
Abdul commended the LSSTF delegation for adopting a preventive approach to security, particularly its emphasis on educating and engaging young people before they become victims or perpetrators of crime.
He expressed satisfaction that the initiative was being championed by a YABATECH alumnus, describing it as evidence of the positive impact the institution can have on its graduates.
The Rector also praised the YABATECH Alumni Association for its continued commitment to the welfare and development of the institution. He said stronger cooperation between the college, its alumni and security stakeholders could deliver lasting benefits for students.
Abdul further said YABATECH was ready to support programmes that would educate students about the dangers of crime, cultism, drug abuse and other activities capable of jeopardising their education and future.
He maintained that youth protection should be treated as a collective responsibility involving schools, government agencies, security organisations, parents, alumni associations and other stakeholders.
LSSTF Targets Wider Student Sensitisation
Earlier, Moses explained that the organisation selected YABATECH as one of its strategic partners because of its large population of young people and the institution’s potential to influence future leaders.
He disclosed that the initiative had previously participated in the college’s orientation programme for newly admitted students, where more than 1,000 students were sensitised about the dangers of crime and negative peer influence.
However, Moses said the campaign should not be restricted to fresh students. He called for the programme to reach students across different levels, including Higher National Diploma (HND) and part-time programmes.
“We want to ensure that this message spreads across the board because the issue of crime is a major challenge,” he said.
‘Criminal Groups Lure Youths With Wealth and Power’
Moses warned that young people could be attracted to criminal groups through promises of wealth, power and influence.
He said such promises often mask potentially devastating consequences for the affected youths, their education, families and long-term prospects.
He also identified illicit drug use as a major threat to the wellbeing and productive capacity of Nigerian youths. Consequently, he called for stronger preventive measures in schools and communities.
According to him, security agencies cannot defeat crime through enforcement alone. Preventive education and early intervention, he argued, must form an important part of the national response.
Campaign to Expand Across YABATECH Campus
As part of the proposed collaboration, Moses called for sustained sensitisation programmes across the institution.
He proposed the strategic placement of anti-crime messages and signages at different locations on campus to discourage students from joining criminal groups.
The delegation also proposed improved security-reporting mechanisms and closer coordination with relevant security agencies. The goal is to ensure that credible threats within the institution receive prompt attention.
Alumni Association Supports Partnership
The National President of the YABATECH Alumni Association, Yemi Oshibajo, backed the proposed collaboration, describing it as an important initiative for promoting safety and responsible citizenship among students.
Oshibajo also commended the association’s Student Affairs and Education Committee for facilitating the relationship between the alumni body, YABATECH and the security trust fund.
He assured that the alumni association would continue supporting student-centred programmes designed to keep students constructively engaged and strengthen their relationship with the institution.
Why This Matters
The warning from the YABATECH Rector highlights a broader challenge facing Nigerian tertiary institutions: preventing young people from becoming vulnerable to crime, cultism, drug abuse and destructive peer influence.
Beyond campus security, the proposed partnership places emphasis on prevention. That approach recognises that educating students, identifying risks early and creating positive opportunities for young people can complement traditional security measures.
For YABATECH, sustained collaboration between the institution, its alumni, security stakeholders and other relevant organisations could provide a framework for strengthening campus safety while helping students remain focused on education and personal development.
Conclusion
The YABATECH Rector’s warning is ultimately a call to protect Nigeria’s future by protecting its young people today.
As the college moves towards closer collaboration with security stakeholders, the proposed sensitisation programmes, improved reporting mechanisms and wider student engagement could help strengthen efforts to keep students away from criminal influences.
The message from the institution and its partners is clear: preventing youth involvement in crime requires more than enforcement. It requires education, early intervention, collaboration and sustained engagement.
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