By Dr. Emmanuel Idiagbon Paddy Iyamu
Commissioner for Education, Edo State
In a country as dynamic and complex as Nigeria, security has often been defined by the strength of our military or the size of our defence budgets. But true and lasting security is not forged by weapons — it is built in classrooms.
As the Commissioner for Education in Edo State, I am increasingly convinced that one of the most powerful things we can do to protect our nation is to invest in our students. The future of Nigeria’s peace, prosperity, and political stability depends on what we do today in our schools, especially for the most vulnerable and underserved.
It is not enough to view education as a social good or a developmental checkbox. Education must be seen as a strategic defence investment — one that shapes identity, builds resilience, reduces poverty, and unplugs young people from the pipeline of crime, extremism, and social breakdown.
Across the country today, over 10 million children are out of school. Millions more attend but do not learn. In Edo State and beyond, the consequences are real: broken dreams, joblessness, and youth who are angry, idle, and increasingly targeted by those who exploit desperation. Every young person we fail to educate becomes a risk to national stability.
But the inverse is also true. Every student we educate — every mind we engage — becomes a builder of society, not a breaker of it.
When we invest in quality education, we create economic opportunity. An educated child is far more likely to find meaningful employment, start a business, or innovate new solutions. That economic empowerment translates directly into reduced crime, fewer conflicts, and a more stable society.
Education also shapes values. It teaches young people how to think, not what to think. It builds empathy, tolerance, and civic responsibility. In a multi-ethnic country like ours, this is essential. Schools are where unity begins. It is where young Nigerians from different religions, tribes, and backgrounds learn to understand each other — to share dreams instead of divisions.
In Edo State, we have placed education at the very centre of our development and security agenda. Since assuming office, we have prioritized school renovations, teacher recruitment, and early childhood education. We have rolled out EdoSET — a digital certification platform that empowers students and reduces bureaucratic frustration. We are investing not just in buildings but in lives.
A few weeks ago, we inducted 128 stranded medical students who had been waiting years for official recognition. Shortly after, 810 nursing graduates who had been left in limbo were inducted as well. These were not just symbolic victories — they were practical reinforcements for Nigeria’s healthcare system and its social fabric.
As I’ve often said, “We must make public schools so good that private schools become unattractive to Edo people.” This is not simply about competition — it is about restoring faith in public education and rebuilding the social contract.
True security is not found in what we protect — it is found in what we nurture. That is why we must make our schools not just safe zones, but zones of transformation. We must equip teachers not only to deliver content but to mentor the next generation of thinkers and leaders. We must extend education beyond academics — into life skills, technology, creativity, and critical thinking.
We must also stop thinking of education as something that starts in primary school. The foundations for identity, values, and reasoning are laid far earlier. That’s why we are scaling early childhood education across Edo State — because the mind that can reject violence and choose peace is formed long before adolescence.
In the end, no amount of military might can protect a country from within. But one educated child, given the right tools, can uplift an entire community.
If we want to secure Nigeria, we must secure the minds and futures of our youth. Not tomorrow. Today.