Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has described Western education as merely a “formality,” suggesting that formal schooling is not essential for success in life.
Governor Mohammed made these remarks during a speech to a gathering of farmers and artisans in Bauchi, with a video of his address shared on Instagram by Bashir Usman.
In his message, the governor urged young people to avoid harmful habits and focus on self-improvement. He advised, “Try to be focused and turn a new leaf. Stop drinking and stop taking what will destroy your brain.”
He went on to emphasize that many successful individuals had minimal or no formal education, using his own life as an example. “Today, Bala did not go to school but he became somebody,” he stated.
The governor also highlighted the value of Qur’anic education, particularly for those in trades like farming. He suggested that Qur’anic education is more practical and beneficial than Western education, stating, “Western education is a formality, but if you have Qur’anic education, you have knowledge of what it takes and you’ve helped yourself in knowing what you want, especially in farming — that is education.”
Governor Mohammed further discussed the dignity of labour, particularly in professions like truck driving, noting that many wealthy individuals started from humble beginnings. “Any rich person you see today started from driving. From the onset, it is a job that brings prosperity. All the rich people you see today started as drivers of trailers. Don’t overlook self-trading jobs. I don’t know anyone who got rich from car washing, but drivers did,” he said.
