The Rector, Dr Engr Ibraheem Abdul (m) and Management team of Yaba College, the State Coordinator, Lagos State Security Trust Fund – Campaign Against Crime, Cultism and Other Vices (LSSTF-CACCOV), Dr. Oladimeji Moses (r) and President, Alumni Association of Yabatech, Bldr. Yemi Osinbajo during a courtesy visit on partnership at the college Council Chamber Yaba, Lagos on August 24, 2026
By Peace Udugba
The Rector of Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Dr. Ibraheem Adedotun Abdul, has warned that exposing Nigerian youths to crime, cultism, drug abuse and other social vices could have serious consequences for the country’s future.
Abdul gave the warning when a delegation of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF-CACCOV), led by its State Coordinator, Dr. Oladimeji Moses, paid a courtesy visit to the college to explore a strategic partnership on crime prevention, youth sensitisation and campus security.
The delegation was also accompanied by the President of the YABATECH Alumni Association, Yemi Oshibajo.
The Rector stressed that protecting young people should go beyond arresting offenders, noting that preventive education, awareness and early intervention were essential to tackling crime.
“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.
He noted that allowing young people to be influenced by criminal activities could have consequences beyond individuals and their families, as the nation risked losing a generation of potential leaders, professionals and innovators.
The Rector, Dr Engr Ibraheem Abdul (5th left) and Management team of Yaba College and delegates from the Lagos State Security Trust Fund – Campaign Against Crime, Cultism and Other Vices (LSSTF-CACCOV) led by its State Coordinator, Dr. Oladimeji Moses (3rd right) and President, Alumni Association of Yabatech, Bldr. Yemi Osinbajo (4th left) and others, during a courtesy visit on partnership at the college Council Chamber Yaba, Lagos on August 24, 2026.
According to him, tertiary institutions have a critical role to play in protecting students from negative influences while preparing them to become responsible citizens and future leaders.
The Rector commended the LSSTF delegation for its preventive approach to security, particularly its focus on educating and engaging young people before they become victims or perpetrators of crime.
He expressed delight that the initiative was being championed by a YABATECH alumnus, describing the development as evidence of the positive impact of the institution on its graduates.
Abdul also praised the YABATECH Alumni Association for its continued commitment to the welfare and development of the institution, saying collaboration among the college, its alumni and security stakeholders could produce lasting benefits for students.
He said the college was prepared to support programmes aimed at educating students about the dangers of crime, cultism, drug abuse and other activities capable of jeopardising their education and future.
The Rector added that protecting young people should be regarded as a collective responsibility involving educational institutions, government agencies, security organisations, parents, alumni associations and other stakeholders.
LSSTF Seeks Wider Youth Sensitisation
Earlier, the State Coordinator of the initiative, Dr. Oladimeji Moses, who is also a YABATECH alumnus, said the organisation selected the college as one of its strategic partners because of its large youth population and potential to influence future leaders.
Moses recalled that the initiative had earlier participated in YABATECH’s orientation programme for newly admitted students, where more than 1,000 students were sensitised to the dangers of crime and negative peer influence.
He said the organisation wanted the campaign extended beyond fresh students to cover students at 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.
Moses warned that young people were sometimes lured into criminal groups with promises of wealth, power and influence, stressing that such promises often concealed serious consequences for their education, families and future.
He also identified illicit drug use as a major threat to the wellbeing and productive capacity of Nigerian youths, calling for stronger preventive measures in schools and communities.
According to him, security agencies cannot win the battle against crime through enforcement alone, making preventive education and early intervention imperative.
Moses proposed sustained sensitisation programmes at YABATECH, including strategically positioned anti-crime messages and signages across the campus to discourage students from joining criminal groups.
The delegation also proposed stronger security-reporting mechanisms and closer coordination with relevant security agencies to ensure prompt attention to credible threats within the institution.
Alumni Association Backs Collaboration
The National President of the YABATECH Alumni Association, Yemi Oshibajo, supported the proposed collaboration, describing it as an important initiative for promoting safety and responsible citizenship among students.
Oshibajo commended the association’s Student Affairs and Education Committee for facilitating the relationship between the Alumni Association, the college and the security trust fund.
He said the alumni body would continue to support student-centred programmes capable of keeping students constructively engaged and strengthening their relationship with the institution.
