Former Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has expressed concern over the dwindling presence of integrity in today’s society, calling it a rare but essential virtue. Speaking at the matriculation ceremony of MIVA Open University in Abuja, Osinbajo emphasized the importance of integrity in both business and interpersonal relationships, describing it as “the currency” that underpins trust and long-term success.
He advised the students to embrace integrity, hard work, and collaboration as critical ingredients for purposeful living and success in their educational pursuits. Osinbajo stressed that consistency in maintaining high moral standards, fulfilling promises, and upholding honesty would set them apart, especially in a world where integrity is increasingly scarce.
“Integrity pays. It is in demand. People of integrity are much sought after by everyone,” he remarked, illustrating that trustworthiness is essential not just for personal success but for building lasting professional relationships.
Osinbajo also discussed the evolving nature of education, highlighting that modular education, which includes micro-credentials and digital badges, has the potential to rival traditional university degrees. He noted that employers today prioritize innovation, problem-solving, and technological skills over the mere accumulation of information, making personalized education and adaptive learning key components for future success.
As education continues to shift towards more flexible and individualized approaches, Osinbajo emphasized that students should focus on gaining practical skills that solve real-life problems, which are increasingly detached from outdated curricula.