Western Education Just A Formality – Bauchi Governor, Bala Mohammed

The Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has stirred controversy after declaring that Western education is merely a “formality” stating that formal schooling is not a requirement for success in life.

The governor made the statement during a public address to farmers and artisans in Bauchi, urging young people to adopt discipline and avoid self-destructive habits.

The speech was captured in a video shared on Instagram by Bashir Usman and seen by SaharaReporters.

“Try to be focused and turn a new leaf. Stop drinking and stop taking what will destroy your brain,” Governor Mohammed said.

He explained that many successful individuals began their journeys in humble professions, such as truck driving, and did not rely on formal schooling to become prosperous.

“Today, Bala did not go to school but he became somebody,” he told the crowd, referring to himself in the third person.

“Take care of your behaviour. 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.”

He further stated that the value of informal and religious education, particularly Qur’anic learning, which he claimed provides practical knowledge needed for farming and other trades.

Governor Mohammed also highlighted the importance of blue-collar jobs, especially in transportation, as a pathway to wealth.

“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.”

The governor’s remarks have drawn mixed reactions online, with some critics accusing him of downplaying the importance of formal education in a state and country still struggling with literacy challenges and educational access.