The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Tijani Fatai, and other professionals have cautioned secondary school students and school leavers against negative peer pressure, distractions and criminal activities, urging them to embrace positive values and fulfil their potential.
They gave the advice on Thursday, 12 November, 2026, at the 14th edition of the annual Beyond Secondary Education: What Next? (BSEWN 14.0) conference, organised in Lagos by The Success Ambassadors Foundation, in collaboration with Future Matters Concept.
The 2026 edition, themed “Renewed Mindset,” brought together secondary school students, school leavers and distinguished professionals to discuss personal development, career opportunities, leadership and responsible citizenship.
Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, DCP Anthony Placid, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Administration, said a renewed mindset was essential for young people seeking to overcome environmental limitations and achieve their aspirations.
He warned that negative peer pressure had destroyed the future of many promising young people, urging participants to reject shortcuts to wealth and avoid internet fraud and other criminal activities.
“A renewed mindset will transit you from being a victim of environment to a master of purpose.
“You must reject the disillusion of getting rich quick. Shortcuts do not lead to success; they lead to destruction.
“A renewed mindset sees failure as data. Young adults should not engage in crimes or cyber fraud. If you engage in cyber fraud, your life will not be peaceful,” he said.
The Commissioner also emphasised personal integrity, peaceful coexistence and the responsibility of young people to contribute to a safer society.
He shared how his upbringing in Agege contributed to his journey to success, demonstrating that one’s background should not limit future achievements.
Speaking on behalf of Dr Ajoke Ogunsan, Managing Director, Executive Group, Mr Samuel Tiamiyu, a lawyer, urged students to embrace a growth mindset, discover their potential and acquire relevant, marketable skills.
He explained that academic qualifications should serve as a foundation for exploring wider opportunities rather than becoming limitations to personal achievement.
He encouraged young people to embrace self-discovery, discipline, mentorship and continuous learning, stressing that the next stage after secondary education should involve acquiring skills capable of solving real-life problems.
He specifically warned against internet fraud, popularly known as Yahoo, advising participants to build their future through competence, patience and integrity.
“Your journey to wealth is not Yahoo or fraud money. Focus on a high-paying skill and build it with patience, competence and integrity,” he advised.
He outlined four important steps for young people seeking to redefine their future: discovering their strengths and interests, choosing marketable skills, connecting with mentors and training opportunities, and practising consistently to build competence.
The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Health District I, Dr Sola Pitan, represented by Dr Morayo Olukoya, Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, emphasised the importance of academic excellence, self-discovery and networking.
She encouraged students to pursue their passions while building meaningful relationships with their peers, noting that friendships established during their school years could become valuable connections in the future.
Similarly, the Medical Director, Lagos State General Hospital, Ifako, Dr Oluyemi Yemi Taiwo , urged participants to remain focused, develop meaningful networks and pursue their aspirations with determination.
He noted that although education remained essential, there were different pathways to success, including the acquisition of relevant professional and vocational skills.
He encouraged young people to embrace continuous learning, personal development, mentorship and networking as essential tools for achieving their goals.
Also speaking, constitutional lawyer and public affairs analyst, Mr Jide Ologun, challenged young Nigerians to take responsibility for their future and pursue excellence through scholarship, hard work, resilience and positive relationships.
Explaining the theme, he presented RENEWED as an acronym representing Responsibility, Enthusiasm, Networking, Excellence, Wisdom, Empowerment and Determination.
He urged young people to become contributors to societal development rather than agents of social problems, warning against negative peer pressure, internet fraud, drug abuse and occult practices.
Citing the biblical examples of Joseph and Esther, Ologun encouraged participants to uphold righteousness and make positive decisions regardless of their circumstances.
He also called on parents to serve as good role models, devote quality time to raising their children and invest in their education and moral upbringing.
On governance, he urged political leaders to prioritise the future of younger generations by investing national resources responsibly rather than compromising their prospects through excessive borrowing and mismanagement.
In his contribution, another lawyer, Mr Azeez Oladapo Yusuf, Chairman of Ninalowo Empowerment Foundation and entrepreneur, shared his personal experience of dropping out of school as a result of negative peer pressure.
He urged students to learn from his life journey, stressing that discipline, determination and positive associations were essential ingredients for success.
Earlier, the Convener of BSEWN, Mr Adewale Walex Adeleye explained that the initiative was established to provide career guidance, mentorship and leadership development for young people transitioning from secondary education to the next phase of their lives.
He said the programme was also designed to expose participants to available opportunities and empower them with the knowledge and confidence required to make informed decisions about their future.
“Our message is simple: Secondary school is not the end of your journey; it is the beginning of another chapter.
“We believe that a young person’s background should never become a barrier to their breakthrough, and their present circumstances should never define their future,” he said.
Adeleye urged students to develop relevant skills, embrace continuous learning and surround themselves with positive influences, noting that success depended not only on academic certificates but also on competence, character, creativity and consistency.
The 14th edition of BSEWN reaffirmed the commitment of The Success Ambassadors Foundation and Future Matters Concept to nurturing responsible, skilled, purpose-driven and future-ready young Nigerians.
