Adam Shareef Umar, Minister of Cities, Local Government and Public Works, has described the commitment of time and resources to learning as the most valuable investment an individual can make, in a speech reaffirming the pivotal role of education in personal development and national progress. His address was delivered at the 2025 graduation ceremony of MAPS College, where he presided as guest of honour.
His remarks opened with an acknowledgment of the challenges faced by students in pursuit of higher education. Minister Adam Shareef credited the graduates' accomplishments to sustained personal effort, substantial sacrifice, and the dedicated support of educators and mentors, a convergence of discipline, resilience, and communal guidance.
The minister continued by drawing attention to the broader significance of academic achievement. He observed that such success remains out of reach for many, requiring not only aptitude but also fortitude. In his assessment, learning stands among the most arduous human endeavours, surpassing other worldly pursuits in rigour and intensity.
Addressing the role of education beyond formal attainment, Minister Adam Shareef framed it as a pursuit imbued with both moral and practical weight. He described it as a means to nurture spiritual fulfilment, secure future prosperity, and establish a purposeful framework for life, an investment whose benefits unfold across time and circumstance.
That trajectory, he noted, does not end at graduation. He elaborated that education serves as a gateway to innovation and discovery, unlocking new ideas and deepening personal capacity. In urging graduates to maintain intellectual momentum, he positioned lifelong learning as a vital tool for navigating uncertainty and shaping meaningful change.
Closing his address, Minister Adam Shareef expressed confidence in the graduates’ readiness to engage with the world ahead. He offered the view that a sustained commitment to learning would remain their greatest strength, empowering them to meet complexity with clarity and translate education into lasting impact.