Awolowo-era free education opened path to public service, says Alabi

Pastor Emmanuel Alabi, a former director at the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, has credited the free education introduced in Nigeria’s Western Region in 1955 with helping to shape his life and career. Speaking in an interview marking his 80th year, Alabi said he grew up in Okeho, in Kajola Local Government Area of Oyo State, at a time when the rural community had no electricity, pipe-borne water or tarred roads. He described the area as agrarian and said only a small number of residents received Western education.

Alabi said the education programme introduced by the region’s then Premier, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, gave him an opportunity to study. He also recalled growing up in a polygamous household and said difficult family circumstances did not prevent him from pursuing education, public service and ministry. He attended Baptist Secondary Modern School, Okeho, before studying at Baptist College, Iwo, where he completed a three-year teacher-training course.

He said the college taught students academic subjects alongside practical skills, including laundering, gardening and catering. According to Alabi, the training helped prepare him for life beyond school. He later obtained a degree in Mass Communication from the University of Lagos in 1972 and worked with NBC-TV, now NTA, as a senior sub-editor.

He subsequently served as the first public relations officer of the Nigerian Produce Marketing Company and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria. In May 1981, he joined JAMB as Principal Assistant Registrar, Information, Publications and Statistics, and retired voluntarily as Director of Admissions in July 2006. Alabi also pursued pastoral ministry, obtaining a diploma in pastoral ministry and being ordained in November 1988.

He said his early experiences taught him service, perseverance, discipline and faith.