Malaysia

By Haroon Aremu 

Across the world, nations that once struggled with fragile economies are rewriting their stories through a powerful tool: education. From Southeast Asia to parts of Europe, education is no longer treated merely as a social service but as a strategic economic asset capable of generating national wealth, global influence, and technological advancement. One of the most striking examples is Malaysia.

Over the past three decades, Malaysia has deliberately transformed its education sector into a global export industry by positioning itself as an international education hub. The country now attracts thousands of foreign students from Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. 

Universities are integrated with research, innovation, and industry partnerships, making education both a knowledge enterprise and a revenue-generating sector. Education, in Malaysia’s model, is not just about producing graduates; it is about building a knowledge economy.

Today, international students contribute billions of dollars to Malaysia’s economy annually through tuition, research partnerships, and educational tourism. Countries like Australia, the United Kingdom, and Canada have also built thriving economies around their universities.

But as the world evolves into a digital and artificial intelligence driven era, the very meaning of education itself is undergoing a transformation.

The question then becomes urgent for Nigeria. Are we preparing for the future of education, or are we clinging to an outdated system?

The crumbling pillars of Nigeria’s education system is becoming a reality and more visionable to all. Our education sector, once regarded as one of the strongest in Africa during the 1960s and 1970s, now faces numerous challenges. 

Underfunding, outdated curricula, infrastructure decay, brain drain, and frequent industrial actions have weakened the foundation of tertiary education.

Universities struggle to keep pace with global academic trends, while graduates often emerge with skills misaligned with the demands of the digital economy.

Ironically, Nigeria possesses one of the largest youth populations in the world—an enormous demographic advantage that could power economic growth if properly harnessed through quality education.

Yet, many institutions remain trapped in a rigid academic structure designed for an industrial age rather than the knowledge and innovation economy of the 21st century. 

Artificial Intelligence and the guture of learning is now getting interwoven and there is a rapid growth and development which we must embrace. The rise of AI is rapidly redefining the nature of knowledge acquisition.

Tools such as AI assistants, machine learning platforms, and automated research systems are reshaping how people access and process information. In the near future, many routine intellectual tasks may be handled by intelligent systems, raising a critical question: Will traditional university education remain as relevant as it once was?

Some analysts argue that the future of education will place less emphasis on memorization and rigid academic certification, and more on critical thinking, creativity, innovation, and digital adaptability.

In this new era, literacy may extend beyond simply reading and writing to include digital literacy, algorithmic understanding, and technological fluency.

Education, therefore, must evolve beyond lecture halls into dynamic ecosystems of continuous learning, innovation, and practical problem-solving.

Reimagining education through African roots should be our mission and vision and we have to explore all the crucial features in it. For Africa, the challenge is not only modernization but also identity.

Colonial education systems were largely designed to produce clerks and administrators for imperial bureaucracies. As a result, many African curricula remain detached from indigenous knowledge systems, local realities, and cultural heritage.

A truly transformative education reform must therefore embrace a hybrid approach—one that blends African intellectual traditions with modern technological advancements.

African societies possess rich reservoirs of indigenous knowledge in agriculture, medicine, governance, environmental sustainability, and communal development. Integrating these systems into modern curricula could produce a more holistic and relevant educational model.

Imagine a Nigerian education system where students study artificial intelligence alongside indigenous conflict resolution methods, digital agriculture alongside traditional ecological knowledge, and technological entrepreneurship alongside African philosophy.

Such an approach would not only modernize education but also reclaim intellectual sovereignty.

To the Honourable Minister of Education Dr. Morufu Olatunji Alausa. Think about turning Nigerian education into an economic sector and redeeming the popular image and believe that “school na scam”. We need to redefine this narrative and give it a befitting standards.

If properly restructured, Nigeria’s education sector could become a major economic driver. With over 200 million people and a strategic location in Africa, Nigeria has the potential to attract international students from across the continent. However, this would require serious reforms.

Massive investment in university infrastructure and research, digital transformation of teaching and learning, industry–university collaboration, innovation-driven curricula and academic autonomy and merit-based leadership will be required. 

Nigeria could develop specialized education hubs in areas such as technology, public policy, African studies, renewable energy, and creative industries, attracting students globally.

Such a transformation would position education not just as a pathway to employment, but as a pillar of national development and economic diplomacy.

In a rapidly changing world, education can no longer be confined to the early stages of life. The future belongs to societies that embrace lifelong learning.

As technology continues to evolve, individuals will need to continuously update their skills, adapt to new industries, and navigate emerging knowledge landscapes.

For Nigeria and Africa at large, the challenge is clear: education must evolve from a rigid institutional process into a flexible, lifelong journey of intellectual growth and innovation.

Nigeria stands at a critical crossroads. If the country continues with its current education trajectory, it risks falling further behind in a world driven by knowledge and technology. But if bold reforms are undertaken, the education sector could become one of Nigeria’s most powerful engines of national transformation.

The future of Nigeria’s economy may not lie only beneath its soil in oil reserves, but within its classrooms, laboratories, and digital learning platforms.

Because in the 21st century, knowledge is not merely power it is prosperity.

Haroon Aremu Abiodun is a developmental writer and wrote from Abuja via exponentumera@gmail.com.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Nigeria and Malaysia have taken fresh steps to reinforce cooperation between their customs authorities, with a focus on improving trade processes and tightening border control systems.

This followed a series of high-level meetings in Malaysia involving the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Royal Malaysian Customs Department (RMCD).

The engagements took place during an official visit by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, to the RMCD headquarters. The visit coincided with his attendance at the Defence Services Asia (DSA) Malaysia 2026 event.

Adeniyi was hosted by his Malaysian counterpart, Director-General Dato’ Haji Amran bin Haji Ahmad. Both officials held discussions that centred on strengthening institutional ties, advancing customs modernisation, and improving coordination in border management.

Trade relations between the two countries have continued to expand in recent years. Nigeria’s imports from Malaysia rose from ₦159.9 billion in 2020 to ₦716.0 billion in 2024. Total trade between both nations has reached about ₦1.82 trillion within five years.

During the talks, Adeniyi emphasised the importance of establishing a more structured partnership between the two customs services. He described Malaysia as a major trading partner, noting that Nigeria imports products such as crude palm oil, refined palm olein, aviation fuel, machinery, and other industrial materials.

He also pointed out that customs agencies play a key role in supporting legitimate trade while protecting national economic and security interests.

Despite the long-standing trade relationship, both sides observed that there is no formal legal framework guiding their customs cooperation. They agreed to begin the process of developing a Mutual Recognition Agreement under the World Customs Organisation (WCO), which will be pursued through diplomatic channels.

As part of the engagement, Malaysian officials presented their border management structure, including the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS), which operates as an integrated frontline system.

In response, the Nigerian delegation highlighted ongoing reforms within the NCS, including the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme and other initiatives designed to speed up cargo clearance, cut costs, and improve compliance.

Both parties stressed the need for closer collaboration in intelligence sharing, enforcement efforts, and the use of technology to tackle illicit trade and cross-border crimes.

The NCS reaffirmed its commitment to building stronger bilateral and multilateral partnerships as part of its modernisation drive. It expressed optimism that the outcomes of the visit will enhance operational efficiency, promote smoother trade, and strengthen border security in line with Nigeria’s economic goals.

While in Malaysia, Adeniyi also met with officials at the Nigerian diplomatic mission and the Defence Office, where he commended their role in promoting Nigeria’s interests and assisting citizens abroad.

Innā li-Llāhi wa-innā ilayhi rājiʿūn.

The passing of Prof. Khurshīd Aḥmad marks the end of an era in the intellectual development of contemporary Islamic thought, particularly in the fields of al-Iqtiṣād al-Islāmī (Islamic economics) and al-Mālīyyah al-Islāmiyyah (Islamic finance). 

A polymath, visionary, and tireless reformer, Prof. Khurshīd Aḥmad was one of the most distinguished Muslim thinkers of the 20th and 21st centuries. His scholarship, activism, and public service bridged the worlds of theory and practice, faith and governance, tradition and modernity.

Born in Delhi in 1932 and later migrating to Pakistan following the partition, he pursued higher education in economics and law. He eventually earned a Master’s in Islamic Studies and a PhD in Economics from the University of Leicester, United Kingdom. He was not merely an academic in the conventional sense; he was an intellectual activist whose writings and public engagements profoundly shaped the global discourse on Islam and economic justice.

His Legacy in Islamic Finance

Among his many contributions, Prof. Khurshī Aḥmad’s most outstanding intellectual work in the field of Islamic finance is arguably his foundational role in articulating and systematising the theoretical framework of an Islamic economic order, particularly through his seminal work: Islam: Its Meaning and Message (edited by Khurshīd Aḥmad, first published 1976).

This edited volume contains his essay  “The Islamic Way of Life”, which not only presents the ethical foundations of Islam but also outlines the spiritual, social, and economic dimensions of Islamic governance.

More specifically related to economics is his earlier and pioneering treatise: Islamic Economic System: A Socio-Economic and Political Analysis (1970). This work laid down the theoretical underpinnings of al-Niẓām al-Iqtiṣādī al-Islāmī and served as a cornerstone for the subsequent emergence of Islamic banking and financial institutions.

In Islamic Economic System, Prof. Khurshīd Aḥmad delineates a clear moral and functional distinction between the capitalist, socialist, and Islamic paradigms, advocating a system well entrenched in tawḥīd, ʿadl, and mashwarah.

He was also instrumental in the formation of the International Institute of Islamic Economics (IIIE) at the International Islamic University, Islamabad. He advised several governments and Islamic financial institutions in conceptualising and implementing Sharīʿah-compliant economic policies. His influence continues to shape policies in countries like Pakistan, Malaysia, and Sudan, and in global institutions such as the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB).

Prof. Khurshī Aḥmad’s intellectual legacy transcends geographical and disciplinary boundaries. He championed a vision of Islamic economics and finance not merely as an alternative system but as a holistic worldview embedded in divine guidance and aimed at achieving justice, equity, and human dignity.

May Allāh (Subḥānahu wa Taʿālā) forgive his shortcomings, reward him with Jannah al-Firdaws, and accept his works as ṣadaqah jāriyah. His writings will continue enlightening scholars, guiding policymakers, and inspiring future generations.

Dr. Oyekolade Sodiq OYESANYA wrote from the Department of Religious Studies, Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, Ogun State, Nigeria.

 By Sabiu Abdullahi

Hon. Abubakar Kabir Bichi, a member representing Bichi Federal Constituency from Kano State and chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation, has sponsored 21 indigenes of Bichi Local Government on foreign scholarships to study in Malaysia. 

The beneficiaries will pursue an 18-month program in Engineering, Computing Science, Technology, and other courses at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), one of Malaysia’s highest-ranking universities. 

The scholarship recipients were presented with their admission letters and other necessary documents in Bichi on Wednesday.

Additionally, Hon. Bichi sponsored 59 science and technical students from SS1 to SS3 and provided them with educational kits.

He also recruited 150 temporary classroom teachers and 50 Islamiyya teachers to teach at various schools across the local government. 

Hon. Bichi stated the importance of empowering people based on their abilities, stating, “This is what leaders should do. People should be empowered based on their abilities. We don’t want to politicize education. We always require fair play.”

He reiterated the positive impact of education on reducing crime in Bichi Local Government, noting that the area has seen a significant decrease in crime due to increased access to education. 

The lawmaker also mentioned his commitment to supporting education in the region, stating, “We have been offering 100% scholarships to indigenes of Bichi to study at various Nigerian universities, including BUK, ABU, ABTU, among other universities. We paid the school fees of hundreds of students at various educational levels. We built over 500 classrooms across Bichi Local Government.”

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

In a swift reversal, tech giant Meta has apologised and restored social media posts by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim about the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh.

The move comes after Anwar’s office condemned Meta’s initial removal of the posts as “a blatant suppression of free expression”.

 Meta attributed the removal to “an operational error” and claimed the posts were taken down due to association with “dangerous individuals and organisations”.

However, the company has since reapplied a “newsworthy” label to the content, allowing it to be reinstated on Facebook and Instagram. 

The controversy highlights ongoing tensions between social media platforms and political leaders over censorship and free speech.

Anwar had previously accused Meta of “cowardice” for removing his posts, which included a video offering condolences to a Hamas official. 

Malaysia’s ties with Hamas, considered a terrorist organization by several countries, have been a point of contention. Anwar has defended his country’s links with the group’s political win.

Someone on Facebook argues that religion hinders countries from developing. I fail to see the connection. Politics is chiefly responsible for a country’s development or lack thereof.

Islam and Christianity, the religions I am most familiar with, do not prevent their adherents from attending school or pursuing any field of study.

My family is, I can confidently say, quite religious. Despite this, we have members who are Ph.D. holders and other graduates. We also have nurses, midwives, and teachers, etc., among us (both members and their spouses).

Qatar, Malaysia, and Indonesia are three good examples. They are “conservative” Muslim countries. However, they are developing on a fast track.

Iran and Bangladesh have some of the highest female literacy rates in the world. Women work in almost all sectors in Saudi Arabia today. The examples are many.

It’s sad our youths are misinformed about religion and modernity. They always look at Westerners’ lifestyles as synonymous with development and civilization. No, they are more than that.

To the vast majority of the Muslim world, Boko is not only halal but essential. Thus, don’t pigeonhole your views. Or rely on some ill-informed writers and sensationalized mainstream media headlines.

May we be guided, amin.

Muhsin Ibrahim is a PhD who teaches at the University of Cologne, Germany and he can be reached via muhsin2008@gmail.com

By Sadiya Abubakar Isa, PhD

It is precisely one year since we returned to Nigeria from Malaysia. My experience has been a roller-coaster ride since my return. I’ve seen the good, the bad and the ugly. 

Alhamdulillah for the gift of life and a loving family. The primary reason why we chose to return was that I missed my family so much. My son would always request to see his cousins – “I want to go to ‘Naijilia’, I want to see grandma”, he cried – until my neighbours once pled with us to take him to Nigeria. He has never been there. He just wants to meet his grandparents and cousins as he has only met them via video calls. I responded.

I thought about the consequences of extending my stay abroad; what if my parents also die (like my husband’s)? Does that mean my kids would never see any of their grannies? I pondered and discussed it with my husband. Maybe we should just return home after my viva. We thought it through thoroughly, and home it is. We finalised our decision.

Of course, there were other reasons. Our scholarship tenures ended towards the end of 2020, so if we had chosen to stay back, we would have to work extra hard to manage our finances. Additionally, the world was fighting a pandemic, a not-so-good time to job-hunt. So rather than being stranded abroad, we got additional reasons to fly back home. 

Many people, mainly family and close friends, tried hard to dissuade us from returning, but what do you do with homesickness? Or the fear of losing loved ones (again) without meeting them after seven years of being away? We overlooked all the negative news. We thought we could make a difference. We felt that we could directly contribute our quota to bettering our dear country by returning to Nigeria. We discussed, planned and strategised lots of projects to do when we return, but Nigerians aren’t ready – we realised. 

On that fateful day, we arrived in Nigeria on the 19th of March 2021. From the airport in Abuja down to Kano airport, the manners of the airport officials and the treatment of our luggage, we knew we were ‘home’. 

Sometimes I’m glad I’m home, but I often regret this decision. I have tried to settle down since, but I’m still in the process. Truth be told, if one is entrepreneurial, there are many business opportunities in Nigeria, but its challenges wouldn’t let you achieve the desired results in time. Even if you have a good-paying job, your salary is hardly enough this time, thanks to the inflation everywhere and the devaluation of the Naira. Moreover, with the overwhelming decline in Nigeria’s energy sector, things can only worsen over time. 

The vulnerability of an ordinary citizen in Nigeria is very discouraging, thanks to the exacerbating insecurity in our region. You can’t travel around peacefully. You can’t trust your neighbours, not to mention strangers. You can’t even take off your attention from the kids. So we are always living in fear – fear of the unknown. 

Basic amenities are still not basic in Nigeria. The first time my son experienced a light-out, he asked, “Mama, what happened? Please, put on the light, Mama I can’t see”. It was funny, and we all laughed, but it hit me very hard. 

Adopting has been quite tricky for my kids. We are all Nigerians, but my husband and I are more Nigerian than the kids are. Till today when writing this, they quickly have diarrhoea resulting from food poisoning and difficulties in eating local foods. The worst is when you don’t have good enough hospitals around, and It’s tiring. I can’t count how many times we have been down due to malaria or thyroid fever; watching your child suffer from illnesses that would have otherwise been avoided is appalling. It’s exhausting and sometimes frustrating.

We were mugged at Kofar Danagundi in Kano; we have escaped a series of phone snatching scenes. I have been duped and cheated by people I tried to help out of poverty. I still cannot explain the concept of almajiri to my son. He asked, “where is the ‘almadiri’s [almajiri] mother? Why does he have to beg for food?” I still haven’t answered his questions satisfactorily.

While travelling to Borno in mid-January, I experienced what it really means to be in a war zone after slightly escaping a Boko Haram attack. By the grace of God, we are surviving in this country. When we look back at life, we see how far Nigeria is from the developed and developing world. Even India, which is still struggling with all forms of corruption, offers a better life experience than Nigeria. 

I will not advise anyone to return to Nigeria if you ask me. Nigeria is currently at its worst. So don’t relocate to Nigeria if not for very tangible reasons. If you have a good job in your country of residence, please don’t come back. If you have a scholarship, do your best to prove your worth to be retained there. If you have a valid visa, look for a job; keep searching, make yourself useful in any way possible. If you can afford to stay there, don’t even think of returning. Yes, living abroad is expensive but also efficient.

It could also be exhaustive, but the basic necessities are available and accessible. You may pay too much tax but drive on good roads with cameras. You get to eat good food and sleep without battling mosquitoes. 

So if you choose to return, think about the future of your kids here, think about their safety and think about the opportunities they may be missing because of your decision. But then, Alhamdulillah for everything! 

Dr Sadiya Abubakar Isa can be reached via haleesad@gmail.com.