Amb. Yasir Abiola challenges students to return with determination, curiosity and a readiness to become better
ADO-EKITI — As students across Nigeria prepare to resume for the 2026/2027 academic session, Mature Minds Digital Radio & TV has called on learners to return to school with more than books and school bags, urging them to carry forward the knowledge, skills and positive experiences acquired during the holiday.
The call was made by Amb. S. Yasir Abiola, presenter of the BACK-TO-SCHOOL programme on Mature Minds Digital Radio & TV, during an edition focused on “Welcome Back to School: Turning Holiday Lessons into a Purposeful Academic Journey.”
The programme, which operates under the series theme “Building Smarter, Safer, and More Purposeful Learners,” reflected on the transition from the long holiday to the new academic session and encouraged students to approach the new term as an opportunity for personal and academic growth.
According to Abiola, the end of the holiday should not mark the end of learning, noting that experiences and skills acquired outside the classroom can contribute meaningfully to students’ development.
“A holiday may end, but what we learn from it should continue with us.”
He illustrated the message through a story of two siblings who spent their holiday differently. While one child considered the holiday a period in which nothing was learnt, the other returned with new experiences in computer design, reading and personal financial planning.
Abiola said the contrast demonstrates that students can return to school with different forms of knowledge depending on how they use their time outside the classroom.
He therefore challenged students to look beyond academic scores and ask themselves important developmental questions, including what they intend to learn, what skill they want to develop, what weakness they want to overcome and what positive habit they want to build during the new academic session.
Lessons from the Holiday Special Series
The programme also reflected on the major lessons from the recently concluded BACK-TO-SCHOOL Holiday Special Series, which explored learning beyond the classroom and the need for young people to develop skills that complement formal education.
Topics highlighted included practical skills, creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving, entrepreneurship, vocational learning, communication, teamwork and leadership.
Abiola also encouraged students to pay attention to their interests and talents, stressing that a hobby can become a valuable skill when deliberately developed.
He urged learners who discovered new interests during the holiday not to abandon them after resumption but to continue developing them alongside their formal education.
New Academic Session, New Attitude
The presenter further encouraged students to approach the 2026/2027 academic session with a growth mindset.
Rather than concluding that they can never understand a difficult subject, students were advised to recognise that learning takes time, practice and persistence.
Abiola encouraged students to ask questions, learn from mistakes and seek help where necessary, stressing that academic excellence is not merely about knowing the most but also about maintaining a willingness to learn.
Parents and Teachers Have Important Roles
The programme also addressed parents, describing education as a partnership involving the home, school and student.
Parents were encouraged to take an active interest in their children’s education by asking about their studies, checking assignments, encouraging reading, monitoring technology and social-media use, paying attention to friendships and, importantly, maintaining open communication with their children.
Abiola also called for parents to celebrate improvement rather than focusing exclusively on perfection.
Teachers, meanwhile, were reminded of their role in shaping not only academic performance but also the character, confidence and potential of their students.
He encouraged educators to create learning environments where students can ask questions, think critically, experiment, create and express themselves.
Students Encouraged to Set Academic Goals
As part of the programme, students were encouraged to establish personal goals for the new academic session.
The suggested checklist includes:
- A subject they intend to improve in;
- A book they want to read;
- A practical skill they want to develop;
- A bad habit they want to reduce or stop;
- A positive habit they want to establish;
- A talent they want to develop; and
- One area in which they want to become more responsible.
According to Abiola, setting such goals can help students transform inspiration into measurable action throughout the academic year.
MMDR Announces Back-to-School Mathematics Contest
The programme also announced the forthcoming BACK-TO-SCHOOL MATHEMATICS CONTEST, an educational initiative of Mature Minds Digital Radio & TV designed for students in JSS3 to SSS2.
The contest will be built around the challenge:
“10 QUESTIONS. CAN YOU GET 10/10?”
The competition is expected to test students in areas including fractions, algebra, simple equations, shapes, angles, lines, Pythagoras’ theorem, basic geometry, logical reasoning and problem-solving.
However, the initiative is designed not merely to test speed and calculation but to promote understanding, reasoning, critical thinking and confidence in Mathematics.
The first episode is hopefully scheduled for Saturday, 19 September 2026, at the Mature Minds Digital Radio & TV station.
Students, parents, teachers and schools are being encouraged to look out for the initiative and support qualified students to participate.
“Don’t Just Return With Your School Bag”
As the programme concluded, Abiola urged students preparing to resume on Monday, 14 September 2026, to make the new academic session a period of deliberate personal transformation.
He encouraged them to return with determination, curiosity, discipline and a willingness to improve, rather than simply returning physically to the classroom.
“Don’t just return with your school bag. Return with a better mindset. Return with determination. Return with curiosity. Return with discipline. Return ready to learn.”
The BACK-TO-SCHOOL programme continues to promote the philosophy that education extends beyond examinations, with emphasis on developing smarter, safer and more purposeful learners.
The programme airs on Mature Minds Digital Radio & TV every Saturday from 4:15pm to 5:00pm.
By: Amb. S. Yasir Abiola
Presenter, BACK-TO-SCHOOL
Mature Minds Digital Radio & TV
BACK-TO-SCHOOL — Education Matters: Educate Minds, Transform Nation.
