Education alone is not a guaranteed pathway to escaping poverty or achieving success, according to Alexander Adegboye, the Executive Chef of Lórein Restaurant in Abuja.
Speaking with journalists on Friday, Adegboye emphasized the importance of skills over formal education in achieving financial independence and success.
“Education is simply a key to unlocking the door of literacy. It prevents you from being illiterate, but it is your skills that open the door to success. Education is not designed to make you successful,” Adegboye said.
He argued that while education equips individuals to engage with the world, it does not inherently teach them how to create wealth or sustain themselves financially.
“For instance, the reason you and I can communicate now is because we are both educated. But if I were to lack the ability to sustain myself financially, my education would not provide me with a meal,” he added.
Adegboye pointed out that the formal education system often fails to translate academic learning into marketable services or products.
“In today’s world, there are abundant resources online. You could start an online training programme, create a website, and teach remotely. The difference lies in taking initiative to create opportunities for oneself,” he said.
Adegboye also lamented the cyclical mindset of pursuing formal education solely to secure jobs, which, he argued, is no longer sustainable in a rapidly changing world.
He commended the leadership of Lórein Restaurant’s CEO, Adenike Isi Adeeko, describing her as a visionary and goal-driven leader.
“The entire team at Lórein is truly exceptional. When you have a team dedicated to driving a cause or project, excellence becomes inevitable,” he stated.
Reflecting on his career, Adegboye shared his journey, which began in 2015 when he won the Best Teenage Chef competition in Lagos State.
“Unlike the common story of studying something unrelated in university and later becoming a chef, I knew what I wanted from a very young age,” he revealed.
Adegboye credited his success to persistence and passion, which propelled him from his teenage years to becoming the Executive Chef at Lórein Restaurant.
Looking ahead, Adegboye expressed optimism about the restaurant’s growth, envisioning it as a top competitor in the industry.
“If we can sustain this momentum, Lórein will stand out and compete strongly with many other restaurants. In my opinion, it already is the best,” he concluded.