GCIOBA: AGBOLUAJE URGES STUDENTS TO BUILD HABITS FOR FUTURE CAREER SUCCESS

Abimbola Agboluaje, one of the facilitators at the Career Day event organized by the Government College Ibadan Old Boys Association (GCIOBA), gave some advice as part of the association‘s 2026 reunion activities.

She advised students to work on important personal traits, useful skills, and positive mindsets from a young age.
This is to help them prepare for future careers and become responsible members of society.

In a talk called “15 Habits, Qualities and Attitudes to Develop Now,” Agboluaje talked about the value of being curious, having self–discipline, being honest, improving communication skills, and staying committed to learning throughout life.
She encouraged students to think beyond just exams and focus on growing their knowledge and character.

The session also stressed the importance of reading, suggesting students read newspapers, biographies, history, literature, and books on topics like society, politics, and economics.
It also said that being able to communicate clearly, listen well, and express ideas logically are key skills for success in jobs like law, diplomacy, journalism, and international development.

Agboluaje also underscored the importance of honesty and discipline, urging students to reject examination malpractice, cheating and dishonest shortcuts. The presentation highlighted punctuality, timely completion of assignments, early examination preparation and consistent effort as habits that can help students build a strong foundation for their future.

On critical thinking, students were encouraged to distinguish facts from opinions, question assumptions and examine evidence before reaching conclusions, particularly when consuming information on social media.

The facilitator further identified confidence, resilience and independent judgment as qualities students should develop, encouraging them to participate in debates, practise public speaking, express their views and learn from setbacks and corrections.

The presentation also drew attention to digital literacy and the responsible use of technology, including computers, research tools, spreadsheets and artificial intelligence. Students were encouraged to use digital resources to acquire knowledge and improve their skills rather than rely on them primarily for entertainment.

Agboluaje highlighted the value of staying informed about developments in Nigeria and the wider world, including governance, the economy, education, technology, climate change and international affairs.

Other qualities identified included empathy, respect for people from different backgrounds, leadership, teamwork, initiative and problem-solving. Students were encouraged to take responsibility in school clubs, societies and community projects while learning to collaborate with others and identify practical solutions to problems around them.

Adaptability and lifelong learning were also presented as important attributes in a changing professional environment. The presentation encouraged students to pursue ambitious goals while recognising that career success should extend beyond salary, status or travelling abroad to include meaningful contributions to society.

Seven habits students can begin this week

To translate the recommendations into practical action, Agboluaje outlined seven personal-development habits students could begin immediately.

These include reading beyond school textbooks for at least 20 minutes daily, following a credible Nigerian or international news source, and learning five new words each week for use in writing or conversation.

Students were also encouraged to practise speaking for two minutes on a topic without reading notes, dedicate time each week to improving a digital or research skill, and participate in a school club, debate, volunteer activity or community project.

The seventh recommendation was for students to set three personal goals each term and review their progress weekly.

The recommendations underline the importance of beginning career preparation while still in school, combining academic learning with character development, communication, practical experience and an awareness of the world beyond the classroom.

For students preparing for an increasingly changing professional landscape, the presentation offered a practical framework for building habits that can support personal growth, workplace readiness and responsible participation in society.