President Muhammadu Buhari has said that the task of transforming Nigeria to a prosperous and respectable nation would be a mirage if the nation's leaders do not adopt the right attitude.

He also warned lecturers against using students as their laboratories for their doctrines or as cannon folder for their struggles in the society, adding that the task of grooming youths for national development devolves on the universities.

Buhari, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Babachir Lawal, spoke at the 40th anniversary of the University of Ilorin, in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital on Friday.

He commended Unilorin for its academic stability, quality education and infrastructural growth.

He said, "Except our leaders get it right and adopt the right attitude, the task of transforming our country to a prosperous and respectable nation will be a mirage. It cannot be business as usual. I therefore call on everyone to partner with government to uproot the evils of corruption, graft, economic sabotage, criminality, delinquency and all forms of indiscipline from our society.

"The task of grooming youths for national development devolves on the universities. I therefore appeal to our teachers not to use our students as their laboratories for their doctrines or as cannon folder for their struggles in the society. The children under your care must not be used as agents for the destabilisation of our society. Our universities must demonstrate high quality intellectual leadership that will engender political, economic and social progress so that together we might build a nation that will be the pride of all.

"Government will continue to create employment and other opportunities for our youths to thrive. Apart from physical discipline, our universities should key in to the evolving ethical revolution, because without discipline, law and order, no society can make any meaningful projects."

Buhari said his administration recalled largely the fact that globalisation of market, interdependence of international systems, expanding roles of technology and high skilled technical, vocational and managerial leaders are the keys drivers of any national economy.

Saying that Nigeria is not different, he added that in the area of knowledge-based economy, the nation could but key into this global trend by giving desired attention to the education sector.