In recent times, an unsettling and dangerous trend has emerged among Nigerian youth—an insatiable and reckless crave for wealth at all costs. This unchecked materialism is now prioritized over integrity, morality, and human dignity. It is a devastating reality that has begun to erode the moral foundations upon which Nigeria was built.
Nigeria, by every consideration, is a religious nation. The teachings of both Christianity and Islam emphasize righteousness, hard work, and contentment. Our fore-bearers lived by these values, ensuring that morality and spirituality guided their everyday decisions. However, today’s youth appear to have abandoned these age-old principles in pursuit of instant riches, no matter the cost. The disturbing rise in drug abuse, internet fraud, ritual killings, and other heinous crimes all stem from this unquenchable thirst for illicit wealth.
It is heartbreaking to witness young people, the supposed future of this nation, engaging in unimaginable atrocities just to acquire material possessions. Money has become their god; they are willing to kill, steal, and destroy their own futures just to flaunt luxurious lifestyles on social media. The shocking normalization of fraud, blood money, and unethical shortcuts to riches is a direct affront to the values that once made Nigeria a nation of dignity and human decency.
Read also: Poverty in the Midst of Plenty – A Call for Urgent Action
Sadly, the blame cannot be placed solely on the youth. The Nigerian government and society at large have failed them. Years of corruption, failed leadership, and misplaced priorities have created a system where honest labor seems fruitless, while corrupt and fraudulent individuals are celebrated. In such an environment, it is no surprise that many young people now seek shortcuts to success rather than hard work and perseverance. However, this does not excuse their descent into moral depravity. Two wrongs do not make a right, and no justification exists for killing, drug abuse, or fraud.
The consequences of this societal decay are dire. A nation where morality is abandoned in favor of wealth accumulation is on a fast track to destruction. If the youth of today continue down this dark path, Nigeria risks losing its soul. What will remain of a country where human life is sacrificed for money? Where deception is glorified? Where spirituality and morality are mocked? This nation is on the brink of a moral catastrophe if urgent steps are not taken to curb this destructive trend.
It is time for collective action. Religious leaders must rise and re-emphasize the core values of faith—honesty, hard work, and contentment. Parents must take responsibility for instilling discipline and moral uprightness in their children. Educational institutions must reinforce the teaching of ethics and character development. The government must restore hope by fighting corruption and creating genuine opportunities for hardworking citizens. Most importantly, the youth themselves must recognize that true wealth is built through diligence, perseverance, and integrity—not through crime, bloodshed, or deceit.
Nigeria must wake up before it is too late. The love of money, when unchecked, is the root of all evil. If we do not act now, the moral and spiritual heritage handed down to us by our ancestors will be lost forever. We must reclaim our values, reject the obsession with illicit wealth, and restore Nigeria to a land of love, dignity, honesty, and humanity.
