BROKEN VALUES: HOW PARENTAL FAILURE AND YOUTH INDISCIPLINE THREATEN NIGERIA’S FUTURE

By Ali Elias

The increasing lack of discipline among Nigerian youths, coupled with the failure of many parents to instill core values in their children, has become a significant societal challenge. A recent experience at a business plaza in Ijegun, Lagos State, underscores how common decency and respect for public spaces are rapidly eroding. Many young people today are displaying troubling levels of irresponsibility and disregard for basic social norms.

One stark example is the unpleasant odor of urine permeating both inside and around offices in a plaza. Upon investigation, it was discovered that some individuals were urinating outside the building and even on the restroom floors, despite other more sanitary options being available. Shockingly, the culprits were young workers at the plaza, demonstrating not only a lack of hygiene but also an alarming indifference to their actions. When confronted, these youths responded with defiance rather than remorse, offering flimsy excuses for their behavior and becoming even confrontational. “Because the water is not running”, “Someone used the toilet and did not flush it”, “I was in a hurry to meet this girl”,  were some of their irritating excuses.

This incident reflects a broader societal problem. Youths, in this case under 20 years of age, who should be channeling their energy into education and personal development are instead engaging in activities that reveal a disturbing lack of discipline, respect, and responsibility. Conversations among them frequently revolve around inappropriate topics—discussions of women in degrading terms, boasting about illicit activities like cyber fraud (“yahoo yahoo”), and talk of money rituals—conducted openly, not minding who is listening to them. These discussions only abate when their boss is present, highlighting their disregard for decency when unsupervised.

This scenario raises pressing questions about the role of parenting and mentorship in Nigeria today. It is becoming increasingly clear that many parents are failing to impart the essential values needed to raise responsible citizens—values such as respect for public spaces, empathy for others, and accountability for one’s actions.

The problem isn’t limited to isolated incidents like this. Similar issues plague various Nigerian institutions, including universities.

 A comparison with the University of Ghana, Legon, the oldest public university in Ghana, I think, reveals stark contrasts in how students and officials treat public spaces. While Legon’s facilities remain clean and well-maintained, Nigerian students in some institutions resort to unsanitary practices like “shotput”—a crude method of disposing of human waste by easing themselves in polyethylene bag and throwing it away through their window to the back of their hostel or elsewhere —due to the appalling state of hostel facilities. This behavior mirrors the situation at the Ijegun plaza, where neglectful habits, if left unchecked, could lead to similarly unsanitary conditions.

These behaviors point to a deeper societal issue: a nation’s future is only as disciplined and responsible as the individuals it raises. If today’s youth are not taught basic values like cleanliness, respect, and personal responsibility, the consequences will reverberate across all aspects of society. It is imperative for parents, educators, and the community at large to reassess how we are nurturing the next generation, ensuring that they grow up with the moral foundation necessary to contribute positively to the country’s progress.