Convener of the initiative, Corruption Not In My Country, Akin Fadeyi, has blamed societal failure for the rising anti-social behaviour among Nigerian youths.
He spoke on Friday during on interview on Channels Television’s breakfast programme, The Morning Brief.
Fadeyi, who is also the Founder of the Akin Fadeyi Foundation, cited a recent report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), which showed that 14.3 per cent of Nigerians between the ages of 15 and 64 abuse drugs and other substances.
Fadeyi described the figure as only a “microcosm” of the problem, warning that the trend points to a self-destructive path for the youth.
He stated that “in the heart of every young person lies the potential for greatness”.
“Youth is not a phase; it’s a revolution waiting to happen,” he stated.
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Fadeyi added that the problem had reached emergency levels, stressing that society must ask, “What have we done wrong?”
He further noted that while discipline might be applied, young people under the influence of drugs could still commit crimes, ranging from assaulting parents to sexual violence.
“The disease itself is already gangrenous. We are dealing with a very serious case of emergency. What we have done wrong is a collective wrong society has failed these youths,” said the anti-corruption campaigner.
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Weak Parenting
Fadeyi also faulted poor parenting and weak societal values, questioning whether parents were raising entitled children or neglecting them with mobile devices and money rather than training them.
He referenced reported cases where parents attacked teachers for disciplining their wards, leaving school authorities unable to enforce discipline for fear of backlash or cult-related violence.
Fadeyi warned that this lack of accountability was driving society “rapidly south.”
“There is no youth who has serious intentions about his future who believes rebellion and drug abuse are the way forward. People must decide they want to grow well and be meaningful.
“Otherwise, we are heading for a suicidal society,” he added.
His comments come amid a viral video that showed some youths suspected to be students of a secondary school in Ejigbo, Lagos, who were seen smoking unknown substances and consuming what looked like alcohol.
