In today’s Nigeria, the obsession with material wealth and social status significantly influences behavior and values, contributing to a decline in honesty, discipline, and integrity
Influence of Material Things on Moral Decadence in Nigerian Society: The Roles of Parents
By Comrade Owolabi Aleshinloye (OwoSports)
In today’s Nigeria, the influence of material things has become one of the strongest forces shaping people’s behavior, aspirations, and value systems. The growing obsession with wealth, luxury, and social status has deeply affected the moral fabric of society, leading to a steady decline in honesty, discipline, and integrity.
Across the country, many now measure success by possessions rather than principles. The desire to acquire wealth by any means has overshadowed the virtues of hard work and contentment that once defined the Nigerian spirit. The situation is worsened by social media, where the constant display of affluence, whether genuine or fake, has created immense pressure on young people to “make it” at all costs. As a result, crimes such as internet fraud, ritual killings, and corruption have become alarming trends, while society continues to celebrate wealth without questioning its source.
Dr. Saheed Oyede, popularly known as Human Being, a lecturer at the University of Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria, observed that the younger generation’s moral values are being distorted by the craving for social validation. According to him, “They are easily influenced by the society because they want to be seen as being current. They want validation and acceptance from the society.” This constant struggle for acceptance and recognition, he noted, often drives many into moral compromise and unethical lifestyles.
Supporting this view, Wale Mustapha, a sports journalist and academic, submitted that the growing decadence in Nigerian society is systemic, rooted in the prioritization of personal ambition over national interest. According to him, “Parents too have been distracted with personal interests. Parenthood has lost it through self-wish.” His observation underscores how the pursuit of self-centered goals, whether among leaders or parents, continues to weaken the moral foundation of both family and nation.
Similarly, Ibraheem Kazeem, a school proprietor and academic, believes that moral decadence is not a new phenomenon. In his words, “Moral decadence has always existed since the human race began to multiply. It’s caused by greed and the accommodation of lustful thoughts advertised with modernity.” He further explained that the problem has been “promoted by the failure of family institutions and leadership.” According to him, the decay persists because many adults who now stand as parents are themselves morally underdeveloped. As he poignantly concluded, “Unfortunately, many standing as parents today are adults that are still supposed to be under the tutelage of a parent. You can’t give what you don’t have.”
This growing materialism has indeed fueled a wave of moral decadence, evident in the erosion of respect, empathy, and community values. The nation’s collective conscience appears to be fading as people increasingly prioritize personal gain over the common good. Acts of dishonesty, greed, and moral compromise have become normalized, affecting homes, schools, workplaces, and even religious institutions.
At the heart of this challenge lies the family. Parents, who are meant to be the first moral teachers, have a central role to play in reversing this trend. Unfortunately, many have neglected their responsibility in pursuit of material comfort, leaving children to learn values from peers, social media, and popular culture. This neglect has produced a generation that glorifies wealth without work and success without substance.
Disturbingly, the problem is sometimes reinforced at home. Some parents now cover up or even celebrate their children’s involvement in dishonest activities. When wrongdoing is rewarded at home, the moral damage becomes almost irreversible. How can a child grow into a responsible adult when the very foundation of right and wrong is compromised by parental approval of evil?
To rebuild the moral strength of society, parents must lead by example. They must model integrity, humility, and discipline in their daily lives, teaching their children that character is greater than cash and that true success is built on honesty and hard work. Parents should monitor the influences shaping their children’s behavior, especially online, and reward good character rather than material achievement. Creating time for meaningful family communication and moral guidance is essential in nurturing responsible citizens.
If Nigeria must regain its lost moral compass, the process must begin at home. The moral decay in society reflects the weakening of family values, and restoring those values is the surest path to rebuilding the nation. Parents must rise to their divine and social responsibility of nurturing children who value integrity above wealth and principle above possession. Only then can Nigeria truly experience a moral and cultural rebirth that will secure a better future for generations to come.
