Youth Moral Devt Key To Nigeria’s Long Term Stability – Gbajabiamila

The Presidency has reaffirmed its commitment to tackling rising social vices in secondary and tertiary institutions, describing youth moral development as central to Nigeria’s long-term stability and growth.

The Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, gave the assurance during a meeting with members of the Special Committee on Campaign Against Social Vices in Secondary and Tertiary Institutions at the State House, Abuja.

He described the committee’s mandate as a strategic national assignment aimed at safeguarding the country’s future.

Gbajabiamila noted that the designation of the body as a “special committee” underscores the urgency and priority attached to confronting cultism, drug abuse, examination malpractice, cybercrime and other emerging threats within the education system.

He warned that rising social vices among young people pose a significant policy and governance challenge.

According to him, many of the Federal Government’s ongoing reforms are youth-focused and forward-looking, but their success depends largely on building a morally grounded and responsible generation.

He stressed that deliberate and coordinated intervention is required to protect the long-term gains of these reforms.

The Chief of Staff advocated a whole-of-society approach, emphasising collaboration among parents, teachers, religious leaders, community actors and security agencies.

He underscored the nexus between law and morality, describing value reorientation as fundamental to sustainable national development.

Gbajabiamila assured the committee of the Federal Government’s readiness to collaborate through institutional backing, mobilisation of corporate support under Corporate Social Responsibility frameworks, and exploration of budgetary provisions.

As a demonstration of commitment, he announced a ₦50 million donation to support the committee’s activities.

Earlier, Chairman of the Committee, Jerry Ugokwe, said the initiative reflects the administration’s resolve to institutionalise a structured response to social vices among students.

He described youth moral wellbeing as a national priority requiring sustained presidential attention.

Ugokwe explained that the committee’s mandate includes identifying and addressing social vices in schools, promoting discipline and responsible leadership, conducting sensitisation campaigns, and recommending policies to strengthen students welfare and campus security.

He noted that engagements have already been held in Edo and Kwara States as part of a nationwide rollout.

Also speaking, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Student Engagement, Sunday Asefon, highlighted the urgency of coordinated national action, citing recent incidents linked to drug abuse among students.

He explained that the Federal Ministry of Education has made budgetary provision for the committee in the 2025 fiscal year.

The Presidency reiterated that addressing social vices aligns with the administration’s broader youth development and nation-building agenda, emphasising transparency, measurable outcomes and sustained stakeholder engagement as guiding principles for the committee’s work.

Georgina Humphrey, Edited By Grace Namiji