The President of the Nasrul-Lahi-L-Fatih Society (NASFAT), Alhaji Ayodeji Abdulrauf Abdulwahid, has stated that poor parenting is a significant contributor to the rising tide of corruption and social vices in Nigeria.
Speaking during an interview on Morning Rise, a popular program on Channels Television, Alhaji Abdulrauf emphasized that many parents today are overly focused on providing material comforts, such as quality education, housing, and utilities, while neglecting their foundational role of instilling discipline, moral values, and integrity in their children.
“As parents become more concerned with providing material standards of living, they are unintentionally failing in the moral grooming of the next generation,” he said. “The consequence is a society that is increasingly plagued by corruption, indiscipline, and a breakdown of values.”
He noted that true national transformation must begin at the family level, where ethical conduct and accountability are taught early. He stressed that Nigeria can only become free of corruption if leaders themselves embody integrity and lead by example through transparency and responsible governance.
Alhaji Abdulrauf expressed concern over the current state of the nation, noting that Nigeria appears to be facing more challenges today than in the past, particularly with rising moral decay and weakened institutional values.
He also underscored the role of leadership and public expectations, stating:
“Leadership is a cause and effect relationship, whatever leaders do ultimately influences the behavior of followers. At the same time, followers must be guided not to place undue pressure on leaders or make demands that fall outside the scope of their lawful responsibilities.”
He proposed that Nigeria needs courageous, upright leaders who are willing to “take the bull by the horns” and drive the country forward without fear or favour.
Concluding his remarks, he urged Nigerian parents to re-evaluate their priorities:
“Providing for your children is important, but parenting is more than just paying school fees and utility bills. We must regularly assess, guide, and instill values in our children. Without this, we are nurturing a future that may be materially rich but morally bankrupt.”
