Scammed by the Young, Looted by the Old: Nigeria’s Moral Crisis Demands a New Kind of Leader

By Dr. Michael Omoruyi | iNewsAfrica | May 19, 2025

Nigeria is stuck in a dangerous paradox. The older generation of politicians—many of whom have ruled for decades—are seen as architects of corruption, godfathers of impunity, and symbols of national stagnation. Yet, the much-anticipated rise of the youth has delivered a bitter twist: a generation tainted by internet scams, digital fraud, and a disturbing normalization of “hustle culture” over hard-earned legitimacy.

With 2027 elections on the horizon, Nigerians face a sobering question: When the elders are corrupt and the youths are scammers, who then should lead this country forward?

This Is Not Just a Generational Crisis—It Is a Moral Collapse

For too long, our national debate has focused on age: “Give the youth a chance!” or “Respect the elders’ experience!” But experience without integrity breeds recycled failure, just as youth without values produces a faster route to destruction.

We are not just facing a leadership vacuum—we are confronting a moral vacuum.

Our politics is plagued by a dangerous culture of impunity across generations. Whether it is the 70-year-old ex-governor looting pension funds, or the 27-year-old digital fraudster flaunting stolen wealth on social media, the result is the same: a broken social contract, a bleeding economy, and a cynical populace.

A New Nigeria Demands a New Type of Leader

What Nigeria needs is not an age revolution—it needs a values revolution. Our future depends on producing ethical, disciplined, and visionary Nigerians who prioritize service over self, no matter their age.

This begins with:

• Civic education and value reorientation in schools, mosques, churches, and media platforms.

• Electoral reforms that reduce the cost of participation and encourage competent, clean individuals to run for office.

• Strong institutions that punish corruption swiftly and reward integrity transparently.

• A cross-generational alliance of reformers willing to break the culture of silence, godfatherism, and criminal glorification.

From ‘Yahoo’ Boys to Young Reformers

Let us be clear: not all young Nigerians are scammers, and not all old politicians are corrupt. There are credible, hardworking individuals across both generations. But until we elevate integrity above age, vision above tribal loyalty, and service above selfish ambition, Nigeria will keep circling the drain.

Age Is a Number, Character Is the Future

If Nigeria is to survive—and thrive—it must reject both the sins of the past and the seductions of a corrupted youth culture. The real transformation will begin the day we start asking: Not how old is the leader, but how clean is the record? Not where is he from, but what has he done?

Let 2027 be the year Nigeria finally chooses character over charisma and principles over promises.

Dr. Michael Omoruyi is a public affairs analyst and publisher of iNewsAfrica.
Feedback: publisher@inewsafrica.com