OPINION: Blatant consumerism and a moral crisis in Nigeria

Nigeria has more existential problems than poverty. Another big problem is people’s habit of clapping their hands for wealth without asking where it comes from. In many places, societal respect is no longer earned through service, sacrifice, or productivity. These goods are bought in convoys, designer clothes, crowded parties, foreign trips and bundles of cash thrown in the air in front of hungry people, and that is the tragedy of blatant consumerism.

This culture values ​​spending primarily on being seen, admired, and feared. Economist Thorstein Veblen described it as a public display of wealth to gain status. Yet Nigerian society has made this concept more than just a social custom, as it continues to influence politics, government, family life and even religion. The danger is simple.

When society celebrates luxury without questioning its source, it secretly trains its children to despise patience and honesty. A young person who witnesses a thief being praised, sitting in the front row, and being given the title of chief may begin to wonder why integrity should matter. The message becomes toxic when people are taught that they can steal in moderation, spend hard, and force society to conform. Research supports these concerns.

Experts have long warned that status competition will worsen in unequal societies. When hardship is everywhere and wealth is loudly displayed, hatred grows. Trust collapses when people start measuring human worth based on cars, houses, clothes, and connections, rather than based on character or contributions. This disease also damaged the government.

Public office has long been a shortcut to personal greatness and not a platform for service. These failures are now on full display as appointed or elected officials and their aides flaunt unexplainable wealth, while the majority of Nigerians struggle with food, transportation, rent and healthcare. The EFCC and ICPC may be successful, but arrests in isolation are not enough in a system where corruption often spreads from the top to the bottom.

Freedom of Information requests, which are supposed to help citizens police public institutions, are too often treated as a decorative tool, and many requests are ignored or unanswered. This should shock our conscience and show us that our country actually needs more than just economic reform but also moral correction.

Unexplained wealth should no longer automatically inspire respect. Fathers, mothers, uncles, aunts and community leaders must teach our children that working honestly is not a failure. Our schools must restore the dignity of discipline, patience, and service. Religious leaders, traditional institutions, the media, and anti-corruption agencies must also help rebuild the morality of this society.

For too long Nigeria has mistaken noise for success and will continue to produce leaders who create wealth rather than build society. Our beloved country must make productivity more honorable than showing off. That should make service more praiseworthy than arrogance. This should make integrity stronger than stolen luxury.

By: Abidemi Adebamiwa