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Tag: Gen Z

  • Ogun deputy governor urges Gen Z to use digital influence positively, promote values

    Ogun deputy governor urges Gen Z to use digital influence positively, promote values

    Ogun State Deputy Governor, Noimot Oyedele-Salako, has called on members of Generation Z—young people born between 1997 and 2012—to channel their creativity, talents, and technological skills toward spreading positivity and promoting worthy values rather than negativity online.

    Speaking at the ‘Trust Teens Conference 2025’, held at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, the deputy governor, who is also a civil engineer, delivered an inspiring address titled “Teens Who Influence.” The annual conference, hosted by the Trust Teens Community (TTC), is regarded as Africa’s biggest teenagers’ gathering, aimed at nurturing leadership and positive influence among young people.

    Salako-Oyedele urged Gen Z participants to always consider their schools, families, communities, and the nation in their actions—both offline and online. She emphasized that in the digital era, where social media defines much of young people’s identity, they hold the power to create content that uplifts rather than tears down.

    “Think about your school, your family, your community,” she told the teens. “Who can you encourage? Who can you defend when others are silent? Even online, you have a choice: do you spread negativity, or do you create content that inspires and informs? True influence is not about the noise you make; it’s about the lives you change.”

    The deputy governor shared personal experiences from her career journey, recalling her days as a civil engineering student, when very few women were represented in her field. She said her determination to succeed was not only for herself but also to pave the way for other young women who would come after her.

    “When I studied Civil Engineering at university, there were very few women in my class,” she said. “I knew that my success wasn’t just about me; it was also about every girl who would come after me. Without planning it, I became a role model in that space. People were watching: could she hold her own? Could she deliver? That realisation shaped me. I understood that influence meant showing up, not for applause, but so others could believe that they, too, belonged.”

    Salako-Oyedele highlighted the importance of consistency and discipline as the foundation of true influence, explaining that real success is not built on viral fame but on steady commitment to values, purpose, and hard work.

    “Be consistent,” she advised. “Influence is not built in one viral moment; it is built in the little things you do daily—showing up to class prepared, finishing what you start, keeping your word even when no one is watching. That’s how people learn to take you seriously. Most influencers you admire today didn’t rise overnight. They kept at it when nobody was watching. Consistency is the bridge between small beginnings and big impact.”

    She added that occupying a high political office has not changed her core values, stressing that integrity and authenticity are the true markers of leadership and influence.

    “Today, I serve as the Deputy Governor of Ogun State, but I can assure you this high office has not changed who I am,” she said. “I remain grounded, guided by my values and my faith. People still know me as the same person I was before politics, and that is because I have strived to be consistent. Influence lasts when people can trust your character, not just your achievements.

    “Your influence grows not from perfection, but from persistence and consistency. People believe in you when they can trust your word, when they see you stand by your values, and when you don’t lose yourself, no matter where life takes you.

    “You don’t have to wait until you’re older to make an impact. Influence starts now, in your schools, in your families, in your communities.

    Start small. Stay true. Be consistent. And above all, learn, connect, and take something away that will shape your future.”

    Speaking earlier at the event, which showcased start-up ideas for funding, including First Aid medical Apps and a waste-to-wealth kit developed by teenagers, the Convener, Miss Deborah Dada, revealed that in the last 17 months, TTC has impacted over 6,000 teenagers through the execution of 25 teen-oriented projects and the setting up of 15 learning centres in six communities.

    Miss Dada added that the organisation had invested over N20 million in the delivery of youth-focused programmes, stressing that it envisions a world where African teenagers become the spark for generational cycles of wholeness, leadership, and societal transformation.

  • How Gen Z Nigerians redefine marriage as choice, not obligation

    How Gen Z Nigerians redefine marriage as choice, not obligation

    The traditional view of marriage in Nigeria is undergoing a major shift, particularly among members of Generation Z.

    Unlike their parents’ generation, which regarded marriage as a compulsory milestone, many Gen Z Nigerians see it as an option rather than an obligation.

    This generational change is driven by evolving priorities. 

    Young Nigerians are increasingly placing personal growth, financial stability, and career advancement ahead of settling down. 

    For them, relationships are being reshaped by globalisation, technology, economic realities, and a growing demand for authenticity.

    As a result, practices such as cohabitation, digital dating, and situationships are gaining ground, while traditional gender roles are being openly challenged. 

    Some young Nigerians are also exploring alternative commitments, including long-term partnerships without marriage or even polyamorous arrangements.

    Read Also: Chinyere Wilfred reflects on Gen Z parenting, marriage crisis

    However, despite these changing attitudes, Gen Z Nigerians still face considerable pressure from parents, religious institutions, and extended families to marry in line with long-standing traditions. 

    Economic challenges — particularly the rising cost of living and job uncertainty — also weigh heavily on their decisions.

    Ultimately, it is clear that Gen Z is charting a new path. By prioritising individuality, freedom, and authenticity, they are redefining love and commitment in Nigeria, shaping the future of relationships for generations to come.

  • 5 Unhealthy habits of Gen Z

    5 Unhealthy habits of Gen Z

    Adulthood is a crucual period for young people to lay the foundation for the future. While Gen Z is undoubtedly one of the most tech-savvy and courageous generations, many tend to live in the moment without adequately planning for their future. Unhealthy habits including addiction to social media, substance abuse and gambling  are increasingly undermining the future of today’s youth.

    OLAITAN GANIU outlines five negative habits mostly exhibited by many Generation Z.

    1. Drugs and substance abuse

    Despite restrictions by National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on sachet alcoholic beverages and public smoking, the involvement in drugs and substance abuse among Gen Z is escalating.

    From local alcoholic brands like ‘Japata bitters’, ‘Striker bitters’, and ‘Alomo bitters’ to cannabis mixture including Colorado, Shisha, Molly, Scoochies (skushi), Tramadol among others, a lot of youth are still endangering their health and lives. A stroll around cities, you will find sachets of alcoholic drinks littering on grounds as if you are walking on a red carpet.

    This disturbing trend contributes not only to natural disaster crisis but increases crime rates.

    Government, NGOs and parents must raise awareness and promote healthier alternatives to help curb this menace.

    2. Hookup culture and online dating

    Hookup culture and online romance have become increasingly normalized, particularly among Gen Z. With the rise of social media and dating apps, this trend promotes casual sexual relationships that lack emotional commitment or long-term intentions.

    One concerning example is a situation where a man booked a random lady from Lagos to Abuja for sexual services in exchange for money. This illegal activity has led to an increase in ritual killings, kidnapping, and outbreaks of infectious diseases as unscrupulous individuals use these platforms to lure victims into dangerous circumstances.

    Read Also: Why I cautioned Peter Obi from visiting Benue — Alia

    It is crucial for families, schools and society to work together to educate young people toward healthier lifestyles.

    3. Addiction to social media and gadgets

    Navigating from TikTok to Instagram and X, millions of youths spend countless hours glued to their screens. Despite age restrictions on some of these platforms, many minors are still actively using them.

    Experts have warned that excessive screen time on phones and other devices can pose significant risks to mental health and overall well-being, particularly for young people.

    Parents and educators must educate youth about the dangers of digital activities to help reduce health risks, as well as issues like cyberbullying and sexual exploitation.

    4. Disrespect for parents and elders

    The old saying ‘Respect your elders’ seems to be losing its significance among Gen Z. With shifting cultural norms and increasing individualism, traditional values are being replaced by more liberal attitudes.

    For example, a disturbing case involved a student from Nnamdi Azikiwe University allegedly slapping, biting and tearing her lecturer’s clothes after he interrupted her while recording a selfie video in class.

    Such incidents highlight the growing trend of disrespect and cancel culture among the Gen Z.

    Families, religious leaders and schools must ensure that moral values are preserved.

    5. Procrastinating

    Procrastination is the act of delaying tasks despite knowing there will be negative consequences. Unlike laziness, procrastination often stems from fear, anxiety, or lack of motivation.

    Undoubtedly, everyone procrastinates to some extent, but this act is prevalent among Gen Z. You will often hear them say, “It’s boring,” “It is frustrating, or “I’m not interested.”

    Parents, guardians and caregivers can assist by teaching effective time management, breaking tasks into scale to boost their emotions.

  • Love, sex, dating in the Gen Z age

    Love, sex, dating in the Gen Z age

    In a time when swiping right has been a replacement for love letters and social media likes have become the measure of attraction, dating by the young generation has seen a radical shift. Gen Z—people born between mid-1997 and early 2012—is witnessing a unique romantic culture shaped by technology, shifting cultural values, and shifting individual values. Differing from the previous generations, where relationships were built based on corporeal proximity and long-term commitments, Gen Z is redefining love, sex, and dating in manners that circumvent conventional expectations.

    The romance revolution in digital age

    According to a 2023 Pew Research report, over 60% of adults aged 18-29 have ever used a dating app, a vast increase from previous generations. With the likes of Tinder, Bumble and Hinge offering what seems like an unlimited pool of romantic opportunities, dating has been easier but also more difficult.

    “Dating apps expose you to people you’d never meet in real life, but they also cause decision fatigue. You’re constantly thinking there’s someone better waiting for you, so it’s harder to settle,” relationship psychologist Femi Oladele said.

    Outside of dating apps, social media sites such as Instagram and TikTok are also a key part of contemporary romance. Hashtags such as #relationshipgoals have collected more than 28.2 million posts on Instagram touting what appear to be perfect couples. However, experts caution that these carefully staged photos create unrealistic expectations.

    “Social media has created a sense among many young people that their relationships are not genuine unless they can be Instagrammable,” Oladele stated. “The compulsion to post publicly about affection sometimes becomes more important than genuine emotional connection.”

    Hookup culture vs. quest for true love

    The popularity of dating apps has also mainstreamed hookup culture and casual relationships. Gen Zers care less about traditional long-term relationships but prioritise financial independence, personal growth and emotional well-being. As per an American Psychological Association (APA) report, 45% of Gen Zers believe relationships need to be non-traditional and fluid, with increased acceptance of ethical non-monogamy, polyamory, and situationships.

    But this shift does not mean that Gen Z has abandoned emotional depth. A few still crave depth of emotion but can’t quite achieve it in a dating culture weighed down with ghosting, mixed communication that sends you on a wild goose chase, and fear of being vulnerable.

    Read Also: I got rejected for movie roles due to physical appearance, says Rotimi Salami

    “I want a serious relationship but most people don’t,” Tolani, a 24-year-old mass communication graduate said. “It’s frustrating because you never know where you stand with someone.”

    Impact of social media on trust, love

    While social media has brought individuals from far distant places together, it has also established some relationship problems. According to the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships’ research, it was discovered that 53% of young couples confirm that social media has ruined their relationships due to such actions as online flirting, tracking one’s partner, and excessive comparison.

    “People now notice who your partner’s friends are, whom they are following, and even dissect their internet behavior,” Femi Oladele said. “Trust is becoming more difficult because everyone has access to too much information.”

    This has produced “soft cheating,” where people engage in sexualised social media conversations which could not amount to actual infidelity but cause tension within relationships. The blurry lines of cyber intercourse leave young adults in a quandary over exactly what is cheating in today’s age.

    What does Gen Z really want?

    Despite the evolving dating scene, emotional intelligence, communication, and respect for one another remain among Gen Z’s highest priorities. In a 2024 survey by YouGov, 72% of Gen Zers believe that in a long-term relationship, emotional intelligence is more important than physical attraction.

    “Ultimately, young people still desire love but want it to feel natural, low-key, and compatible with their own goals,” Oladele said.

    One thing is certain as the world continues to change, one thing is for sure—Gen Z is not abandoning love; they are simply redefining it on their own terms. Whether via online relationships, free relationships, or traditional relationships, the key to modern romance is being flexible, honest, and self-aware.

  • This is your daughter’s body count (1)

    This is your daughter’s body count (1)

    There’s a TikTok trend that has haunted us lately. It steals from your mobile phone browser into your subconscious via catchy thumbnails and skits. In the short videos, scores of fresh-faced girls blurt out their “personal truths.”

    Blurring the lines between confession and performance, they casually speak of their “body count”—a term that once would have invoked shame, now brazenly embraced as a badge of honour. The numbers tumble out with eerie nonchalance from the lips of uninhibited, daring Gen Z, in particular: five, seven, ten, sixteen—each count another testament to the erosion of virtue.

    One girl said her body count was “22” and “still counting.” About two or three others listed their boyfriends’ siblings and fathers as some of their random sex partners. In response to their disclosure, the interviewer, equally a bumbling teen or young adult bellows an overexcited “Mad o!”

    In these sordid spectacles, young women calculate their sexual exploits like victories. There is no internal struggle, no hesitation. Just a cold recital of their indulgences, underscored by the approving cheers of their peers.

    The skits get more interesting as the so-called “content creators” become more daring with the “Hit or Miss” videos showing young adult males interviewing females of their age group or younger teenage girls, about the possibility of having random sex with another male respondent. The female checks out the former and instantly decides if he is a “Hit” or “Miss.” Hit means she would hop in bed with him. If she calls him a “Miss,” it means he isn’t her type. If the latter is the case, the interviewer asks if she would settle for him instead. Often, she makes a show of checking him out and says, “Yes.” In about five such sessions, the male interviewer asks if he could pat or grab her buttocks and she responds in the affirmative – and he frantically gropes her.

    The spectacle is a chilling reflection of a society adrift, where the boundaries of shame have been all but erased, and where parental oversight, once the cornerstone of moral upbringing, has disintegrated.

    But times are hard. So, it’s okay to treat morality as a dispensable relic. Ask the apologetic Nigerian. The voice of counsel is stifled by the ceaseless hum of the social media. The prevailing mantra is: “No one has the right to judge,” “Leave them alone; they are only trying to survive. They are not the cause of inflation in Nigeria.” Thus, the rationalisation begins, shielding misdeeds from scrutiny.

    Yet, this descent into moral ambiguity isn’t just confined to a few viral videos. The larger issue lies in how such permissiveness has been woven into the fabric of our daily lives. The rise of the internet has birthed a generation of content creators addicted to shock value. Too many exploit scandal and vulgarity. From the “Hit or Miss” videos to scenes of unbridled debauchery, it’s clear that we have become a society that rewards the profane.

    The situation elicits crucial questions about the homes from which the girls emerged: Where are their parents? Are they privy to their daughters’ activities online? How did they become so permissive of such degeneracy?

    The uninhibited Tiktok vixen and her male enablers are in no way different from the brothel prostitute and her foul-mouthed roughneck pimp. Just as the TikTok vixen flaunts her flesh for virtual applause, so too do our leaders flaunt their corruption without fear of reprisal. Both are driven by the same toxic impulse: the desire for immediate gratification at any cost.

    Read Also: GOHO Foundation shares educational materials with 12 Nigerian schools

    Like the rapist, political assassin, ballot robber, kidnapper, and treasury looter, they are the results, not of society’s savagery or sexism, but of society’s absence. They are products of a culture imperiled by the family’s moral collapse.

    Studies by the United States Department of Census and Health, among others, have long found that children that from single-mother households are five times more likely to commit suicide, nine times more likely to drop out of high school, 10 times more likely to abuse chemical substances, 14 times more likely to commit rape, 20 times more likely to end up in prison and 32 times more likely to run away from home – than children from unbroken households and single-father households. Single-mother households also account for 70% of all teen pregnancies and 70 per cent of all child murders and filicides.

    The debate has seen both sides of the divide advance aggressive empirical studies and research findings to substantiate their arguments and validate entrenched truths or prejudices. Against the maelstrom of sociological “truths and interests,” Nigeria must urgently commit to a moral recourse – particularly amid a clime in which several  Nigerian fathers have been found to sexually abuse their underage daughters.

    Yet Nigeria grapples with a moral turpitude that has quickened its ruin and complete subjugation to a new wave of what Bulhan aptly describes as metacolonialism – championed by supposedly developed but corrupted civilisations of Europe and America.

    The moral degradation we witness daily is not an isolated phenomenon but rather the predictable result of a society where the family has been supplanted by the allure of instant fame and fortune.

    The morally ambivalent youth is today’s amoral nomad, superbly conditioned by Western education and the media to scorn the native intelligence and wisdom of his immediate society.

    Many morph in real-time into unthinking herds cum agents of colonialism. Hence the preponderance of “liberal” skitmakers,  journalists, writers, teachers, economists, social workers, engineers, and health workers, to mention a few, who function as glorified stooges of degenerate global imperialists.

    The faithlessness and moral corruption that they personify are similar to the ones that drove African enablers of the transatlantic slave trade. This degeneracy remains largely unchallenged.

    To prevent its recurrence, we must hinder the social mechanisms that render our youths capable of such. And this can only be achieved through education. The Nigerian school must begin to impart more than money-making soundbites and status-conferring skills. They must nurture the virtues of honesty, discipline, and empathy. Parents, too, must reassert their role as the primary moral guides for their children.

    President Bola Tinubu, while presenting the 2024 Appropriation Bill to a joint session of the National Assembly, outlined human capital development among his administration’s priorities for the upcoming fiscal year. So, the budget placed significant focus on children, recognising them as the most critical resource for national development.

    If Nigeria truly seeks sustainable socio-economic growth in the long run, we must groom generations of men and women capable of nourishing and preserving the Greater Nigeria enterprise.

    Nigeria needs patriots amply groomed to understand that the most important achievements aren’t measurable by the number of likes or emojis attracted by a viral video of sexual misdemeanour on TikTok.

    The true purpose of socialisation dims in the camera lights and the applause of debauched Tiktokers. It’s about time parents began to monitor their children’s activities on social media – the girls in particular.

    And the reasons are hardly far-fetched. The lust for applause and cheap renown finds more fertile tracts in the psyches of females flaunting their “fleshly assets” in social media’s carnal theatre.

    But while sex and nudity are deemed profitable by millions of girls setting up shop in cyberspace,  time and over again, teenage girls and young adult females have become victims of cyber-bullying and scandalous videos of revenge porn.