THE RISE OF MORAL RELATIVISM AMONG NIGERIAN YOUTHS

 

In contemporary Nigeria, a subtle yet powerful, albeit terrible shift is taking place in the value system of young people. It is the growing acceptance of Moral Relativism, the idea that moral judgments are purely personal or culturally determined, and that there are no absolute standards of right or wrong. While the concept may appear progressive or liberating on the surface, its unchecked spread has profound consequences for personal character, social order, and national development. These consequences are already manifesting. Among Nigerian youths, moral relativism is gradually becoming a lens through which certain behaviours are justified, and its effects, though often overlooked, are increasingly visible in everyday life.

Understanding Moral Relativism

Moral Relativism rejects universal moral principles. Instead, it claims that behaviour cannot be judged objectively because morality varies across individuals and cultures. What one person considers wrong may be perfectly acceptable to another. Among Nigerian youths, this mindset often manifests in statements like “Everybody has their own truth,” “No one has the right to judge,” or “Leave people to do what makes them happy.” While these expressions may sound tolerant, they sometimes function as convenient shields for unhealthy and harmful conduct.

Erosion of Accountability

One of the most significant negative effects of moral relativism is the decline in personal accountability. When youths believe that morality is subjective, it becomes difficult to take responsibility for choices that have damaging consequences. For example, academic malpractice, online scams, exam impersonation, drug abuse, and other forms of misconduct are increasingly defended with phrases like “You do what you have to do” or “Everyone is trying to survive.”

This terrible erosion of accountability normalizes behaviour that, in earlier years, would have been condemned. It makes it easier for individuals to self-justify and rationalize wrongdoing rather than confront their actions honestly. Over time, a society where few people feel and are actually accountable becomes one where discipline is weak, trust is deficient, and integrity is rare.

Weakening of Cultural and Ethical Foundations

Nigeria’s diverse cultures, Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa-Fulani, Tiv, Efik, and many others, are built on longstanding values such as honesty, communal responsibility, respect for elders, and modesty. Moral relativism, however, challenges these values by suggesting that they need not apply universally. Many youths now consider traditional norms “old school” or “outdated,” dismissing collective ethics in favour of individual preferences.

This has contributed to the gradual decline of cultural continuity. Respect for elders is replaced with sarcasm; there is vulgarity in placed of modesty; radical individualism takes the place of community. It must be emphasized that a society that cannot uphold its moral foundations will definitely become vulnerable to social decay, especially when younger generations no longer see value in cherished traditions.

Rise of Internet and Pop Culture Influences

The digital age has amplified the spread of moral relativism, especially through social media, music, and entertainment. Online spaces often promote the idea that personal desire is the only moral compass one needs. Many Nigerian youths consume and imitate content that glorifies wealth acquisition “by any means,” hypersexuality, drug use, and rebellious behaviour.

When these ideals clash with societal expectations, moral relativism provides a convenient escape. You hear things like “It’s my life,” “Don’t judge me,” or “Everyone has their lifestyle.” The resultant effect is a widening gap between youthful aspirations and ethical boundaries, influenced more by global pop culture than by local moral traditions.

Breakdown of Social Trust

Social trust, the confidence that others will act in predictable, fair, and honest ways, is essential for any functioning society. However, moral relativism undermines this trust by blurring distinctions between acceptable and unacceptable behaviour. If everyone is allowed to define right and wrong based on personal preference, then lying, manipulation, betrayal, and exploitation can easily be rationalized.

Among today’s Nigerian youths, it is easy to observe:

• Normalization of “catching cruise” at someone else’s expense;
• Treating relationships as disposable or transactional;
• Rising cases of fraud among peers; and
• Diminished loyalty in friendships and social circles.

When social trust collapses, cooperation becomes extremely weak, suspicion increases astronomically, and relationships become very fragile. A society cannot thrive when its younger generation does not share a common ethical framework.

Increase in Crime and Opportunistic Behaviour

While moral relativism does not directly cause crime, it creates an environment where criminal tendencies are easier to rationalize. For some youths, fraud (now better known as “Yahoo Yahoo”) is defended as a legitimate hustle since, in their view, morality is subjective and foreigners are “fair game.” Cybercrime, drug trafficking, ritual practices disguised as “money rituals,” and organized internet scams thrive in a moral atmosphere where objective wrongdoing is dismissed.

The danger is that such behaviour not only affects the individuals involved but also, their family, immediate community and ultimately damages the country’s global reputation, discourages investment, and undermines national cohesion and development.

Moral Confusion and Identity Crisis

Another subtle yet destructive effect of moral relativism is the internal confusion it causes in most youths. When there are no clear standards, young people often struggle to form a coherent identity. Conflicting ideologies, running from Western liberalism to traditional African ethics, pull them in different directions, acting as centrifugal force. Without firm values, many become reactive rather than principled, driven by trends rather than conviction.

This moral confusion contributes to anxiety, peer pressure, and low self-esteem as youths attempt to navigate a world where anything goes but nothing is stable.

Impact on National Development

A nation is only as strong as the values of its people. Moral relativism threatens Nigeria’s long-term progress because development requires discipline, honesty, responsibility, and dedication. Corruption, electoral misconduct, workplace indiscipline, and disregard for public order are not merely institutional problems, they are reflections of moral breakdown at the grassroots level.

If Nigerian youths continue to embrace a worldview that rejects ethical absolutes, the country’s ability to produce trustworthy leaders, professionals, and innovators will be severely compromised.

Rebuilding Moral Standards

Addressing Moral Relativism does not require a return to rigid moral absolutism, nor does it involve suppressing individuality. Instead, Nigeria needs a balanced value system that encourages critical thinking; upholds universal principles such as honesty, respect, and justice; integrates cultural wisdom with modern realities; promotes ethical leadership and role models; and reforms educational and religious institutions to teach moral reasoning. Parents, teachers, community leaders, and youth organizations must actively participate in reshaping moral consciousness.

Conclusion

Moral relativism, though often embraced as a sign of personal freedom, has deep negative effects on Nigerian youths and society at large. It erodes accountability, weakens cultural foundations, encourages harmful online influences, undermines social trust, and contributes to criminal behaviour and identity crises. As Nigeria navigates a rapidly changing world, the urgent task is not to suppress modernity but to anchor it in values that preserve human dignity, strengthen community, and support national development.

A morally grounded generation is not just desirable, it is essential for the future of the nation. The exact same opposite is true of a morally bankrupt generation.