Nigerian activist and lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, has raised concern over what he described as a growing moral decline among young people in the country, pointing to social media behaviour and rising involvement in internet fraud as troubling signs.
Adeyanju made the remarks during a recent episode of The Honest Bunch Podcast, a clip of which circulated widely on Thursday and sparked debate across social media platforms.
In the video, the activist criticized what he sees as a shift in values among Nigerian youths, alleging that many young women now openly display their bodies on platforms such as TikTok and Instagram, while a number of young men are turning to internet fraud, popularly known as “yahoo yahoo,” in search of quick money.
“Go and look at all the young people. They are naked on Instagram. They are naked on TikTok. They are all naked. The guys are all doing yahoo, defrauding people,” he said.
His comments have drawn mixed reactions, with some Nigerians agreeing with his concerns about changing social values, while others argue that his statements are too general and do not reflect the behaviour of all young people.
Adeyanju said his recent visit to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) reinforced his concerns about the situation. According to him, he saw many teenagers and young adults in custody over alleged internet fraud.
“I was in EFCC yesterday. Go and see young people, 16, 15, 17, 18. They are all suspects in EFCC. Destroying their lives. Destroying the lives of other people,” he said.
The EFCC has in recent years intensified its crackdown on cybercrime, with many arrests made across the country, especially among young people. Authorities have repeatedly warned about the long-term consequences of fraud, including prison sentences, damaged reputations, and reduced opportunities for the future.
Adeyanju also linked what he described as permissive social behaviour to public health concerns, warning that risky lifestyles could contribute to the spread of diseases such as HIV/AIDS.
“Have you not seen the latest reports on how people are just spreading HIV all over town?” he said.
In his remarks, Adeyanju compared the current generation with his own youth, saying that social relationships in the past were more guided by effort, patience, and discipline.
“During our time, for you to see the nakedness of a girl, you work hard. You have to work minimum eight months before you can,” he said.
He added that the rise of social media has made access to such content easier, changing how young people interact and express themselves.
“Go to TikTok. Almost all Nigerian girls are naked. It’s not just nakedness. Red lights. Look at the generation,” he said.
However, Adeyanju stopped short of placing full blame on young people. Instead, he argued that the current situation is partly the result of failures by previous generations, including poor leadership, lack of opportunities, and weak social systems.
“I want to absorb their generation of any blame. They have no blame. Because if they have blame, they should also have blamed the generation before them. When will the blame game stop? We must find a solution to our problems in the immediate, in the interim and in the long run,” he said.
Nigeria, like many countries, is facing challenges related to youth unemployment, economic pressure, and the influence of social media. According to recent data, a significant number of young Nigerians struggle to find stable jobs, leading some to explore alternative, sometimes illegal, means of survival.
Social media platforms have also played a major role in shaping culture and behaviour, offering opportunities for creativity, business, and communication, but also raising concerns about exposure to harmful content and unrealistic lifestyles.
Adeyanju said the trend he described reflects a deeper issue of lost ambition and lack of direction among some youths.
“Open breasts. No job anywhere. Just open chest on TikTok and Instagram,” he said.
Despite his criticism, he emphasised the need for solutions rather than continued blame. He called for a collective effort from government, families, schools, and society at large to guide young people toward better choices.
He also shared a personal story to highlight what he believes is the importance of hard work and gradual progress. He recalled that in 2012, he accommodated seven members of his staff in his three-bedroom home while trying to build his career.
“There must be a process to growth,” he said.
His comments have reopened discussions about youth development, social values, and the role of leadership in Nigeria. Some analysts say that while concerns about moral decline are not new, the current digital age has made such issues more visible and widespread.
Others argue that many young Nigerians are hardworking, creative, and making positive contributions in areas such as technology, entertainment, and entrepreneurship, and should not be judged based on the actions of a few.
As the debate continues, stakeholders agree on one point: the need to invest more in education, job creation and mentorship programs to help young people build meaningful and productive lives.