Fall of moral standards – fighting corruption must start from the school curriculum

A society is measured by the quality of undergraduates it produces and the moral character of those entering the work force. This is why they are considered the future leaders, and this is why they are believed to be the foundation of societal political and economic success. Unfortunately, in today’s Nigeria, Bachelor degree holders are the kingpins of corruption on the internet.  Some of these young men and women are so sophisticated and advanced in the internet fraud that the western world has to invent new technology to keep up with their crime wave



By Dominic (Big D) Ikeogu

One wonders why these young men and women would choose such lifestyle after their education career.  Does this means that they did not receive any lessons on ethics while in school?  Or do we just blame this on the quality of education they receive?

When I was in school, my lessons on values were very constructive.  I was thought upon graduation, to go out in the society and use my knowledge to make the world better. Other valuable lessons were:

  • Fighting for those who do not have the opportunity I had, and becoming their voice and hope
  • Fighting for injustice wherever they exist, and treating those under me with respect and dignity
  • Desisting from using my education to oppress others, and remaining fair to my enemies
  • Remain environmentally conscious, and making the earth a little be better than I find it
  • Remain conscious that taking bribery is morally wrong and would defeat the purpose of my degree
  • And finally differentiating myself from others and becoming a shimmering example to them to emulate

As they said, education makes a people easy to lead but difficult to drive; easy to govern but impossible to enslave. However, this is not true in Nigeria. This country has one of the highest level of education standards, yet majority are still enslaved with the worst corruption known to mankind.

But this quote from Bishop kukah got me thinking too:

” Nigeria Educational system surprising outcomes: The smartest student passes with first class and get admitted to medical and engineering schools, the second class student get MBA’s and LLB’s to manage the first class students. The third class students enter politics and rule both the first class and second class students. The failures enter the underworld of crime and control the politicians and business. And the worst of all, those who did not attend school at all become prophets and imams and start teaching bigotry and hatred and everyone follows them. What a paradox of life. This can only happen in Nigeria where corruption is the life blood and order and a way of ordinary life in this part of the world “

I appreciate Bishop Kukah for intelligently analyzing the deep symptoms –  describing the country as it is and highlighting the structure of their failure.

Finally, I could offer my own thoughts regarding solutions to corruption in the Nigeria society. Of course, it is necessary that the government both the state, local, and the federal government must have in place comprehensive ethical guidelines to regulate every employee. This document must be endorsed by every employee as covenant for moral decency.  Furthermore:

  • Government at all levels, must adopt the teaching of ethics in the school curriculum
  • Training on ethics must also be embedded in the workforce system. This could be applied to both the public and private sector.  
  • Effective or rather applicable penalty for ethical violations must be legislated to deter culprits as well as punish offenders.  

If these measures are strictly enforced, Nigeria as you know it today would gradually become corrupting-free within a substantial amount of time.

 Thank you for reading this piece and give me your honest feedback

@ ikeogud@gamil.com or respond to my Facebook page, click >>>

God Bless You.

BIG D – Dominic Ikeogu

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