A cross-section of Nigerian youths has identified hunger and poverty as the underlying effects of harsh economic conditions, which they say have led to a rise in crime and social vices across the country.
Speaking with EagleswatchOnline News in Port Harcourt, the youths lamented that poor economic policies and government neglect have driven many of them into desperate and often criminal means of survival. From cybercrime to drug abuse, cultism, robbery, and kidnapping, they described these vices as direct consequences of economic hardship.
Social commentator Uche Obi noted that starvation, homelessness, and unemployment have made survival a daily struggle for many Nigerian youths. “As the saying goes, a hungry man is an angry man. A person battling hunger cannot think straight,” he said, adding that desperation often pushes young people to seek quick wealth, sometimes through illegal or risky means.
According to Obi, when such efforts to escape poverty fail, many youths spiral into deeper problems, including alcoholism, drug addiction, domestic violence, and other harmful behaviors that destabilize communities.
Another respondent, James Udo, accused Nigerian politicians of failing the younger generation. He blamed the rise in social decay on corrupt leadership, selfish policies, and systemic injustice. “Our leaders loot the treasury and pass laws that benefit only themselves, leaving the rest of us with no hope or opportunity,” Udo said.
He called on the federal, state, and local governments to prioritize industrial development and job creation to absorb the growing youth population and steer them away from crime.
The youths emphasized that without urgent intervention in the areas of employment, housing, education, and welfare, Nigeria risks further breakdown of social order due to worsening youth frustration and insecurity.
