Vice President Kashim Shettima has pointed to poor leadership, widespread corruption, and entrenched poverty as the root causes of the recent surge in vandalism and looting of public and private facilities in northern Nigeria.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony of 20 indigent pupils from Hau’wa Memorial School (HMS), owned by the AMA Foundation, Shettima expressed concern over the long-standing tolerance of social vices in the region, which he says has fostered a generation with little respect for authority or the rule of law.

Represented by his Special Adviser on Political Matters, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmad, the vice president lamented that these deeply ingrained issues have culminated in the recent unrest, which saw widespread destruction during protests against economic hardship. “For too long we have tolerated poverty, corruption, poor leadership, and we can see the result—a generation that has come up that has no respect for God, for the law of the land, for leadership, and our values,” Shettima remarked.

Shettima further stated the federal government’s commitment, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to revitalizing Nigeria’s economy, aiming to ensure that future generations can benefit from the legacies of past leaders like Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto.

Reflecting on the recent unrest, Shettima said, “In the last two weeks, the country has gone through difficult times, mostly led by youth—young people who are angry because they are hungry, young people who do not see any prospects for a better future, young people who think the government does not care about them, and young people who have no respect for any authority because they believe every authority has let them down.”

He urged young Nigerians to redirect their frustration towards constructive efforts to reform a political system he described as defective, which he believes is responsible for producing unfit leaders. The vice president also called on parents to take a more active role in the upbringing of their children, stressing that looting and theft are never justifiable.

Addressing the graduating pupils, Shettima encouraged them to prioritize hard work and integrity as they embark on their future journeys. “We have to work hard for this country and believe that Nigeria can be fixed. If the politics we are running are not conducive, change it; if the system we are operating is not producing good leadership, peace, and security, change it—but do not walk away from the service of the people who have no one else to look up to,” he advised.

Shettima assured the graduates that the government is committed to creating a secure environment where they can pursue their education and livelihoods without fear.