Former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, has expressed concern over what he described as a growing decline in moral values and respect for authority in northern Nigeria.
Prof. Pantami made the remarks while speaking as Special Guest of Honour at the Katsina State Institute of Technology and Management, where he addressed students, academics, and stakeholders on societal change and the role of youth.
He lamented that individuals who traditionally commanded respect, including the Sultan of Sokoto, are now openly criticised by young people, some as young as 18.
“Unfortunately today in northern Nigeria, no person that is respected… even the Sultan of Sokoto… can be castigated by our children,” he said.
Pantami further decried a culture where senior political figures, including state leaders such as the Governor of Kaduna State, are subjected to public criticism by youths, describing the trend as a breakdown of long-standing social norms.
“Like which kind of society is this?” he asked. “No person is generally respected. We are suspicious about all our elders.”
He warned that the erosion of respect for elders and institutions could weaken social cohesion and undermine stability if not addressed.
Pantami called for a renewed focus on moral upbringing, urging families, religious institutions, and educational systems to reinforce values of respect, responsibility, and constructive engagement among young people.
The remarks have since sparked conversations around generational change, freedom of expression, and the evolving nature of authority in northern Nigeria.
