‘Lack of Family Values Fueling Insecurity in Nigeria’, Says First Lady, Remi Tinubu

First Lady Remi Tinubu has warned that the erosion of family values is worsening insecurity and social vices in Nigeria, urging parents, religious, and traditional leaders to reclaim their roles in shaping society.

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has cautioned that the “erosion of family values” is worsening insecurity and social vices across the country.

Speaking on Monday at the opening of Exercise Haske Biyu 2025 at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, Kaduna State, Mrs. Tinubu—represented by the wife of the Vice President, Hajiya Nana Shettima—urged families to reclaim their role as the foundation of society.

On the theme “Family and National Security”, she stressed that parental neglect, often caused by the struggle for survival, leaves children vulnerable to cultism, drug abuse, prostitution, and extremist ideologies.

“This parental absence creates a void which often gets filled by bad company and destructive behaviour. The outcome is not only catastrophic for families but also dangerous for national security,” she warned.

The First Lady highlighted the family as the bedrock of society where values of love, respect, sacrifice, and duty are first learned. “A strong family builds a strong nation,” she emphasised.

She also called on religious and traditional leaders to intensify moral guidance for young people, while assuring that President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda would continue supporting families through programmes like the Conditional Cash Transfer, which delivers N25,000 in three tranches to 15 million vulnerable households.

DON’T MISS: Resident Doctors Call Off Strike, Hand FG Fresh Ultimatum

Her remarks were echoed by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, who declared: “The world has not and will never invent anything to replace the family.” He urged reforms to strengthen family discipline, curb drug abuse, and regulate harmful digital content.

Also, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah—represented by Rev. John Joseph Hayab—linked youth radicalisation to weak family upbringing and the quest for quick wealth, quoting Proverbs 22:6 to stress the importance of strong parental guidance.

Earlier, the Commandant of the AFCSC, Air Vice Marshal Hassan Idris Alhaji, described Exercise Haske Biyu as a multi-agency initiative aimed at boosting responses to internal security and fostering collaboration among security agencies, ministries, NGOs, and the media.

Running from September 15 to October 3, 2025, the exercise will feature strategic lectures, operational planning drills, case studies, and field demonstrations designed to generate actionable solutions for Nigeria’s security challenges.