The Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, has reaffirmed the Presidency’s backing for the Special Committee on Campaign Against Social Vices in Secondary and Tertiary Institutions, describing its mandate as critical to Nigeria’s future.
Gbajabiamila gave the assurance on Thursday during a meeting with members of the committee led by its chairman, Professor Jerry Ugokwe, at the State House, Abuja.
He expressed confidence in the integrity and capacity of the committee, noting that its designation as a special committee underscores the importance of its assignment, which focuses on the wellbeing and moral development of young Nigerians.
The Chief of Staff warned that rising social vices among youths pose a growing national concern. While young people are often described as the future, he stressed that deliberate and coordinated action is required to safeguard that future.
According to him, many of the Federal Government’s reforms are forward-looking and targeted at the younger generation, cautioning that failure to properly guide and support youths could undermine long-term national gains.
Gbajabiamila emphasised that addressing the challenge requires a whole-of-society approach involving parents, teachers, religious leaders, communities and institutions.
“It takes a community to raise a child. We cannot sit back and do nothing and expect this country to grow or develop if we do not start from the foundation,” he said, highlighting the link between law, morality and national development.
He also assured the committee of the Federal Government’s readiness to collaborate and mobilise support, including through Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives and possible budgetary provisions.
As a demonstration of personal commitment, Gbajabiamila announced a ₦50 million seed donation to support the committee’s work, to be released in two tranches beginning with ₦25 million.
Earlier, Chairman of the Committee, Professor Jerry Ugokwe, said the initiative reflects the Federal Government’s resolve to confront social vices in schools through a structured presidential intervention.
He explained that the committee’s mandate includes tackling cultism, drug abuse, examination malpractice, cybercrime and related offences, while promoting discipline, responsible leadership and student welfare.
Also speaking, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Student Engagement, Sunday Asefon, highlighted the urgency of coordinated national action, noting that the committee was deliberately structured as a multi-stakeholder platform to drive holistic value reorientation.
He disclosed that following the committee’s inauguration, the Federal Ministry of Education made a budgetary provision for it in the 2025 fiscal year, describing it as a useful starting point.
Despite limited resources, the committee has already held engagements in Edo and Kwara States and is planning a broader national launch in Abuja, while pledging transparency, measurable outcomes and sustained stakeholder engagement.
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