Hardened heart: When conscience fails, fear of God fades

Nigeria is witnessing a troubling moral drift, one that goes beyond economic hardship, political frustration, or social pressure. It is the steady hardening of the human heart and the alarming erosion of the fear of God in everyday life.

The recent killing of a 17-year-old boy, reportedly murdered by his own peers shortly after completing his Joint Admission Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination, stands as a chilling reminder of how far we may be sliding.

This is not just another crime story. It is a reflection of a deeper crisis: the normalization of cruelty, the desensitization to human life, and the collapse of moral restraint among young people who should represent hope for the future.

There was a time when the mere thought of taking a life invoked fear, not just of the law, but of divine judgment. Today, that fear appears to be fading. In its place, we see a dangerous mix of impunity, peer influence, and a warped sense of justification for violence.

When young boys can lure, harm, and kill their own friend without apparent remorse, society must confront an uncomfortable truth: something fundamental is broken.

Religion remains highly visible in Nigeria. Churches and mosques are full, and religious language dominates public discourse. Yet, there is a growing disconnect between professed faith and actual conduct.

The fear of God, once a moral compass guiding behaviour, is increasingly absent where it matters most: in personal choices and treatment of others.

But this moral decline is not happening in isolation. It is fueled by multiple failures. Homes are weakening as centers of value formation.

Many parents, overwhelmed by economic pressures or distracted by the pursuit of survival, have less time to instill discipline and empathy. Schools, too, are often focused more on academic achievement than character development.

A boy may pass JAMB, but fail the test of humanity.

Social media and popular culture have also played a role. Violence is glamorized, wealth without work is celebrated, and consequences are rarely emphasized.

Young minds absorb these messages quickly, often without guidance to separate fiction from reality. The result is a generation that may become emotionally detached and morally confused.

Equally troubling is the perception, sometimes justified, that justice is inconsistent. When people see crimes go unpunished or perpetrators escape accountability, it weakens societal deterrence. If there are no consequences, why fear wrongdoing?

Yet, while we interrogate institutions, we must not absolve individuals of responsibility. Every act of violence is a choice. The young men involved in this killing made a decision, one that reflects not just societal failure, but personal moral collapse.

The way forward requires more than outrage. It demands a deliberate rebuilding of values. Families must return to the basics, teaching respect for life, empathy, and accountability.

Religious institutions must go beyond sermons and actively shape character. Schools should integrate ethics and civic responsibility into their core mission, not treat them as optional.

Government, on its part, must strengthen the justice system to ensure swift and fair consequences for crime. When justice is visible and consistent, it restores both fear of the law and confidence in the system.

Above all, Nigerians must rediscover the sanctity of human life. No ambition, anger, jealousy, or greed should ever justify taking a life. The loss of a 17-year-old boy is not just a tragedy for his family; it is a wound on the conscience of the nation.

If we continue on this path, where hearts grow colder and conscience grows weaker, we risk raising a generation that knows everything except the value of life.

And that is a future we cannot afford.