By Matthew Onyieche Benedicta
There was a time when campus life at Prince Abubakar Audu University (PAAU), Anyigba, was defined by a hunger for knowledge and the excitement of building one’s future. Students stayed up late in crowded reading rooms, chasing dreams built on hard work, perseverance, and ambition.
Those were the days when success meant good grades, a bright future, and the pride of holding your degree high for your family to see.
But today, things have changed. A stroll through the university now tells a different story. Luxury cars roar through the gates, flashy clothes turn heads at every corner, and phones worth hundreds of thousands glitter in students’ hands.
What used to be a community of scholars now feels more like a runway of competition, where everyone is trying to outshine the next person. The thirst for quick wealth, social status, and attention has quietly replaced the values of discipline and learning.
“I know people who don’t even go to class anymore,” one student said quietly, glancing around as if afraid to be overheard. “They’re always traveling, partying, or posting pictures online. Nobody wants to be seen as broke anymore. Everyone just wants to live big, even if it means doing things they can’t talk about.”
This statement captures a growing reality. Among many students, education is no longer seen as the gateway to success. The dream now is to make it fast, to drive that car, wear that designer outfit, and live a life that screams luxury, even if it’s all borrowed or built on deceit.
Internet fraud, popularly known as Yahoo Yahoo, has become one of the most visible faces of this fast-life culture. What was once a secret activity done behind closed doors has now taken the spotlight on social media. Photos of dollar bills, foreign drinks, and hotel lounges dominate Instagram stories and Snapchat feeds. The illusion is powerful — it sells a dream of success without struggle, of wealth without work.
Yet, behind the filters and fake smiles lies another side — one filled with fear, guilt, and uncertainty. Many of these young men live in constant anxiety, knowing that one mistake could lead to arrest, disgrace, or worse. What begins as “just trying to survive” often ends in regret. Some drop out of school altogether, unable to balance the pressure of maintaining a double life.
Lecturers are beginning to notice the effect. “We have students who no longer attend lectures but appear only during exams,” one lecturer lamented. “Many prioritize parties and social media over study. It’s heartbreaking to see how far the love for learning has fallen.”
The shift in mindset isn’t limited to the male students. Among female students, the story takes another turn one driven by the desire to keep up appearances. With the growing popularity of “soft life,” many young women are drawn into transactional relationships, often called hookups, to sustain their lifestyle.
“If you’re not doing hookup or dating a Yahoo boy, you’ll feel left out,” said Enemona, a 300-level student. “It’s not even about love anymore; it’s about survival and status. Everyone wants to belong.”
What looks glamorous on the outside, the expensive wigs, the iPhones, the weekend getaways, often hides a painful truth. Some end up emotionally scarred, exploited, or facing health complications. What started as a bid for independence or comfort becomes a cycle of dependency and self-loss. The line between empowerment and exploitation gets blurred until it disappears completely.
Amid all this, whispers of darker practices have begun to circulate around campus. Tales of students turning to rituals in search of wealth have spread fear among peers. Though many of these stories remain unverified, the unease is real. Students speak in hushed tones about sudden disappearances, mysterious illnesses, and strange occurrences that seem too frequent to ignore. Whether these stories are true or exaggerated, they reflect a growing desperation among young people willing to risk anything for quick money.
This crisis, however, isn’t born solely on campus. It mirrors the larger society outside the school gates. In a country where sudden wealth is celebrated more than integrity, it’s no surprise that many youths are losing faith in hard work. Our music, movies, and social media influencers often glorify wealth without showing the struggle behind it. Parents, too, sometimes unknowingly contribute to the problem. Some press their children to “bring something home,” without caring to ask how it’s earned.
“When society stops questioning the source of wealth, it teaches its youth that the ends justify the means,” said Dr. Ahmed, a sociologist at the university. “We are raising a generation that values money over meaning, image over integrity.”
The impact is visible everywhere. Attendance in lectures has dropped, focus is fading, and the love for books is being replaced by the hunger for likes and followers. The traditional pride of being an educated person is slowly disappearing. It’s as if education no longer holds the power it once did; it has been overshadowed by the glamour of fast success.
Some students, however, still hold onto their values, refusing to be swept away by the tide. “It’s not easy,” said Grace, a final-year student. “When you see your mates living large, it’s tempting. But I keep reminding myself that what’s not mine won’t last. I want to sleep with peace, not fear.”
Her words offer a glimmer of hope, proof that not all is lost. The same young people drawn to fast life can be guided toward a life of purpose, but it will take a collective effort. Parents must teach their children the value of contentment early. Lecturers must not only teach but also mentor and model integrity. Universities should introduce programs that emphasize ethics, discipline, and real-world values. Religious and community leaders, too, have a role to play in reshaping the moral compass of this generation.
Change won’t come overnight, but it begins with awareness. Students need to be reminded that education isn’t just about passing exams or securing certificates. It’s about developing the mind, building character, and preparing for a meaningful life. A life built on lies and shortcuts may glitter for a while, but it collapses at the first test of truth.
The true wealth of a student isn’t measured by the phone they hold or the car they drive, but by the strength of their mind and the depth of their character. The real luxury is not in flaunting wealth but in living with peace, purpose, and dignity.
If PAAU and indeed other universities across Nigeria are to fulfill their purpose, they must do more than produce graduates, they must raise a generation that values humility over hype, knowledge over noise, and integrity over indulgence. Because in the end, a Benz without peace is just metal, and a degree without character is just paper.
The fast life may seem appealing now, but true success will always belong to those who build slowly, honestly, and with pride in their work. That is the kind of legacy worth chasing.
