Career Pressures Eroding Family Values in Nigeria

At the 12th Inaugural Lecture of the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS) on Thursday, Prof. Hannah Edim Etta, a Professor of Genetics and Biotechnology, expressed concerns about the impact of career pressures on child upbringing in Nigeria. She stated that the intense pursuit of promotions and financial success is causing parents to neglect their responsibilities at home, resulting in children growing up without adequate guidance, discipline, and emotional support.

Etta described this phenomenon as creating "missing links" in Nigerian households, where parents increasingly delegate parenting to caregivers, schools, and social media. She highlighted the visible consequences, including juvenile delinquency, drug abuse, and mental health challenges among youth.

Etta urged for urgent measures to restore balance between career demands and family responsibilities, advocating for government policies that promote work-life balance, such as flexible working hours and parental leave. She emphasized that no career achievement can compensate for a broken home and called for immediate action to address these issues.