“Resist get-rich-quick syndrome,” Catholic Archbishop Challenges Youths in Nigeria to Embrace Hard Work

Jos, 17 November, 2025 / 4:51 PM

Archbishop Ignatius Ayau Kaigama of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja in Nigeria has called on youths in the West African nation to reject the rising culture of idleness, moral compromise, and the “get-rich-quick” mentality, urging them instead to embrace hard work, responsibility, and authentic Christian living.

In his message to the Nigerian Federation of Catholic Students (NFCS) at Saints Simon and Jude Minor Seminary, Kuje, FCT, Archbishop Kaigama said that young people should demonstrate their faith not only in words but also in actions, cautioning against easy and illicit ways to get rich, which he said seem to be on the rise in Nigeria.

“Faith in God’s plan does not excuse laziness or irresponsibility. True Christian hope inspires diligence. As NFCS members and Seminarians, you must resist the culture of idleness and entitlement that is spreading among young people and the get-rich-quick syndrome that is leading many young people to their early graves,” Archbishop Kaigama said in his Sunday, November 16, homily at the Seminary.

“Your faith should be visible in how you study, how you speak, how you relate with others, and how you contribute to your community. You must value hard work,” he added.

NFCS unites Catholic students across Nigerian universities and seminaries and is affiliated with Pax Romana–IMCS, a global Catholic student movement recognized by the Holy See and the United Nations. Together, they promote faith-driven leadership, encouraging students to integrate spirituality, intellect, and service.  

Archbishop Kaigama encouraged the youths to develop a culture of working hard and taking responsibility in everything they do , saying, “Work is not just a means to survive – it is a participation in God’s creative mission. Every time you study, serve, or sacrifice sincerely, you glorify God. To do this will definitely not be that easy.”

The Local Ordinary of Abuja cautioned against drug abuse among Nigerian Youth, saying that those who use drugs are at high risk of dropping out of college and causing great stress to their parents.

 “Those of you who take drugs to acquire artificial power, strength, or to feel high, you are killing yourselves gradually. You are corpses walking about. Your drugs have already passed a death sentence on you earlier than your natural death time, allotted by God,” the Archbishop who has been at the hemn of Abuja since 2019 said.

Archbishop Kaigama reflected on some of the major challenges facing the youth in Nigeria, such as economic hardship, a high rate of unemployment, temptations to compromise, and social pressure that lead many into shortcuts to success and even the loss of faith.

“The Lord reminds us today: stay faithful, even when the world seems to be falling apart,” the Archbishop encouraged the youths.

He encouraged  members of NFCS to stay focused on education as not only a “path to economic success or a mere job but as part of your Christian mission: to build character, serve with integrity, and witness to truth in your campuses and society, by bringing Christ to those you encounter through your good Christian conduct.”

Archbishop Kaigama underscored the importance of living the faith and endurance as a Christian in a world full of challenges and confusion, assuring them victory.

He encouraged the students to stick to the purpose of their institution, the NFCS, which was founded to “form young Catholics who will transform society through faith, intellect, and leadership.”

“You are called to be the conscience of the campus and the light of the nation. In a time when many young people are losing direction, you must show that faith and reason go together. You must combine excellence in academics with integrity in conduct. You must prove that success without God is failure in disguise,” Archbishop Kaigama said.

Archbishop Kaigama encouraged the youths to remain hopeful and faithful amid challenges, saying, “dear young friends, as you continue your studies and service through NFCS, never lose hope. When life gets tough, remember: stand firm, keep faith, and don’t give up. It is perseverance, not panic, that saves.”

The Nigerian Church leader prayed for a conducive academic environment free from strikes and expressed concern over government policies that burden church-run institutions.

“I pray the government will recognize the good the Catholic Church has done in healthcare and education in this country and help to support us rather than to demand all sorts of taxes from the mission schools,” he said.

Archbishop Kaigama expressed hope for a renewed Nigeria, free from social injustices, saying, “Let us continue the struggle. Nigeria shall be better. Insecurity, poverty, suffering of all kinds, and decaying infrastructure allowed by leaders who control our resources will be attended to. I pray this will come true from among you or your contemporaries.”

He further cautioned Nigerian leaders against corruption, calling for honest work among all the people of God in Nigeria.

Archbishop Kaigama encouraged the youths in the West African Nation to “never be discouraged, never get tired of doing what is right.”

“May God deliver us from idleness because of a lack of resources to get what to do, and from the present 'culture of death,” Archbishop Kaigama said.