An aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has attributed rising insecurity in northern Nigeria to low public-sector salaries and the practice of having multiple wives and many children, describing it as irresponsible parenting.
Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications to Wike, made the remarks in a post on X on Tuesday while reacting to the persistent banditry and kidnapping in the region.
“Low salaries and large families are major drivers of insecurity in northern Nigeria. A civil servant earning ₦60,000 with four wives and 17 children cannot provide for his family. This is irresponsible parenting,” Olayinka wrote.
He argued that such economic pressures push young men into criminality, contributing to the cycle of violence.
The comments have sparked debate on social media, with critics accusing Olayinka of stereotyping northern families while supporters say he highlighted a genuine socio-economic challenge.
No immediate reaction was issued by northern leaders or the federal government.
