Understanding the Gen Z approach to life

By Morenike Taire, Woman Editor RECENTLY, an unprecedented interview session with former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo broke the Internet. Obasanjo is one of the most interviewed Nigerians ever, yet this interview was different, specifically because it was conducted by Adebayo Ridwan Abidemi, more popularly known as Isbae U. The interview, which succeeded in revealing a side of the statesman that had never been obvious to the public, garnered millions of views within the first 24 hours and continues to fascinate viewers because of its sheer creativity, audacity and innovation.

The YouTube chat, during which Abidemi referred to the former president as his “tenant” and “employee” for eight years, is a classic illustration of the contrast between the old and new generations, highlighting the conservatism of the older generation and the audacity of the younger one. On the other hand, 15 former nursing students who were recently suspended or expelled following the publication of a video in August were not so lucky.

The young women, who participated in a viral video captioned “No sick oo, na Gen Z full hospital”, were apparently taking part in a “challenge”—a term used to describe the replication of particular digital content for the purpose of trending online. Generational ‘Wars’ Are Normal, But… Abidemi and the 15 nursing students were displaying behaviours characteristic of a generation known as Gen Z.

Some love them, some hate them, some vilify them; while others admire them. Generations are groups of people born within roughly the same period who may share similar historical experiences, cultural influences, technologies and social values. These labels are commonly used in sociology, marketing, media and workplace research. Every generation has regarded the ones that follow as somewhat morally inferior.

However, criticism of Gen Z does not seem to fall within the typical complaints about youthful exuberance that have persisted across generations. The major concern is that Gen Z appears to have a disdain for, and disregard for, well-established societal, social and professional norms. “What sets Gen Z apart,” says Olatoun Lufadeju, a Lagos-based sociologist, “is that they seem to be the only living generation that does not defer to age.

They don’t associate wisdom with age or even experience. “For them, the generations before them have failed them and have been unable to give them a better life. They think, if you are so smart, why is the country like this? Why is the world like this? We should actually listen to them.” As far as Lufadeju is concerned, the upsides of the generation’s characteristics far outweigh the downsides.

Asked to comment on the expulsion and suspension of the Madonna University students, she told Vanguard, “Is there an actual law against dancing? Seriously, I am asking not rhetorically. I might be wrong.” Your Negativity, Their Creativity Despite the admiration for their resilience, most members of older generations regard Gen Z with wariness, at best.

The 15 Madonna University students, despite the initial public outrage, have nevertheless garnered considerable sympathy over the disciplinary actions taken against them, particularly given that they were all in their fifth and final year at the School of Nursing. Amnesty International has weighed in on the expulsion and suspension of the TikTok dancers, describing the actions as “disproportionate”.

The organisation’s published statement reads: “Imposing heavy-handed academic or disciplinary sanctions would terminate the academic progress of the affected students. The students have the rights to freedom of expression, academic freedom and education. The expulsion and suspension are harsh and would create a chilling effect on the enjoyment of these rights.” The organization called on the university to ensure that its disciplinary policies and procedures comply with international human rights standards.

A Social Contagion? While Gen Z is widely perceived as using negativity to make a point, its members do not necessarily have anything to prove. Nonconformity, by its very nature, does not always require justification. A quick online poll conducted by Vanguard on the subject asked: “Gen Z is completely rewriting the rules for school, work, and life.

If you had to define their ultimate mindset, which trait takes the crown?” Some 33.3 per cent of respondents described them as “unbound or free”, while 28.6 per cent described them as “nonconformist”; another 14.3 per cent said they were “fluid” or “always varying”, while 23.8 per cent described them as “pragmatic” and “system hacks”. A UNICEF-led private-sector partnership study, however, found that despite their resilience, creativity and determination, a worrying combination of geopolitical conflicts, climate and ecological crisis, economic slowdowns and mental health challenges is leaving young people feeling overwhelmed, disconnected and adrift, without adequate mental health support o