ADDRESSING CORRUPTIVE TENDENCIES AMONG GEN-U 9JA: SOCIO AND CIVIC STUDIES' TOOLBOX

The 21st century is a washed with unpalatable turn of events across the globe exemplified by degraded institutions with leaders and followers displaying actions and inactions that are detrimental to citizens well-being and the polity in general. Incivility, moral laxity, obnoxious attitude, laziness, craze for material things and all forms of unruly behaviours and dastardly acts are now the order of the day being fuelled by increasing pace of technological development manifesting in digital transformation, robotic as well as uncontrolled continuous rising wave of Artificial Intelligence, AI which is eroding the much cherished democratic values and citizenship disposition. Thus, clean politics, good governance, probity and religious purity have been traded for corrupt practices among the rank and files in the nation. The worst hit is the digital generation designated ‘Gen-Z’ which Nigerian government under the current administration, arising from their population might and in a bid to generate a renewed hope in them designated them Generation unlimited future, ‘Gen-U 9jA’. Consequently, this study is set to explore the relationship between corruptive tendencies among Generation U (Gen-U 9jA) and its implications for socio-civic competence. Content analysis from both primary and secondary sources revealed endemic corrupt practices, lack of democratic values, degenerated cultural values, avarice, misuse of digital transformation, among the citizens in general and youths in particular. It is therefore suggested that efforts be directed at promotion of socio-civic competence, civic engagement, democratic values, civic education, ethical leadership, and institutional reforms which are the major crux of Social and Civic studies in mitigating corrupt tendencies while policymakers and stakeholders prioritizes need to initiate actions that can foster a culture of integrity and transparency among Gen-U 9jA of the 21st century