“When Did Child Abuse Become Trendy?” — Rita Edochie and the Alarming Normalisation of Immorality in Nigeria

In an emotional outcry that has reignited conversations around morality and child protection in Nigeria, veteran Nollywood actress Rita Edochie recently took to Instagram to condemn what she described as the growing normalisation of child abuse and inappropriate relationships with minors.

Her statement comes at a time when the country is grappling with a wave of disturbing incidents, most notably involving controversial entertainer Speed Darlington, who was recently accused of engaging in sexually suggestive behaviour with an underage girl in a viral video. While the video sparked outrage, it also drew a disturbing amount of defence and rationalisation from some corners of social media — a trend Edochie finds deeply troubling.

“Immorality at its highest peak,” she wrote. “When did child abuse become legal? When did keeping an affair with an underage (less than 18) become a thing to be proud of?”

 

The Glorification of Abuse Online

Edochie did not hold back in her criticism of social media culture, blaming it for amplifying toxic behaviour and offering a platform to individuals who should be held accountable rather than celebrated.

“The sickening thing here is that social media is not even helping matters; they hype and take sides with this evil with reasons that are never justifiable,” she said.

Indeed, in the Speed Darlington saga, rather than universal condemnation, the internet space became a battleground of opinions — with some users arguing that the incident was merely “content creation” or “just for clout.” These excuses, Edochie warns, are part of a larger cultural decay where the lines between right and wrong are increasingly blurred for the sake of fame.

Publicity Stunts or Predatory Behaviour?

Rita Edochie also addressed a troubling trend where acts that should attract social and legal consequences are brushed aside as mere publicity stunts. She dismissed such rationalisations, calling them dangerous and damaging, especially when young people are involved.

“Everything has just been normalised in this country; immorality is highly celebrated. Tufiakwa!” she exclaimed — using the Igbo expression of disgust and rejection.

 

The Role of Parents and Society

Edochie also pointed a finger at families and communities that, perhaps unknowingly, contribute to the erosion of values by exposing children to inappropriate content. From music to movies to the type of influencers children idolise, she warned that without guidance and vigilance, society may be grooming a generation that sees nothing wrong in moral compromise.

“We now dance to songs of immorality and give it a standing ovation. What values are we passing on to our children?” she asked.

A Call for Collective Responsibility

Rita Edochie’s comments are not merely a personal rant — they serve as a rallying cry for deeper societal introspection. As cases of exploitation, sexualisation of minors, and moral laxity continue to surface, her message underscores the urgent need for legal reform, digital accountability, and cultural reawakening.

The actress ends her post with a sobering reflection: fame, clout, or entertainment should never come at the cost of a child’s innocence or society’s conscience.

“Fame achieved at the expense of morals is not success. It’s destruction in disguise.”

As the nation reacts to her passionate statement and controversies like Speed Darlington’s continue to trend, the question remains: Will Nigeria draw a line,  or continue to dance on the edge?