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Across Nigerian street , one can hardly walk a few meters without spotting the familiar green, red, yellow logos of betting shops with a supercalifragilisticexpialidocious mark that reads 18 above.

‎To many young people, these outlets have become the modern-day “gold mines,” though in truth they are wie beat that swallow dreams and futures, leaving destinies sheltered in the mud!

For a university student with just ₦200 in his pocket, the lure of turning it into ₦20,000 in a few clicks feels like a miracle from heaven. Is just like an addiction; it has voided many lives with addiction and wasted time; financial damage; mental and emotional toll.

‎Addiction and Wasted Time: Betting is like a sweet poison, starts small but quickly grips its victims. A youth who places bets “just for fun” today soon finds himself calculating odds deep into the night. A night that should be used for meditation, for inspiration etc. Hours that could be invested in learning digital skills, vision analysis, reading, entrepreneurship are wasted on endless predictions. Yes! It's endless.

‎Financial Damage: What begins as “only ₦100” often grows into thousands. Many youths borrow or sell personal belongings just to keep staking. According to the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (2022), over 60 million Nigerians between ages 18 and 40 engage in betting, with billions spent monthly. Instead of building savings, many end up sinking into debt and disappointment, and after the blame will be on the government.

‎Mental and Emotional Toll: The frustration of repeated losses births depression, anger, and in some cases, suicidal thoughts. A young graduate once said after losing his allowance,

“Betting is like hugging a cactus; the tighter you hold, the more it hurts.”

The promise of riches turns into silent battles with anxiety - unspoken agonies. Check those that have undergone depression - you go understand!

‎The greatest tragedy is not just personal loss, but collective waste. A society where the brightest minds chase luck instead of building skills is like a farmer eating his seed instead of planting it. Every youth who spends his nights checking scores instead of solving problems reduces the nation’s potential. In betting, youth silence their own voices, trading purpose for predictions. Haven't we stayed long on this quest?

Betting is a fire; warm at the very beginning, but destructive when uncontrolled. Today’s youths must be reminded that wealth gained by chance is fragile, but wealth built by sweat endures. It's high time we understand that success is a person, and every person mut be sustained through some level of timeless knowledge and wisdom. The damage betting has caused is already visible in broken dreams and wasted time. Yet, if society awakens, guides, and empowers its youths, the tide can be turned. Our future depends on it. Dear young minds, arise and take your place! The top men you celebrate never got there through betting; they did through solving problems in the society, creating time strategic values. Arise and have sense in this busy world, before you end up like your fathers!

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