The recently-released World Happiness Report 2025, which ranks Nigeria quantity 105, out of 147 international locations on the earth, is miserable, however not shocking to even informal observers of occasions unfolding within the nation. The report, as inaccurate because it may be, is disheartening as a result of it signifies vividly the deteriorating dwelling circumstances in Nigeria over the previous years.
Nostalgically, Nigeria was the happiest nation globally solely 22 years in the past in 2003, as recorded by the identical physique measuring world happiness amongst international locations. That the nation slid to such a lowly place speaks volumes about how the components that encourage happiness in Nigeria are quick disappearing through the years. Clearly, each the federal government and the folks of Nigeria are starkly reminded that issues are usually not the perfect, and the nation shouldn’t be the place it may be. It’s a problem that requires honest and concerted efforts by governments in any respect ranges to reverse.
Particularly, authorities officers, ranging from President Bola Tinubu, needs to be instructed that Nigerians are usually not deceived by their pretext that each one is effectively. Nor are the residents blinded to the truth that only some individuals are having fun with the majority of the commonwealth of Nigeria, on the expense of the hapless plenty. The World Happiness Report 2025 reveals Finland because the happiest nation on the earth for the eighth consecutive 12 months. Libya emerged because the highest-ranked nation in Africa, securing the 79th place, surpassing its neighbours in life satisfaction and societal well-being regardless of ongoing challenges. Nordic international locations, together with Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden, additionally stay on the prime in the identical order. The United States, which fell out of the highest 20 for the primary time final 12 months, now ranks twenty fourth, having reached its highest place of eleventh again in 2012. The World Happiness Report, revealed on the UN’s Worldwide Day of Happiness, is launched yearly. The report is predicated on components similar to GDP per capita, social assist, wholesome life expectancy, freedom, generosity, and perceptions of corruption. Contemplating the scarce availability of those components in Nigeria, it isn’t tough to see why the nation has plummeted so. When Nigeria was ranked the happiest nation on the earth in 2003, Nigerians have been thought of optimistic and content material regardless of financial and political challenges on the time.
Nevertheless, since 2003, Nigeria’s rating in world happiness indexes has been plummeting. For instance, in 2019, Nigeria ranked eighty fifth out of 147 international locations; in 2020, one hundred and fifteenth; 2021, 116th; 2022, 118th; 2024, 102nd. Now, in 2025, Nigeria has been ranked one hundred and fifth out of 147 international locations. The low rating is because of the deterioration of dwelling circumstances in recent times. Meals, potable water, electrical energy, shelter and first healthcare have grow to be very costly and are now not assured. Over 40 per cent of Nigerians reside in poverty, and wealth inequality is rising. Rising inflation, significantly in meals and gasoline costs, has considerably worsened the price of dwelling. Excessive unemployment charges, particularly amongst youth, have led to frustration and declining optimism.
Past these, insecurity, epitomised by Boko Haram insurgency, banditry, and kidnappings for ransom, has created widespread concern and instability. Consequently, many expert Nigerians, together with medical doctors, engineers, and IT professionals, are emigrating in quest of higher alternatives and a extra pleasant working and dwelling setting. Lately, too, the nation has grow to be suicidal. In 2018, Nigeria was ranked amongst suicide-prone international locations, and right this moment, it ranks fifth globally amongst international locations with the best suicide charges. In June 2018, it was reported that 79 Nigerians dedicated suicide between April 8, 2017, and Could 12, 2018. In 2018, the African Growth Financial institution (AfDB) revealed that the World Poverty Clock named Nigeria the poverty capital of the world. That very same 12 months, Nigeria was ranked among the many worst malaria-hit international locations. In 2018, the International Starvation Index (GHI) ranked Nigeria because the 103rd hungriest nation out of 119. In the identical 2018, the World Financial institution positioned Nigeria among the many seven worst international locations on its Human Capital Index. The worsening state of affairs in Nigeria is definitely alarming, however largely traceable to unhealthy management and failure of presidency, provided that Nigeria has enormous potential, human and materials, which solely requires correct and trustworthy harnessing to make it one of many happiest and biggest economies globally. The elimination of avoidable human distress is a problem the Tinubu authorities should deal with. Article 25 of the United Nations Common Declaration of Human Rights states:
“Everybody has the precise to a lifestyle ample for the well being and well-being of himself and his household, together with meals, clothes, housing, medical care, and essential social providers, in addition to safety within the occasion of unemployment, illness, incapacity, widowhood, outdated age, or different lack of livelihood in circumstances past his management.” These provisions are equally well-documented within the 1999 Structure. A authorities fails if it permits the dwelling circumstances of its folks to deteriorate. The Tinubu authorities and the 36 state governments will do effectively to scale back the hardships of the folks via concrete insurance policies that enhance the well-being of Nigerians. Governments should spend money on healthcare, insurance coverage schemes, low-cost housing, and public transportation, amongst different primary wants of Nigerians. Personal establishments, spiritual organisations, company our bodies, and NGOs should complement authorities efforts. As a part of company social accountability, they’ll fund training and healthcare, present scholarships, supply free meals and shelter, run emergency aid programmes, assist free clinics and consciousness campaigns, construct faculties and vocational coaching centres to equip folks with abilities for employment. However the authorities has the responsibility of offering a safe, convivial setting conducive for companies, dwelling and overseas funding. Even when Nigeria shouldn’t be the happiest nation on the earth, it has no purpose to be underneath the financial, safety and social siege she is at present experiencing. Nigeria has the potential to efficiently enhance its residents’ well-being and to bounce again as one of many happiest international locations on the earth. The important thing lies in good management to realize the safety and welfare of Nigerians, which, in accordance with the Structure, shall be the first function of presidency. Any authorities that can’t give Nigerians safety and welfare shouldn’t be value its identify.
