By Ghazali Ibrahim
In a surprising twist to the current economic situation in the Country, Nigeria has been ranked the 7th friendliest country to strangers in the world, according to the 2025 World Happiness Report released by the United Nations.
The report, produced in collaboration with Oxford University’s Wellbeing Research Centre, Gallup, and the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, assessed 147 countries based on indicators like self-reported well-being, helping behaviours, charitable giving, and trust in others.
Nigeria’s ranking in kindness to strangers—despite ongoing economic hardship, rising insecurity, and institutional challenges has drawn attention globally and locally.
According to the report, Nigerians consistently demonstrate prosocial behaviour, with a high rate of helping strangers, volunteering, and donating even under difficult circumstances.
However, while Nigeria scored 7th in friendliness, it placed a low 105th overall in happiness, exposing a contrast between the country’s social spirit and the reality of daily life challenges.
The report attributes this to low life satisfaction, poor governance, and institutional distrust.
“Where institutional structures are weak, helping strangers likely becomes the most direct and effective form of benevolence,” the report noted.
Nigeria’s pattern aligns with other countries facing similar governance issues yet maintaining high levels of communal support, including Jamaica, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Venezuela, Ukraine, and Kenya.
Nigeria also placed 45th in charitable donations, adding to its reputation for generosity and community solidarity.
Social commentators say the ranking is both uplifting and reflective.
“It says a lot about Nigerians — a people who, regardless of the circumstances, continue to show love, share what little they have, and trust humanity even when institutions fail them,” said Dr. Halimat Yusuf, a sociologist at the University of Abuja.
The ranking provides a timely reminder that social capital, built on shared humanity and everyday acts of kindness, remains one of Nigeria’s strongest assets.
As the country battles inflation, insecurity, and political uncertainty, this report is a testament that hope and humanity still thrive among ordinary Nigerians.
