By Isaac Atunlute
A recent global survey published by Oxford University’s Wellbeing Research Centre, in partnership with Gallup and the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, highlights a paradox about the Nigerian culture. Nigerians are said to frequently engage in acts of kindness towards strangers, a reflection of the country’s deeply rooted communal ethos.
Nigeria ranks 105th in overall life satisfaction in the 2025 World Happiness Report but 7th globally when it comes to friendliness to strangers.
At first glance, the figures appear contradictory. But to anyone who has navigated a Nigerian marketplace, shared a seat on a creaky interstate bus, or asked for directions in a new city, the contrast makes perfect sense. There is an unspoken social rule in Nigeria that encourages people to help others–especially strangers–often in very tangible ways.
Whether it’s buying a stranger lunch at a roadside bukka or walking a stranger halfway across town to help them find their way, generosity is a tradition in Nigeria.
And yet, this warmth contrasts sharply with the country’s low trust in public institutions. The same report reveals that Nigerians are significantly less confident when it comes to formal systems: the country ranks 33rd for the likelihood of recovering a lost wallet if found by a stranger, 71st if found by a neighbour, and a staggering 126th if found by the police. This isn’t just a measure of institutional weakness—it’s a signal of a society that often relies on communal alternatives to get by.
And these acts of solidarity aren’t just anecdotes. Mutual aid continues to fill critical gaps across the country. In Lagos, tenant cooperatives raise emergency funds to support members in crisis. In Kano, it’s still common for strangers to offer rides to hospital patients. In rural Kogi, entire villages regularly exchange labour to help one another during planting season.
This culture of interpersonal generosity offers more than just short-term relief—it builds resilience. Where public institutions fall short, Nigerians have developed a social fabric strong enough to catch those who fall through the cracks.
Still there’s a cautionary truth in these findings. As heartwarming as Nigeria’s community may be, it is no substitute for functional and accountable institutions. Many of the other top-ranked countries, like Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Jamaica, also struggle with weak governance. Kindness, while vital, cannot replace fair systems and equitable access to justice, healthcare and opportunity.
Yet Nigeria’s ranking offers hope–and a foundation. What if the country’s culture of hospitality were reflected in its institutions? What if the warmth and humanity seen in communities became hallmarks of government agencies and public service? What if strangers weren’t the most trusted part of the social contract but merely one of many trusted layers in a well-functioning society?
The lesson is clear: in a country where so much seems so uncertain, Nigerians themselves are the strongest safety net. Where institutions fail, people step in. Through generosity, compassion, and shared struggle, they have built a quiet strength and earned a top-ten global ranking for hospitality.
Nigeria reminds us of the enduring power of welcome in a world increasingly shaped by suspicion and division. This is evident in the everyday acts of kindness that help people survive and, sometimes, even thrive.
A recent survey by Oxford University's Wellbeing Research Centre, Gallup, and the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network highlights an intriguing paradox in Nigerian culture: while Nigeria ranks 105th in overall life satisfaction, it ranks 7th in global friendliness to strangers. This dichotomy is rooted in Nigeria's strong tradition of communal generosity, where individuals frequently engage in acts of kindness towards strangers, such as buying a stranger lunch or helping them navigate a new area. However, this warmth towards strangers contrasts with a significant lack of trust in public institutions, as Nigeria ranks low in confidence concerning the recovery of lost items through formal systems.
Despite the shortcomings of its institutions, Nigerians rely on communal support systems to bridge gaps. Acts of mutual aid, such as tenant cooperatives and support networks in various regions, bolster resilience and provide safety nets where government systems fall short. This culture of generosity fosters a resilience that helps individuals, though it highlights the need for stronger, fairer institutions to ensure equitable access to opportunities and services.
The survey suggests that Nigeria's widespread hospitality could inspire a transformation if reflected within its institutions, raising the question of how government agencies could incorporate the same warmth prevalent within communities. Ultimately, Nigeria's culture of kindness serves as a powerful reminder of how communal solidarity and compassion can at least partially compensate for institutional deficiencies, providing a sense of shared humanity in a world that often feels divided.
