Happiness in Nigeria: A Socio-Cultural Analysis

Abstract

The study of happiness, life satisfaction, and wellbeing has gained greater acceptance, so that it has become one of the global indices on which nations are ranked (UNDP 2010). This index is a valid measure of how well people are living and flourishing. In one of the rankings, Nigeria was rated as one of the happiest nations on earth, ranking 23rd above many nations that are well above her in terms of economic and social development, such as South Africa. In the light of the challenging socio-economic circumstances in which many Nigerians live and work, we ask whether these rankings actually represent the wellbeing of the people. This question has become imperative considering the findings from happiness and quality of life research are used in formulating public policy. Another issue is limited studies on happiness in Nigeria, apart from the data collected by the World Values Survey in 1995 and 2000, and occasional studies such as Jenkins and Kurniawan in 2009 and the United Nations Development Programme World Development Report in 2010. We draw from these data sources, and from other studies that have examined variables that we consider relevant to this discussion. The aim of this chapter is to review these studies and the socio-cultural contexts in which most Nigerians live and work, and relate them to findings in the literature concerning happiness. We begin by looking at current conceptualizations of happiness and query its universal applicability. Next, we discuss core predictors of happiness, such as the economy, development and democracy, showing whether conditions in Nigeria corroborate findings in the literature. Finally, we suggest a possible factor that may account for the greater variance in reported happiness in Nigeria. We believe that our discussion provides insight into the possible correlates of happiness among Nigerians, and also reveals issues that need further attention to map national and individual happiness. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved)