₦airaland Forum

You are a true Son Of Words!

Most Nigerians are very good natured, kind, happy, hospitable and generous, is my own experience too. And to be honest, I don't quite know how some get to an "average Nigerian", since you can't average out people's behaviour and conduct.

SonOfWords:
Sweeping negative narratives like this are unfortunate and should not be encouraged by any sane Nigerian irrespective of shared sentiments.

This country's quality of life has been on a feverish downward trend for almost three decades now, and that has entirely been a consequence of the callous leadership representation that the citizenry has had to put up with. Some of us witnessed this country long before the so-called advent of our modern democracy in the late 90s.

Even if you put healthy rats in an enclosed and controlled space overtime, feed them less and less with each passing day, those rats will manifest their cannibalistic tendencies at some point, where the stronger ones will unavoidably feed on the weaker ones for self-preservation.

That is an immutable law of existence, be it in animals, plants or humans.

The average nigerian is very good natured, kind, happy, hospitable and generous. There are even very solid global statistics that have proven that. Shank is just a useless fellow whose fortunate celebrity status now feels like an opium to talk down on his fellow citizens simply because he is largely detached from the gruesome survival realities being faced by average nigerians on a daily basis💀.

Helinuse:
You obviously don't know anything beyond the little space of your exposure.
Just to inform you: the Western culture is built on TRUST.
That is why there is the term "high-trust society."

No one attaches any consequence to a lot of things.
People just do what they do simply because they are supposed to.
They focus on their jobs, not because they don't have an alternative, but because they are trustworthy.
That is why you have shops with no human caretaker, yet they know society will not pick and pay.

Africans are the ones who face the consequences of everything.
And they do so because of their character. They think consequences cure bad character.
Whereas that is a misconception. Consequences only make the character scheme for ways around it.

Take all Nigerians, and give them an empty America with its police and legal system.
See it become a Nigeria in the next 1 month.

Lol you mean same Europeans that killed the themselves barbarically for 4000 years ?

High trust society built on what ? Lol

Believe what you want

Legitbeauru:
I don't usually try to solve a problem by attacking it directly. Instead, I focus on analysing the underlying issues that give rise to it. Solve those root causes, and the major problem often disappears on its own.
Regarding the issue of why many Nigerians make poor civic decisions, I believe one of the fundamental causes is the low level of access to, and adoption of, quality education in the country.

Yesterday afternoon, I witnessed something in my community that reinforced this belief.

I saw an elderly woman, probably in her late fifties, emerge from a corner of the street carrying a notebook. She called over another woman who owns a provision shop and asked for her PVC.

The shop owner handed it over.

The elderly woman then explained that a certain individual (name withheld) was collecting people's voter card details. According to her, the information would be used to process payments connected with the upcoming election in one of the South-West states.

What happened next was even more disturbing.

An elderly man who had been listening immediately tried to get himself included. He asked whether he could also submit his voter card. The woman replied that he should meet another person who was coordinating registrations for the men in the community.

At that moment, I realised almost everyone around believed there was nothing wrong with what was happening.

I wanted to speak up. I wanted to explain that they were unknowingly participating in a system that would ultimately work against their own interests. But I couldn't bring myself to interrupt the moment, and I left feeling deeply disappointed in myself.

As I looked at those women, I couldn't help but think about how much hardship they had already endured. Yet they did not realise that what they were about to do, trading away the integrity of their votes for a small immediate benefit, would only deepen the very suffering they hoped to escape.

This brings me back to my main point.

Education changes the way people think. It equips them to recognise manipulation, question suspicious offers, and understand the long-term consequences of short-term decisions.

I have had the privilege of earning two degrees. That education has trained me to recognise bad intentions long before they become obvious. It is not because I am inherently wiser than anyone else; it is because education has shaped how I analyse situations.

Imagine if the people in that community possessed even half that level of civic awareness. That entire vote-buying operation would likely have collapsed before it even gained momentum.

Instead, people were unknowingly recruited into a process that ultimately works against their own future, and many of them participated enthusiastically because they simply did not understand the consequences.

This is why I believe Nigeria's greatest challenge is not merely corruption. It is the widespread lack of quality education and civic enlightenment. An informed population is far more difficult to manipulate, and without citizens who can critically evaluate political incentives, the cycle of corruption will continue to reproduce itself generation after generation.

I agree that education and civic awareness are critical, but they're only part of the picture. Many people involved in vote-buying understand it's wrong—they simply feel trapped by poverty and have lost faith that their votes will change anything. Real progress requires both quality education and an economy that gives people the dignity to reject short-term inducements. When citizens are informed and economically secure, manipulation becomes much harder.

Nigerians became more emboldened in evil when APC came into power...it has never been this bad.

VeeVeeMyLuv:
When you put a cruel somebody like bubu & bat there what else were you guys expecting 🤷🏻‍♀️. you can never plant bitter kola and expect to reap or harvest sweet apples. I have told you guys several times.

You guys rejected and kicked out a compassionate and kindhearted leader.


Nigerians Ntoor 👀

Carry your cross

mrvitalis:
Lol you mean same Europeans that killed the themselves barbarically for 4000 years ?

High trust society built on what ? Lol

Believe what you want

See me dey waste my time with person.


I thought you were worth the conversation sef.

Europe did its own for 4000 years, while you Africans and Arabs have been doing it for 10,000 years and are still doing it now.

A high-trust society built on Christianity.

Una own high trust society wey una build on African culture and the Arab religion in the Middle East and North Africa, where una think say una dey?

Una still dey keednap, dey shout khaybar! Khaybar! Yahud!

RealityKings1:
I am a Good person.
Its not something you decide to become, it's sort of being the way you were born. Kind to a fault

Its also true survival makes people a cheat, selfish and self centered... that's the result of too much competition. But then, in the midst of all that competition or survival, I'd rather be kind

I think its the way you were raised and how you've taught yourself to be, which makes it an achievement of yours as opposed to a fault.

Survival actually makes a person learn to survive, while greed and stupidity is what makes one self centred, because living is not exactly a competition, as there's relatively enough for all for some not to have to take from others in order to have.

To understand Nigeria's situation and how worse it can get,I recommend the movie: The platform

Dmthreads:
Popular content creator Shank has stirred conversation online after posting a candid and rather uncomfortable opinion about the character of the average Nigerian, suggesting that the country's harsh conditions have deeply shaped how people treat one another.

In a post shared on X, he wrote, "An average Nigerian is not a good person. The environment don just wire everyone to 'survive.' Whichever way it takes or plays. It's sad, but that's the truth. An average Nigerian feels smart when they cheat the other person. "I use am for am" ahahah. Sad. God help us all. It's embedded in our subconscious. Everything be like war. The country don scar us. You don't have to hurt the next person to grow, or win."

What's your take on what Shank said?

Source: Legit.ng
Photo credit - shankcomics/Instagram

An average black man is a demon... If you doubt look at there leaders

Not only here does this happening ,I can assure you some places in America are even worsen compares to what we did around in this part our world.. it's slowly becoming a norm, every one do want to survive at all force regards how and what would the out looks like .

Cleties:
Not only here does this happening ,I can assure you some places in America are even worsen compares to what we did around in this part our world.. it's slowly becoming a norm, every one do want to survive at all force regards how and what would the out looks like .

I don't mean we should create a kind of hatred each all in the face our hustling but trust me America is not exempted from this dubious means of being financially known...No bullies abeg🇳🇬😭

mrvitalis:
It’s not even about individual
It’s about system making it possible not to hold anyone responsible but a group

Take lekki flooding for example
Who do u actually hold responsible ?
But if you have an officer made in charge of lekki phase one for flood prevention and drainage blockage control say Engr Xxxx
Once lekki phase one floods you know who to hold and the consequences should be his removal

He would make sure lekki phase one never floods

The system is designed to help people escape consequences because no one is given charge

Very excellent basic analysis on the situation on ground. 👍

Dmthreads:
That's not the argument being made. The issue isn't whether the "average Nigerian" is good or bad. It's that in a constitutional democracy, citizens and institutions both have responsibilities. Citizens are expected to[b] hold leaders accountable[/b], while the Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary are expected to exercise their constitutional powers responsibly and check one another. When either side fails, democracy weakens.

The boldened above is the problem. IN MANY CASES AND AS NIGERIANS, the leaders are not even the problem but THE CITIZENS. When you walk along your street, there are nylons inside drains blocking them, IS IT LEADERS THAT PUT THEM THERE? You go to the market and the market people CHEAT you, are those ones the elected leaders? The ARMED ROBBERS, YAHOO BOYS, DRUG PUSHERS etc, are they the leaders? The excuse is ALWAYS that country is hard but since I was born, when has the country been easy? MADAMS treating their househelps badly, IS THAT ALSO THE GOVERNMENT? Everywhere you go, you see highly irresponsible citizens who just want everything to work excellently WHILE THEY RUIN IT. The government construct RAIL LINES but after a few weeks some people will go and destroy, steal the RAIL TRACKS and sell them. AND SO MANY MORE like that.

It is their envy that scares me the most.

damoobaba:
The boldened above is the problem. IN MANY CASES AND AS NIGERIANS, the leaders are not even the problem but THE CITIZENS. When you walk along your street, there are nylons inside drains blocking them, IS IT LEADERS THAT PUT THEM THERE? You go to the market and the market people CHEAT you, are those ones the elected leaders? The ARMED ROBBERS, YAHOO BOYS, DRUG PUSHERS etc, are they the leaders? The excuse is ALWAYS that country is hard but since I was born, when has the country been easy? MADAMS treating their househelps badly, IS THAT ALSO THE GOVERNMENT? Everywhere you go, you see highly irresponsible citizens who just want everything to work excellently WHILE THEY RUIN IT. The government construct RAIL LINES but after a few weeks some people will go and destroy, steal the RAIL TRACKS and sell them. AND SO MANY MORE like that.

I agree that citizens have responsibilities and many Nigerians contribute to everyday problems through corruption, littering, vandalism, and dishonesty. But leadership still matters because it sets the standard and enforces consequences. In countries where people know laws are applied fairly, many think twice before breaking them. Good governance doesn't magically create good citizens, but it builds institutions that reward good behavior and punish bad behavior. The reality is that both leadership and citizenship shape a nation—you can't fix one while ignoring the other.

damoobaba:
The boldened above is the problem. IN MANY CASES AND AS NIGERIANS, the leaders are not even the problem but THE CITIZENS. When you walk along your street, there are nylons inside drains blocking them, IS IT LEADERS THAT PUT THEM THERE? You go to the market and the market people CHEAT you, are those ones the elected leaders? The ARMED ROBBERS, YAHOO BOYS, DRUG PUSHERS etc, are they the leaders? The excuse is ALWAYS that country is hard but since I was born, when has the country been easy? MADAMS treating their househelps badly, IS THAT ALSO THE GOVERNMENT? Everywhere you go, you see highly irresponsible citizens who just want everything to work excellently WHILE THEY RUIN IT. The government construct RAIL LINES but after a few weeks some people will go and destroy, steal the RAIL TRACKS and sell them. AND SO MANY MORE like that.

I agree that citizens have responsibilities and many Nigerians contribute to everyday problems through corruption, littering, vandalism, and dishonesty. But leadership still matters because it sets the standard and enforces consequences. In countries where people know laws are applied fairly, many think twice before breaking them. Good governance doesn't magically create good citizens, but it builds institutions that reward good behavior and punish bad behavior. The reality is that both leadership and citizenship shape a nation—you can't fix one while ignoring the other.

Image123:
Dribbled myself into a corner by stating an obvious fact that majority of Nigerians are terrible people? Anyway, it is not my fault that you have a mindless bias. Keep all your baseless conspiracy theories and assertions for your family members and other sheep, or come with evidence and responsibility. You need God.

But you left out your gods in the equation
You're musing over a tweet while ignoring those who are doing the greatest damage to the nation
How twisted can you be?

ARISHEM:
Even in religious grounds many of those smiling at you are not good people

even among close family members. They will collect rent from family property, sell family land and ghost everyone once money enters their hands.

Kukutente23:
But you left out your gods in the equation
You're musing over a tweet while ignoring those who are doing the greatest damage to the nation
How twisted can you be?

Who are your gods? Come with evidence and responsibility.

budaatum:
I think its the way you were raised and how you've taught yourself to be, which makes it an achievement of yours as opposed to a fault.

Survival actually makes a person learn to survive, while greed and stupidity is what makes one self centred, because living is not exactly a competition, as there's relatively enough for all for some not to have to take from others in order to have.

How I wish we are neighbor.. I admire your style of reasoning

segcymoor:
How I wish we are neighbor.. I admire your style of reasoning

We are Nairaland neighbours, as well as citizens of the Republic of Nairaland. Our irons sharpen each others'.

budaatum:
I am beginning to be intrigued by this so called "average Nigerian" that is going about. I've just been told they are taught rubbish, and here's me being told they are not good people.

Please, "average Nigerians" on Nairaland, if any, are you a bad person, and do you expect the Executive and the Legislature to check their excess power for you?

I beg to differ, when a nation is poor everybody Amo kan ra. No be say we wicked like that. Na money no Dey na why many Dey join bad gangs and obey govt.

zinowealth:
I beg to differ, when a nation is poor everybody Amo kan ra. No be say we wicked like that. Na money no Dey na why many Dey join bad gangs and obey govt.

A nation is usually poor because its people are poor in their head and incapable of generating wealth, is what I think.

Meanwhile
https://www.nairaland.com/8711368/happy-birthday-mr-osewa

sucess001:
I agree that most Nigerians are brainless.

Else how do you explain most people agreeing with what Skank is saying?

Have you seen an Indian man say the average Indian is not a good person?

Or have you heard a South African say that about his countrymen?

Have u even heard any other country citizen say that?

Nigerians are the biggest de marketers to Nigeria.

If you are not a good person, please don't project your bad energy to others.

You have a shìt take on this.... What is bad is bad... If you have a wound on your leg, it's left for you to expose it and treat it or you cover it up to look good and let it stench away. Average Nigerians (esp the so called "elders" ) re dishonest and lack common sense. 100% legit.

Gaspardd:
You have a shìt take on this.... What is bad is bad... If you have a wound on your leg, it's left for you to expose it and treat it or you cover it up to look good and let it stench away. Average Nigerians (esp the so called "elders" ) re dishonest and lack common sense. 100% legit.

According to which credible data?

Y'all will just refuse to use your brains and be talking crap. Werey

Hardship or no, the average Nigerian is not a good person. It’s harsh, it’s ugly, but it’s the truth.

budaatum:
A nation is usually poor because its people are poor in their head and incapable of generating wealth, is what I think.

Meanwhile
https://www.nairaland.com/8711368/happy-birthday-mr-osewa

Exactly bro
No lies

I recall back in 2023 when bat started causing grievous hardship right, left center, it was here in this same nairaland that some useless fellows were saying they would soon start going out on the streets to viciously attack and rob innocent people because of unbearable hardship in Broad day light

It was shocking to read their comments.

Tells us more about his perception of himself. Same for all those who answered. The good see the good in others and the bad...

It's called projection, the average Nigerian is a diligent resilient person,the few bad eggs don't define us,for our population its a few bad eggs

Especially those Nigerians that are on Nairaland. Very terrible people.

mutvy:
Especially those Nigerians that are on Nairaland. Very terrible people.

Facts. The level of unnecessary hostility and negativity from some Nairaland users is exhausting. Healthy debates are fine, but many just seem interested in attacking people rather than discussing issues.

Oh well! I'm kind to a fault, same with my siblings. maybe it's a background/upbringing thing, don't really know. I tried being more strict, (a couple of friends kept pressing me to toughen up) but e naa, didn't work. Just went back to default settings jare.

weedfada:
Oh well! I'm kind to a fault, same with my siblings. maybe it's a background/upbringing thing, don't really know. I tried being more strict, (a couple of friends kept pressing me to toughen up) but e naa, didn't work. Just went back to default settings jare.

You sound like someone who's naturally wired to be kind, and there's nothing wrong with that. The goal isn't to become hard-hearted—just to learn when to say "no." Kindness with boundaries is a strength, not a weakness. 😊

budaatum:
A nation is usually poor because its people are poor in their head and incapable of generating wealth, is what I think.

Meanwhile
https://www.nairaland.com/8711368/happy-birthday-mr-osewa

Happy birthday, Aunty Buda. I hope you are having a fun celebration?