Nigeria Ranks 106th in Happiness: Why Do So Many of Us Say, “I Am Strong” Instead?

Nigeria ranked 106th out of 147 countries in the 2026 World Happiness Report, marking its third consecutive year of decline. This contrasts with earlier surveys that described Nigerians as among the world’s happiest and most optimistic people. When Nigerians are asked how they are doing, many say, “I am strong today.” That response may reveal how we have learned to endure hardship without openly admitting sadness, exhaustion or emotional struggle. Growing up in the diaspora, I watched attitudes towards mental health change slowly within Nigerian communities. My own experience with career pressure, cultural expectations and mental-health training has made me ask a deeper question: what happens to the person underneath all the achievement?

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