Nigeria's Changing Culture: A Troubling Reality

In August 2017, I discussed this topic in one of my columns. Since then, things have gotten much worse. We do not spend enough time thinking about how our culture is falling apart. We pretend that our culture and traditions represent values from our ancestors. But Nigerian culture has changed a lot and is now very troubling and scary.

Over the last thirty years, many private citizens have taken up arms. They have powerful weapons and use them to kill others for money or revenge. They act without thinking and often do not truly understand their faith. Cult groups are getting stronger, and people kill for body parts to sell or for rituals. Terrorist groups have been able to keep up their activities and even grow over the years.

Boko Haram fighters have been attacking people at mosques and churches. Some people are blown up by bombs, while others are killed in brutal ways, like having their throats cut. Many girls have been killed while being used as suicide bombers. Today, kidnapping for ransom has grown into a major threat for everyone. Money has become the new idol for those trying to make a living in social, religious, and political spaces. The people running Nigeria are very much part of this new culture.

One reason this new culture of violence is confusing is that polls show Nigeria is one of the most religious countries in the world. Almost all Nigerians claim to be Christians or Muslims. There are very few people who openly identify with traditional religions. Moreover, Nigerians spend a lot of time and money on prayers and religious activities. You would expect that the teachings of Islam and Christianity, which promote love, honesty, and respect for life, would shape the way we live. Yet, if you read newspapers or check social media, you will find many stories about corruption, child abuse, and even stealing money meant for charity.

Today, the culture shows a big gap between what Nigerians claim to be and what they really are. The truth is ugly and frightening. Life is now very dangerous. Daily life is filled with rural banditry, mass kidnappings, and violence. This new culture is disturbing.

What does the future hold for Nigeria? We seem to be modernising. More Nigerians are getting access to education. Cities are popping up all over the country. Today, over 60 percent of Nigerians have left their villages for cities and towns. This change in living conditions has been driven by rapid urban growth. Major urban areas like Lagos-Ibadan, Port Harcourt-Enugu, and Kaduna-Kano are expanding. Beyond these mega cities, more than a thousand state capitals and towns have developed. As urban areas grow, the economy, society, and religion are becoming more informal. Informality is linked to poverty for most people, while a small group enjoys extreme wealth.

The biggest problem Nigeria faces today is the lack of opportunities for young people. We have a huge number of young people who are struggling as formal jobs are disappearing. Many industries have shut down. For most Nigerians, having a job is rare, and opportunities are mostly in the informal sector. Nigerian youth are finding it hard to cope with a society where poverty is increasing and the future looks grim. Meanwhile, youth who spend time on social media see the wealth of a few and how they flaunt it. They have decided to take their share.

To understand Nigeria's dark culture today is to see a troubling reality. Most opportunities for many people now lie in crime and illegal activities. Blood continues to be shed as violence becomes more common. Traditional religious practices are being pushed aside. New and old beliefs that promise quick wealth are taking over.

Our society has changed a lot. From the 1950s to the 1980s, many moved to cities to get modern education and skills. That was the time of cosmopolitanism. The migration left the poorest in rural areas, and moving to cities meant social progress. But as the population grew, more poor youths also moved to the cities. Now, these cities are where poverty is getting worse, while a small elite gets richer. The era of post-cosmopolitanism is here.

Since the 1990s, urban poverty has risen faster than rural poverty. Today’s urban life in Nigeria is marked by instability. Many people lack basic needs like food, shelter, healthcare, and education. There is great pressure on jobs, both formal and informal. More people are being pushed into informal work. The breakdown of social ties and family bonds has created a culture marked by crime, violence, and religious extremism.

The changes brought about by urban growth and social change are leading to a new post-cosmopolitanism. This is not about spreading education or refined culture. Diversity has little impact as many city slums are made up of village cultures. Globalisation plays a big role for these communities. The village lifestyle is now in urban areas, but it is changing with new technology like satellite TV and social media. Cell phones now have apps that call Muslims to prayer and share Christian sermons.

The Hausa villager in the city now receives news from around the world in their language. They hear about global conflicts and different viewpoints on religion and politics. What the government does becomes a small part of their world. It may be small, but it matters because it creates anger.

Religious leaders are becoming the social agents who give meaning to the tough conditions of life in these areas. Yes, the village has moved to the city, but new social networks are being formed. New ways to make money, both legal and illegal, are being created. For all these activities, religion offers a strong framework.

As this new social structure develops, I wonder who is paying attention, studying, and planning for the future. Certainly not the political class, who are part of this new culture.