Understanding Nigeria's Social Unity Challenges

The Nigerian state is often misunderstood. Many do not see how complex and diverse it really is. Like many diverse societies, it needs a humble approach and a willingness to engage. Sadly, because of colonial history, there is a constant need to either praise or criticize Nigeria's growth in simple terms.

One important tool for understanding Nigeria better is the Nigeria Social Cohesion Index (NSCI). This index is published every year by the Africa Polling Institute. The 2026 survey involved 5,315 people from Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. It asked about identity, trust, social justice, civic participation, polarization, tolerance, gender equity, disability, impunity, corruption, natural resource governance, security, peace building, and more.

According to the Global Economics Paper titled “The Path to 2075, Slower Global Growth, But Convergence Remains Intact” from Goldman Sachs, Nigeria is set to become the fifth largest economy in the world by 2075, with an expected GDP of $13.1 trillion. To reach this goal, Nigeria needs to change its formal systems. These systems are often based on colonial ideas. We need to recognize that Nigeria has over 372 ethnic groups and embrace this fact. This means moving away from winner-takes-all politics and working towards a democracy that truly involves everyone.

The Social Cohesion Index helps us explore Nigeria's diversity and complexity. It encourages deeper thinking and discussions about how to engage with our differences. The findings from this index are both interesting and challenging. The overall Index score is 48.8 percent, the highest in six years. This score is just shy of the 50 percent milestone. For the first time, 52 percent of respondents said they identify with Nigeria.

During the launch of the 2026 Nigeria Social Cohesion Survey report, I watched traditional and religious leaders discuss this important document. It became clear we need a better system that truly respects our diversity. This new system must be more than the current presidential constitution, which often favors the majority. Nigeria is unique. It does not have a dominant ethnic group. Instead, there is a constant competition between the Igbo, Hausa, and Yoruba, which creates conflicts and unrealistic expectations.

The findings of the Social Cohesion Index challenge us to think. The score of 48.8 percent shows progress but still highlights issues. The fact that 52 percent of people identify as Nigerians is a significant step towards shared identity and interdependence, with little help from the government.

When it comes to trust, the picture is mixed. Only 3 percent of respondents reported high trust. Meanwhile, 44 percent said they have little trust, 29 percent have some trust, and 24 percent have no trust at all. Trust is low but it changes over time, especially in a complex nation like Nigeria.

The index also looked at social justice. Here, 75 percent of respondents think it is lacking, although this is an improvement from 79 percent in 2025. It is troubling that so many people feel there is little social justice. Civic participation is also low at just 16 percent. It is not surprising that 42 percent believe disunity is high, with politics being the main cause. On a positive note, only 13 percent think impunity is high, a drop from 43 percent in 2025.

A concerning finding is that 59 percent rate corruption as high. Additionally, 62 percent think the government's efforts to fight corruption are poor. Tolerance also scored poorly, with 85 percent rating it as low.

The social cohesion index should spark conversations in beer parlours, churches, and markets across Nigeria. We love to discuss current issues. It is surprising to see little coverage of this data in the media. For the second year in a row, Nigeria ranks highest in the world for generosity, yet there is a troubling indifference to these findings.

Can we conclude that we prefer to blame each other instead of understanding the complex ties that bind us? To make the 2075 prediction a reality, we must engage with these issues thoughtfully. We need to create a system that allows our diversity to thrive. This starts with being willing to understand who Nigeria really is.