When Did We Become an “Anyhow” Country? Reclaiming Nigerian Dignity
Nigeria stands at a crossroads. A nation once celebrated for its rich traditions, intellectual prowess, and dignified cultural values now grapples with a troubling identity crisis. Somewhere between independence and the present day, we lost our way. The question that haunts us is simple yet profound: at what point did Nigerians lose their values?
The transformation didn’t happen overnight. The economic crises of the 1980s and subsequent structural adjustment programs created a survival-first mentality that gradually eroded our ethical foundations. The oil boom had already planted seeds of materialism, but when the bust came, desperation took root. By the 1990s and early 2000s, as military regimes gave way to democracy without corresponding economic relief, the mantra became clear: get rich by any means necessary. Nigeria became an “anyhow” country, a place where anything goes, where the end always justifies the means, and where shame has lost its sting.
Streamer Darren Watkins Jr., also known as IShowSpeed, had a recent visit to Nigeria this past week, which crystallised this descent perfectly. Not to say IShowSpeed is the beacon of intellectualism, but his visit quickly became an avenue for Africa’s rich culture and tourism potential to reach IShowSpeed’s over 50 million followers spread across the world.
While the American YouTuber received organised, respectful welcomes in other African countries, his experience in Nigeria descended into chaos. Crowds mobbed him aggressively for the spectacle, the social media clout, and the chance to be seen. The garrulousness was deafening; everyone was shouting, and no one was listening. Compare this to his reception in countries like Senegal or the Republic of Benin, where enthusiasm was tempered with dignity, and the contrast is stark. We looked undignified, desperate, and unserious.
Today’s Nigeria worships at the altar of wealth without question. Yahoo boys (internet fraudsters) are celebrated in music and elevated in communities. Politicians who loot public treasuries are given chieftaincy titles. Young people openly declare, “I don’t care how you made it, just make it.” The infamous phrase “na condition make crayfish bend” has become a convenient excuse for moral compromise. Our entertainment industry reflects this fixation.
Afrobeats lyrics increasingly glorify materialism with shallow repetition. Social media influencers fake luxury lifestyles, and their followers defend them with “hustle is hustle.” The intellectual giants who once defined Nigerian excellence; Achebe, Ofeimun, Amadi, Emecheta and Alkali have been replaced in public consciousness by those who shout loudest and display most ostentatiously.
We have become a people who talk much but say little. Public discourse has devolved into noise competitions. Panel discussions on television feature participants shouting over each other, measuring engagement by decibels rather than depth. Town hall meetings become theatrical performances.
The garish has overtaken the graceful. Weddings are judged by their extravagance rather than their meaning. Funerals become financial competitions. Church services prioritize miracle displays over spiritual depth. Quality conversations about ideas, philosophy, literature, and national development have taken a back seat to discussions about who bought the latest car or built the biggest mansion.
This cultural decay demands urgent intervention, and the government must lead this charge through deliberate, sustained action. The National Orientation Agency should launch a comprehensive values campaign not the tired, generic slogans of the past, but visceral media campaigns featuring real stories of Nigerians who succeeded with integrity. Partner with Nollywood to produce content that celebrates intellectual achievement, honest labour, and dignified success. Create viral content that makes thoughtfulness cool again.
The Ministry of Information must regulate the glorification of wealth without source. Introduce ethical guidelines for media houses that prevent the platforming of suspected fraudsters and corrupt individuals as role models. Support documentaries and programs that showcase Nigeria’s intellectual heritage and highlight contemporary Nigerians making honest impact.
The Ministry of Education holds perhaps the most crucial key. Overhaul the curriculum to include mandatory courses on ethics, civic responsibility, and critical thinking from primary through tertiary levels. Reintroduce literature and history programs that connect students with our pre-colonial values of community, integrity, and excellence. Establish mentorship programs connecting students with successful Nigerians who built their achievements honorably. Bring back debate competitions, quiz competitions, and academic olympiads that reward substance over style.
Religious institutions must join this effort, moving beyond prosperity preaching to emphasize character and community contribution. Traditional rulers should reassert their roles as custodians of values, refusing titles and recognition for individuals of questionable character. The media, both traditional and new, must self-regulate, consciously choosing to platform substance over spectacle. Civil society organizations should create alternative spaces for intellectual discourse, book clubs, debate societies, and cultural preservation initiatives.
Nigeria’s current state is a choice we can unmake. We once were a people of dignity, where the content of one’s character mattered more than the contents of one’s bank account. We produced world-class intellectuals, artists, and leaders who commanded respect through excellence, not noise. The path back requires acknowledging how far we’ve strayed. It demands that we stop making excuses for the inexcusable and start holding ourselves and our leaders to higher standards. It means parents teaching children that integrity is not negotiable, schools rewarding substance over showmanship, and communities celebrating those who contribute meaningfully rather than those who simply consume conspicuously.
Nigeria can be great again, but greatness has never been loud or garish. It’s built quietly, through consistent values, honest work, and the courage to choose what’s right over what’s easy. The overhaul must begin now, and it must begin with each of us.
