Yemi Olakitan
Nigeria has been named the 7th friendliest country to strangers in the world, according to the 2025 World Happiness Report released by the United Nations.
The report, produced by Oxford University’s Wellbeing Research Centre in partnership with Gallup and the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, assessed 147 countries based on key indicators such as life satisfaction, helping behaviour, volunteering, and charitable giving.
Despite ranking 105th in overall happiness, Nigeria stood out for its exceptional display of kindness towards strangers, earning it a top-10 spot globally in that category. Researchers say this reflects a strong sense of interpersonal goodwill that exists even amid broader societal and economic challenges.
One of the most telling findings from the report is Nigeria’s “trust gap.” When asked what would happen if they lost their wallets: 33rd ranked response if found by a stranger, 71st if found by a neighbour, 126th if found by the police
This pattern, according to the report, indicates a higher level of confidence in personal interactions than in public institutions.
“Where institutional structures are weak, helping strangers likely becomes the most direct and effective form of benevolence,” the report noted. Countries with similar profiles include Kenya, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Jamaica—nations where community solidarity often compensates for gaps in formal governance.
Nigeria also ranked 45th in charitable donations, highlighting the country’s overall culture of giving, despite limited resources and socio-economic strain.
While the low happiness ranking points to persistent challenges such as poverty, insecurity, and weak infrastructure, analysts say the country’s strength in social generosity could serve as a foundation for rebuilding trust and improving quality of life.
