Despite widespread institutional distrust and poor life satisfaction, Nigeria has emerged as one of the world’s most hospitable nations to strangers, ranking 7th globally in the 2025 World Happiness Report.
The report, released by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network in collaboration with the University of Oxford’s Wellbeing Research Centre and Gallup, assessed 147 countries based on various indices, including prosocial behaviours such as helping strangers, volunteering, and charitable giving.
Nigeria’s high ranking highlights the country’s strong culture of interpersonal generosity, even as it struggles with weak public institutions and overall low happiness levels.
The country placed 105th in the global happiness index, reflecting deep dissatisfaction with governance, economic conditions, and security.
“Where institutional structures are weak, helping strangers likely becomes the most direct and effective form of benevolence,” the report noted.
The ranking places Nigeria among a group of countries where informal social support systems thrive in the absence of reliable formal structures. Others on the top 10 friendliest nations to strangers include Jamaica, Liberia, Trinidad, Kenya, Sierra Leone, Senegal, Venezuela, Ukraine, and Zambia.
In a section of the report assessing trust in returning lost wallets, Nigeria ranked:
33rd when the wallet is found by a stranger,
71st if found by a neighbour,
But a disturbing 126th when found by the police.
This contrast underscores the erosion of public trust in Nigeria’s law enforcement and official institutions, a trend that analysts say could worsen if not addressed.
In terms of charitable donations, Nigeria ranked 45th globally, suggesting that citizens are more inclined to offer direct person-to-person help rather than donate to formal organizations.
The report’s findings add to ongoing conversations around Nigeria’s social resilience, often seen in its vibrant communities and informal support networks.
However, experts warn that without strengthening state institutions, such generosity may remain a coping mechanism rather than a reflection of sustainable development.
Top 10 Friendliest Countries to Strangers
1. Jamaica
2. Liberia
3. Trinidad
4. Kenya
5. Sierra Leone
6. Senegal
7. Nigeria
8. Venezuela
9. Ukraine
10. Zambia
The 2025 report calls on governments, especially in countries with strong community values but poor institutional trust, to bridge the gap between citizen goodwill and systemic reliability.
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