Nigeria: The Normalization of Deception and lying

Truth is the casualty and endangered species in Nigeria. Deception and lies have become the medium of social transaction.

Deception and lies have permeated and impacted all the aspects and facets of Nigerian life and endeavors. From politics to sports, from medicine to religion, education and everything in between have been deformed with deception and lies. The fabric of the society is distorted by deception and its normalization has become the bane of the society.

Lying has been fully integrated in Nigeria’s way of life. Just like money, lying has been accepted as a medium of exchange. 

Ask an average Nigerian, his or her name. Spontaneously, most will give you a fake name. Instead of lying they can boldly say no! I will not give you my name or phone number. Instead they become deceptive. Why lying?

The culture of lying has been inculcated in the culture. On the Facebook, Twitter and Instagram ; most of the information given are mostly fake. Now you get the idea, Nigeria is quickly disintegrating because of its foundational deception.

Truth has been thrown away and the people are thriving in dryness of lies. This is the end of a society. 

Nigerian leader, who knows quite well that the country is in a mess, refuses to acknowledge the truth. With all the country’s problems including poverty, hunger, insecurity, out of school children and host of other ailments debilitating his country. But when asked about them, he comes with alternate universe answer and repackaging a utopia of rosy scenario and ubiquitous happiness. 

Then the issue of filling a simple election form for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Instead of giving straight forward answers to the questionnaires with clarity and truth, rather Nigerian politicians will come up with falsified and convoluted answers. Why making it complex? Just fill the form, already your constituency knows who you are and they will probably vote for you, come rain, come sun.

Nigerians must recognize that nation building is a complicated and herculean task. Deception and lies makes it even more difficult, making the state of a nation unhealthy.