Social problems are present in every country and they affect the daily lives of most of its citizens. These problems can only be solved when we know what they are. This article highlights the list of social problems in Nigeria and their causes.
What are social problems?
A social problem is any general behavior or condition that is prevalent among the majority in a particular society and has a negative effect on the society beyond what is seen as moral and just acceptable. Social problems include problems that reduce the standard of living beyond an acceptable level.
A list of social problems:
● National identity
Nigeria is a country born out of the amalgamation of the southern and northern Nigeria. Our nation is made up of a large number of ethnic groups with a lot of identity differences. So, Nigeria still struggles to have one identity because of the too-many identities already present in the country.
● Corruption
A high level of corruption has broken down a system meant to function and unify us as one. The corruption we are talking about here is not just the one practiced in the governance. Corruption in Nigeria is very visible on every level, from the intricate part of the government to the corners of the street.
● Inequality
It is another major societal problem in Nigeria. Equality is not necessarily when people are equal in all things. However, in our society, this concept does not work. There are ethnic, gender inequality and inequality based on societal class.
● Poverty
More than seventy percent of Nigerians are living in poverty. Most Nigerians cannot afford to eat three good meals in a day. For some to eat at least one is a big problem. Let's not even mention being able to live in good condition and in a healthy environment. This is a root of more societal problems like crimes, diseases, high mortality rate, and other major issues.
● Insecurity and insurgencies
Also, there is a high level of insecurity in Nigeria. There are different insurgencies found in the country like the Boko Haram insurgency, Fulani insurgency, militancy, widespread kidnappings, and many others. All these have a serious negative impact on living conditions in the society. People live in fear due to the destruction of lives and properties among other things.
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● Tribalism
Nigerians associate more with members of their tribe than people from other ethnic group and want superiority over the others. That is why we have a lot of tribal conflicts today which are threatening the stability of Nigeria as one state.
● Poor standard of education and illiteracy
There is an ongoing decline in the educational system in Nigeria. This is majorly a result of corruption and irresponsible leadership in the government. More than half the women in Nigeria can neither read nor write. The situation with the male population is a bit better. However, the quality of literacy among the ones that can write and read is very poor. A lot of people are without proper skills to do well in the society. It is a leading cause of the low standard of living and high dependency in Nigeria today.
● High level of unemployment
The level of unemployment keeps rising day after day. The amount of unemployed graduate and the ones who simply have jobs and not an actual occupation is very high. Now it is a big problem in Nigeria and a factor resulting in other societal problems.
● Domestic violence
It is another major problem in Nigeria today. There has been an increase in these kinds of incidents in the past few years. These are majorly relating to violence and abuses against women and children. In most cases, victims have no place to run to for proper help and also can’t speak out about the existing problem. It seems that the government and the people are not doing much to curb this.
● High morbidity and mortality rate
Nigeria faces an increasing rate of diseases among the populace. The mortality rate, especially among children, is very high. This is as a result of the poor health care, poverty, and also a lack of proper education. A lot of people can’t afford good and basic health care and the health system is also broken. As a result, people suffer and die, while in other countries the medical advancement has solutions to many health problems.
Causes of social problems in Nigeria
There are many factors that lead to the social problems in Nigeria today. But below is a list of some key factors that are the root of these problems:
● Corruption and bad leadership
We have written about this under the list of social problems. It is the foundation of most of the social problems in Nigeria today. The level of corruption and neglect of responsibility by politicians are major causes of the most crisis in Nigeria today.
● Numerous ethnic groups with lots of differences
Nigeria is made up of a lot of ethnic groups. Each of these groups have individual deep culture. The differences breed inequality, conflicts, division and it also makes it difficult to work together for a common goal.
● High population and rapid population growth
The population of Nigeria is over 180 million. The available tapped resources and amenities are not enough to cater for the large population. So, it is one of the key reasons for unemployment and poverty in the country.
● Poverty and illiteracy
Poverty and Illiteracy are also major causes of some social problems and they are big social problems on their own. It is what leads to crime, insurgency, high morbidity, and mortality rate, etc.
● Unemployment
This is one of the leading causes of social problems and it is a social issue itself. When people are unemployed, they lack money and this situation breeds other social problems.
Before we conclude, let us talk about some solutions that can address these social problems:
● Good governance and responsible leadership.
● Justice and fairness need to be upheld.
● The level of educational standard needs to be raised. Programmes aimed at increasing the literacy level should be taken seriously.
● Security.
● Creation of jobs and a business friendly environment.
● Sensitization and education of high level.
If these things can be put in place it will go a long way in tackling most of our social problems.
These problems are not just for the government only to solve. Yes, good governance is the foundation on which solutions can be established. It is still the responsibility of every member of the society to tackle these problems. Together if we identify each challenge and work as one, most of these problems will be solved.
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