Professor Toyin Falola, a renowned historian and global scholar, has expressed concerns that economic hardship and the declining value of the naira are eroding community life in Nigeria. He made these remarks while delivering a lecture at the golden jubilee anniversary of the Ibadan Social Group. Falola highlighted the struggles of professionals in balancing work, family responsibilities, and social commitments due to economic pressures.
According to Falola, the economic pressures confronting the middle class have left many professionals struggling to cope with the rising costs of transportation, work, and family responsibilities. This has made sustained participation in social clubs increasingly difficult. He noted that declining participation in social organisations should not be interpreted as a loss of interest or commitment among members but rather understood within the context of worsening economic conditions and competing demands on their time.
Falola cited the lengthy commutes in cities such as Lagos and Ibadan and the pressure on workers to sustain multiple income streams as major challenges. He stated that many middle-class Nigerians now depend on two or three sources of income to maintain their standard of living following the depreciation of the naira. Since 2016, the national currency has lost more than 70 per cent of its value against the dollar.
The consequences of the economic pressures extend beyond household finances, as professionals who spend long hours at work, endure traffic congestion, and pursue additional income-generating activities have less time for social engagements. Falola illustrated the situation by describing how a professional in Ibadan might leave the office late, spend considerable time in traffic, and return home to family responsibilities, making it difficult to attend club meetings.
Falola argued that it is unfair for social organisations to interpret poor attendance automatically as disloyalty. He emphasised that it is neither a lack of morals nor a lack of loyalty to the institution that brings about this situation but rather a sensible reaction to the real constraints of economy and time. He warned that organisations risk misunderstanding the challenges facing their members if they attribute declining attendance solely to waning interest in their activities.
The professor also examined the growing role of digital communication, observing that online platforms offer members a convenient alternative to physical meetings by reducing travel time and other associated costs. However, he cautioned that convenience does not necessarily provide the depth of interaction required to build lasting relationships and strengthen institutional loyalty.
Falola urged social clubs to reconsider their traditional methods of organising activities and demonstrate greater value to members in response to changing economic realities. He stressed that preserving community life requires organisations to recognise the pressures on working professionals and find ways to sustain meaningful relationships, solidarity, and collective responsibility despite prevailing economic difficulties.
Key points
- Economic hardship and the declining value of the naira are weakening community life and undermining participation in voluntary organisations in Nigeria.
- Professionals in Nigeria are struggling to balance work, family responsibilities, and social commitments due to economic pressures.
- Social clubs need to reconsider their traditional methods of organising activities to sustain participation and demonstrate greater value to members.
