Nigerians Are So Deprived That iPhones And Wigs Have Become Symbols Of Success - Saleh

 

Image: IG 

Nigerian media entrepreneur Osayuwamen Saleh has criticised the growing tendency to celebrate material possessions as major achievements, arguing that the trend reflects the level of deprivation many Nigerians experience.

Saleh made the observation while highlighting how items such as iPhones, luxury cars and wigs have become symbols of status on social media, where some people display their possessions to impress others or make those who cannot afford them feel inferior.

“If you want to understand how deprived we are as Nigerians, just go on social media and see the kind of things we give attention to,” she said.

According to her, possessions that attract considerable attention in Nigeria are often treated as ordinary consumer goods in other parts of the world. She cited iPhones as an example, noting that even young children in some countries have access to the devices without their ownership being treated as an exceptional achievement.

She also referenced luxury vehicles, including Lamborghinis and Mercedes-Benzes, which are sometimes used for commercial transportation in other countries, unlike in Nigeria, where owning such cars is widely associated with wealth and social status.

Saleh's concern centres on how prolonged economic hardship can influence people's expectations and perceptions of success. When access to certain goods is limited by financial circumstances, owning them can attract disproportionate admiration and become a means of establishing social superiority.

She also criticised the use of material possessions to intimidate others, particularly on social media, where displays of wealth can encourage unhealthy comparisons and make people feel inadequate because they cannot afford similar lifestyles.

Her observation raises questions about the country's economic conditions and the standard of living available to ordinary citizens. For many Nigerians, the challenge is not simply the desire to own expensive gadgets or luxury vehicles but the difficulty of meeting basic needs amid rising living costs and limited financial opportunities.

Rather than measuring success by the ability to purchase expensive items, the broader issue is whether citizens can afford necessities, access quality education and healthcare, secure decent jobs, and live comfortably without struggling to meet everyday expenses.

Saleh's argument is that a society should not have to treat ordinary possessions as extraordinary achievements simply because access to them remains financially difficult for many people.

She said there is need to look beyond social media displays of wealth and examine the economic realities that shape people's lives. Ultimately, national progress should be measured not by the possessions a few individuals can afford, but by the opportunities and living standards available to the wider population.

The real achievement should be building a society where basic comforts are accessible to ordinary citizens, rather than symbols of privilege reserved for a few.

 

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