News
Despite Hardship, Nigerians Show Resilience as Social Cohesion Climbs to 48.8% — API
Joel Ajayi
The Africa Polling Institute (API) has said that despite the economic and social hardships confronting the country, Nigerians continue to demonstrate remarkable resilience and a strong commitment to peaceful coexistence.
Speaking at the 2026 National Social Cohesion Dialogue and the unveiling of the 2026 Nigeria Social Cohesion Survey Report in Abuja on Thursday, API Executive Director, Professor Bell Ihua, said the latest survey findings reflect a gradual but encouraging strengthening of national unity among citizens.
According to Ihua, Nigeria’s Social Cohesion Index (NSCI) rose to 48.8 percent in 2026, representing a two-percentage-point increase from the previous year and the highest level recorded since the survey began.
He noted that although the index remains slightly below the 50 percent benchmark, the improvement signals that Nigerians are increasingly choosing unity over division despite ethnic, religious, political, and socio-economic pressures.
“The upward trend suggests that Nigerians continue to demonstrate resilience and a commitment to coexistence despite prevailing hardships,” Ihua said.
He described one of the survey’s most significant findings as the growing sense of shared identity among citizens. For the first time since the survey commenced, a majority of respondents identified primarily as Nigerians rather than by ethnic, religious, or regional affiliations.
According to him, this marks a major milestone in Nigeria’s nation-building journey and highlights a strengthening national consciousness.
However, Ihua expressed concern over the persistent trust deficit in government and public institutions. The survey showed that 72 percent of Nigerians expressed little or no trust in the government of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, while 77 percent reported low trust in the National Assembly and 73 percent in the judiciary.
The report also found that the National Assembly has overtaken the Police as Nigeria’s least trusted institution, with only 23 percent of citizens expressing trust in it, compared with 24 percent for the Police.
In contrast, religious and traditional institutions remain the most trusted among Nigerians. About 51 percent of respondents expressed significant trust in religious leaders, while 45 percent trusted traditional rulers.
On civic participation, 71 percent of citizens said they are willing to sacrifice personal interests for the collective good, while 77 percent expressed readiness to cooperate with people from other ethnic groups to strengthen national unity. Another 73 percent indicated willingness to participate actively in the political process.
The survey also revealed mixed perceptions about national cohesion. While 48 percent of respondents believe Nigeria is more divided today than four years ago, 20 percent believe the country is more united. Political party affiliation emerged as the leading source of division, ahead of ethnic and religious differences.
The study further showed that 55 percent of Nigerians would relocate abroad if given the opportunity, although 61 percent remain optimistic that the country’s future will be better.
API recommended the establishment of a National Social Cohesion Commission to promote inclusive governance, trust, peaceful coexistence, and national unity
News
Eagle Times Newspaper Will Be Voice for Nigerians – Publisher Chukwunyere Vows
Joel Ajayi
The Publisher of The Eagle Times Nigeria, Sir Ikechukwu Chukwunyere, has pledged that the newspaper will promote accountability, credible journalism and public-interest reporting in its coverage of national affairs.
Chukwunyere made the commitment on Thursday, October 1, 2026, during the official unveiling and launch of The Eagle Times Nigeria.
He said the new media organisation was established not merely to add another newspaper to Nigeria’s media landscape, but to provide a platform committed to serving the public interest.
According to him, the newspaper’s guiding philosophy, “The Voice for the People, The Watchdog for the Nation,” places a responsibility on the organisation to listen to Nigerians, tell their stories, highlight issues affecting their daily lives and scrutinise those entrusted with public responsibilities.
“To be a voice for the people means that we must listen to Nigerians, tell their stories, highlight their concerns and give visibility to issues that affect their daily lives,” he said.
The publisher added that The Eagle Times would be guided by accuracy, fairness, professionalism, credibility and responsible journalism, stressing that the newspaper would not publish stories merely because they were sensational.
“We will verify. We will investigate. We will seek the other side. We will correct our mistakes when we make them,” he said.
Chukwunyere further stated that the newspaper would endeavour to give individuals and organisations the opportunity to respond whenever allegations were made against them.
“Our commitment is not to any political party, government or individual. Our primary commitment is to journalism, to truth and to the Nigerian public,” he said.
He noted that the newspaper was launching at a time when the media industry was undergoing rapid transformation, with audiences increasingly consuming news through digital platforms, including websites, television, podcasts and social media.
He said The Eagle Times would therefore operate as a multimedia organisation, combining its newspaper with digital platforms and The Eagle Times TV to reach audiences across different channels.
According to him, the organisation also intends to create opportunities for young journalists, writers, photographers, producers, digital creators and other media professionals to develop their skills and contribute to journalism and national development.
Chukwunyere said the newspaper’s coverage would include politics, governance, business, economy, security, judiciary, education, health, technology, sports, entertainment, lifestyle and international affairs.
He, however, said the organisation intended to distinguish itself not only by the subjects it covered but by the quality and approach of its journalism.
We want to tell stories that matter, we want to investigate issues that require investigation, we want to highlight Nigerians who are making a difference, and we want to give communities that are often ignored an opportunity to be heard,” he said.
The publisher acknowledged the challenges involved in establishing a newspaper, saying the venture required investment, commitment, professional discipline and the courage to pursue an idea.
He expressed appreciation to the management, editorial, reporting, production and digital teams, as well as families, friends, partners and supporters who contributed to the establishment of the organisation.
Chukwunyere also assured readers, viewers and the newspaper’s digital audience that The Eagle Times would strive to earn their trust and remain accountable to the standards it had set for itself.
He said the newspaper’s success would not be measured only by circulation figures, website traffic or social media followers, but also by the confidence Nigerians placed in its journalism.
“Today, we spread our wings. Today, The Eagle Times takes flight,” he said, reaffirming the newspaper’s commitment to its slogan: “The Voice for the People, The Watchdog for the Nation.”
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