Nigeria has been ranked the 7th friendliest country to strangers in the world, according to the 2025 World Happiness Report by the United Nations.

The report, compiled by Oxford University’s Wellbeing Research Centre in collaboration with Gallup and the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, assessed 147 countries based on self-reported well-being and prosocial behaviours like helping others, volunteering, and donating.

While Nigeria scored high in kindness to strangers, it placed 105th overall in happiness, pointing to challenges like poor life satisfaction and weak institutions.

The report revealed a trust gap: Nigerians were more confident in strangers than in public systems. When asked about lost wallets:

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Nigeria ranked 33rd if found by a stranger

71st if found by a neighbour

126th if found by the police

This highlights low public trust in institutions, a pattern seen in many countries with fragile systems.

The report noted, “Where institutional structures are weak, helping strangers likely becomes the most direct and effective form of benevolence.”

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Countries with similar patterns include:

Liberia

Trinidad

Kenya

Sierra Leone

Senegal

Venezuela

Ukraine

Zambia

Nigeria also ranked 45th in charitable donations.

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency has forecast a mix of sunny, cloudy, and rainy weather conditions across the country from Monday to Wednesday.

In its weather outlook released on Sunday in Abuja, NiMet predicted sunny skies with patches of cloud over the northern region during the morning hours.

NiMet said by afternoon and evening, isolated thunderstorms with moderate rain would be expected in parts of Taraba, Bauchi, Gombe, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, Adamawa, Kebbi, and Kaduna States.

The outlook partly read,”For the central region, sunny skies with some cloud cover are anticipated in the morning.

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“Later in the day, isolated thunderstorms and moderate rain are forecast over Plateau, Benue, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Kwara, Nasarawa, and Niger States.

“Cloudy skies are expected in the southern region, with morning rains likely over Akwa Ibom.

“This will be followed by thunderstorms and light to moderate rain in parts of Imo, Ebonyi, Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Edo, Ondo, Ogun, Oyo, Delta, Ekiti, Lagos, Rivers, Bayelsa, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom States.”

According to the agency, on Tuesday, thunderstorms with light rain are expected over parts of Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi, Katsina, Kano, and Jigawa, with other areas in the North experiencing sunny weather with patches of cloud in the morning.

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It was stated that, “Moderate rain is forecast later in the day for Adamawa, Taraba, Borno, Kebbi, Zamfara, Kano, Kaduna, and Bauchi States.

“In the central region, morning thunderstorms with light rains are expected in the FCT, Benue, Niger, Kwara, Plateau, and Kogi, with afternoon or evening thunderstorms and moderate rains in the same states.

“Southern regions will see cloudy skies in the morning, with thunderstorms and moderate to heavy rain in the afternoon or evening, especially in Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, and Edo States.

“By Wednesday, thunderstorms with light rain are expected in Kebbi, Zamfara, and Sokoto States in the morning, while the rest of the North will experience sunny weather with cloud patches.”

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The agency said moderate rains were forecast later in the day across Bauchi, Gombe, Adamawa, Taraba, Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Kano, and Kaduna.

“In the central region, sunny skies with sunshine intervals are predicted for the morning, while thunderstorms with moderate to heavy rain will occur later.

“The southern region is expected to be cloudy in the morning, with thunderstorms and heavy rain in the afternoon and evening.”

NiMet advised the public to take precautionary measures, as strong winds might precede thunderstorms.

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It said loose objects should be secured to avoid damage.

The agency also urged people to avoid driving during heavy rain, disconnect electrical appliances during storms, and stay away from tall trees due to the risk of falling branches.

“Airline operators are advised to obtain airport-specific weather reports from NiMet for effective flight planning.

“Residents are encouraged to stay informed by following updates via NiMet’s official website: www.nimet.gov.ng,” the outlook read.

Professor Nasir Hassan-Wagini of Biology Department, Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, Katsina, who produces and sells vegetables, has advised students and youths to key into small businesses rather than wait for white-collar jobs.

Hassan-Wagini advised on Monday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria at a weekly market in Batsari, Katsina state, where he sells the produce.

The professor said he was born by a farmer, grew up as a farmer, and went into produce businesses at an early stage of life.

He said that his story became popular after he was promoted to the rank of professor.

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“My call to the NCE, Diploma, and degree graduates is that they should feel free and start small businesses in their communities instead of staying idle.

“I’m a professor of plant resources at UMYU, I want youths and students to look at me, know my rank and position, and I still engage in small business of this nature.

“That may clear their minds because they feel shame and are too big to go into such small types of businesses.

“What matters is Heineken Withdraws Staff As Armed Rebels Seize Facilities In Eastern DR Congo you are contributing to society.

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“So, stop staying at home doing nothing when you did not get a job, start with small businesses like this one.

“Our youths should stop going to other places looking for a job, they should get into farming and other small businesses to become self-reliant.

“Self-reliance is key to a successful life. Try to merge your education with vocational skills for your good,” he said.

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One of his neighbours in the market, Malam Uzairu, said that they enjoy staying with the professor in the market.

He described the professor as trustworthy, humble, and kind in his interaction with people.

“We respect him and he respects us. In fact, he is a nice person who knows how to relate to all categories of people,” Uzairu said.