As Nigerians, the phrase “It is well” used to be a casual way of brushing off challenges, but today, it’s become much more than that. It’s now the phrase that defines our resilience and silent struggles.
I was recently chatting with my sister-in-law, whom I hadn’t spoken to in weeks. When I asked why she’d been off the radar, she said something that stuck: “As Nigerians, we now understand the real meaning of ‘It is well.'” That got me thinking—how are we all really surviving this?
With food inflation at an all-time high of Cost of food in Nigeria increased 37.77 percent in September of 2024 over the same month in the previous year. Food Inflation in Nigeria averaged 13.72 percent from 1996 until 2024, reaching an all time high of 40.87 percent in June of 2024 and a record low of -17.50 percent in January of 2000, and fuel prices now hovering between N1,100 and N1,200 per liter, compared to N200 not too long ago in 2023, Nigerians have gone eerily silent.
The once loud complaints and daily rants have quieted down. It seems like everyone has just accepted the struggle and moved on. But are we okay?
The real question is, how are we coping? Have we turned to faith, leaned on our religion, or sought comfort from our spiritual leaders? Or have we just learned to carry the weight in silence?
As the famous hymn reminds us: “When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.”
In many ways, this resonates deeply with the Nigerian spirit today. Like my sister-in-law said, now we truly know what “It is well” means. It’s not just a saying anymore—it’s become a daily survival mantra, a sign of our strength and endurance in these tough times.
Written by Onome Igugu
Onome Igugu is a seasoned media consultant with over 10 years of experience in public relations, marketing communications, digital strategy, and broadcasting. Her expertise spans content creation, brand management, and media relations, helping organizations amplify their messages across various platforms.
Follow her on IG: @onomeigugu | Email: onomeigugu@gmail.com