Nigeria Fake Life, Real Problems: Borrowed Lifestyles is a Security issue

In a recent statement, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu dropped a truth bomb that left many Nigerians nodding in agreement (and others nervously adjusting their fake Gucci belts). He said, “The good life we thought we were living was a fake one capable of leading the country to total collapse.” A bold statement, but as they say in Nigeria, "na true talk!"

Let’s face it: many Nigerians have mastered the art of ‘packaging’, a lifestyle that makes it look like everyone is living large while secretly surviving on “borrowed robes.”

In Nigeria, appearances are everything. That’s why Brother Chuks, who hasn’t paid his house rent in six months, shows up to church in a three-piece suit claiming it’s from Italy. Truth? It’s from "Italy Street Market," Lagos.

Walk into a party in Lagos, and you’ll be greeted by a parade of Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Balenciaga, and Rolex. But look closely, and you might notice that “Gucci” has an extra “i,” “Louis Vuitton” is spelled “Luis Vitton,” and the Rolex ticks louder than a wall clock. Why? Because these items are Made in China, bought for the price of akara at a local market, but rocked with the confidence of billionaires.

Meanwhile, our Nigerian women are not left out of this great drama. Princess claims she’s wearing Peruvian hair worth ?1,000,000, but only she knows the seller from Aba who sewed it with the same thread used for school uniforms. And let’s not forget Madam Bola, who wears Louboutin heels—well, they started as Louboutins until the red sole peeled off and revealed Kehinde’s Slippers Ltd.

On social media, the situation gets even more hilarious. Nigerian men will pose beside luxury cars they don’t own (some even stand next to cars at showrooms) and add captions like, “Work hard, play harder.” The truth? They came in a Keke Napep (tricycle). Nigerian women? They’ll flaunt “all-expense-paid trips to Dubai” funded by mysterious uncles whose only job seems to be “giving girls a better life.”

Perhaps the most hilarious part of this fake life epidemic is the obsession with expensive foreign brands. Nigerians love to call everything “original.” But in reality, the “original” Versace shoe is from Idumota market and costs just ?7,000. You’ll hear phrases like, “This is Chanel o! I don’t do fake.” But flip the label, and it says “Chaniel Paris”—China’s finest export.

President Tinubu wasn’t wrong when he said this fake life could lead the country to collapse. Imagine living a life so fake that even your fake designer bag starts to pity you. Beyond the humour, this culture of false representation has led to financial ruin for many, as people borrow money or sacrifice their essentials just to keep up appearances. It’s a race to nowhere, driven by the fear of being labelled as "local.", Insecurity!

Dear Nigerians, remember that real wealth is not in how loud your fake Rolex ticks or how shiny your "Luis Vitton" bag is. It’s in authenticity, hard work, and financial prudence. As the elders say, “Cut your coat according to your material, even if it’s Ankara.” Stop competing with people who bought their lifestyles on AliExpress! Let’s save the country and our dignity by living within our means. Because at the end of the day, no matter how much you package yourself, you can’t fake who you really are.