NOT until the former minister under General Buhari, Alhaji Lai Mohammed came out open, laud and strong on “Fake News ” many Nigerians did not know the weight and damage “fake life “is doing and has done to this country and that Nigerians are literally swimming in the ocean of fakes. Yes, fake or faking is not a new thinking or vocabulary. It is as old as man and creation as it is often said that” no original, no fake.”
Fake life refer to the phenomenon of people presenting a false or exaggerated image of themselves, their lives or their accomplishments on social media or in their public forum. This can involve misrepresenting ones lifestyle, relationships, career or financial situation to gain admiration, attention or validation from others. According to psychologists, fake life can manifest in various ways such as social media deception by sharing manipulated or staged photos, videos to create a false impression of one’s life.
It can also manifest in exaggerated accomplishments by inflating ones achievements, skills and credentials to impress others. It also can manifest by faking friendship or connections with influential people to boost ones status.
Also, it can show by way of displaying luxury items, wealth or status symbol to create a false impression of financial success.
Experts say that the consequences of living fake life can be severe including the loss of authenticity –struggling to maintain a genuine sense of self amidst the facade, it also attracts anxiety and stress, damages relationship when the truth is revealed.
President of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu draw the attention of Nigerians to the issues on fake life recently at the combined Convocation Ceremonies of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State when he said that Nigerians have been living fake life. The presidents observation may be seen from different perspectives, but no matter the angle or perspective one looks at it, the truth is that some Nigerians have been living fake life and Mr. President is right and the false life has almost ruined the economy of this nation.
This issue has, however, thrown up a lot of controversies, debates and arguments among Nigerians. Lifestyle tried to find out from a section of Nigerians what their takes are on the matter. A social critic, Sammy Johnson, said that in Nigeria, there is a strong cultural emphasis on appearance, status and responsibility and that this can lead some individuals to present a more affluent or successful image than their actual circumstances.
He listed some factors that might contribute to the perception of Nigerians living a fake life to include, social pressure, economic inequality, cultural values and this, he explained as the importance placed on appearances ,respectability and community expectations, adding that these can encourage individuals to pretend to be more successful or affluent than they actually are.
Mr. Johnson was however, quick to say that not all Nigerians are living a fake life, stating that many individuals are genuine, hardworking and authentic in their pursuits and relationships .He said while some Nigerians might feel pressure to present a more polished or impressive image, it is not accurate to generalize that all Nigerians are living fake life. He pointed out that not withstanding that many Nigerians are fast imbibing the culture of “fake life ” ,He explained that this is a society where people go to borrow huge sum of money to marry, to celebrate weddings, birthdays, burials and more, and that most times, they find it extremely difficult to pay back these monies and often times, lead then to commit crimes and other mis-deameneurs. He was of the view that they should stop and ask themselves what they would gain by going to borrow money to celebrate birthdays or the like if not for social pressure, adding, “Thank God Tinubu administration is stopping these things in one way or the other. It has been sheer madness ,” he said.
He highlighted some aspects of fake life among Nigerians to include –social media perception, pretentious wealth, fake relationship, exaggerated accomplishments, emotional manipulations, fashion and appearance.
Others are fake business /career success, pretentious education, fake travel and fake philanthropy.
No doubt, the concept of fake life ” has had a profound impact on Nigerians particularly the economy. According to President Bola Tinubu, the Pre 2023 petrol subsidy era was characterized by Nigerians living ” fake life ” which he said was unsustainable and capable of leading a nation to economic collapse. In fact only God knows what would have happened to Nigerians and the economy if the events are not being checked.
This is because the effects of the fake life can be seen in various aspects of the economy.
For instance, he said, the proliferation of fake and substandard products had threatened the economy with the Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) destroying fake products valued at 5. 5 billion in 2024 alone.
In the same breath, Mrs. Maria Amadasu stated that moreover corruption has been exacerbated by the culture of “fake life ” leading to significant economic losses, adding that the health sector was affected with fake adulterated medications being sold resulting in loss of lives and a decline in life expectancy.
Also, she said that the brain drain phenomenon has been linked to the “fake life “culture as so many Nigerians feel compelled to present a false image of success leading to migration of skilled professionals and intellectuals.
Furthermore, she said, the emphasis on appearance and material possessions has created a culture where individuals feel pressured to keep with the latest trends and luxury items, often at the expense of their financial stability.
Mrs. Amadasun pointed out that “fake life ” culture has had far reaching consequences on our economy from the proliferation of fake products to corruption, brain drain and unsustainable consumption patterns, pointing out ” How many times these days do you see men who are drunk ”
From the fore going, living a “fake life ” can have severe consequences on an individuals mental, emotional and social well-being. It can also lead to anxiety, stress, depression and low -self esteem. The weight of deception can lead to overwhelming guilt and shame.
Living a fake life can be challenging to stop or checked, but it is definitely possible with self -awareness and support. To stop fake life, is said to be a journey that requires patience, awareness and support ,says an expert and he advised people to be gentle with oneself and celebrate small victories along the way. It is necessary to state that living a “fake life ” in Nigeria has become a topic of concern.
