Showing posts with label Cairo. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cairo. Show all posts

Monday, August 25, 2025

The Pressure To Appear Rich In Harsh Economy

 By Timi Olubiyi

In Lagos, Nigeria, like other African cities, Johannesburg, Cairo, Nairobi among others the pressure to appear rich has reached disturbing heights. Amid a backdrop of rapid urbanisation and economic uncertainty, social media platforms have only intensified this pressure, making it feel as though success is synonymous with material wealth. From sleek cars on the streets of Lekki, Victoria Island, or Ikeja and flashy social media posts make it hard to ignore the overwhelming desire to flaunt wealth in Lagos Nigeria.

In recent time the extravagant parties and designer clothes, the pursuit of outwardly projecting affluence has become an obsession, leaving many trapped in a cycle of debt and despair. The unfortunate paradox here is that it’s difficult for a broke person to keep up the appearance of affluence for long, while a rich person, paradoxically, can play broke every day of the week without breaking a sweat.