By Agabaidu Chukwuemeka Jideani

In the bustling streets of major cities or the quiet villages of several states in Nigeria, a phrase has become a rallying cry for millions: “Yakubu manage.” I first saw it on my daughter Nwando’s WhatsApp Status, born from a viral video clip of a stern instructor drilling a recruit named Yakubu, the meme encapsulates the Nigerian spirit of endurance. “You will feel it like you want to die, but you will not die,” the voice booms. It’s not just humor; it’s a mantra for a nation where daily life is a battle against overwhelming odds. Amidst insecurity, skyrocketing inflation, exorbitant school fees, crumbling healthcare, and dilapidated infrastructure, Nigerians don’t just survive, they innovate, hustle, and extract slivers of joy from what often feels like killer circumstances.

This resilience isn’t romanticized suffering; it’s a gritty, unyielding pushback against systemic failures. As of early 2026, Nigeria’s population of over 230 million grapples with a quality of life ranked among the world’s lowest, with 54% in poverty and inadequate basics like power and water. Yet, from market traders to tech entrepreneurs, the average Nigerian embodies “Yakubu manage” by turning obstacles into opportunities. This is encapsulated in the campaign songs of the FCT Minister Barrister Nyensom Wike Esq “…kama m ga anwu ka m doni ba, uwa bu ndoni ndoni…” loosely translated “…I will rather keep striving and struggling than giving up and dying …”

Insecurity remains a pervasive shadow over our nation, with banditry, kidnapping, insurgencies like Boko Haram, and communal clashes disrupting lives across regions. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs notes that inflation is exacerbated by these threats, alongside transport costs and climate impacts, leading to deteriorating livelihoods. In many places, farmers abandon fields due to attacks, contributing to food shortages that put 35 million at high hunger risk, one of the world’s highest. Travelers navigate a devious pathway of treacherous roads and violent kidnapping gangs. But Nigerians manage. Communities form vigilante groups, while entrepreneurs pivot to safer ventures like online trading. A recent X post captures this: a user shares their exhaustion from goals amid chaos, replying with “Yakubu manage. you’ll feel like you’re about to die but you will not die.” It’s a digital echo of real-life tenacity, where displaced families rebuild in IDP camps, starting small businesses to feed their children.

Economic pressures hit hard, with headline inflation increasing in January 2026 and health-related costs soared to more than double its last year rates. The cost-of-living crisis that began with subsidy removals is yet to abate and families battle shrinking incomes, with food inflation eroding human capital development.

Enter the Nigerian hustle. Side gigs flourish, ride-sharing, freelance gigs on global platforms, or street vending, content creation, multi-level marketing – ‘…bring 2 people to bring 2 people…’. In markets, traders haggle fiercely, while apps like Jumia and local fintech help stretch budgets. This adaptability turns economic pain into a forge for innovation, with young Nigerians demanding investments in jobs and reforms that feel purposeful.

High school fees compound the woes, as Nigeria’s education system faces skill mismatches that leave graduates unemployable. Public schools are underfunded, forcing parents into private options where costs can devour household incomes. Amid poverty, many children drop out, perpetuating cycles of hardship. However, resilience shines through community efforts: Parent-teacher associations fundraise, and online learning platforms democratize access. A viral X thread might show a student cramming despite blackouts, under the illumination of a street light captioned “Yakubu manage”, a nod to pushing through exam pressures. Entrepreneurs launch affordable tutoring apps, while scholarships from diaspora Nigerians bridge gaps, proving that education remains a ladder out of despair.

Poor healthcare is a silent killer, with institutional collapse highlighted by events like hospital strikes and drug shortages. Costs push millions into poverty, and the system ranks low globally. Rural areas lack facilities, while urban hospitals overflow. Nigerians ‘try to’ manage by turning to herbal remedies, community health initiatives, or telemedicine apps. Faith healers and local pharmacists fill voids, and social media campaigns raise funds for surgeries. An X post urges “Yakubu manage!!!! It will look like God won’t come through, but he is El-roi,” blending spirituality with endurance. This mix of tradition and tech extracts life from dire diagnoses.

Inadequate infrastructure, gross deficits in roads, power, water, and transportation, hampers daily life for about 230 million people. Blackouts force reliance on generators, while poor roads inflate transport costs, fueling inflation. Yet, Nigerians innovate: Solar panels power homes, ride-hailing apps bypass traffic, and informal transport like okadas thrive. In floods or gridlocks, the spirit is “Yakubu manage,” as seen in posts about enduring commutes. Urban planners and startups push for sustainable fixes, turning frustration into advocacy.

As Nigeria eyes economic gains from reforms, easing inflation and softening forex constraints, the human cost lingers. But in this crucible, resilience forges unbreakable bonds. From the trader who barters through blackouts to the student studying by phone light or street light, Nigerians extract life from killer circumstances. “Yakubu manage” isn’t defeat; it’s defiance, a promise that while the body aches, the spirit thrives. In 2026, this ethos could propel the nation toward a future where survival evolves into prosperity.

In the end, it’s not just about extracting life from killer circumstances, it’s about doing so as one nation, supporting each other and jointly overcoming obstacles turning challenges into inspiration.

Yakubu manage… e go better.