Nigeria’s Trust Index in key institutions such as business, government, media, and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) has climbed to 65, a four-point increase from 2024, according to the newly released 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer Report.

The report, titled: “Trust and the Crisis of Grievance,” also highlights Nigerians’ mounting concerns over job security, with employees fear of job loss due to foreign competition reaching 67 per cent of, a nine-point jump from the previous year.

Fears of job insecurity due to automation also surged by eight points, now standing at 70 per cent among employees, signalling growing apprehension about job displacement and job security.

However, the Chief Executive Officer at Edelman Africa, Karena Crerar, warned that this progress risks being undermined by a pervasive sense of exclusion and discontent, particularly among employees and economically strained communities.

“These anxieties contribute to a pervasive sense of grievance, with 72 per cent of Nigerians having a moderate or higher sense of grievance, believing that business, government, and the affluent primarily serve a select few, perpetuating systemic inequities. Such sentiments erode trust and hinder societal progress and must be addressed head-on,” Crerar said.

Even more troubling is the erosion of confidence in leadership as seven in 10 Nigerians suspect that government officials, business executives and journalists routinely mislead the public.

The report stated that this credibility crisis threatens the foundation of both economic and social stability.

The report further highlighted that at least one third of Nigerians demand more action from business to address issues such as climate change, discrimination, affordability, misinformation and retraining.

They believe that business is not going far enough to address these issues noting that leaders can no longer afford to view social challenges as being outside of their remit.

As such, CEOs are being called on to act, as Nigerians believe they are justified in addressing social issues.

For those with a high sense of grievance, 89 per cent believe CEOs are justified in addressing a societal issue if they could make a major impact on the challenge, and 80% say they are justified if doing so would improve business performance.

Chief Executive Officers are also justified in addressing societal issues if their business contributed to the problem. The report say 74 per cent of those with a high sense of grievance, or if the issue harms their customers, employees or communities (79 per cent on average across the three).
V To ensure a better future, Nigerians agree the business sector in Nigeria is further obligated to nurture workplace civility to facilitate discussions about contentious issues.

Crerar stated: “Alarmingly, over half of the population, 52 per cent, view hostile activism – including online attacks, disinformation, and/or property damage – as viable methods to effect change. This statistic should serve as a clarion call for all institutional leaders to address underlying grievances proactively.”

The report explains that grievances undermine confidence in the business sector’s competence and ethics.

However, Nigerians still recognize the sector’s role in economic empowerment. For those with a high sense of grievance, 92 per cent say that business is obligated to provide good paying jobs in local communities.

Also, 86 per cent of those whose sense of grievance is high believe business is obligated to train or reskill employees.

Nigerians are more optimistic than their global counterparts, with 50 per cent believing that compared to today, future generations will be better off. In most developed countries, less than one in five respondents believe that.

The report calls on business, government, media, and NGOs to work together to address the root causes of grievance and enable trust, growth, and prosperity.

This means investing in local communities, providing accurate information, and equipping individuals with job skills that drive economic mobility. Delivering results that benefit all stakeholders fairly is crucial.

The report aptly notes: “The institutional failures of the past 25 years have fuelled grievances worldwide, stifling growth and innovation. To navigate this crisis, leaders must understand the economic realities of their stakeholders, champion shared interests, and create opportunities for optimism.”

Other key findings include, the fear of being discriminated against through prejudice, discrimination, or racism, which grew by 9 points from 2024, reaching 75 per cent.

The fear was particularly marked among men, which rose to 74 per cent, an 11-point increase from the previous year, and those with high income at 85 per cent, recording a whopping 22-point increase.

Also, 74 per cent of Nigerians believe that the wealthy’s selfishness causes many of their problems.