In today’s Nigeria, a new kind of hustle is thriving — one where the glitz and glamour on social media are often far from reality. The phrase “No salary, still balling” captures this perfectly. It’s the story of many young Nigerians who, despite having little or no steady income, live large online, flaunting designer clothes, flashy cars, and exotic lifestyles. But behind the filtered photos and viral videos lies a complex economic and social issue that deserves our attention.
The rise of “fake life” isn’t just about vanity or showing off. It’s tied to deep frustrations with unemployment, economic hardship, and societal pressure. When legitimate jobs are scarce and financial security feels out of reach, many turn to the digital world to create an illusion of success. Social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter become stages where followers, likes, and comments are the new currency.
But this illusion has real costs. People go into debt to maintain appearances, borrowing money or using payday loans to fund lifestyles they cannot afford. This cycle can trap them in financial distress, with mental health consequences too. The pressure to appear successful — to “still be balling” — becomes a heavy burden.
Some turn to creative hustles: influencing, reselling, small businesses — yet often these ventures struggle under the weight of expectations to showcase rapid, glamorous success. Others may fall into scams or risky behaviour, hoping to keep up the facade.
The economy suffers too. When resources are diverted to keeping up appearances rather than building real wealth or skills, the long-term effect weakens economic growth. Governments and communities must understand this trend to better support youth empowerment, job creation, and financial literacy.
More importantly, society needs to redefine what success looks like. Success shouldn’t only be about designer labels or expensive cars. It should be about stability, growth, and wellbeing — things far less flashy but much more valuable.
The phrase “No salary, still balling” is a symptom of deeper issues in Nigeria’s economy and society. It’s a call to action for all of us — parents, educators, policymakers, and social media users — to promote honesty, resilience, and real opportunities.
After all, true balling is not about pretending to have it all but about building something lasting, even if it starts small.
