Suffering and smiling: What determines happiness among Nigerians?

Using the Wave 7 World Values Survey (WVS) dataset, this study examined the determinants of happiness among Nigerians with a focus on exposure to violent conflict, socioeconomic condition, religiosity, and self-rated health. The regression results showed that exposure to violent conflict reduced the likelihood of being happy, but socioeconomic condition and self-rated health were positively correlated with happiness. Religiosity, which was measured using the frequency of prayer, had no effect on happiness. The respondents’ demographic attributes like gender, age, and marital status also had no effect on happiness.