Determinants of life satisfaction in Nigeria: the roles of region, relative income, and education

While research on the determinants of subjective well-being in Nigeria exists, little attention has been given to regional differences in life satisfaction between the country’s two major regions – the North and the South. This study addresses that gap by analyzing cross-sectional survey data from Kaduna and Edo States, located in Nigeria’s Northern and Southern regions, respectively (N = 2991; age: 15 and above; 55% female and 45% male). In addition to comparing both states (regions), the study also examines how satisfaction with relative income and educational attainment relate to life satisfaction. Ordered logit regression analysis reveals a striking contrast: despite facing poorer socioeconomic conditions, residents of Kaduna report higher life satisfaction than those in Edo. Additionally, satisfaction with relative income is positively correlated with life satisfaction in both states. However, while educational attainment is negatively associated with life satisfaction in Kaduna, it has no significant relationship with life satisfaction in Edo. These findings underscore the importance of accounting for regional differences in the study of subjective well-being in Nigeria, as national aggregates may conceal important local patterns and heterogeneities.