10 Soft Life Habits That Work in Today’s Nigerian Economy

Nigeria is currently navigating one of its most challenging economic cycles in decades. With inflation hovering around 22.22% (food inflation at ~21.4%) and projected GDP growth under 3.4% in 2025, even modest lifestyle decisions carry heavy financial weight.

It’s no longer just about surviving; it’s about being intentional with time, money, and energy. That’s where “soft life”, typically associated with leisure and self-care can actually become smart survival tactics.

Here are 10 intentional habits that align with Nigeria’s economic reality today, built not just for comfort, but for long-term resilience and well-being.

1. Plan Meals, Eat Smart, Spend Less

Buying staples like rice, garri, and bread piecemeal costs more. Use monthly price trackers like Nigeria’s Jollof Index. Planning meals helps control costs and reduce waste.

2. Accept Flexible Midday Rests

With energy costs and transportation unpredictable, investing in short midday rest or “power naps” improves focus and avoids unnecessary commuting which contributes to public transport spikes amid inflation.

3. Batch Work When Possible

Considering unstable electricity and variable internet (in spite of Nigeria accounting for 43% of Africa’s internet usage), grouping tasks around reliable power windows saves frustration and airtime. 

4. Choose for Free or Affordable Digital Courses

As education remains underfunded, leveraging free skill-building apps, especially in nursing, tech, trade and fintech, enhances job opportunities on a modest budget. 

5. Use Public Transport Trustfully Where Reliable

Lagos ride-hailing and buses remain cheaper than petrol and upkeep for private vehicles. With fuel subsidy gone and transport costs rising, smart use of public mobility reduces personal drain on limited resources.

6. Celebrate Mindfully, Not Extravagantly

“Spraying” cash at events is increasingly frowned upon amid extreme cost-of-living hardship. Conscious celebrations, like using symbols instead of real naira notes, reflect social awareness and save resources.

7. Automate Savings Even If Small

Automated amounts, even as little as ₦500 a week, streamline savings and protect against inflation’s slow erosion of naira value. Given inflation still near 24%, consistent saving protects purchasing power slowly but surely.

8. Support and Shop Local When Possible

With naira depreciation (~₦1,532–1,585 to USD) and high import prices, buying local goods helps preserve jobs and often costs less in naira terms, plus you avoid forex-driven markups. 

9. Use Social Media Time for Side Hustles

Tapping into Nigeria’s booming fintech and content economy (ICT is about 10–12% of GDP) through online gigs can generate income, even if it’s casual or remote. 

10. Invest in Low-cost Skills & Digital Literacy

In a country targeting 95% digital literacy by 2030, learning basic online skills, like content creation, simple coding, or data entry, opens doors to side income or informal remote work. 

In ordinary times, “soft life” might seem like a luxury. But in today’s Nigeria, where inflation erodes incomes and systemic instability remains high, being intentional is smart. Choosing rest, simplicity, small savings, and flexibility is not only sustainable, it’s strategic.