By Emmanuel Okogba

Nigerians are showing greater confidence in the country’s economic prospects than in their personal security, according to findings from the Nigeria Stability Index (NSI) monthly surveys.

The findings indicate that while sentiment around foreign exchange, the economy and investor confidence has improved in recent months, insecurity remains a major concern among respondents.

In August 2026, Nigeria’s overall Stability Score stood at 4.3 out of 10, while the Security pillar recorded just 2.0, making it the lowest-performing indicator for the month.

The security score declined further to 1.6 out of 10 in September, highlighting persistent concerns about safety despite more encouraging sentiment in other areas.

According to the NSI findings, foreign exchange and the economy, alongside investor confidence, have emerged as relatively stronger-performing areas in recent assessments.

The results suggest a growing disconnect between perceptions of economic progress and the public’s sense of safety, with respondents appearing more optimistic about the country’s economic direction than about conditions in their communities.

The Nigeria Stability Index measures public sentiment across five key pillars: Security, Social Stability, FX and Economy, Governance, and Investor Confidence.

Its monthly assessments track how respondents perceive developments across these areas, highlighting improvements in public confidence as well as challenges that continue to undermine national stability.

The latest findings raise questions about whether improvements in economic sentiment can translate into broader national stability while concerns over insecurity remain unresolved.

They also underscore the need to assess Nigeria’s progress through multiple indicators, rather than relying solely on economic performance as a measure of the country’s overall stability.