The famine of truth: How we abuse trust

Socrates, the ancient sage, wisely observed that “the misuse of language induces evil in the soul.” He wasn’t concerned with dangling participles or missed commas. He understood that language, when disconnected from truth and employed solely for personal gain, becomes a weapon of manipulation. When politicians and advertisers twist words to serve their ambitions, they erode the foundation of trust and understanding. This corruption of language, sadly, is a malady that plagues us today, and in Nigeria, it is manifesting in deeply troubling ways.

Our nation is currently burdened by the crushing weight of inflation with current projections, the inflation rate in Nigeria for 2025 is expected to be around 34.52% based on a “base case scenario,”. Also, endless borrowing is another example of how language can be twisted to obscure harsh realities. We are told of economic “reforms” and “growth,” yet the everyday experiences of ordinary Nigerians tell a different story: one of hardship, rising costs, and increasing uncertainty. The language used to justify constant borrowing, often framed in terms of national development, masks the fact that ordinary citizens bear the brunt of these financial burdens, effectively collateralized by the very debts our leaders accumulate.

But the misuse of language is not confined to those in power. It permeates our daily interactions, too. The ubiquitous phrase, “Emilokan” – “it’s my turn” – has become a cynical justification for price-gouging and self-interest. The simple act of buying and selling has been tainted by this insincerity, where the transaction language is used to hide a lack of empathy and a desire to exploit others. This casual disregard for the truth, this willingness to prioritize personal gain and stomach infrastructure over collective well-being, is deeply disturbing.

The viral video of young Waris recently took center stage, after a thirteen-year-old boy was seen practically traumatised. In his words he engaged in bricklaying as a side hustle, to raise enough money to sew a dress for the Year-end celebrations, only to be disappointed by the seamster serves as a poignant metaphor for the larger malaise of our society. His tears, born from dashed hopes and unfulfilled promises, are a testament to the casual cruelty we inflict upon one another. He represents the countless individuals who are being exploited, deceived, and ultimately, failed by a society that has lost its moral compass. It’s traumatising to see that our unhealthy romance with misinformation and blatant lies is becoming a norm, the land is rigged against the righteous.

In this context, we must recognise that we face not just an economic crisis but a profound moral crisis, a “famine of truth,” as it were. We cannot simply blame our leaders while ignoring complicity in this corruption. The truth is that each of us, in our daily interactions, has a responsibility to use language with integrity, to build trust, and to value truth above expediency. We must collectively demand sincerity, transparency, and accountability from ourselves and others.

Before we point fingers at our leaders, we must first look inward. Let’s commit to using our words with honesty, empathy, and a genuine desire to build a better society. Only then can we hope to create a world where actions match words, and the truth is once again valued above all else.

.Abdulazeez is a poet and a writer of the poetry collection ‘Soul Rants’ A Journey from Within. She is the treasurer, of PEN International, Nigerian Center, and resides in Lagos, Nigeria. +234-8034816865 [email protected]