You ever wake up, check your account balance, and immediately start calculating how long you can survive on cabin biscuits and vibes? Congratulations, you might be eligible for Sapa Citizenship.

But wait—before you start crying, let’s pause for a second. Have you noticed that being broke is kinda…trendy? Like, not just in that “Nigerians find humor in suffering” way, but in a full-blown movement.

Back in the day, being poor was something your parents would cover up with fancy church clothes and a fake British accent. Now? People are out here owning their SAPA with chest. You’ll hear things like:

  • “I’m not broke, I’m financially minimalist.”
  • “I don’t buy food, I’m practicing intermittent fasting.”
  • “Money is a social construct, but hunger is real sha.”

It’s giving rebrand. And honestly? It’s suspicious.

Plotting Gif

THE LONG HISTORY OF SAPA: FROM ANCIENT TIMES TO TODAY

Sapa isn’t new. It has been oppressing people since the beginning of time.

  • Biblical era: The Prodigal Son went broke and had to eat with pigs. First recorded case of SAPA in history.
  • Ancient Egypt: Pharaoh’s people worked for free, built pyramids, and still couldn’t afford land in Lekki Phase 1.
  • Colonial Era: The British came, took all our money, and somehow we still ended up being the ones that are broke.
  • Buhari Era: SAPA evolved into Thanos, affecting even rich people. Imported rice became a luxury.

Now, in 2025, SAPA has transformed again. This time, it’s cool. Or at least, that’s what they want you to think.

IS BIG BROTHER WATCHING? (A CONSPIRACY THEORY)

Let’s think about it: Why is poverty suddenly fashionable? Is SAPA a marketing strategy?

Stay with me.

  • The more broke you are, the more you’ll hustle for crumbs.
  • The more you hustle for crumbs, the less time you have to think about how messed up the system is.
  • The less you think about the system, the richer the people at the top get.

See the game?

They’re out here telling you to romanticize struggle while they’re out there eating peppered turkey with soft life. They even gave it cute names—“soft boy economy,” “Gen Z broke,” “suffer-head chic.”

My guy, SAPA is not an aesthetic.

SO WHAT NOW? DO WE ACCEPT OUR SAPA DESTINY?

Look, we’re not saying you should stop joking about being broke. That’s our coping mechanism, after all. But let’s be serious:

  • SAPA should not be a personality trait.
  • Being broke is not character development.
  • Soft life is not a crime, it’s the goal.

At the end of the day, money might not buy happiness, but it buys Jollof rice, and that’s close enough.

So next time someone tells you “Broke is the new rich,” just smile, check your balance, and say ‘God forbid.’

What do you think? Is the internet making SAPA cool, or is it just premium Nigerian coping strategy? Drop your thoughts in the comments, but if your account balance is below 1k, think carefully before using data. 🚶🏽‍♂️

Categorized in:

What's Poppin'?

Tagged in: