Description

Nigeria is a land of contradictions, where laughter masks pain, faith defies despair, and resilience thrives amid systemic failure. In Beneath the Smile: Strength and Struggle in Nigeria, Dr. Nouridin Melo unveils the psychological fortitude of a people who have turned survival into an art form.

From the scars of colonialism to the chaos of modern governance, Nigerians have mastered the delicate balance of endurance and resistance. This groundbreaking work dissects the unspoken strategies that fuel their perseverance: the Pentecostal pastor who preaches hope as therapy, the market woman who hustles with unwavering optimism, the youth activist who channels rage into revolution.

Through rich storytelling and incisive analysis, Melo exposes the paradox of Nigerian resilience, how "suffering and smiling" can be both a coping mechanism and a silent scream for change. He reveals the hidden costs of strength, the communal bonds that heal, and the cultural defiance that keeps hope alive in a nation perpetually on the brink.

More than a study, this book is a revelation. It challenges Western psychology's narrow frameworks, offering instead an Afrocentric vision of mental fortitude rooted in faith, family, and unyielding creativity. For anyone seeking to understand Nigeria, or the human capacity to thrive against all odds, Beneath the Smile is essential reading.

A testament to the power of the human spirit. A call to honor resilience, without romanticizing struggle.

"A masterful blend of scholarship and soul… Dr. Melo captures Nigeria's heartbeat with precision and compassion."

Available now. Discover the psychology of a nation that refuses to be broken.