By Joseph Upper
The expression “Dey for who dey for you” is a popular Nigerian slogan for the year 2025 that emphasises reciprocity in relationships. It suggests that one should invest their time and resources in those who are willing to do the same in return.
Nevertheless, this reflects a transactional approach to relationships, emphasising reciprocity and mutual support based on personal benefit. This perspective can be seen as contrasting with Christian values and humanistic principles which often promote unconditional love, altruism and selflessness.
More irrational is the fact that the slogan has taken the order of the day especially as the present day Nigeria is faced with hardship, hunger and marginalisation of the vulnerable or less privileged in the society. The state of the country requires mutual support among Nigerians with each person holding another’s hand, carrying each other along for the sake of survivor rather than propagating an all exclusive ideology that is beneficial for a few today and may possibly become highly toxic and unbearable tomorrow.
Consequently , the 2025 slogan has some effects on the unconditional christians love which foundational principle emphasises love and compassion for all individuals, regardless of their actions or behaviour towards us. This concept is rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ, who preached love for one’s enemies and kindness towards those who do not reciprocate thus, the understanding of the slogan declared declared by Nigerians in 2025 has fallen short of the christian standard for a communal and christian healthy living.
Its effect on the Community undermines the Christian value of community service by promoting a transactional and self-serving approach to relationships. In a Christian community, individuals are called to love and support one another unconditionally, regardless of whether they receive something in return.This creates a sense of belonging and mutual support that fosters spiritual growth and strengthens the community as a whole.
However, when individuals adopt the “dey for who dey for you” principle, they prioritise their own interest and only invest in relationships that offer them personal benefits. This can lead to the formation of exclusive cliques within the community, where individuals only associate with those they perceive as valuable or beneficial to them. As a result, marginalised or vulnerable members of the community may feel excluded and unsupported, hindering their spiritual growth and well-being.
Furthermore, the slogan has a significant negative impact on the Christian value of service and eroding Intrinsic motivation whereas Christian service is rooted in the belief that serving others is an inherent good, a reflection of God’s love. It’s about selfless giving and compassion. The slogan, however, introduces a business oriented element. It suggests that service is a form of investment with the expectation of a return. This can erode the intrinsic motivation to serve, replacing it with a focus on personal gain or reciprocity.
The slogan also discourages service to the needy as many who need help may not be able to reciprocate. The elderly, persons living with disabilities, the impoverished among they may not have the resources or capacity to be there for others in the same way. The slogan, by prioritising reciprocity, can discourage service to vulnerable population, leaving their needs unmet.
It creates a culture of Keeping scores . This is because when service becomes a transactional exchange, it creates a culture of keeping scores. Individuals may start tracking who has helped them and who hasn’t, leading to resentment and a breakdown of genuine community support. This undermines the spirit of selfless giving that is central to Christian service.
In addition, the slogan limits the scope of service: True Christian service often involves challenging work, making sacrifices and addressing systemic issues. The slogan, with its focus on immediate returns, can limit individuals to activities that are easy, convenient and offer tangible benefits. This can hinder efforts to address more complex social problems that require long-term commitment and sustained effort.
Adopting the slogan “Dey for who dey for you” as a guiding principle has significant ethical implications, particularly in present-day Nigeria where the cost of living is alarming and many people are facing hardship. The potential negative consequences of this slogan is its tendency of exacerbating inequality in a country that is already faced with significant economic inequalities. Those who are struggling to survive would be further marginalised as they would likely not have the resources or capacity to be there for others in the same way. This could lead to a deepening cycle of poverty and exclusion.
The slogan also has the tendency of undermining social solidarity whereas, the core of Christian ethics is love for one’s neighbour. It undermines the concept of social solidarity and the responsibility to care for the vulnerable. It promotes a self-serving approach to relationships, where individuals prioritise their own interests and only invest in those who can offer them something in return. This can erode the sense of community and shared responsibility that is crucial for addressing social challenges like poverty and inequality.
Finally, the slogan hinders social progress that would have addressed the challenges faced by Nigeria, such as poverty, insecurity, and lack of basic services that requires collective action and a spirit of solidarity. Adopting the slogan would hinder social progress by discouraging individuals from working together to address common challenges. It would prioritise individual self-interest over the common good, making it difficult to build a more just and equitable society.
While the “Dey for who dey for you” slogan reflects a pragmatic approach to relationships that may resonate in certain relationship contexts, it stands in contrast to the ideals of unconditional love, altruism, and collective responsibility found in Christian and humanistic values. This dichotomy highlights the complexities of human relationships and the varying philosophies that guide interactions with others. However, Nigerians can choose to reject this ideology and embrace the true spirit of Christian living. This requires a conscious effort to cultivate empathy, compassion and a genuine desire to serve others, regardless of their ability to reciprocate.
The people must actively seek opportunities to support others, especially those who are marginalised and in need. This can take many forms such as offering a helping hand to their neighbours in need to advocating for social justice and working towards a more equitable society.
To build a Nigeria where love, compassion, and solidarity are the guiding principles, citizens must choose to be there for one another, not just for those who are there for them but for all who need help. By embracing the true spirit of Christian living, individuals can create a more just, equitable and compassionate society for all.
Upper writes from Bigard Mémorial Seminary, Enugu .
