Entitlement Mentality is Not a Crime—It’s a Human Right

By SAINTMOSES EROMOSELE (SME)

In much of Europe, especially in Germany where I lived and was educated for about a decade, entitlement is a cornerstone of societal stability. Unemployed citizens receive benefits as a right, not a privilege, ensuring care until meaningful employment is secured. This reduces hunger-driven crimes and fosters cohesion.

In Africa, particularly in Nigeria my home country, however, citizens demanding their rights are stigmatized with newly invented terms like “entitlement mentality syndrome,” used by governments to deflect accountability and normalize neglect, and used by relatives to excuse their abdicating their moral obligations and family responsibilities. This narrative perpetuates inequality and abandons societal obligations, leaving the vulnerable to fend for themselves.

The 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) affirms entitlement as a right. Article 22 guarantees social security for dignity, while Article 25 assures an adequate standard of living, including food, housing, and care in times of need. These are not privileges but enforceable rights.

Rejecting entitlement undermines family and societal bonds. From neglected elderly parents to abandoned poorer relatives unfairly labeled as “feeling entitled,” the consequences of this stigma are devastating.

Entitlement is about humanity, justice, equity, and dignity. It reflects the responsibilities we owe one another and the social contract between citizens and the state. Governments must prioritize welfare, hold themselves accountable, and fulfill their obligations.

Entitlement is not a flaw or privilege—it is a right. The time to reclaim it is now.

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Saintmoses Eromosele (SME) is a writer and thinker with expertise in law, sociology, economics, and public administration, offering unique insights on governance and human rights.