Manny Ita –
A transformative lifestyle shift is taking hold across Nigeria’s urban centers as Gen Z and Millennials increasingly adopt “Slowmaxxing,” a movement dedicated to radical tech abstinence and intentional living. In a sharp departure from the country’s high-velocity digital economy, professionals are reportedly flocking to specialized digital detox retreats in remote locations such as Epe and the Obudu mountain ranges, seeking a total disconnect from the “always-on” culture. Hospitality operators in these regions have reported record-breaking bookings for the first quarter of 2026, with many facilities now requiring guests to surrender smartphones and tablets upon check-in to facilitate a true analog experience.
The trend reflects a growing resistance to “screen burnout,” a condition experts say has been exacerbated by the convergence of work and social life on mobile platforms. While Nigeria has long led the continent in fintech and social media penetration, the human cost of constant connectivity is now being reassessed by its most active users. “We have reached a saturation point where being unreachable is becoming a status symbol,” noted a Lagos-based wellness consultant during a recent lifestyle forum. “For the Nigerian youth in 2026, the ultimate luxury isn’t the latest device; it is the peace of mind that comes from knowing you don’t have to check it.”
Psychologists suggest that the “Slowmaxxing” movement is a necessary psychological defense mechanism against the anxiety-inducing nature of doomscrolling and the pressure of real-time digital performance. By prioritizing offline hobbies such as physical reading, manual coffee brewing, and nature-based meditation, participants are attempting to reclaim their attention spans from algorithmic dominance. As one retreat attendee in Obudu succinctly put it, “I spent years building a digital life only to realize I was missing my actual one; choosing to go slow isn’t about being unproductive, it’s about being present.”
