Culture Shock in Nigeria
Nigerian culture shock often precedes one’s departure. Just tell friends and family that you are off to Nigeria to work and you can expect to be met with a sea of concerned faces; indeed, some will even plead with you to change your mind, imploring you to get a job closer to home where it is ‘safer’. There is no doubt that Nigeria has a fearsome reputation for kidnappings, corruption and political unrest all reported as common occurrences. Thus, particularly as a female within a developing country, it is natural that those close to you will be concerned for your welfare.
Certainly Nigeria's largest cities, Lagos and Abuja, are congested, chaotic metropolises that can incite a healthy dose of culture shock even in seasoned expats. The West African nation is a very different place, and proves quite hard to adjust to for sparsely-travelled Westerners especially. Nigerian drivers have a reputation for being aggressive and reckless, while local women can be very forward, and in general, Westerners will attract attention and therefore feel conspicuous.
That being said, many expats who moved to Nigeria have successfully created their own insular bubble amidst the bustling city that surrounds them. Westerners live in compounds which recreate a familiar world quite apart from the maelstrom of Nigerian city life outside its electrified perimeters. Within these boundaries, expat life is a familiar blend of socialising, sports and entertainment. As is the case in most expat destinations, international schools are available, as is good quality healthcare and expat shops with many items from Europe and the US; though each of these amenities comes with a hefty price tag.
In general though, the most populous state in Africa has, unfairly, gained itself a poor reputation which continues to precede it. The reality of actually living and working in Nigeria is a welcome surprise, the people are friendly, the weather is guaranteed and the food is delicious. Although it is not without its struggles, if you take the relevant precautions, brush up on the do’s and don’ts of the different areas and remember at all times that Nigeria is a developing country - then you will have a worthwhile and enriching working experience.
Certainly Nigeria's largest cities, Lagos and Abuja, are congested, chaotic metropolises that can incite a healthy dose of culture shock even in seasoned expats. The West African nation is a very different place, and proves quite hard to adjust to for sparsely-travelled Westerners especially. Nigerian drivers have a reputation for being aggressive and reckless, while local women can be very forward, and in general, Westerners will attract attention and therefore feel conspicuous.That being said, many expats who moved to Nigeria have successfully created their own insular bubble amidst the bustling city that surrounds them. Westerners live in compounds which recreate a familiar world quite apart from the maelstrom of Nigerian city life outside its electrified perimeters. Within these boundaries, expat life is a familiar blend of socialising, sports and entertainment. As is the case in most expat destinations, international schools are available, as is good quality healthcare and expat shops with many items from Europe and the US; though each of these amenities comes with a hefty price tag.
In general though, the most populous state in Africa has, unfairly, gained itself a poor reputation which continues to precede it. The reality of actually living and working in Nigeria is a welcome surprise, the people are friendly, the weather is guaranteed and the food is delicious. Although it is not without its struggles, if you take the relevant precautions, brush up on the do’s and don’ts of the different areas and remember at all times that Nigeria is a developing country - then you will have a worthwhile and enriching working experience.
Culture shock for women in Nigeria
Since the majority of expats who work in Nigeria are in the oil industry, and the majority of people who work in the oil industry are men, then it follows that there are a number of accounts written of Nigeria from a male point of view, and not much information from a female perspective. What follows is a few tips for having a successful and enjoyable career experience as a woman within West Africa.
Meeting and greeting in Nigeria
Respect for your elders is huge in Nigeria, indeed this is possibly the central tenet of life throughout the state. While an entrepreneurial spirit is encouraged throughout all generations, generally you will find that people in positions of power are likely to be a lot older than they are in the UK or the USA.
A typically western greeting, such as a smile and a ‘hello’, will simply not cut it in Nigeria, in fact it will cause offence; and although, as a foreigner you will most likely be excused, it is still not the best start. For all greetings it is necessary to be on your feet, for both men and women. Men will generally shake hands with you on first greeting , however it is best to let them instigate this. Nigeria has a large Muslim population, so there will be males whose religion forbids them from shaking hands with women.If you are greeting an older male, then a safe and traditional greeting is to bow your head very slightly, this is seen as respectful and is an acceptable greeting across all religions and tribes throughout Nigeria. With an older Nigerian lady, or a lady who holds greater rank and seniority than you, it is advisable to rise and then curtsey slightly before her. More often than not she will approach you and put her arm around your waist and engage you in conversation. It is appropriate when greeting Nigerians to take your time and not rush through this greeting process.
Queries should be made into the person’s health, and also the health of their immediate family. You will find that Nigerians naturally talk in short, abrupt sentences and that when they are inquiring after someone’s well being they use the term ‘what of.’ To be understood quicker it is advisable to start your enquiries in the same manner, so the question. “How is your sister’s health?” would be “what of your sister?”
When a person, either male or female, is held in high esteem it is customary to rise as they enter the room. Although these customs seem overly formal to the British who have a far more relaxed attitude to rank and seniority, it is worth adhering to them as they mean a lot to Nigerians. Again, frequently the person will spot that you are an overseas guest and request that you sit down.
Lastly, if you work in a large office in Nigeria, you will see that members of staff greet each other every day as effusively as if they were close family members that they hadn’t seen in a while. Before taking a seat in your office you will be expected to warmly greet all of your colleagues and enquire as to how their night was.
Socialising in Nigeria
Both Nigerian men and women are very friendly and are open to meeting new people, so if you take the time to get to know the locals you will be richly rewarded. Within the capital city Abuja, there are bars, clubs, shopping malls cinemas showing all the big name Hollywood releases. The same is also true for Lagos which is a bustling metropolis. However outside of these two cities you will find that manufactured entertainment is rare. There will still be bars which serve food and alcohol, but cinemas will be scarce and the shopping mall will be replaced by markets in the centre of town.
Dancing is a popular pastime in Nigeria, which is understandable as Nigerians do it very well; The nightclubs within the area are always full of people who really do just ‘come to dance and have a good time’. Unlike in Britain I have never witnessed a single incidence of violence in a club in Nigeria, the people are there to relax and unwind before the weekend, and to show off their dance moves.
Despite their reputation, Nigerians are incredibly peace loving and will very rarely resort to the type of casual violence that is common in pubs, clubs and football matches throughout the UK. It is also worth mentioning that when out socialising Nigerians will drink a lot less than is consumed in the UK. Drinking until you are looking or acting drunk is incomprehensible to Nigerians and will be frowned upon.
Romance in Nigeria
A word of warning though, Nigerian men LOVE women and are very charming. While marriage is still the only accepted route for young Nigerians, cheating within a marriage is common and to some degree accepted. Most Nigerian men by the time they are 25 will be married or are preparing themselves to be married imminently. However, when out socialising Nigerian men may not be strictly truthful about their marital status, so as with all cases, it is best to get to know someone slowly .
If you are working over in Nigeria but have a relationship back in the UK or are simply not interested in pursuing a relationship then a fake wedding ring can come in handy. This is by no means a foolproof plan as there is a saying in Nigeria ‘man passes man’ which basically translates as; “You may have a man already but if a better man comes along you can swap!”. However, flashing a wedding ring and politely explaining that you are happily married does takes the edge off the pursuit. As ever, it is best to be completely polite and friendly when turning someone down, as it is unwise to be rude or show people up, especially when working or travelling alone.
It probably doesn’t need repeating but the problem with HIV in Nigeria is severe and it is estimated that around 3 percent of the population are living with the disease. Therefore if you decide to get intimate with anyone in Nigeria it is imperative to use a condom, ideally purchased in a foreign destination. It only takes a single trip to the bar in the Hilton Abuja late at night to see swarms of white middle aged (and some much younger) men enjoying the company of prostitutes. AIDS is rife in Nigeria and one of the biggest threats to the economy, so whoever it is always use a condom every time, until they are fully tested and given the all clear.
Dress for women in Nigeria
Dressing in Nigeria can be tricky for a female, especially those accustomed to the relaxed attire associated with the western world. It is worth repeating that Nigeria is a very traditional country and therefore skirts above the knee and cleavages are both unacceptable in a work situation, as is the exposing of too much skin around the collarbone and shoulder area. This proves a real challenge for female office workers, as the natural temptation is to wear less clothing as the weather gets hotter.
It is also worth remembering that Nigeria’s power supply is unstable, so you may start off cool and correctly dressed in the morning, but by the time the power is off in the afternoon you will be sweltering and very uncomfortable without the office air conditioning.
The best way to remedy this situation is to make sure that all your garments are made of a natural fabrics such as silk, cotton or linen which will allow the skin to breath and for you to stay reasonably cool. I suggest checking your clothing carefully as you pack before you leave for Nigeria, because however lovely and work appropriate the suit or dress looks, if it is not made from a breathable and natural fabric it will cause you great deal of discomfort.
Traditional African dress is figure hugging, often boat necked and emphasises the shape of the waist and the hips, whilst completely covering the legs and the cleavage area, if you bear this formula in mind whilst packing your English clothes, then you shouldn’t go too far wrong.
An inexpensive solution to clothing conundrums is to have some suits or traditional Nigerian clothes made up for you, when you arrive. You can select your own fabric, from an extensive range, at the local market for about 4,000 Naira per wrap (4 metres of fabric). A talented, efficient and relatively inexpensive tailor, of which there are many in Nigeria, will then be able to take your measurements and construct the garments to your exact specification. If you want to go for quite a plain Western style of dress with little frills and fuss, then it is a good idea to take a basic sketch of what you have in mind with you, Nigerians tailors are used to adding quite ornate detail so this will save you both a lot of time and bother.
Finally, Nigeria is a little behind Britain in terms of political correctness. Men will notice what you are wearing every day and compliment you - which is lovely. However, they will also look you up and down, in quite an obvious way, appraising not only your clothes but your figure, which is not so good and can be quite distracting. This is common throughout Nigeria, as men and women adopt very traditional roles - the women being decorative and the men pursuing. Quite honestly it is such an accepted norm of office life in Nigeria, that you are unlikely to be able to do much about it, the best course of action is to just ignore it and get on with your job!
Ablutions in Nigeria
Even in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital and the most developed city of all, a good toilet with a lock, loo role and a bin is hard to find. Only the five star international hotels such as the Hilton and the Sheraton can guarantee that standard of luxury! Wherever you are in Nigeria get used to taking your own toilet paper with you, on many occasions, even in offices, it will run out and won’t be replaced. Outside of Abuja, tampons are also hard to find as Nigerian ladies tend to favour sanitary towels. Therefore I strongly recommend you stock up before you go and again when you are in Abuja to make sure that you are always well prepared.
