Etiquette

• It’s an insult to use your left hand to eat, shake hands, or accept or give gifts or money. Use your right hand. There is no such thing as left-handedness in Nigeria. Lol.
• Dress modestly in church. Women should wear a dress or long skirt, but not trousers. Cover your shoulders and knees.
• Regard strangers as though they are all “the lady with a clipboard standing in front of the Post Office.” It’s probably OK to make eye contact or smile, but if you do, she will solicit you for something. Could be an “area boy” asking for a made-up fee, an officer coyly asking, “Do you have something for me?” or a panhandler. These requests rarely exceed 5 bucks, but probably better just to keep a low profile. For reference, N200 is an OK tip.
• Although many Nigerian dishes are eaten by hand, it’s OK to use utensils. People know you’re not from here, and some Nigerians use utensils for hand-eaten foods themselves. Again, use your right hand.

Enugu is a relaxed, vacation state

We go to the mall and restaurants in the evenings while a few might go to the occasional nightclub party. Roads are pretty clear. The entire state is like a giant suburb. However, if you are new to Nigeria and feeling paranoid, here are some overly conservative tips:

1. Keep your phone, laptop, and purse out of sight, even as a passenger in a car, even if the windows are rolled up. Don’t brag or be flashy.
2. Stay with the group. Or at least always have at least one person with you who was raised in Nigeria who you trust.
3. Don’t share details of your movements, such as the time you plan to go to a certain location for an event, flight, etc. Since 99% of the time the other person means well, it’s OK to lie or say you’re not sure to avoid being rude.
4. Be indoors by sunset.

Boko Haram

Boko Haram is in the North. The wedding will be where Ngozi’s family lives, in the Southeast.

Tips and Info You Need To Know

Below are few things you should be informed about:

• If you go to any outdoor market where prices are not pre-marked, assume the price they tell you is at least three times the fair price.
• In Nigeria, homosexuality is illegal (and is often confused with transgenderism). Nobody will be observing you for “gayness,” but just FYI.
• “Oyinbo” means foreigner. “Onye ocha” means “white person.” Children and passersby might greet or tease you with these phrases in same the way a Mexican might call you “gringo.” You can ignore it or delight them by smiling back as you keep walking.

Yinka’s favorite Nigerian food is abacha, a salad of shredded yam. Ngozi’s favorite Nigerian food is okra soup, which you eat with your hands using a cooked yam dough called “fufu.”  Rice and fufu are the Nigerian staples. Snacks include spicy grilled shishkabobs called suya, crunchy pastries called chin-chin, and bean-based snacks like fried akara, and moin moin (congealed inside leaves just like tamales).

Malt and palm wine are popular drinks.

Nigeria Trivia

The three biggest groups are Hausa, (predominantly Muslim), Yoruba (predominantly Muslim or Christian), and Igbo (predominantly Christian). Pre-colonial religions include the Orisha and Odinani pantheons.

Few Facts:

• 1 of every 4 Africans is Nigerian.
• 1 of every 5 Blacksin the world is Nigerian.
• Nigerians are the most highly educated demographic in the United States, earning bachelors, masters and PhDs at twice the average rates.
• Polygamy is legal and, for some, it’s perfectly normal and unremarkable to have over a dozen siblings.
• Nigeria is only 57 years old, and is run by leaders who are older than the country.
• Is the 7th most populous nation in the world and the most populous Black nation. At ~ 186 million, it’s more than half as populous as the US with one-tenth the landmass (~920,000sq km).
• Is the 6th largest exporter of oil in the world, and 7th largest provider of US oil. Nigeria has four domestic oil refineries – all of which are unused – and, incredibly, experiences frequent fuel shortages wherein people line up at gas stations.
• In 2010 was responsible for the 3rd highest percent (7.5%) of internet fraudin the world, called “4-1-9,” after the UK (10.5%) and USA (1%).
• Has the highest rate of natural twin births(4.5%), about four times the global rate.
• Is the HAPPIEST country in the world.