Nigerians are everywhere.
There is a saying that if you travel to a place where there is no Nigerian, especially Igbo man, run away from that place! Something is very wrong with that place.
Also, why is there a need to identify Nigerians? You need to be able to because they can disguise. Sometimes they might fool you by acting like non-Nigerians.
They are fun people to be around if you get to know them. Some ways you can get to know them are just below:
7. They are not necessarily dark-skinned!
You might think people from Nigeria are all dark-skinned. Well, that’s not true. Nigerians come in different complexions.
Some are very dark-skinned like charcoal, some can be a chocolate shade of dark, while some others appear milky chocolate.
Then you have those who are fair-skinned, others who are a tad fairer, and those who are white in complexion.
As you can see, Nigerians come in different shades and are all beautiful and appreciated.
Wait, you thought no fair-skinned and white persons live in Nigeria? All shades of people reside in the West African country.
And that’s what allows them to disguise themselves as non-Nigerians when they travel abroad.
So yes, Nigerians may look like you who’s not a native of Nigeria.
6. Possess multiple local and international accents
Other than English, the language Nigerians recognise both home and abroad is either pidgin or their native language.
Nigerians possess the ability to switch languages and accents so fast within the twinkle of an eye.
A Nigerian who hasn’t travelled abroad can speak British, American and even Australian accents. Fear them!
5. They No dey Carry Last
There is a saying which goes: “Naija no dey carry last.” And that’s because they hate losing, being last, or taking the back seat.
They always want to be at the forefront and that is why you see them everywhere.
In every new innovation and technology, Nigerians are always there, never taking chances and always trying to show themselves.
4. Hustlers
Any Nigerian that has travelled abroad is there to hustle nothing more.
The Nigerian economy is not encouraging for reaping long-term benefits and rewards hence the need to work and save money to travel abroad to work harder.
Crazy, right?
3. Quiet When Alone but Boisterous as a Group
This is quite natural. When people are alone, they tend to be very quiet but talkative in the midst of friends.
For Nigerians, they are very noisy!
If they recognize themselves abroad in a restaurant, at the mall or in the street just get ready to cover your ears immediately. They will scream, jump, hug, clap their hands and then start speaking a set of foreign gibberish words you will never understand. (It’s pidgin by the way).
Here you will see the switch within 0.5 seconds from pure British English to Nigerian pidgin.
2. Fashion Sense
Nigerian dress in foreign wear, but they have their line of African cultural wear.
You can identify a Nigerian with their Ankara prints, beads, aso oke, horsetail, ivory, patterned colourful prints, and more.
And you will always catch Nigerians wearing Ankara prints or beads. They want you to know that they are very proud of it.
1. Proud of their Heritage
Nigerians are very proud of their heritage, and they always want to show it off. Their food, language, dance, products, culture, among others, are at the core of their very being.
And since culture is a means of identity, Nigerians never want foreigners to forget it. They are unlike any other people on earth; loud, happy and colourful people.
Do you know more ways to identify Nigerians? If so, please list them in the comment section below!
I totally agree with the list. Truly, Naija no dey carry last. Even in defeat, we are still proud ?