Nigeria: Local customs and traditions

When you visit a country it is important to know more about the customs and traditions. In Nigeria there is a certain tradition when you meet business people and we’ve experienced this when we had meetings.

When you meet people in Nigeria in business situation there counts a certain etiquette. The most common way to say hello is a handshake and a friendly smile. You shake hands at the beginning and the end of a meeting. When you meet a women you have to wait until the women extends her hand first. In Nigeria you can’t rush the greeting process, it is important that you take your time to ask about the person it’s health, it’s family,… When you meet an older person you have to be polite and bow your head, it is a form of respect. It is important you mention the academic or professional title and you only use the first name when you received the allowance to do that.

In business meetings Nigerians want to get to know you first. They found it important to develop a personal relationship and after that they start doing business. The first meetings will be formal and after a while they will be more comfortable with you. When you present a deal you shouldn’t exaggerate because Nigerians are suspicious when a deal sounds too good. It is a good idea when you want a meeting with an agenda you sent the agenda in advance.

Other traditions in Nigeria. We have learned something about Magun it is a sort of black magic from the group Yoruba. Magun is part of the Yoruba ethnic group and has a powerful juju. Juju means black magic called Magun for adults and it can be placed in married women. If a women is guilty of adultery her lover could be killed. Another tradition that is still accepted in Nigeria is female circumcision and this is widely practiced. This tradition is used to preserve the chastity of women.

It is a real experience because there are different traditions in this country but we do not find it hard to adapt ourself or to accept the different traditions.

Sources

http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Africa/Nigeria/Local_Customs-Nigeria-MISC-BR-1.html

http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/nigeria.html

http://www.naij.com/309001-7-strange-traditions-in-nigeria-you-probably-never-knew.htm