Preamble:
Notwithstanding
a battered image, negative publicity occasioned
by unremitting Boko Haram terrorism and insurgency, sporadic Fulani herdsmen
attacks, proliferation of kidnap for ransom and extortion, pervasive corruption
and advanced fee fraud or ‘’419’’ narratives by few unscrupulous Nigerians, far
from it that Nigeria is a bastion of instability, insecurity, crime and fraud. It’s said that in every twelve, there’s a Judas; it is not
usual that there will be bad and desperate folks in a country of 170 million
people, where many suffer in the midst of abundance. The goings-on,
hitches inherent in Nigeria are largely man-made and characteristic of a disparate
body politic trying to negotiate itself into nationhood. The gospel truth and good
news is that Nigeria is imbued with great potentials and many Nigerians are sanguine,
morally antiseptic, benevolent, and very hospitable.
Quickly bring to mind that terrorism, extremism, insecurity and other
ramifications of violent crime are not exclusive to Nigeria. For
instance, statistics from the Gun Violence Archive and the Mass
Shooting Tracker conservatively estimates that some
13,286 people were killed and 25,810 people were injured by firearms in the
United States in 2015. However, not minding the risk of been felled as a result
of intermittent shooting incidents, throngs of Nigerians, citizens of mostly
developing countries yearn for US visas annually. Some of those fellows render
testimonies, thanksgiving in their places of worship at the prospect of
traveling to ‘God’s own country’.
This piece is not trying to shy away from the facts but rather to
reconcile expats, foreigners coming to Nigeria with what to expect, rituals, etiquettes
- cultural do’s and don’ts, how to blend into the Nigerian setting and also
enlighten them on risks, potential security challenges or hotspots in Nigeria.
What Is Cultural Intelligence
Prior to acculturation, it is typical of new arrivals or JJC - Journey Just Come as they are derisively referred to in Nigerian
parlance, to experience cultural challenges – culture shock or stiffness. According
to Earley, Ang, and Van Dyne, ‘’Cultural Intelligence (CI) or Cultural quotient
(CQ) is defined as a person’s capability to adapt as he or she interacts with
others from different cultural regions’’. Research attests that cultural
intelligence is an effective forecaster of performance in multicultural settings
and that people with healthy cultural intelligence easily blend into any
environment. Akin to, but broader than emotional intelligence (EI) or emotional
quotient (EQ) - the ability of individuals to appreciate and manage their own emotions
and that of others, cultural intelligence (CI) is useful in the corporate or
business world, statecraft, international affairs and diplomacy – ‘soft power’,
‘smart power’, and military operations hence people in leadership positions,
expats, pretty all and sundry must strive to boost their cultural quotient.
Sometime in 2006, Vladimir Putin purportedly used his understanding of German
Chancellor Angela Merkel’s fear of dogs to intimidate her during negotiations
by ushering in his Labrador Retriever, Koni.
Nigeria
at a glance…
Tip #1: Geography, Natural Resources In
Nigeria
Nigeria
is located in West Africa; shares land borders with Republic of Benin to the
West, Cameroon to the East, Lake Chad to the North-East, Niger republic to the
North and the Gulf of Guinea to the south. Nigeria stretches across 923,768 sq.
km, comparatively more than twice the size of the state of California in the
United States. Nigeria, the sixth largest oil-producing
nation in the world is endowed with abundant natural resources such as
petroleum, natural gas, limestone, gold, tin, iron ore, coal, bentonite, lead,
zinc, tin, niobium, columbite, amongst others. Nigerian climate varies but is
largely equatorial in the Southern part of the country, arid in the North (Potiskum,
Kano, Yola etc.) and mainly tropical in the ‘middle belt’ (central Nigeria). Temperatures
can go as high as 46 degrees Centigrade or 111.2 degrees Fahrenheit especially
in the northern part of the country. At an altitude of 3,937 ft. (1,217m) above
sea level, Jos in Plateau state is essentially cool all year round with average
temperatures of between 20-255 0C, drops to 11 0C from
mid-November to late January.
Tip #2: History, People And Languages
Nigeria
crystallized as one country sequel to forceful amalgamation of disparate nation
states by British colonialists in 1914. Nigeria is undoubtedly Africa’s most
populous country and the continents biggest economy. Peopled with plausibly 170
million people, Nigeria boasts of more than 250 ethnic groups and more than 500
local languages, many nonextant. English Language
remains the unofficial lingua franca widely used in schools, the corporate
world, government offices and for business transactions. There are 36
states in Nigeria. The most popular ethnic groups in Nigeria are: Igbos
(South-East Nigeria), Hausa (predominantly Northern Nigeria), Yoruba
(predominantly South-West Nigeria), Fulani (Northern Nigeria), Kanuri (Northern
Nigeria), Ijaw (South-South Nigeria), Ibibio (South-South Nigeria), and the
Tivs (Central Nigeria), amongst others. In terms of religion, Christianity and
Islam are almost evenly spread, Christians to the South, Muslims to the North and
interspersed with some traditional worshippers. The most populated cities in
Nigeria are: Lagos, Kano, Abuja (the federal capital), Port Harcourt, Kaduna, and
Onitcha.
Tip #3: Modes of Greeting in Nigeria
Preferable to
say ‘good morning’, ‘good afternoon’ or ‘good evening’ rather than to say ‘hi’.
Save for Nigerians with some Western exposure, many folks here are fastidious
about titles – honorary, academic and professional whether earned, appropriated
or purchased. A warm handshake with a smile will do, don’t hasten the greeting
process. Shake hands at the commencement and
conclusion of meetings. Close pals and
family members habitually hug and kiss during meeting. Except for close friends, calling people by their first name is
not pretty much a Nigerian thing, better you use surnames unless the person
permits the former. Take time to genuinely enquire about the person’s
health, his family and his endeavors. If he considers you of a marriageable age,
a typical Yoruba person will ask you, iyawo
nko (how’s your wife), omo nko
(How’s your child). When greeting or shaking hands
with an elderly or very influential person, it portends respect, reverence to slightly
bow your head and use both hands for the handshake.
Traditionally, practicing female Muslims don’t shake
hands with members of the opposite sex. To further buttress shades of
cultural departures exist, my erstwhile land lady, a Yoruba woman from the
South West thinks I am not very respectful simply because I don’t venerate -
bend, bow down or prostrate to greet her. Truth be told, I struggled to blend
in to this routine Yoruba practice because it was not a norm in South East
Nigeria where I come from. Of course it helps and opens doors if you can bandy
a couple of words, greetings in a Nigerian vernacular to folks you come across.
For instance, ‘’ututu oma’’ means
good morning in Igbo language, ‘’ekaro’’ is Yoruba for good morning, ‘’inakwana’’ is Hausa for good morning.
Tip #4: Personal Lifestyle, Morals
Cultural differences, norms, idiosyncrasies vary from one country,
geographical location to the other. What is acceptable in say, Canada, may be a
taboo in Nigeria. While many Western countries have come around to identify
with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) folks, apart from
South Africa, most African countries frown at homosexuality. In a frank
response to President Obama during his trip to Kenya, his Kenyan counterpart –
Uhuru Kenyatta was quoted as telling the former that, ‘’gay right is not really
an issue on the foremost mind of Kenyans’’. Africans, Nigerians are currently
been stifled by pressing infrastructural, security, unemployment challenges
than lesbian-gay right. For the avoidance of doubt, Nigerian law provides for a
14-year prison sentence for homosexuality acts involving either men or women
and 10-year prison term for people belonging to gay organizations, supporting
same-sex marriages, or displaying same-sex affection in public. Generally
speaking, Nigerians tend to be overtly fastidious about spirituality and
morality but people seldom care what you do within the confines of your privacy
as long as you are not gaudy or ram it down. Another classic example of
cultural deviation: while polygamy is tantamount to a criminal offence in many
parts of the West, it is permissible in Africa, Nigeria. As a foreigner, precisely
a Caucasian, you are like a gold fish with no hiding place anywhere in Nigeria.
In the interest of personal security or safety, a foreigner in Nigeria should
desist from attracting undue attention to himself or been too loud. Don’t go
outing with folks you do not trust or not familiar with. If you appreciate
class, serenity and need accommodation in Lagos that is commensurate with the best
of American or European standard, Amen Estate – www.amenstate.com boasts of exquisite homes, apartments with 24-7 electricity, water
supply, good road network, recreational facilities and armed security.
Tip #5: Business Etiquette,
Formalities
To
paraphrase the statement of famed author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie in her novel
- Americanah, ‘’business and private
boundaries in Nigeria are blurred; work blends into life…female bosses are
often called mummy’’. Imagine calling someone, a lady much younger than
yourself ‘’mummy’’ because of her status or how high up she is in the food
chain. Better to cultivate personal relationships before
morphing into business relationships. Knowing people on a personal level, their
interests amongst others is encouraged. Do use your two hands or the right hand
but NEVER the left hand while presenting a gift or a business card to people
especially folk’s higher-up. If a business card is exchanged, briefly study the
business card before retaining it. As earlier
said, Nigerians are somewhat obsessed with; I mean place people by virtue of
their titles, qualifications. Including sorted academic qualifications,
certifications, titles on business cards can open doors. It is not unusual to
see a business card bearing High Chief (Dr) Engineer James Manager Ochirizuo,
JP, CPP (Florida), MON. Nigerians are quite fashionable and will rate, grade
you by your appearance, dress sense; endeavor to dress smartly for business
appointments while in Nigeria.
Tip #6: Time Management, Punctuality
While a typical German comes across as overly punctual, Nigerians
generally have this ‘’African time” mentality. This is to say that a meeting or
an appointment billed for 4pm could commence by 5 or 6pm. Sometimes it’s not intentional;
it could be a spinoff of terrible traffic or something else. Don’t be terribly
frantic if this happens, be patient especially if you need the other party than
he needs you.
Tip #7: States With Sharia Laws in
Nigeria
The
northern part of Nigeria is densely populated by Muslims though many of the big
cities, especially the state capitals are quite cosmopolitan. In total, about
12 northern states out of Nigeria’s 36 States adopted Sharia law. As at 2012,
the following 9 states: Zamfara, Kano, Sokoto, Katsina, Bauchi, Borno, Jigawa,
Kebbi, and Yobe instituted Sharia laws statewide while Sharia law is practiced
in some parts of Kaduna, Niger and Gombe states. Implementation of Sharia in
northern Nigeria led to intense controversy and riots because of the very stiff
penalties. You may be aware that Islam
forbids adultery, alcohol, pork meat, gambling amongst others. As much as
possible, don’t be seen or caught indulging in any of these. Alcohol is hypocritically
forbidden in Sharia enclaves but folks booze under the radar. Infractions such
as blasphemy and apostasy could attract a death sentence under Sharia law. In
2002, a Sharia court sentenced one Amina Lawal to death for adultery,
conceiving a child out of wedlock. The sentence was subsequently upturned by a
higher court. In 2014, one Mr. Mubarak Bala was forcibly committed to a
psychiatry establishment in Kano for 18 days after saying he was an atheist.
Tip #8: Security Awareness; Terrorism,
Crime and Kidnapping Hotspots in Nigeria
In
one of his earlier widely circulated piece titled, ‘’Forecasting Boko Haram’s Next Cycle
of Terror’’, this writer warned when the previous
administration was relishing its successes against Boko Haram, that it was not
yet Uhuru, that the Sect’s strategy
would morph into launching sporadic suicide attacks especially on soft targets,
drive-by shootings and so on and so forth other than holding territories. Without
sounding pessimistic or joining issues with the position of the sitting government
which claims that Boko Haram has been ‘’technically defeated’’, one believes
the Sect is yet to be utterly weaned of its bloodletting streak. A partially
defeated enemy is still dangerous. Granted Boko Haram has been rolled back but
sporadic suicide IED attacks by the sect and rampaging Fulani herdsmen cannot
be ruled out in parts of the North East (Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe states),
North West (Jigawa,
Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara states),
North Central (Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger and Plateau states).
Given that terrorism basks on surprise, unpredictability and mass casualty; paucity
of efficient, proactive security and intelligence network entails no part of the
Nigerian territory is immune to ‘lone-wolf’ or coordinated terror attack,
kidnapping.
For detailed analysis of salient risks, threats, safety concerns, crime, kidnapping
dynamics, terrorism or violence extremism hotspots representative of cities, 36
states of Nigeria, kindly
refer to these articles (a) Security
Mapping: Guide To Threats, Crime And Terrorism Hotbeds In Nigeria and (b) Investigation: Nigeria’s Thriving ‘Kidnapping
Enterprise’; How To Arrest The Scourge
Written
by: © Don Okereke
February,
2016
Follow Don on
Twitter: @DonOkereke
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Bio:
Don Okereke is a passionate, innovative, Information Technology, Social
Media-Savvy, proven Security Adviser/Consultant, Entrepreneur, Writer, Public
Speaker and Change agent with over 17 years combined Military (Air Force),
Private/Industrial Security, entrepreneurial, management skills/experience
distilled from Nigeria and the United kingdom. Don loves entrepreneurship,
brainstorming solutions to societal challenges and rendering altruistic service
to humanity. He is the Founder/CEO of Forenovate Technologies Limited (RC 755695). Inter alia, Don completed postgraduate modules in Forensic
Engineering & Science from Cranfield University (Defense Academy),
Shrivenham, United Kingdom, a first degree in Industrial Chemistry, a
Professional Certificate/training in Communication and Conflict Management from
the United Kingdom National Open College Network, a Certificate in Security
Practice & Safety Management and a Certificate of Accomplishment in
Terrorism & Counter-terrorism: Comparing Theory & Practice from
Leiden University (MOOC), Netherlands. His interest
and expertise span Security/Safety/ICT/Cultural Awareness Training, Threat/Travel
Advisory, Risk Assessments & mitigation, Security survey/mapping, Loss/Fraud
Prevention, Due Diligence and Investigations,
Executive/Asset Protection, Business Continuity & Emergency
Planning, Background Screening/Vetting, Competitive Intelligence, Research and Open-Source
Intelligence (OSINT) Information Retrieval, Countering Violent Extremism
Advocacy and Public Speaking, amongst others. His passion for writing,
researching, innovations, sharing information, knowledge, training and
mentoring galvanized him into blogging. His passion, knack for writing has seen
his articles published on major Nigerian newspapers such The Guardian, The
Nation, NewsWatch, Tell Magazine and various reputable local and international
online platforms. Don has featured on conferences/seminars as a Guest Speaker
and he is routinely consulted by foreign, local, print/electronic organizations
for his expert opinion on issues impinging national, personal security and
geopolitics. Disappointed with the pervading insecurity, terrorism and
insurgency currently stifling Nigeria, Don champions an Advocacy Cause against
vestiges of insecurity under the aegis of ‘’Nigerians Unite Against Insecurity
and Terrorism’’ and ‘’Say No To Terrorism and Insurgency’’.
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