Adapting to life abroad is more than just getting used to colder weather and awkward small talk. Sometimes, it means leaving a few Nigerian habits behind—yes, even the ones you swore were “just normal.” Here’s a not-so-serious-but-very-serious list of habits to quit before your accent becomes the least of your problems.
Expecting Royal Greetings Everywhere Back home, failing to greet elders could start World War III. But abroad? People barely greet their neighbors. So don’t take it personal when your “Good morning, sir!” is met with a blank stare and a closed door. It’s not disrespect—it’s just Tuesday.
Being the Unofficial Minister of Other People’s Children In Nigeria, any adult is free to correct a child. Overseas? You so much as raise your eyebrow and the next thing you know, it’s “Hello ma’am, we’re from Child Protective Services.” Respect boundaries. Let their parents handle their wahala—no matter how tempting it is to “just slap sense into them.”
Turning Every Gift into a Grand Gesture You bought your manager Ankara fabric to say thank you? Nice. But that could be misread as trying to curry favor. In many places, office gifts are either modest or completely discouraged. Save the grand gestures for birthdays—or just say thank you with a nice email (yes, boring, but effective).
Speaking Vernacular Loudly in Public We get it—Pidgin is sweet, Yoruba flows, Igbo slaps, Hausa has groove. But if you're constantly laughing in native tongues around people who don’t understand, you might unintentionally seem exclusive—or worse, suspicious. Keep it bilingual, or at least throw in subtitles (aka context) when needed.
Assuming Nigerian Culture is Universal Law “No, in Nigeria we don’t do it like that” isn’t always the best comeback. While it’s great to be proud of your roots, it’s equally important to learn how things work in your new environment. You’re not abandoning your identity—you’re just becoming a cultural dual citizen.
Being Nigerian in the diaspora is a beautiful balancing act. You carry the weight of a rich culture, vibrant traditions, and unbeatable swagger—but also the responsibility to adapt respectfully to your new environment. That doesn’t mean suppressing your identity or trading suya for salad. It means learning when to dial up your Naija energy and when to blend in like a cultural chameleon.
Integration doesn’t have to feel like erasure. It’s about evolving without losing your essence. The goal isn’t to stop being Nigerian—it’s to be a Nigerian the world can relate to, work with, laugh with, and respect. So embrace your roots, but also be open to pruning habits that no longer serve you in your new environment.
You can still be the life of the party, the jollof expert, and the neighborhood storyteller—just do it in a way that bridges cultures, not breaks them. Because truly, Naija no dey carry last—even when adapting abroad.
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