Nigeria: greetings, food, celebrations and working together

Nigeria at a glance

Nigeria is Africa’s most populous country, with more than 200 million people, hundreds of ethnic groups and several hundred languages. The Hausa and Fulani of the north, the Yoruba of the south-west and the Igbo of the south-east are among the largest communities, alongside the Ijaw, Kanuri, Tiv, Edo, Ibibio and many others. English is the official language, Nigerian Pidgin is widely spoken, and Islam and Christianity are both practised by large shares of the population, with traditional faiths alive too.

Greetings and first meetings

Greeting well matters. Take time to ask how someone is and how their family is before turning to business. A handshake is common, sometimes with the left hand touching the right forearm as a sign of respect, and in some conservative communities men and women avoid physical contact, so wait to see whether a hand is offered.

Local greetings are appreciated: sannu in Hausa, kedu in Igbo and ẹ káàbọ̀ or báwo ni in Yoruba. Among the Yoruba, younger people traditionally greet elders by prostrating or kneeling, and elsewhere a slight bow or lowered voice shows deference. Use titles such as Chief, Doctor, Engineer, Alhaji or Alhaja, and call older people Aunty or Uncle if invited to.

Etiquette and everyday customs

Age and seniority carry real weight: offer seats to elders, greet them first and avoid interrupting. Use your right hand to give, receive and eat. Dress is generally smart and modest, and traditional outfits such as the agbada, the buba and wrapper, or the kaftan are common at celebrations.

Social gatherings often start later than the time on the invitation, while business meetings are more punctual, and traffic in Lagos means you should allow generous travel time. Hospitality is central; among the Igbo, offering and sharing kola nut is a gesture of welcome. In many northern areas Fridays and prayer times shape the day, and during Ramadan eating or drinking in public may be avoided out of consideration.

Food and table manners

Nigerian cooking varies by region. Jollof rice, cooked in a tomato and pepper sauce, is a party staple. Swallow foods such as pounded yam, eba, amala or fufu are eaten with soups such as egusi, efo riro or okra, while suya, spiced grilled meat, comes from Hausa cooking, and moi moi and akara are made from beans.

Wash your hands, eat with your right hand when the meal is a swallow, and take small pieces from the part of the dish nearest to you. Expect to be urged to eat more; accepting a little shows appreciation. Many Muslims avoid pork and alcohol, and many hosts ask whether guests have food restrictions. Tipping around five to ten percent in restaurants is appreciated.

Major celebrations

Independence Day on 1 October recalls 1960 with parades, speeches and cultural events. The New Yam Festival gives thanks for the first yams of the harvest, especially in Igbo communities.

• Independence Day in Nigeria
• The New Yam Festival in Igbo communities

Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, Christmas and Easter are major public holidays, and local festivals add to the year, from the Osun-Osogbo festival, linked to a UNESCO World Heritage sacred grove, to the durbar processions held in northern emirates at Eid.

Weddings

A Nigerian wedding often combines a traditional ceremony, which differs among Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa and other communities, with a church, mosque or court wedding. Our guest’s guide to a Nigerian wedding explains aso ebi, gifts and the length of the day.

• How to attend a Nigerian wedding: a guest’s guide

Working or studying with people from Nigeria

Nigeria uses West Africa Time, UTC+1 all year, which matches Central European winter time. Meetings often begin with greetings and a few personal questions, and relationships built face to face or on WhatsApp can matter as much as the written plan. Respect for seniority is strong, so address senior people by title and expect decisions to rest with them.

Avoid jokes or assumptions drawn from news stories, which can feel tiresome to colleagues. Be aware that church services, Friday prayers or family events may shape availability. Confirm agreements in a friendly follow-up message, and recognise that colleagues may come from very different ethnic and religious backgrounds and may ask you to use their preferred name or title.

Frequently asked questions

Which languages should I use in Nigeria?

English is the official language and is used in business and education. Greeting in Hausa, Igbo or Yoruba, or understanding a little Pidgin, is warmly received.

How do I greet elders?

Greet them first, use their title, and lower your voice and gaze slightly. Among the Yoruba, younger people may kneel or prostrate; visitors are not expected to.

What is swallow?

A soft, dough-like food such as pounded yam, eba or amala. You pinch a piece, shape it with your fingers and dip it in soup.

What should I wear to a gathering?

Smart and modest clothes are safe. If invited to a celebration, the hosts may suggest aso ebi, matching fabric, and it is polite to ask.