Etiquette and customs of Nigeria The most common greeting is a handshake with a warm, welcoming smile.
•You must take the time to ask about the person’s health, the health of their family, or other social information
•Address people initially by their academic, professional or honorific title and their surname.
•When greeting someone who is obviously much older, it is a sign of respect and deference to bow the head.
Gift Giving Etiquette •
If invited to dinner at someone’s home then bring fruit, nuts or chocolates for the host.
• A gift for the children is always a nice touch.
• Gifts should be given using the right hand only or both hands. Never use the left hand only as that is considered a sign of disrespect.
• Gifts from a man to a woman must be said to come from the man’s mother, wife, sister, or other female relative, never from the man himself.
• Gifts should be wrapped, although there are no cultural taboos concerning paper color.
• Gifts are not always opened when received.
Business etiquette
• Handshakes are the most common greeting.
• Wait for a woman to extend her hand first.
• Shake hands at the beginning and end of meetings.
• To rush a greeting is extremely rude; spend time inquiring about the other person’s general well-being.
• Wait until invited before moving to a first-name basis. This is not a first name culture, although that may be changing with people under the age of 35.
Business cards
-Business cards are exchanged without formal ritual.
-Present and receive business cards with two hands or the right hand, never with the left.
-It is a good idea to include any advanced university degree on your business card.
-Make certain that your title is prominently displayed.
-Never write on your business card. If the information has changed, have new cards printed.
-Make a point of studying any business card you receive before putting it into a business card holder.
Expressions, Meanings & Values:
Nigerians prefer facial expressions that imply empathy and believe an indifferent facial expression indicates that a person is ignorant or obnoxious. They are fond of the expression, "When Nigeria sneezes, the rest of the African nations (with the exception of South Africa) catch cold." In some parts of Nigeria, people’s communication employs proverbs, sayings and even songs to enrich the meaning of what they say. As part of traditional Nigeria culture, age is seen as sign of wisdom. Respect for your elders is an axiom or rule. Older people are given the responsibility or privilege of leading a group. Takes things slow initially and don't seem to be in a hurry especially when meeting people for the first time. In social situations people are laid back and like to talk politics. In the U.K, people shy away from politics as a subject in social conversations.
Symbols
National flag: The National Flag of the Federal Republic Nigeria is divided, vertically, into three equal parts. The central part is white while the two outer parts are green. The two green parts represent agriculture while the white represents unit and peace.
The National Motto is "Unity and Faith, Peace and Progress"
National Flower: The Nigerian national flower is the Coctu Spectabilis. It is a very common sight in the Guinea Savanna, which is the most extensive vegetation belt in Nigeria, occupying nearly half of the country's land area
ARMORIAL BEARINGS The Nigerian coat-of-arms, feature an eagle mounted on a black shield, which is tri-sected, by two wavy silver bands. Two white chargers support the shield, and at its base is a wreath (coctus spectabilis flowers, cast in the national colors of white and green). The black shield represents the fertile soil while the silvery bands denote the Niger and Benue rivers which form the main inland waterways in the country. The eagle stands for strength and the chargers symbolize dignity.
Artifacts:
The Pre-coinage currencies of Nigeria may be divided into two groups. The first group consists of local items adopted as a result of internal trade such as iron, tin, cattle, salt, feathers, seeds of wild plants, farm products,textiles and beads. The second consists of imported items determined by the external trade, influenced by what early traders considered to be of value to a large number of Nigerians. These are cowrie shells, iron and copper bars, manillas, textiles, beads, salt, gin and tobacco.
Beliefs:
According to the 1999 census report, 50% (70 million) of the populations are Muslims, 40% (56 million) are Christians, and 10% (14 million) observe other religions such as Judaism, Hinduism, and Baha’i. Islam is predominant in the north and South Western, Yoruba part of the country. Nigeria has one of the biggest Muslim populations in West Africa. Most Muslims in Nigeria are typically Sunni Muslims. The Christian denominations in Nigeria include Roman Catholicism, The Anglican Church of Nigeria, Christ Apostolic Church, and the Aladura Church. Catholics are predominant in Abuja, Benin City, Ibadan, Laogs, Calabar, Jos, Onitsha and Owerri. Judaism has around 40,000 believers most of whom belong to the Igbo tribe in the eastern, Ibibio, Annang, and Efik. Hinduism started in Nigeria during the immigration of Hindus and Hare Krishna Missionaries. There are about 25,000 Hindus mostly found in Lagos, the former capital of Nigeria.
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