Cultural Tips

The Golden Rules For Working Across Cultures: Set realistic objectives and timeframes. When entering into a new cross-cultural relationship assume there will be differences until similarity is proven. Understand your own cultural orientations and their impact on others. Understandthe orientations of the other culture(s) and their potential impact on you. Familiarize yourself with other culture’s, custom’s, traditions, body language, etc. Try to work with a culture rather than against it. Remember to adapt is not the same as adopt. Focus on relating to individuals rather than cultural stereotypes. Listen and observe, think, and then talk. Focus on creating value out of differences rather than simply trying to avoid mistakes. Keep learning. Remember that the ability to understand other cultures is an ongoing process. Nigeria Specific Tips General Cultural Tips:

There are a wide range of cultures in Nigeria, and all cultures have their own customs and lifestyle. Be considerate of local customs. If invited to a Nigerian home, offering a small gift from your home country is appreciated. Avoid discussing religion. Nigerians do enjoy discussing African politics. Pushing the palm of your hand forward with the fingers spread is considered impolite in Nigeria. Waving, especially very close to someone's face, is considered insulting. Never wave to try to attract the attention of a waiter/waitress or taxi.

Business Cultural Tips:

Handshakes are the customary form of greeting. Appointments must be made well in advance, especially if meeting with government officials. Nigerians are not overly concerned with punctuality, although they are aware of the Western habit of being on time. Be apprised of travel difficulties within Nigeria, and make sure that you give yourself more than enough time to reach your destination.

Business Hours:

Mon-Fri: 0800-1230 and 1400-1630 Sat: 0800-1230

Tipping:

A 10% tip is customary for most services, if a service charge has not been included in the bill. When traveling via taxi, the fare and tip should be agreed upon before the trip. Airport porters expect a tip per piece of luggage. Source: International SOS IBM website

Nigeria Links

Here are some interesting links my colleagues provided prior to the trip:

This auditory performance about Africa brought tears to my eyes - thanks for sharing Hugo!:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05ip-N0H1Ig

Business Report on Nigeria from the Financial times - thanks Henri!:
http://www.ft.com/reports/nigeria-2009

Some negative press in Nigeria before leaving:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8171482.stm

Key Business Tips

1. Nigerians expect to have close relationships with business partners. Don't try to rush things, be patient. Things get done through connections and personal trust.
2. Always accept hospitality; Nigerians are generous and outgoing and will be offended if you decline.
3. Be aware that casual attire is often considered to be a sign of a casual attitude. Wear conservative, but lightweight, clothes.
4. Show great respect. Address people with their titles and honorifics. It is considered offensive in Nigeria to pass an elderly person without greeting them.
5. Be very patient. Things take time for many reasons, e.g., decisions - even small ones - being made at the highest level.
6. Do business face-to-face whenever possible. First, it shows that you are serious and second, the communications infrastructure is not reliable, and faxes and emails are easily lost.
7. If having lunch with a Nigerian business acquaintance, make sure you use your right hand (or both hands) to pass and accept dishes. The left hand is taboo, and is rarely used for any interpersonal transactions.
8. Be sure to check out if there are objections to smoking or drinking in your location.
9. Hire a good driver. Taxis in Lagos tend to be unreliable and can be unsafe.
   
10. Expect to be asked for dash (a tip) at roadblocks, in the airport, and in other situations where people help you. Respect local laws, your nation's laws, and your company's code of conduct.
    

Demographics

Nigeria Capital: Abuja
Cross River State: South East corner of Nigeria

Nigeria Population (2006) = 131,859,731

Age Range
0-14yrs: 42.3% (male 28,089,017/female 27,665,212)
15-64yrs: 54.6% (male 36,644,885/female 35,405,915)
65+yrs: 3.1% (male 1,930,007/female 2,124,695)

Life Expectancy (2006) = Total population: 47.08 years
Male: 46.52 years
Female: 47.66 years
Note: Some 5.4% of the population is HIV positive or living with AIDS.

Literacy (2003) = Total population: 68%
Male: 75.7%
Female: 60.6%
Source: CIA World Factbook

Flag of Nigeria:






Economy:
Nigeria's economy is highly dependent on the oil/gas sector. Oil accounts for 95% of exports by value and 80% of government revenue. Nigeria is the world's 8th largest exporter of oil. In spite of its oil wealth, Nigeria is a poor country. The World Bank classifies it as a low-income country. Its large population together with endemic corruption, long periods of military misrule and the long-term mismanagement of resources has meant that Nigeria's socio-economic indicators are low and worsening. It is among the 20 poorest in the world in terms of per capita income. In 1985, 43% of the population lived below the poverty line. By 2004, that had risen to 70% living on less than one dollar per day.


Belief System:
Approximately half of the country's population practice Islam, approximately 40 percent practice Christianity, and approximately 10 percent practice exclusively traditional indigenous religions or no religion. Many people practice elements of Christianity or Islam and elements of a traditional indigenous religion. Travellers in Nigeria will see black magic markets full of curious fetishes alongside churches and mosques.
Source: BBC

Useful Terms

The language of business in Nigeria is English but there are a few terms that are uniquely 'Nigerian'.

In the title of this blog : Dash - A bribe or a tip. 'Dash' is a Nigerian term for small and frequent cash bribes. A 'dash' is required for many local activities, from easing government bureaucracy to travelling along roads (including to or from the airport). Corruption should not be confused with 'dash', which is like 'baksheesh' in Egypt - a tip in exchange for a favor. Sometimes, dash is pure extortion, for example, having to pay a policeman to get through a road block, but generally speaking, it's just like an enhanced version of tipping in the West.

419: The word for any kind of fraud. 419 refers to the section of the Nigerian penal code that deals with fraud schemes and originally means financial fraud. The notorious email scams offering a cut of millions of dollars are 419 frauds.

Area Boy: Thugs in Lagos who intimidate people for money.

Batauri or Oyibo: White person.

Black shirt: a policeman.

Emir: A Muslim leader from the north.

Go-slow: A traffic jam.

Off seat: Out of the office.

On seat: In the office.

Sorry-o: Expression of sympathy. Nigerians often add 'o' to a word.

Wahalla: trouble. No Wahalla means 'no trouble'.