Attaining 61 years of independence as a Nation is a beautiful thing! In these years, we have found ourselves and evolved as a people. We have grown into our own and developed certain unique traits that only real Nigerians can identify and relate to no matter where we find ourselves in the world. If you can’t relate to any of these traits, you’ve not yet had the full Nigerian experience.

• Apologizing before asking a question

That’s right. If you’ve been in Nigeria for more than 3 minutes, you must have used one of these lines before, “sorry, what time is it” or “sorry, who is speaking”. Reports say that scientists have been studied why Nigerians do this since 1643.

• Happy when “NEPA” brings light

This one is self-explanatory. Especially when there has not been light all day, then they bring it right before you sleep.

• Inviting people to eat when you don’t really want them to answer

If you are Nigerian, it is your duty to know that when another Nigerian invites you to eat, they don’t mean it 9.8 out of 10 times. Think of it as more of a greeting than an invitation.

• Pricing items before buying

You get to the market, a vendor tells you the price of a product and you buy immediately…lol. Even if the price the vendor tells you is less than the price you initially budgeted, are you truly Nigerian if you don’t bargain?

• People greeting you with “you’ve added/lost weight”

• Looking left and right before crossing a one-way road

Even if there is no car in sight, you need to double-check on a one-way road. Also, don’t be overconfident because you’re on a Zebra crossing.

• Getting to the airport knowing your flight will be moved

I doubt we will ever know the reason for this, but this is something we have all come to terms with. If you want to get somewhere on time, it has to be the first flight or nothing.

• Not telling people you’re traveling because…village people

You can never be too careful. Some people don’t even tell anyone until they are back from their trip.

• Canceling your travel plans because of a bad dream

Aha, if there was one thing that makes you truly Nigerian…this is it right here. Especially if someone had a bad dream on your behalf.

• Putting money inside Kolo

Nigerians have this love of putting money where we can see and touch it. We don’t like putting money far, even if we can earn up to 15% interest on our money. Thankfully, that habit is changing.

So, which of these could you relate to?