I know hope that all Nigerians know that there’s a general dislike for us — especially by other African nations. Apparently, Nigerians are rude, arrogant, pompous, ignorant, abraisive, aggressive … and of course, fraudsters. These are just a few of the nice words that have been used to compliment us.
A few weeks ago, I was in the computer lab at my former school. There were three other students there when I came in. I chose to sit at the Professor’s computer – mistake number two (I would later find out that mistake number one was being a Nigerian). I knew it was the Professor’s computer, but I chose to sit there anyway because (i) They’re not personal computers. Nothing is saved there (ii) Walking in, it was the closest one to the door (apart from the other ones that students already occupied), (iii) It was the closest to the printer, and the printer was the reason for my visit (iv) Having witnessed students sit there several times, I really didn’t know or think that students were not allowed to sit there.
So, there I sat, quietly working on editing my paper and printing it. That was when a man, obviously an African walked in, and the first thing he decided to say to me was, “That’s the Professor’s computer. You’re not supposed to sit there.”
Me: Too bad. I’m here already
Him: Where are you from?
Me: Nigeria
Him: Ohhhh. No wonder.
Me: No wonder, what?
Him: You Nigerians, you’re always like that.
Me: Always like how?
Him: Aggressive
Me: Huh?
He went on to tell me that he was from Ethiopia, that Nigerians scare everyone, that we’re all rude, aggressive and unafraid, that we think we’re above the law and better than everyone else, that we’re thieves, that our Government sucks, that he knows one Nigerian guy who steals from his boss, and could I tell him why our Government sucks … and why we are the way we are.
I laughed through everything he said. I was not offended or angry. How could I be? To answer his questions, however, I said, I don’t know why our Government is the way it is because I have not taken up my job assignment at Aso Rock where I would have access to investigate this issue. I also don’t know why we are the way we are, but we love ourselves so.
He laughed, saying that he was a gentleman, and that in spite of everything he had said, that he would want to marry a Nigerian woman. Why? Well, Nigerian women, he said, are bold. They’ll push him to do things he’s too afraid of doing. He went on to say that he liked me, that I was nice, and he would want me to “sack” my boyfriend, if I had one. He was a gentleman, he said, so he could not steal another man’s girlfriend.
Well, there you have it. As much as I would have loved to become his bold Nigerian woman, we Nigerians obviously have a flare for the rude, aggressive, unafraid type, the type that scare others. I think I’ll stick to them for now.
P.S. You can now vote for me on Nigerian Blog Awards. Please do so here.
a guy from zimbabwe told me that nigerians are very racist and behave like white people. *blankface*
yeah…first.
keep repping jo!!!!!!!!!
LOL. So Ethiopians are scared of Nigerians? The significant other is telling me right now that he can understand where the Ethiopian is coming from, that Naija people like to show that nobody can mess with them. Lol. Oh well. Keep repping!
Hmm this is so true, even when some of them diss me and my friends, we even help them to come up with disses..
We can't help it..
遠隔バイブバイブ 販売バイブ 挿入バイブ責めオルガスター電動こけしひとりh激安 ローター
LOOOOL!
this is sooo freakky!
Vera like this minute b4 i came to ur blog i was just jamming to a song that is basically called "Irep Naija"—hahahahah–like it was playing in my head and then i saw it on my blog roll–buhahahahahh!
Anyways–pele for the ethopian man o–may he find the nigerian woman he is looking for oh–
LOL
at least it ended on a good note
WAIT WAIT
HE ASKED YOU TO SACK MR SHOES??????
WHAT???
hehehe
Yeah Nigerians are bold but sometimes i wonder why we are not bold enough to do something about our government that sucks.
Mr Shoe don get competition o, na one Eyptian man..(meanwhile, there's a way 'Eyptian' always sounds to me esp when i remember the Bible)
not surprised by his comments…around my way its the liberians/ghanians that cannot stand nigerians…they love to hate us…and copy everything about naija culture!
Leggy: You know, when I first read your comment, I was thinking… what the frack??? But thinking about it again, maybe what he meant to say was that Nigerians are too much into their own people, that we only want to associate with ourselves kind of thing. Likening us to white people is very funny, of course, cause well… I'll leave it there. Congrats on being first.
Ibiluv: Abi ooo, my sister. Thanks for the support.
Jaycee: LOL! Yes, indeed, we do like to prove or show that no one can mess with us — even though everyone and their mama seems to be messing with us, so what the heck?
Azazel: LOL! I know, right? I mean, really, what else is one supposed to do? Abeg, I no fit shout jo. I cannot be engaged in a Nigerians-are-great-people argument. It's so futile.
That Person With The Strange Comment: Thanks. Don't know if it's spam or not, but I cannot read or understand it.
Gee: Yeah, may he find the Nigerian woman indeed. It sure won't be me.
BBB: Yes, indeed, it ended on a good note. Very funny and ironic note.
Evee: It's because we are bold enough to handle a crappy government. Hahaha. Unfortunate.
His Treasure: He's actually Ethiopian, not Egyptian. LOL @ Egypt sounding somehow to you. Pray, do tell me more.
Onosetale: lol @ copying our culture. Well, if that is the case, then we should be glad. Imitation, they say, is the sincerest form of flattery.
lol! I can't believe he said all that in one breath to a stranger. That in itself is bold especially when he said we are "aggressive". I think Nigerians are confident and a lot of people find it "intimidating". Some people push it into arrogance but the truth is we are just sure of ourselves. And that's a good thing lol at "As much as I would have loved to become his bold Nigerian woman, we Nigerians obviously have a flare for the rude, aggressive, unafraid type, the type that scare others. I think I'll stick to them for now."
He was definitely throwing it in for a pick up line! lol
~x~
What's the issue? The man was telling the truth jo! Our people are somehow. Oh well.
I hate you.
I love you.
The story of our lives. Make dem go siddon jo. Did you hear the Professor complain? Shio.
I had fun reading oh.. Lol.. Good to stick with the Niaja guys o I tell you. Don't worry, You'd be voted for.
Lol, just yesterday I saw a status update that went like this
Female: "Why does everyone who says that I'm pretty think that I am Nigerian? I am from Congo!"
Everyone has ridiculous stereotypes. Its unfortunate.
@bob0ij, I agree with your last point. But that's a rather unusual pick-up line preface.
Meanwhile, it's interesting to hear what people think of us in general. But I do not really get how all of this happened because you wouldn't get up from the computer!!!
I hope u got done with the paper.
Oh well..
hahahahahaha. i like u o, vera. as u no vex. cos i know say i 4 look am one kain eye, e for gba brake 4 dat his parayarning. sha, it's all good!
lol @ he wants a naija woman. ha! we no want them. yes o, we like our men d way they r! iRep naija!
vera, nne m, update my url na
Interesting article, Vera. Keep 'em coming xxx
I'm proud to be a nigerian. Naija for life.