Abuja - Post Report Question and Answers
Is it easy to make friends with locals here? Are there any prejudices or any ethnic groups who might feel uncomfortable here?
It can be difficult to make friends with locals because many of them just want to "japa" -- to leave the country -- and they will relentlessly hit you up for a visa, an introduction, whatever it takes. Nigerians will also go the extra mile to show hospitality, and friendship is something they very much value. Like anywhere, once you've found your friends, they're your friends forever. People may have prejudices against different religions. I find that many Nigerians don't really know what it means to be Jewish. I used to explain it by saying "You know, like Moses... or Jesus, Jesus was Jewish" but then people just thought I was a kind of Christian they hadn't heard of before. - Jun 2024
Nigerians are generally friendly and welcoming people, but it's not easy to make friends outside our community. Wheeling and dealing is a big thing here, so always be mindful of that. - Sep 2019
It's easy to make friends, just remember, it might seem like someone wants something. Nigerians are very friendly gregarious people. So enjoy their good banter and good natures. Your warmth and conversation alone are huge gifts. - Feb 2019
