Greeting

A common way to greet someone is with a firm, friendly handshake and a warm smile. While shaking hands, people usually ask how the other person’s family is doing, how their health is, and so on. The whole greeting process is generally relaxed, and it's best not to rush it.

Exchanging personal news is an important part of the greeting. It is important not only to listen attentively to the Nigerian partner but also to share your own news. Nigerians greet each other this way even if they have seen each other recently (for example, earlier the same day).

Handshakes are common between both men and women. But between genders, it doesn't always happen—especially if one or both follow Muslim customs. In that case, a man should wait for the woman to offer her hand first.

When greeting older people, it's important to show respect. It's common to see Nigerians slightly bow their heads as a sign of respect to someone older.

Family members and close friends often hug and exchange kisses when they meet.

Introduction

In Nigerian business culture, titles and any signs of status are very important, especially those that show a person’s role in an organization or their standing in society. When addressing a business partner, it's best to mention their title or position first, followed by their last name.

In formal or professional settings, always use your partner’s official title, academic degree, or professional qualification if they have one. Leaving out a title, even by accident, can come across as rude or disrespectful.

You should only use someone’s first name after they’ve given you permission. This might happen after working together for a while or collaborating on several projects. If your partners are under 35, switching to first names may happen a bit sooner.

Common professional titles include “Engineer” or “Professor.” If someone doesn’t have a title, polite forms like “Mr.” or “Master” followed by the last name are used. For women, you can say “Madam” or “Madame,” and “Sir” for men.

Show particular respect to people who are older or higher in status. Even if someone is lower in the company hierarchy but older than you, it’s polite to address them using their title and last name.

If you're meeting with government officials, find out ahead of time how they prefer to be addressed. Common titles include “Excellency,” “the Honorable,” “Member of the House,” or “Senator.” Always be polite and show respect in these interactions.

When it comes to names and titles, follow your Nigerian colleagues’ lead. Match the level of formality to the situation.

Exchange of Business Cards

Business cards are very important in Nigerian business culture. They're exchanged not only during meetings and negotiations but also at social events.

A business card helps your Nigerian counterpart understand your professional position and/or social status. That’s why it should include complete details about you—such as your qualifications, job title, and academic degrees.

Contact info like phone numbers, website, and email is usually placed on the left side of the card, while your name and titles go on the right. The key is to make sure all formal, identifying information is clearly included.

Nigeria has around 500 local languages and dialects, but English is the official language and the standard for business communication—both within the country and internationally.

When handing someone your card, it’s best to use both hands or just your right hand. Do the same when receiving a card. This is especially important if your partner follows Islamic customs.

There’s no strict rule about when to exchange business cards during a meeting, but when you receive one, take a moment to read it before putting it away.

Never write on a business card—yours or anyone else’s. If your information changes, simply have new cards printed.

Always carry plenty of business cards with you, whether you’re at a formal meeting or a casual event like a networking party after a trade show.

Small Talk: Overview

Nigerians are generally friendly and sociable conversationalists. During small talk, they may bring up a wide range of topics that matter to them.

When starting a potential project, Nigerians usually take time to get to know their partners better—building a relationship is seen as the foundation of doing business. A bit of friendly small talk can really help with that.

Compared to some other cultures, Nigerians often talk about personal or family matters before getting down to business. Questions like “How are you?” or “How is the family?” aren’t just polite greetings—they’re genuine and usually expect real answers and a bit of personal sharing.

Your Nigerian partner will appreciate it if you make an effort to say even a few words in a local language—just a simple greeting can go a long way. It shows respect and interest in their culture.

Preferred Topics

Family: Nigerians often speak openly about themselves and their families—for example, how their children are doing in school or what achievements they’ve had.

Your hometown or country is a great way to start a conversation. It’s a topic that’s usually well-received and helps break the ice.

Sports: Football (soccer) is hugely popular in Nigeria. It’s a safe and engaging topic, especially among men, and can be a great way to connect.

Nigerians are interested in a wide range of topics and are usually open to discussing them with guests and partners. These can include religion, politics, the economy, and social or ethnic issues. Since opinions can vary widely, it’s often best to stay neutral and avoid taking strong positions in such conversations.

Taboo Topics

Religion is a sensitive topic and is best avoided, especially during casual or light conversation.

Health can also be a delicate subject. It’s better not to bring it up if you know someone in your partner’s family is unwell.

There aren’t many strict “taboo” topics in Nigeria. Even politics is discussed quite openly these days.

Personal Space

Nigerians generally have a smaller personal space than people from places like Northern Europe or North America, especially in the southern parts of the country. In northern Nigeria, people tend to prefer more space when interacting.

If someone stands closer to you than you’re used to, try not to step back, even if it feels too close. Doing so might be seen as unfriendly.

Nigerians are quite expressive when communicating. Physical touch is a normal and natural part of interaction, especially between people of the same gender.

In Nigerian culture, direct and especially prolonged eye contact is not common. This may come from traditional norms—like avoiding eye contact with superiors—as it can be viewed as disrespectful or confrontational.

Communication Specifics

Building and maintaining relationships is extremely important in Nigerian business culture—especially when working with international partners. That’s why small talk and casual conversation should be given special attention. It’s how people start to get to know and trust each other, which is the foundation of doing business in Nigeria.

Overall, communication in Nigerian business settings tends to be polite and fairly formal.

Formality is maintained not only between managers and employees but also between business partners of equal rank. This helps reinforce respect for hierarchy and keeps professional boundaries clear.

Public speaking in Nigeria often values emotional and expressive delivery. Nigerians generally put a lot of effort into making their point clear, direct, and impactful.

That said, Nigerians often communicate indirectly—especially when it comes to problems or sensitive topics. Sometimes they may say what they think the other person wants to hear, rather than their true opinion. This isn’t meant to mislead—it’s usually an attempt to be polite and avoid offending.

Your Nigerian partner may be uncomfortable giving negative feedback or saying a direct “no.” Instead, they might say “yes” even when they mean “no.” Pay attention to tone and enthusiasm—if they sound genuinely positive, their “yes” is likely real.

If a response seems vague or unclear, better ask the question again—just rephrase it so it encourages a more detailed answer.

Status and respect for elders or people in high-ranking positions are deeply valued in Nigerian culture. When speaking with such individuals, it’s important to follow proper formal behavior and show respectful politeness.