Stereotypes of Nigerians

Nigerians are one of the most misunderstood people in Africa, by both other Africans and non-Africans.[1][2][3][4] There are some stereotypes typically associated with Nigerians and these are both positive and negative.[5][6][7] Apart from the general stereotypes, there are peculiar stereotypes concerning the ethnic groups in Nigeria that even other Nigerians believe and propagate.[8][9]

Positive stereotypes

Open mindedness

It is generally believed that Nigerians are open-minded and quick to try new things in different areas .[10]

Hardworking

Nigerians are generally regarded as hard-working people who are willing to go the extra mile for Successful achievements

Proud and happy

Nigerians are regarded as a very proud people. They also feature as one of the happiest people on earth. Nigerians are also highly optimistic people.[11]

Negative stereotypes

Nigerians are into advance fee fraud

This stereotype is mainly a product of the many Nigerian prince 419 scams which were popular. Many people believe that a large percent of Nigerians are into internet scam and fraud.[12][13] While it is true that some youths take to it, the stereotype is essentially misplaced as the number of youths partaking in this is minimal.[14] Most internet scammers simply prefer to use Nigeria and Nigerian identities in their schemes.

Nigerians are poor

This stereotype stems from the general perception that Africans are poor and in need of charity. It is important to note that Nigerians have some of the richest people in the world. Aliko Dangote, a Nigerian, is the richest black man alive. The percentage of poor Nigerians is not as high as this stereotype portrays it.

Nigerians are uneducated

This is one of the negative stereotypes about Nigerians and being criminals.[15] It is generally believed by most non-Nigerians that Nigerians are not well educated and cannot speak English.[11] This is a myth as Nigerians have one of the highest literacy rates in Africa and English is the official language in Nigeria due to its multi-ethnic status.

References
  1. Nwaubani, Adaobi Tricia (26 June 2014). "Does Nigeria have an image problem?". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 8 June 2019.
  2. Martin, Susan (1 July 1988). "Gender, Culture and Empire: European Women in Colonial Nigeria". African Affairs. 87 (348): 467. doi:10.1093/oxfordjournals.afraf.a098065.
  3. "A Struggle To Fit In And Overcome Stereotypes In 'Ghana Must Go'". NPR.org. Retrieved 8 April 2019.
  4. "Could ranches solve Nigeria's deadly herder-farmer conflict?". Bbc.co.uk. 6 July 2018. Retrieved 8 April 2019.
  5. Adegoju, Adeyemi (15 March 2017). ""We have to tell our own story": semiotics of resisting negative stereotypes of Nigeria in the heart of Africa nation branding campaign". Social Semiotics. 27 (2): 158–177. doi:10.1080/10350330.2016.1172827.
  6. Jarrett, Christian. "Different nationalities really have different personalities". Bbc.com. Retrieved 8 April 2019.
  7. Smith, Daniel Jordan (16 December 2010). A Culture of Corruption: Everyday Deception and Popular Discontent in Nigeria. Princeton University Press. ISBN 978-1400837229. Retrieved 9 April 2019 – via Google Books.
  8. Princewill, Abbiba. "South Africa and Nigeria: It's complicated". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 8 April 2019.
  9. Ogionwo, W. (8 April 1980). ""We" and "They": A Study of Ethnic Stereotypes in Nigeria". Sociologus. 30 (2): 97–123. JSTOR 43645128.
  10. "Nigerian Stereotypes". National Stereotypes. Retrieved 2017-03-08.
  11. "I'm sick of the stereotypes Americans have about Nigeria". The Tab Brown. 2016-02-08. Retrieved 2017-03-08.
  12. Agozino, Biko (5 July 2017). Pan-African Issues in Crime and Justice. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 9781351913010. Retrieved 9 April 2019 – via Google Books.
  13. "Nigeria ambassador: Look past negative stereotypes – and e-mail scams". Christian Science Monitor. 30 November 2009. Retrieved 8 April 2019.
  14. Partners, Alexander Moore (2014-07-17). "10 Stereotypes of Nigerians that aren't Always True". Nigeria News Online & Breaking News | BuzzNigeria.com. Retrieved 2017-03-08.
  15. Klotz, Audie (16 September 2013). Migration and National Identity in South Africa, 1860–2010. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9781107470538. Retrieved 9 April 2019 – via Google Books.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.