How To Survive In Nigeria: Nigeria is regarded as the giant of African due to its land mass and population. The country is blessed with natural resources and fertile land for agriculture; oil and agriculture being the largest means of the country’s economy. Nigeria, however, has not lived up to its expectation as the giant of Africa with adequate natural resources. The political system is faced with a lot of crises.
This and other various issues make survival in Nigeria a task which every individual must consciously pursue. But generally, and just like it is in other countries, there are peculiar factors that are obtainable in Nigeria such as the ecological and other environmental factors, the governing structure, the economy, policies, the education system, and so on. Living in Nigeria therefore warrants familiarity with any such peculiarities and the best way to go around survival.
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Tips on How to Survive Current Hardship in Nigeria
1. Have something doing: The system in Nigeria is an exasperating one. The citizens are characterized by devising survival mechanisms because they seem to be in direct competition to meet up with the economy. Nigeria is not a country to get into and be idle. There are usually no incentives or any form of palliatives, basic education scholarships, subsidies or allowances for the people.
Everyone will have to struggle his way through getting even the most basic things. Having something to do, keeps you busy and distracted from initiating or participating in crimes. The Nigerian correctional centre and criminal justice system is rated at the top of the worse in the world and no person would ever want to have a taste of it.
So, it is best to avoid commission of crimes. More so, everything in Nigeria is about money. You will have to pay for even the most little thing. That makes is easier to cope because, as long as you have something doing, you will always afford your basic needs legally.
2. Stay informed: Information is of great importance in anywhere; and Nigeria is not exclusive of this. Information is what distinguishes one person from the other in a competitive environment like Nigeria. Staying informed gives you an edge over others in anything you do.
Those who are not very friendly with information are left behind. Just one government policy can make or mar people’s business, but being informed beforehand allows you to take the possible steps to ameliorate the possible effect of such policy. Information in Nigeria can be timely too, and is all encompassing. For instance, due to the degree of insecurity in the country, missing out on vital information can cost one’s life.
The true manifestation of the phrase, “Information is Life” is seen in full force in Nigeria. Most often, information may not come to you effortlessly. In other words, one would have to consciously look out for information. Information guarantees safety in Nigeria.
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3. The transportation system: Transportation forms part of livelihood in every country. There is need to move about from one place to another in the course of living. The transport system is faced with some incidental risks. So, it is best to travel with a trusted and registered transport company. The fact that the company is registered gives it an identity which in turn, guarantees safety of the passengers.
While traveling via a private means (private car), there is need to ensure that the vehicle is duly registered and in full compliance with the road traffic regulations. The road traffic system in Nigeria is a strict one. The enforcers are always ready to apprehend anyone who falls short of the requirements, and there are punishments for non-compliance with the regulations.
While driving also, it is best to observe the safety measures like putting on the seat belt and ensuring the road-worthiness of your vehicle. There is also the need to be security conscious as a driver or passenger. Highways in Nigeria are at risk of being occupied by highway robbers. Such notorious roads should be avoided or be driven across with caution. There is also the menace of pick-pocketing in transit. The survival mechanism is to always be conscious of your environment.
4. Managing the problem of power outage: Nigeria had always had the problem of poor power supply. In other words, there is no steady electricity. Living in Nigeria therefore warrants that one should have a generator, solar energy or other alternative energy for use.
One should also get a power bank for charging of devices. Power is not always handy in Nigeria.
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5. Live a healthy life: The medical system in Nigeria is not very recommendable. In fact, an appropriate description of the situation is that it is in crisis. There is infrastructural inadequacy and brain-drain in the health sector. Many medical professionals are travelling abroad to meet a favourable system.
In view of this, the best one can do for himself is to live a healthy life. It is best to prevent sickness than to manage it in Nigeria. So, do all you can to stay healthy even if it costs more money. This is the best survival remedy as it relates to health.
6. Be mindful of cyber insecurity: The rate of cyber attacks in Nigeria is extremely high and has gained world recognition. It follows therefore that it is best to be mindful of any step you take in the online space.
Hackers and scammers use various unprecedented tactics to get to your profile and steal from you. Be mindful of your sensitive information and keep them private at all cost.
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7. Your appearance matters: Your appearance speaks best for you and louder than your actual self. Your appearance is your first and may be your final impression. You may not even be given a second opportunity to establish your real self asides the one represented by your appearance. In Nigeria, your appearance defines you. For instance, dressing roughly could get you wrongly suspected of having committed a crime.
For the guys, your hair look speaks volume. Even as much as people may want to play blind to these facts, it does actually happen that people get wrongly accosted and harassed by the police in Nigeria because of their hairstyle. Of course, your hairstyle ordinarily should not define you, but in Nigeria? The system is a cruel and insensitive one.
8. The weather and climate condition: Nigeria has a fair weather and climate condition, although it can be really extreme and harsh in some parts of the country like the Northern region. There are basically two seasons in Nigeria which are the rainy and the dry season.
There is also the harmattan season which comes during the dry season. It is important to those what these seasons feel like because they dictate the thickness of the clothes you’d wear during the seasons
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9. Be law abiding: Being law abiding keeps you on the safe side of the law. As earlier highlighted, the Nigerian correctional centre is a horrible space with inhumane conditions. Lives are even lost there due to its poor state.
Avoiding the wrong side of the law is a sure way to survive in Nigeria. It is not enough that you are law abiding. You need to also avoid circumstances of suspicion so you don’t go in for a wrong you did not do.
10. Building relationships: In Nigeria, you need people to survive and succeed. You need connections in order to climb various steps. Things are easier when you know people. An average Nigerian today makes it a point of duty to know as many persons as possible and build relationships with them.
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Conclusion
Nigeria is a country made up of persons of various tribes and regions who are at liberty to mix up. So, there is diversity in many ways. Everything about the country seems to be competition and a survival scheme. The recommendations proffered in this article are an adequate but inexhaustive guide on how to survive in Nigeria.
Edeh Samuel Chukwuemeka, ACMC, is a lawyer and a certified mediator/conciliator in Nigeria. He is also a developer with knowledge in various programming languages. Samuel is determined to leverage his skills in technology, SEO, and legal practice to revolutionize the legal profession worldwide by creating web and mobile applications that simplify legal research. Sam is also passionate about educating and providing valuable information to people.