The fabled confidence of Nigerians, it appears, is not just a prevailing contemporary modern-African cultural stereotype. Without intention, it is a naturally manifesting trait that is captured by Nigerian writers as they glean from their environments and speak about Nigerian issues.
Reading Nigerian writers writing about Nigeria reveal that despite Nigeria’s precarious stability; one hanging desperately on by the country’s rife corruption, political intensity and simmering tribal tensions, Nigeria is grounded to a peculiar self-assurance by its people and its spirit.
Nigerian literature reveals again and again, as a recurring theme, that Nigerians are a deeply wise, ambitious, strong-spirited, and strong-willed people. Even though it is not always for the good, and often times holds many of the literary characters back, their cultural ties are very much still strong and alive, exerting influence even in the era of modernity. Yet rather than being swept away by modernity’s fast pace, Nigeria’s traditions and local cultures continue to evolve confidently alongside it, even when they clash from time to time. The merger of the modern and the traditional, while not seamless, agree reasonably and accept to walk together. Think of how Nigerians somehow succeed in living both their religious and cultural identities simultaneously and without contradiction.
With regards to their personality, Nigerians have such a presence as cannot be ignored. They are highly expressive in their dress, words, actions and even food. Theirs is a colourful language- body or otherwise- that is rich in all kinds of literary and oratory devices; metaphors, hyperbole, and all kinds of pithy lines. In both the said and unsaid, Nigerians are, to use popular speak, extra.
Now compared with the rest of Africa, Nigeria’s political, civic and many aspects of their social environments are majorly similar. African countries, including Nigeria, are overall plagued with tribal and religious tensions, corruption, and the enduring effect of some kind of civil war- full blown or the low-intensity kind. Yet Nigeria’s artistic brilliance especially in music and literature, not to mention other sectors, seem to rise above our common African plagues and still deliver.
So what makes Nigeria different? What is that thing within the Nigerian spirit that makes them so enviously indomitable? Whatever it is that Nigerians are doing different, we need to find some of it and apply it ourselves; because yes, Nigerians be extra extra but Lord, does it work and even more Lord do we want some of that!
