Nigeria is home to over 233 million people, making it Africa’s most populous country and largest economy. With more than 250 ethnic groups and over 525 languages, our nation is a vibrant mix of cultures, traditions, and histories.
Yet, despite this incredible diversity, we ignite enmity among ourselves with stereotypes. We take a single story, a single incident, and use it to define entire groups of people. But is that who they really are?
For example, the Yoruba often classify Nigerians into three categories: Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba. If you’re from Itsekiri, Delta, Akwa Ibom, or the South-South, you’ve probably been called “Omo Igbo”, even though your identity is so much more.
The Igbo are often boxed into the stereotype of being money-driven or obsessed with lavish weddings.
Meanwhile, the Hausa are wrongly labelled as less intelligent, with “Aboki” – which simply means “friend” – used in a way that strips it of its true meaning.
But Nigeria is bigger than these labels. We are a country of thinkers, creators, and innovators. We are a people of resilience, grit, and undeniable beauty.
It’s time to move past the narrow narratives and embrace the richness of who we are. Nigeria Magazine is here to tell our real stories—our struggles, our triumphs, and everything in between.
Subscribe to our newsletter and explore Nigeria beyond the stereotypes. It’s time to celebrate the true value we bring to Africa and the world.
