Understanding Nigerian Work Culture: A Complete Guide for Expat Professionals
By Tunde Adebayo My first Monday morning in a Lagos office, I arrived at 8:30 a.m. sharp—briefcase ready, coffee in hand, eager to make a good impression. By 9:15, I was still waiting outside my new boss's office while he took an unexpectedly long personal call. By 10:00, I'd been introduced to seventeen colleagues, offered tea three times, and invited to two weekend events. By noon, I'd learned more about my colleagues' family backgrounds than I had about my actual job responsibilities. That first day taught me something crucial: working in Nigeria isn't just about doing the job. It's about understanding an entirely different relationship between work, relationships, and time. After five years navigating Nigerian corporate culture—first as a bewildered newcomer, now as someone who coaches other expats through the transition—I've learned that the "soft skills" of cultural adaptation matter more than technical expertise. This guide breaks down...