How to be a Nigerian

by Peter Enahoro

This famous little book is one of the funniest to come out of Africa. First published in 1996, it continues to be in demand. The Nigerian author turns a humorous and ironic eye on his fellow compatriots. The book is descibed as a guide for Nigerians and expatriates on the conduct, deportment, comportment, bearing, deameanour, mien, carriage, actions, the misdoings, misconduct and misbehaviours of the Nigerian adult male and female. Sprinkled with anecdotes and cartoons, the book addresses the Nigerian essence.

Genres: Nigeria, Nonfiction

96 pages, Paperback

First published September 5, 2000

Reviews

[Victor Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's concise, poignant, true, and most importantly, it's funny. Almost 60 years later and I can't believe how little we have changed. No one may ever be able to so accurately depict Nigerians again...never. Again, this is funny as hell, and I can't emphasise enough how good a writer has to be, to be able to write funny things in flowering prose. This book must be preserved at all costs.

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

such a comical book, this statement literally made me croak of laughter "ln the beginning, God created the universe; then He created the moon, the stars and the wild beasts of the forests, On the sixth day, He created the Nigerian and there was peace. But on the seventh day while God rested, the Nigerian invented noise."

[Nkiru · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny thing about this book, which was written iver 40 years ago, is that it's still accurate. Nigerians haven't changed one bit, it's almost scary.
I loved it though, bad aspects asides, Nigerians are a funny bunch.

[Yusuf Leinge · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you want to laugh your ribs out on the concept of what it means to be a "Nigerian" then read this book... But don't say I did not warn you. Great humor!!!

[Crowei · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny, hilariously funny and still all true some 50 years later.

[Badriya · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was funny. Also sad because it was written in the 60s and still applies to today.

[Aisha (thatothernigeriangirl) · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars.
This book isn’t a bad book (i did laugh a couple of times and all) but it’s not my cup of tea.
I will have to add Be(com)ing Nigerian by Elnathan John to my tbr now to compare the dynamics of both books

[Ibari · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick light-hearted read.

[Karin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having lived in Nigeria for the last 6 years, this book is describing exactly the Nigerian peculiarity. The one thing he left out was:

Car registrations are done certain times of the year, this makes it easy to check renewals, eg. June, Sept, Dec, etc.

So you will find a long queue of cars being stopped by the authorities, but in the fields next to the road another highway has developed. So my question to was: why are they not stopping those people. the answer was simply - they are not on the road.

[Gary Mcfarlane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this in 1975. I bought a copy in Ibadan, Nigeria (printed by The Caxton Press Limited Ibadan - published 1966 - Ninth Impression 1973). It became the topic of discussion with many Nigerian friends when we would visit together - lots of humour, laughter and, at times, more serious discussion regarding what was happening in Nigeria at that time. It was good to read it again - brought back many memories.

[Rasheedat · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book because I wanted to compare it to Be(com)ing Nigerian by Elnathan John. Someone had mentioned that people that liked one didn't enjoy the other. And I wanted to test out that theory. I think this book was a lot easier to read (than be(com)ing Nigerian) because it was a lot shorter - just 93 pages. So there were less pages to skip and it was a lot more concise.

[Funmi Richards · Rating 4 out of 5]

This books most if not all of the hilarious and utterly laughable anecdotes of the everyday and wealthy Nigerianand the irony is 'we are still the same people some 20 or so years. I don't think all that was said could have been said any better cos we Nigerians are a funny bunch even till tomorrow

[Mike Enahoro · Rating 5 out of 5]

My uncle magnum opus, it would be very biased of me to give this a review at all but I will say this: He laid it all on the table.
This short and very readable book will forever be at the corner stone of the Nigerian ethos.

[Morolake · Rating 3 out of 5]

Funny read full of witty quotes and examples.

Even though it was written in the 90s, there are still some relatable aspects of Nigerian culture.

Recommend it for every Nigerian and anyone interested in visiting or learning about the idiosyncracies of Nigerian culture.

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed the self mockery and the hint into Nigerian culture, but it felt a bit out of date (was written in the 60s) and generalizing a population that has so many different tribes and cultures and languages
Good for a first idea of Nigerian people but with precaution

[Anthea Carta · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a lovely, cheery book. It was funny and gave great insight into Nigeria. A good read.

[Ajibola S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Witty. Factual. Brilliant. A sensible read.

[Timilehin Akogun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply Hilarious

[Opeyemi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hilarious. . I was smiling the whole time I read the book. The wonderful thing is this satire is still relevant today.

[Somtochukwu O · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amusing. But short, too short.

[Dayo Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still as funny and true as the last 2 times I've read it.

[Obi Ikeonu · Rating 4 out of 5]

7.5/10

[Abi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Concise and funny, with a lot of truth.

[Oreoluwa Oyinlola]

Yemi read this to me.

[Dan Muthui]

Hilarious.

[Uchenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent , Got everything correct

[AB · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mirthful! Still true today, what a Prophet!!

[Oluwafemi Ojosu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Literally satire at its best!!!

[Michael Oezil · Rating 1 out of 5]

Often satiric and mostly hyperbolic, this book does not describe the 21st century Nigerian. Read, only if you are suddenly inundated with the desire to become a 20th century Nigerian.