It’s normal for people to date outside their tribe, country, race, etc., but that doesn’t always mean it’s easy. As a Nigerian, if you end up marrying someone outside of your country, there are certain things you’d have to explain. Such as…

Why agbo jedi jedi is taken after eating too much sugar 

Nigerians take agbo jedi when they get stomach aches from eating too much sugar. A non-Nigerian won’t understand why you’re doing this instead of taking drugs. Just leave me and my agbo, please. 

What you mean when you say, “Are you mad?”

Having to explain that “Are you mad?” isn’t you asking if they’re upset can be so annoying. They’re there saying, “Oh no. I’m not upset”, meanwhile, you were asking if they’re okay in the head. 

Why there’s soup inside an ice cream container 

As Nigerians, we have the skills to know when an ice cream container has ice cream and when it has soup. But your non-Nigerian partner may not, so they’ll have to deal with the anxiety of not knowing which is which. And that’ll be stressful for your relationship. 

Why you say “omo” 500 times a day

How do you want to tell someone “omo” is an expression used in every situation? It’s just something you say. 

Why you say, “Sorry, please, excuse me,” before asking for anything 

They won’t understand that Nigerians get upset over every small thing, so you have to apologise in advance and be extra polite.

Why you run away when strangers want to ask for directions

When random strangers (most especially older adults) approach you in Nigeria, there’s a high chance they want to use jazz (witchcraft) to collect all your money. But how do you explain that to a non-Nigerian and not sound like a crazy person?

Why olive oil is the answer to everything

They’ll tell you they have a headache, and when you want to rub “anointing oil” on their head, they’ll look at you funny. Meanwhile, in Nigeria, anointing oil is the answer to all our problems.

Why you have to say, “Put it on my head”

Imagine your partner asks where to put something, and you say, “Put it on my head”, and they actually try to do just that. You now have to go through the stress of explaining why you said the phrase in the first place. Abeg, it’s too much wahala. 

Why you say parlour instead of living room

You’ll say, “Please, can you help me get my book from the parlour? And your partner will look at you confused as hell. 

Why Nigerian events have different tickets for VIPs and regulars

Concert tickets abroad all have the same price. Not here. If you date someone who’s not Nigerian, you’d have to explain why the same concert sells tickets for ₦20k and ₦5m. The problem is, even you don’t know why.    

Why you use feathers to clean your ear

There’s a sweet feeling that comes with using feathers to clean your ears instead of cotton buds. Not many people can relate. 

Why gospel songs have to be played while doing chores every Saturday morning

Your partners won’t understand that playing gospel music while doing chores on a Saturday is a tradition in most Nigerian households. Such music is what makes the chores enjoyable. 

Why we have to eat rice and stew on Sundays 

At some point, your partner will ask why you guys are eating rice and stew for the 7th Sunday in a row, and they won’t understand that it’s tradition. 

ALSO READ: 7 Times Nigerians Move In Silence