Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa with an internal market of
150 million people and an economy growing at around 8 percent a year, is
potentially Africa s next powerhouse. It is nearly one and a half times
the size of Texas, with a landmass varying from sandy beaches and
tropical jungles, to plains, mountains, and desert. This important West
African nation is made up of 250 culturally distinct ethno-linguistic
groups. The largest communities are the Hausa in the north, rooted in
the Islamic city-states of the famed trans-Saharan trade routes; the
Yoruba of the southwest, where ancient kingdoms nurtured some of Africa
s best-known art forms; and the Igbo of the southeast, where
decentralized, egalitarian communities have produced many of the country
s most successful traders and businessmen. Nigeria has had a bad press:
international reports of violence, corruption, and natural disasters
completely overlook the vibrancy and artistic sophistication of its
diverse cultural groups, most of whom live peacefully in mixed
communities. Although Nigeria is the world s fifth-largest producer of
oil, there is a huge disparity in income. The competition for scarce
resources and the country s dense diversity have fostered ingenuity and
perseverance on the part of its ambitious citizens. They are natural
entrepreneurs, and intelligent and shrewd negotiators. They are also
proud, and sensitive to criticism. Most are devout, gregarious, and
hospitable, and disgusted by corruption. Now, in the twelfth consecutive
year of democracy after years of military rule, major political and
economic reforms are under way. Culture Smart! Nigeria is a unique
introduction to life there today. Most of what is written about the
country comes from the perspective of one or other tribe. There is
nothing quite like this concise description of its major cultural
traditions. The people most visitors will meet are well-educated,
sophisticated, and well-versed in Western ways. Nonetheless, foreign
businesspeople cannot hope to be successful without understanding the
ancient and complex systems of behavior, values, and attitudes that
underlie the country s vibrant social and business life."
