What Does It Mean To Be Nigerian?

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels

By Ruth Ajawu

My parents in their benevolence kept me in a bubble: a bubble of perpetual provision and financial security. I had zero worries and big dreams. There was this picture in mind of what my life would look like: graduate from the university by 19, get a well-paying job that would cater to my expensive tastes immediately after, and make a meaningful impact in my community by funding sustainability projects. 

Increasing Number of Agberos in Our Communities

Image: Musings

‘Nyanya here! Nyanya one person!’

‘Ikeja along, Mangoro, Iyana Ipaja, Igando! Ikeja along, Mangoro, Iyana Ipaja, Igando wole wole!’

‘Yola, Yola, Yola! Shiga da changey! Yola, Yola, Yola!’

‘Sabo! Sabo! Sister, come enter this bus. E done full!’

‘One chance to Enugu! Come enter direct moto go Enugu!’

These are some of the calls you hear when you are at motor parks in many cities in Nigeria. For the most part, these calls are not made by bus conductors as they are popularly referred to. They are made by young men – agberos if you may – hanging around such parks.

So…here is the scenario.