I Am More Than My Tribe: A student’s perspective on Nigeria’s ethnic stereotypes – Asma’u Oladayo

By solacebase.com On Apr 19, 2025

Tribe, student, perspective, Nigeria, ethnic stereotypes, Asma’u Oladayo — Asma’u Oladayo

By Asma’u Oladayo

Nigeria is often praised for its rich cultural diversity. With over 250 ethnic groups, a multitude of languages, and distinct traditions, the country is a melting pot of identities. However, beneath this beauty lies a troubling reality: cultural stereotypes continue to shape how Nigerians see one another, often creating invisible lines of division in social, academic, and professional spaces.

Growing up in Nigeria, I was no stranger to casual ethnic banter. But it wasn’t until I got to Bayero University, Kano (BUK) that I began to truly reflect on how deeply ingrained these stereotypes are—and how they affect our daily interactions.

As a 300-level student of Information and Media Studies, I have had countless opportunities to work in group settings and interact with people from diverse backgrounds. During one of these group assignments, a fellow student said jokingly, “Yoruba people like talking too much.” Even though it was meant to be humorous, it made me uncomfortable. I’m Yoruba, and in that moment, I felt reduced to a stereotype rather than seen as an individual.

Sometimes, when I speak Yoruba on the phone or converse with another Yoruba student, people around assume I’m gossiping or just making noise. These assumptions, though subtle, are harmful. They create an atmosphere where you constantly feel watched, judged, or misunderstood—not for your actions, but for your identity.

Stereotypes That Stick

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Cultural stereotypes in Nigeria are rarely isolated. From north to south, east to west, they follow a predictable pattern:

• Igbos are seen as overly obsessed with money,

• Hausas are often branded as uneducated or backwards,

• Yorubas are thought to be dramatic and obsessed with parties,

• Tivs, Igbiras, and many minority groups are frequently misrepresented or ignored altogether.

These labels are often passed off as jokes or harmless generalisations, but they run deeper than we acknowledge. They influence how people choose who to sit with in class, who to include in conversations, or even how lecturers and employers evaluate students and candidates.

Where Do These Ideas Come From?

Stereotypes are often learned early, through what we hear at home, in schools, religious gatherings, and in the media. Entertainment, especially Nigerian comedy and film, plays a huge role in reinforcing these biases. Many popular skits and movies rely on exaggerated portrayals of ethnic groups for laughs, creating a cycle of misrepresentation.

Politicians have also used stereotypes to divide and conquer, especially during election periods. They exploit these biases to sway public opinion and manipulate support, often at the expense of national unity.

The danger is that, over time, these stereotypes become normalised. We begin to see them as truths, not realising how they affect our ability to build relationships or form inclusive communities.

The Impact: More Than Just Words

While some may dismiss stereotypes as mere jokes, their effects are real. They lead to:

• Discrimination in schools and workplaces,

• Mistrust among different ethnic groups,

• Social exclusion in friendships and relationships,

• And in extreme cases, even violence during communal conflicts.

Young Nigerians are growing up in a world where their identity can be used against them before they even speak. This reality holds us back from achieving the unity and progress we often talk about as a nation.

What Can We Do?

Changing this narrative starts with awareness. We must first acknowledge that cultural stereotyping is not just a personal issue—it’s a national one. From there, we can begin to challenge the way we speak, the media we consume, and the jokes we share.

Universities like BUK should lead by example, creating platforms that encourage intercultural dialogue and understanding. Students must also take personal responsibility, choosing to engage people based on character rather than cultural background.

The media, too, must be more deliberate in how different groups are portrayed. Content creators should recognize the influence they wield and use it to promote empathy, not division.

Nigeria’s diversity is not a problem—it’s a strength. But to truly benefit from it, we must break free from the harmful stereotypes that blind us to each other’s humanity. I am not just a Yoruba girl. I am a student, a thinker, a friend, and a contributor to society.

And so is every Nigerian, beyond their ethnicity.

Oladayo is an intern at SolaceBase.