Current Time in Zaria
Nigerian culture regarding time
Nigerian culture regarding time
Flexible sense of time is common
Even if there is a scheduled start time in Nigeria, it is not uncommon for events to actually start more than 30 minutes late. People are relatively tolerant of time, and flexibility is common.
Events start "when preparations are complete"
For social events such as weddings and birthday parties, the time written on the invitation is only a guideline, and the actual start is often 1-2 hours later.
Public institutions and transportation times are also irregular
Public transportation such as buses and minibuses often do not operate on a fixed schedule, and are flexible in operation, such as departing when full.
Nigerian values regarding time
Connections with people are prioritized
Since "human relationships" and "dialogue" are more important than time, there is not much of a culture of blaming others for being late or having to wait. Harmony with people is valued.
Relaxed daily rhythm
In urban areas, people tend to be relatively strict about time, but in rural areas, they start their activities at sunrise and end their day at sunset, and they follow a rhythm that is in harmony with nature.
Emphasis on leisure over efficiency
Even if things don't go as planned, it is not considered a problem, and the underlying idea is that "it will work out somehow." Rather than strictly managing time, flexible responses are valued.
Things foreigners should know about time when traveling or relocating to Nigeria
You need to understand "African time"
In Nigeria, things often do not start on schedule, which can be stressful for foreigners who are used to being on time. It is important to have a tolerant attitude.
Punctuality is required in business situations
On the other hand, in business situations, being punctual is directly linked to trust, so there are an increasing number of situations where meetings are required to start on time, especially at foreign companies and in urban areas.
Traffic jams must be taken into consideration when moving
Traffic jams are serious in big cities such as Lagos, so it can be difficult to get around on time. You need to plan your travel schedule with ample space.
Interesting trivia about time in Nigeria
Weddings can start at 4pm even though they say it will be "2pm"
The start time written on Nigerian invitations is just a formality, and it is common for the actual start time to be much later due to "Nigerian time".
Many areas change their lifestyle with the sun setting
In rural areas in particular, there are areas where electricity is not sufficient, and people return home when the sun goes down and end their activities.
The sense of time is also reflected in language
In the local language, the expression "I'll be there right away" can actually take more than an hour, and there is a gap between the verbal expression and the actual behavior.