A young South African woman recently took to TikTok to share her experience visiting Nigeria for the first time.
In a video that has gained significant attention, she highlighted several cultural differences she encountered in the West African nation.
Among the cultural shocks she mentioned were:
- Minimal makeup culture: She observed that Nigerian women generally wear less makeup compared to South African women, where it’s common for most women to step out fully made up.
- Luxury brand presence: Staying in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city, she noted the absence of major international brands like Zara and Louis Vuitton, which are commonly found in other countries. However, she praised Nigerians for supporting local brands instead.
- Efficient banking system: The TikToker was impressed by Nigeria’s versatile payment options, stating that businesses widely accept cash, cards, and bank transfers—something not as common in South Africa.
- Culture of respect: She found the culture of respect in Nigeria striking, as people greet with formal salutations like “Good morning, ma’am” instead of casual greetings such as “Hi” or “Hello.”
The comment section of her video was filled with positive reactions from Nigerians, who appreciated her for recognizing and celebrating the country’s unique cultural aspects.
“The girls here are not big on makeup…”
South African lists the culture shocks she is experiencing on her first-ever visit to Nigeria. pic.twitter.com/d4v868Hizv
— @𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗷𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗯𝗼𝘆 (@OneJoblessBoy) January 22, 2025