MONEY:
THE NIGERIAN RELATIONSHIP.
A comment Boris Johnson made in reference to a certain “Nigerian interest in money” has recently resurfaced.
Johnson drew a comparison between his generation of "Thatcherite yuppies" and the "avaricious" youth of the time. This very statement was written in his column as editor of The Spectator in 1999.
Again, this was in 1999.
To provide some context; Boris Johnson is racist.
A seasoned bigot, if you will (but we already knew that).
The resurfacing of this statement has incited a new uproar, rightly for its prejudicial intention, and from a native Nigerian's perspective, for the flippant nature with which it was stated - as if fact.
Is it fact?
People love money, Nigerians are not exempt.
Nigeria is known for a lot; culture, food, entertainment, internet scams (419), literature, corruption, wealth disparity, etc. All these things play a part in the topic of money.
The goal is to research the Nigerian relationship with money; from a tribal perspective, a focus on the individual (business or person) and a generational point of view. Where were we in the 50’s, 70’s, 80's, 90’s and so on.
What were our priorities then and now?
How is our money created, managed and distributed? And how do we feel about it all?
I propose a series (audio or visual) 'Money: The Nigerian Relationship'.
Photo by Oluwapelumi Adeyemi on Unsplash
Photo by Shutterbouy Photography on Unsplash
Progressing the idea:
- Spraying (money) culture, the prevalence in the Yoruba tribe.
- The Igbo tribe - the cliche of the entrepreneurial spirit - how the colonialist mentality played a part pre Biafra.
- Financial satisfaction - how it plays out for every class, if ever.
- Corruption - the snake embezzlement story.
- Yahoo Boys, internet scam culture.
- The Lagos hustle - it is said that one needs a high level of 'gra gra' (self will or constitution) to get by in this city.