Nigerians employ a wide array of greetings shaped by over 520 indigenous languages, including those from the major ethnic groups Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo, as well as widespread pidgin expressions.
Nigerians do not have a single way to say hello; instead, they use hundreds of variations influenced by region, time of day, activity, and social relationships. Among Hausa speakers in the north, 'Sannu' serves as the basic greeting, but it adapts to 'Sannu da aiki' for someone working or 'Sannu da abinci' for eating. In the southwest, Yoruba greetings include 'E ka aro' for good morning, 'E ka san' for good afternoon, and 'E ku irole' for good evening, with the respectful 'E' prefix for elders or superiors. Igbo greetings from the southeast feature 'Kedu?' as a general 'how are you?' and 'Ndewo' as hello. Nigerian Pidgin, spoken by over 60 million as a lingua franca, offers universal options like 'How far?' meaning 'how are you?' and 'Wetin dey?' for 'what's up?'. These greetings often involve physical gestures, such as Yoruba men prostrating or women kneeling before elders, and handshakes using both hands to show respect. The Yoruba phrase 'Oya na', originally meaning 'hurry up', has evolved into a versatile expression used nationwide for encouragement, agreement, or transition in conversations. Government bodies like the Federal Ministry of Information and the National Council for Arts and Culture promote these practices as symbols of unity in diversity. In urban areas, younger people favor quick pidgin or English greetings, while traditional extended inquiries about family and health persist with elders, reinforcing community bonds.
