Working with the Nigerians

I had my bubble bath experience of the Nigerian business culture with the Finnish embassy, but now I’m on the real thing.

What I like about working with Nigerians:

Every morning I’m greeted by all staff members. They might pop in my room and we migh chat a while. Or then they just shake hands with me. This might be normal for most of the world, but not for us Finns. In the Finnish company where I used to work people would often pass by without saying a word. Or maybe they mumbled something vaguely resembling huomenta, morning, before hurrying to the kitchen to refill the coffee mug. Here, even in the most terrifying social setting for the Finns, in an elevator, the complete strangers sharing the short ride together often say the good morning how are you fine litany to each other. And I’m actually quite starting to like it.

What I don’t like about working with Nigerians:

I ask A on Monday, if she knows about a particular report that was done last year. Yes, she replies, and promises to send it to me.
On Tuesday I remind her, please send the report, for I need it for this year’s report.
On Wednesday I casually refer to the report, and get yes yes I’m sending it right away.
On Thursday I ask B if he knows about the report. A should know about it, he replies, let me ask her.
On Friday B gets back to me: I think we didn’t do a report last year.
Whatever, doesn’t matter, I already finished the work I needed the report for, as the deadline was on Thursday…

Return to Finland re-booked for Thursday evening on 29th of July, arriving on Friday afternoon. Three work weeks to go in Nigeria!