Northern Nigeria has had to grapple with some appalling news report over the years. The region is not aided by the Boko haram insurgency. Consequently, many Nigerians especially in the South, have demonized the region that anyone who wants to travel there will be discouraged.

Although some of these widespread reports are blatant ‘lies’, we recognize the beauty, hospitality, and congeniality of Northerners. Thus, we identify some of these lies or perceptions so as to dispel them. Perhaps, this will reassure or embolden visitors to explore places like Sokoto, Kano, Kaduna and other Northern cities.

They are religious fanatics

Islam is the dominant religion in the North. Hence, their values and beliefs are greatly influenced by the religion. There are many dos and don'ts that are normally overlooked in the south. Some Nigerians see this as fanaticism which is not the case. But, if you can adhere to and respect these cultural and religious beliefs, you will live peacefully among them.

They are deprived

The influx of underprivileged Northerners into Lagos, the heartbeat of Nigeria have resulted in the generalization that any individual who hails from the region is deprived. No. There are many of them who are very comfortable and wealthy and have never been to Lagos or Abuja. In fact, the richest man in Nigeria and Africa, Aliko Dangote is from the region!

They hate education

Boko Haram means western education or non-Islamic education is a sin. This is what Boko Haram is propagating. However, beyond Boko Haram, Northerners are now embracing education. Not only the education of the male child but also the female child. Even though there should be more enlightenment, parents are sending their wards to school.



They are impeding Nigeria’s development

A number of political commentators have suggested that the north is preventing Nigeria from reaching its potentials. This is actually wrong. In almost every Nigerian region, there are challenges. The government is doing its best to tackle some of these difficulties. It is very unfair to isolate a region and say it is impeding Nigeria’s development.

They are hostile

Northerners are arguably the most hospitable in Nigeria. They will offer you shelter and food as well as treat you like one of their own. But what they only want from you is not to desecrate their religion and culture.

The North is none of the above. The North learns and is adaptable. The North is disciplined, patient and focused.

Nice post which has been sarcastically well prepared.

Revolva:


Northern Nigeria has had to grapple with some appalling news report over the years. The region is not aided by the Boko haram insurgency. Consequently, many Nigerians especially in the South, have demonized the region that anyone who wants to travel there will be discouraged.

Although some of these widespread reports are blatant ‘lies’, we recognize the beauty, hospitality, and congeniality of Northerners. Thus, we identify some of these lies or perceptions so as to dispel them. Perhaps, this will reassure or embolden visitors to explore places like Sokoto, Kano, Kaduna and other Northern cities.

They are religious fanatics

Islam is the dominant religion in the North. Hence, their values and beliefs are greatly influenced by the religion. There are many dos and don'ts that are normally overlooked in the south. Some Nigerians see this as fanaticism which is not the case. But, if you can adhere to and respect these cultural and religious beliefs, you will live peacefully among them.

Undeniably true. Reported incidence of killing people who knowingly or unknowingly "abuse" the Koran or Prophet. The partial recognition of Yoruba Muslims, the open, ignorant jubilation of 9/11, etc

Revolva:


They are deprived

The influx of underprivileged Northerners into Lagos, the heartbeat of Nigeria have resulted in the generalization that any individual who hails from the region is deprived. No. There are many of them who are very comfortable and wealthy and have never been to Lagos or Abuja. In fact, the richest man in Nigeria and Africa, Aliko Dangote is from the region!

The Northern region is still behind all regions in Nigeria in virtually all human developmental indexes, from GDP, education, health, exposure, standard of living, equal opportunity for the sexes, etc.

Revolva:



They hate education

Boko Haram means western education or non-Islamic education is a sin. This is what Boko Haram is propagating. However, beyond Boko Haram, Northerners are now embracing education. Not only the education of the male child but also the female child. Even though there should be more enlightenment, parents are sending their wards to school.

Boko haram, which roughly translates into western education is bad, was coined by the group in its early days to whip up sentiment of the average northerner who has an unwelcoming view about the West in a frenzied madness.

Revolva:


They are impeding Nigeria’s development

A number of political commentators have suggested that the north is preventing Nigeria from reaching its potentials. This is actually wrong. In almost every Nigerian region, there are challenges. The government is doing its best to tackle some of these difficulties. It is very unfair to isolate a region and say it is impeding Nigeria’s development.

For years Nigeria was the only country in the globe with polio occurrence because some ignorant northerners rejected polio vaccines and killed health workers and donors who went about giving infants these vaccines. Nigeria has one of the highest illiteracy rate in the world because majority of northers won't send their female children to school. Fiscal federalism is still being objected by northern Senators and their colleague in the lower house. The figures of children out of school from the north is alarmingly high and the federal character principle which encourages equal representation by every region in the country means Nigeria will have to make do with mediocrity when certain positions in the civil service and ministries have to be filled up.

Revolva:


They are hostile

Northerners are arguably the most hospitable in Nigeria. They will offer you shelter and food as well as treat you like one of their own. But what they only want from you is not to desecrate their religion and culture.

There's no other region in Nigeria where the number of tribal bloodbath and religion killings have occurred near as that of the north. From the Southern delegation in 1953 who went to convince the north for independence, they were met with violence and death. The killings still go unabated till this day.

What you lack in knowledge, you more than made up for in self-deception

Revolva:


They are religious fanatics

Islam is the dominant religion in the North. Hence, their values and beliefs are greatly influenced by the religion. There are many dos and don'ts that are normally overlooked in the south. Some Nigerians see this as fanaticism which is not the case. But, if you can adhere to and respect these cultural and religious beliefs, you will live peacefully among them.

For someone like me who have lived in the north, even did my NYSC there, I'd say this position is 70% true.

The average northern muslim is intolerant to anything that is not Islam. You don't expect one to adhere to something that he or she doesn't profess to.

They are deprived

The influx of underprivileged Northerners into Lagos, the heartbeat of Nigeria have resulted in the generalization that any individual who hails from the region is deprived. No. There are many of them who are very comfortable and wealthy and have never been to Lagos or Abuja. In fact, the richest man in Nigeria and Africa, Aliko Dangote is from the region!

Indeed they are deprived. Many of them see their abysmal poverty state of mind and condition as the will of Allah. Given that there are some wealthy one among them, the poor ones make the majority of the population.

Poverty and deprivation is synonymous to the north.

They hate education

Boko Haram means western education or non-Islamic education is a sin. This is what Boko Haram is propagating. However, beyond Boko Haram, Northerners are now embracing education. Not only the education of the male child but also the female child. Even though there should be more enlightenment, parents are sending their wards to school.

Of course this is true. The average northerner see education as the weapon of the West which is of course evil. That's why they pay their indigenes to go to school.

Many of the joke with their education but they never joke with their Islamic school. These people can skip school and not blink an eye lid for months but If they dare skip their Islamic school, all Hell will break loose.

Talk about misplaced priorities. This is among the reason why the lack teachers in their school and even employ substandard teachers to teach in schools. It's among the reason the north depend on the influx of Corp members to help teach in their schools.

They are impeding Nigeria’s development

A number of political commentators have suggested that the north is preventing Nigeria from reaching its potentials. This is actually wrong. In almost every Nigerian region, there are challenges. The government is doing its best to tackle some of these difficulties. It is very unfair to isolate a region and say it is impeding Nigeria’s development.

The north lack in mental power and concrete reasoning. How can a people who see Islam as everything contribute anything meaningful to a country. The north, with their regressive and conservative state of mind and thinking (which is usually backward) celebrate backwardness as they it as the will of Allah.

I once heard a man in the north boast openly that he has 3 wives and 15 children, and this man earn 7 thousand naira monthly. Now why won't one with this regressive mentality not impede the progress of a country.

They are hostile

Northerners are arguably the most hospitable in Nigeria. They will offer you shelter and food as well as treat you like one of their own. But what they only want from you is not to desecrate their religion and culture.

Not always true. Northerners are hostile to christians. Don't get me wrong, the north was and may be still is the safest place to live.