First of all, both of my parents are originally from the western part of Nigeria. My dad hails from Sagamu in Ogun State, while my mum is from Ikorodu in Lagos State. So, it’s safe to say I’m fully Yoruba by blood. But beyond just where I’m from, I’ve also spent most of my life surrounded by the Yoruba culture—I grew up in Sagamu and lived there for about 19 years.
Now, Sagamu isn’t one of those flashy, fancy towns. Where I stayed could easily be referred to as “the trenches,” but honestly, it shaped a lot of who I am today. One thing that stood out while growing up and that was the strong presence of our language. Almost everyone speaks Yoruba—young, old, male, female, and even people from other tribes. In fact, the Igbo people living in our area had to pick up the language too because it’s so commonly spoken. Whether you like it or not, if you live in Sagamu, you’ll find yourself speaking Yoruba at some point.
I really love and appreciate my culture. One of the things I admire most about it is how much emphasis we place on respect. It’s something that’s just deeply ingrained in us. A good example of this happened today. I went out with my mum, and as we were about to hop on a bike, someone nearby told the aboki bike man to drive slowly because an elderly woman was on the bike. That moment really touched me. It reminded me of how much respect elders get in our culture—without anyone needing to be told twice. That kind of gesture is very common, and it’s something I’m genuinely proud of.
Honestly, i enjoy going out with my mum, not just because she’s my mum, but because her presence often opens doors and makes things easier. People just naturally treat her with a certain level of respect, and by extension, they extend that to me, too. It’s actually a beautiful part of Yoruba culture that I never take for granted.
Another aspect I love is our traditional attire. I’m a big fan of wearing Yoruba outfits, especially when I’m going to church or attending events. To me, they’re not just clothes—but a bold representation of who I am and where I come from. I don’t even need to introduce myself; my outfit already tells you I’m Yoruba, and proudly so.
And let’s not forget the food. Ah, the food! My absolute favourite traditional meal is fufu and efo riro. I could eat that every day and not get tired. There’s just something about the rich taste and texture that makes it unforgettable. I strongly believe that once you have tasted good Yoruba food, it’s hard not to fall in love with the culture behind it.
That said, I’ve always lived and visited the western part of Nigeria. I’ve never been to any other region, and I really hope to change that soon. I’ve had quite a number of Igbo friends, and from what I’ve seen, their culture is equally rich and fascinating. Igbo people are generally fun to be around, very energetic, and deeply business-minded. They’re always thinking of new ways to hustle and make money, which is something I truly admire.
I also enjoy their meals, especially akpu and ogbono soup. I enjoyed the first time i tasted it, and that combo hits every time for me. It’s one of the reasons I’d love to explore the Igbo culture more closely. I would love to fully immerse myself into their culture, try more of their food, learn their language, and just experience life from their cultural perspective.
Thanks for reading.