Decoded Africa

😅 Why Nigerians Love Saying “Ehen” — Even When It Means Everything and Nothing You’ve heard it. You’ve said it. But what does it really mean? Welcome to the wild, expressive world of “Ehen.” 🧠 What is “Ehen” Anyway? Ask 10 Nigerians what “ehen” means, and you’ll get 10 different answers. It’s a chameleon phrase — used to agree, question, confirm, doubt, sass, or even warn. It’s not just a word. It’s context, tone, body language . A full sentence compressed into two syllables. 😂 1. "Ehen?" as in "And So?" Someone is gossiping or trying to shock you, and you say: “Ehen?” with a blank face. Translation? “So what?” “What’s your point?” 👍 2. "Ehen!" as Confirmation You finally remember what someone’s been trying to remind you. “Ehen! That’s the guy I was talking about!” It’s the Nigerian way of yelling “Exactly!” or “That’s it!” 😏 3. "Ehen?" as Subtle Shade When your mom sees you sneaking in late at night and calmly say...

🗣️ Why Nigerians Add ‘Sha’, ‘Na’, and ‘Abi’ to Every Sentence (Even in English!) They’re short, simple words — but they pack attitude, humor, and unmistakable Nigerian energy. 🇳🇬 It’s Not Just What We Say — It’s How We Say It Nigerian conversations are musical. We don’t just talk — we perform. And these three iconic fillers — Sha , Na , and Abi — are like punctuation marks that turn plain English into pure vibes. 📍1. "Sha" — The Master of Ambiguity Example: "That boy no try sha." Meaning: It softens a criticism or adds a passive-aggressive twist. Sometimes it just adds flavor with no real meaning. Nigerians know how to drop a "sha" and leave you wondering. 📍2. "Na" — The Emphasis Queen Example: "Na you sabi." Meaning: Used for emphasis. Think of it as the Nigerian version of hitting CAPS LOCK on one word. It's spicy, direct, and sometimes hilarious. 📍3. "Abi" — The Insecurity Detect...

🛋️ Things Nigerians Always Do at Airports (That Baffle Everyone Else) We’re not just passengers — we’re a whole experience. If you’ve ever traveled with Nigerians, you know the airport is a stage and we are the main event. From greetings to gate antics, here’s everything that makes our airport vibe unforgettable. 🤝 1. Turning the Airport into a Family Reunion You’re not just traveling. You’re escorting your cousin, your mum, three aunties, and that one uncle who doesn’t carry luggage but offers advice. Our goodbyes are emotional documentaries. Complete with hugging, crying, prayers, and phone calls to confirm the plane took off “safely.” 🚔 2. Carrying Food Like We’re Relocating Forever Yam. Ogbono. Dried fish. Groundnut. Meat pie in nylon. Even moi moi in Tupperware. Don’t judge. We’re not leaving culture behind. TSA might be confused, but we’re just hungry patriots. ✉️ 3. Asking for “Window Seat Near Aisle” We’ll confidently ask the airline staff for things that...

🤖 How AI Silently Runs Your Life in Africa — From Waking Up to Sleeping Without You Noticing You think AI is just for Silicon Valley? Think again. Whether you're in Lagos, Nairobi, Accra, or Johannesburg — artificial intelligence is already shaping your daily routine. Quietly. Efficiently. Invisibly. And in more ways than you ever imagined. ⏰ 1. Your Alarm Clock Is Smarter Than You Think That "gentle" alarm you use? It's not just a sound. It's a pattern-tracking, mood-matching AI that analyzes your movement at night to wake you at the right time. If you’re using a fitness band or smart app like Sleep Cycle — you're being monitored (in a good way). Even cheaper smartphones today in Africa come with built-in AI features that optimize charging habits and alarm settings. Your morning routine is AI-optimized without you realizing it. 📰 2. The News You See Is Filtered By Algorithms You scroll Twitter (X), Pulse NG, or Nairaland and suddenly see stories...

😂 Top 9 Times Nigerians Overreacted (and It Was Absolutely Hilarious) Nigerians don’t just react. We OVERreact — with drama, flair, and full-body energy. Whether it’s excitement, anger, or suspicion, we go big or go home! And honestly? We wouldn’t have it any other way. Here are 9 classic moments when we went full Nollywood — and yes, they still make us laugh out loud. 1. When NEPA Brings Light We scream, we run outside, we dance. Nobody celebrates electricity like Nigerians. You’d think we won the lottery! 2. When a Baby Sneezes “JESUS!” “Blood of God!” “My friend, take that child to the hospital now!” One sneeze = national emergency. 🤦🏾‍♀ 3. Hearing a Noise at Night Is it the wind? A goat? A demon from the village? We don’t wait to find out. We just start praying or running (or both). 4. When Someone Says “I Dreamt About You” Brace yourself. That conversation is about to become a spiritual warfare strategy session. 5. Watching Nollywood “Don't go inside! Ca...

"Nigerian Mom Reactions to Airports, Seatbelts & Duty-Free Shops" Ever traveled with a Nigerian mom? You haven’t truly flown until you’ve heard her shout “JESUS!” at takeoff, ask why snacks are expensive, or bless the plane out loud. It’s not just a journey — it’s cinema. 🎬 ✈️ 1. The Airport Is a Cultural Reset The moment your mom walks into the airport, her village instincts clash with modern technology. Suddenly, every screen is suspicious. “So this one is to check heart abi? Is this X-ray for sin?” Her eyes scan everything — from self-check-in kiosks to escalators — like she’s in a sci-fi movie. 😂 🧳 2. Duty-Free Shops Confuse Her Spiritually She enters the perfume section, picks up one bottle, checks the price… “₦145,000 for perfume? Is it to wake the dead?” Then she whispers to you: “Let’s pass quickly before the spirits of overspending catch us.” ⛓️ 3. Seatbelts? A Spiritual Weapon Once she finds her seat, it’s prayer time: “Lord, let no weapon ...

First Time Flying as a Nigerian? Here's What No One Told You (But You’ll Never Forget) Your passport's ready, your boarding pass is printed... but your heart? It's doing backflips. First time flying as a Nigerian? Welcome to an unforgettable ride. 🇳🇬 ✈️ 1. The Airport Feels Like an International Conference One foot inside and you're hit with the hum of announcements, travelers wheeling suitcases, and the sharp scent of duty-free perfume. People rushing, some smiling, others stressed. It’s intimidating at first — but soon you realize: half the people here are just like you , first-timers pretending to be pros. The energy is surreal. 🎒 2. Overpacking Is a Rite of Passage You packed one hand luggage... and your mum packed seven others. Don’t argue. Just know at some point, you’ll repack at the check-in desk like it’s a pop-up market. From yam to egusi to chin-chin — even stew in takeaway bowls. Our luggage isn’t just clothes, it’s culture. 🧾 ...