Local Etiquette and Traditions: How Not to Offend People in Akure

a white building with columns on the front of it

boy in red and white crew neck t-shirt standing on blue plastic bucket

okay, so here's the thing about Akure: it's not your average city. it's got this raw, unfiltered energy that either pulls you in or makes you wanna run. i landed here thinking i'd just breeze through, but nah, this place has layers. like, onion levels of complexity. and if you're not careful, you'll step on toes faster than you can say "good morning."

first off, greetings are everything. you can't just walk up to someone and start talking business. nah, you gotta do the whole "eku ise" (well done) or "eku ile" (well done at home) thing. it's like a verbal handshake. skip it, and you're basically telling them their time ain't worth yours. and trust me, that's a vibe you don't wanna give off here.

now, let's talk about food. akure folks take their meals seriously. like, borderline religious. if you're invited to someone's house, you better show up hungry. turning down food is like turning down their love. and if you're a vegetarian or vegan, good luck explaining that without getting side-eye. just eat the damn stew and smile.

speaking of food, let's get into the cost of living because, honestly, this is where things get interesting. rent for a decent one-bedroom apartment? about 150,000 to 250,000 naira a month. that's like, what, $300-$500? not bad, right? but here's the kicker: groceries can eat into your budget faster than you think. a kilo of rice? 1,200 naira. a liter of fuel? 600 naira. so yeah, it's not as cheap as it looks.

and then there's the weather. oh boy, the weather. it's hot. like, "why did i wear jeans" hot. but here's the thing: people here don't complain about it. they just... deal. so if you're gonna survive, you gotta do the same. carry an umbrella, wear breathable fabrics, and for the love of god, stay hydrated.

now, let's talk about the people. akure folks are proud. like, really proud. they love their city, their culture, and their traditions. and they'll tell you all about it if you give them half a chance. but here's the catch: they don't take kindly to outsiders who act like they know better. so if you're gonna critique anything, make sure you've got your facts straight and your tone respectful.

i remember this one time i was at a local market, trying to haggle over the price of plantains. i thought i was being clever, but the vendor just looked at me like i'd insulted his ancestors. lesson learned: haggling here is an art, not a science. and if you're gonna do it, do it with a smile and a bit of small talk. otherwise, you're just being rude.

and then there's the whole elder respect thing. in akure, age is everything. you don't interrupt an elder, you don't argue with them, and you definitely don't call them by their first name unless they tell you to. it's a sign of respect, and trust me, you wanna be on the right side of that.

so, what's the takeaway here? akure is a city that rewards patience, respect, and a willingness to learn. it's not always easy, and it's definitely not always comfortable, but it's real. and if you can navigate its quirks, you'll find a place that's rich in culture, warmth, and unexpected beauty.

just don't forget to say "eku ise" when you meet someone. seriously, it goes a long way.

[overheard gossip from a local: "that new guy at the market? he tried to haggle without even saying hello. we all just stared at him until he left."]

[drunk advice from a bar: "if you wanna fit in, just smile and nod. and eat the damn food."]

for more on akure's culture, check out TripAdvisor or Yelp. and if you're feeling adventurous, hit up the local subreddit for some real talk.

Local Etiquette and Traditions: How Not to Offend People in Akure

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About the author: Emma Hayes

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