The Nigerian Reality: Life is a Chess Game
In Nigeria, survival is not just about working hard, it’s about reading people.
- The boss who promises promotion but never delivers.
- The partner who says “no wahala” but has already checked out.
- The friend who always calls you only when they need money.
If you can’t predict someone’s next move, you’ll always be the one left shocked, broke, or heartbroken.
Here’s the truth: Nigerians who succeed aren’t always the smartest. They’re the best at reading patterns.
The Businessman Who Saw It Coming
Chuka owned a small electronics shop in Alaba market. Every time one particular supplier delayed delivery, Chuka noticed the man avoided eye contact, kept scratching his chin, and laughed awkwardly.
The pattern?
- Delay → nervous laugh → excuses.
Chuka realized the supplier was using his money to flip side deals. Instead of losing out, he switched suppliers quietly before the man defaulted. His neighbors in the market called it “luck.” But it wasn’t luck, it was pattern recognition.
That’s how you survive in Lagos: you see the move before it’s made.
Why Nigerians Need This Skill More Than Anyone
- Politics is pattern. Watch campaign promises, body language, who they sit with. The truth is hidden in repetition, not speeches.
- Workplace is pattern. That manager who praises you today but skips your name in meetings? They’re grooming their favorite. Spot it early.
- Relationships are pattern. The person who stops texting good morning, delays callbacks, or always says “I’m busy”, that’s not coincidence. That’s a sign.
In Nigeria, if you don’t read patterns, you’ll believe vibes. And vibes don’t pay bills.
The Psychology of Predicting People
Science backs what Nigerians already know on the streets:
- Micro-expressions: That split-second look of contempt before someone fakes a smile. Catch it, and you know their real feelings.
- Behavioral clusters: One action means little, but when it repeats, it’s a roadmap.
- Mismatch cues: When words say one thing, but tone or body says another, trust the body.
This is why elders say: “If a man dey scratch head every time him wan lie, watch am well.”
How to Build Your Naija Pattern Radar
- Observe in silence. Lagos teaches you this fast: in traffic, in queues, in politics. Those who talk too much miss the cues.
- Note repetitions. Did your colleague “forget” to copy you in an email twice? That’s not mistake, that’s a strategy.
- Test small. Make a little prediction and check if it happens. Build accuracy like muscle.
- Check your bias. Don’t see what you want to see. Lagos is full of illusions.
- Protect yourself. When you know someone’s move, prepare your defense before they strike.
What Happens If You Don’t Master This?
- You’ll lend money to someone who never planned to return it.
- You’ll stay in a relationship that’s already ended in their heart.
- You’ll keep waiting for a “promotion” that was never coming.
- You’ll vote for promises that were never meant for you.
In Nigeria, ignorance of patterns is expensive.
Your Silent Advantage
Imagine walking into a room and already knowing who is jealous, who is lying, who is loyal, and who is playing you.
That’s not juju. That’s psychology. That’s pattern recognition. And it’s your silent advantage in a country where everybody is playing chess with your life.
Naija is a country where sharpness is survival. If you learn to recognize patterns, you won’t just survive, you’ll thrive.
👉 Start this week: Watch one person closely, note their patterns, and test a prediction.
Then come back and tell me what you found.
For more powerful life strategies that will sharpen your mind and hustle, visit: EuniceIrewole.com/blog.
