There’s a sound you can hear from anywhere in Nigeria—a distant “HELLO?!” so loud it feels like it’s meant for the entire continent. Whether you’re in a serene church service, a noisy market, or even in your own house, someone is out there delivering an Oscar-worthy performance on the phone.

And let’s be honest—we’ve all been that person at some point. But why do Nigerians shout on phone calls like they’re communicating with ancestors or arguing with a network provider in the sky?

Buckle up for a journey into this hilariously loud, uniquely Nigerian mystery.

Jimmy Fallon Let's go meme

Act I: The Stage Is Set (Everywhere)

Imagine this: You’re sitting in a quiet office, headphones on, trying to focus. Then, out of nowhere, your colleague picks up a call and suddenly turns the place into a Nollywood audition.

  • “AH-AH! YOU SAY WETIN?! NO, TALK AGAIN, I NO HEAR!”

The louder the voice, the bigger the audience they seem to expect. It’s like the walls, furniture, and even the poor gecko on the ceiling need to hear the gist. In Nigeria, privacy isn’t just overrated—it’s outright ignored.

Act II: The Great Network Wars

Here’s the thing: Nigerian networks are like Nigerian politicians—full of promises but consistently letting you down.

  • MTN: “Everywhere you go (except where you are).”
  • Airtel: “The smartphone network (not-so-smart at connection).”
  • Glo: “Grandmasters of data (and ghost signals).”

When the network is playing hide-and-seek, shouting becomes our default reaction. We yell, hoping to scare the signal into appearing. It’s a classic case of “if I can’t hear you, maybe you can hear me better.”

Act III: Loud = Authority

In Nigeria, volume equals power. The louder you are, the more people take you seriously. This is why market women don’t just negotiate—they out-shout competitors. It’s why bus conductors yell, “Oshodi! Enter with your change o!” loud enough to wake the dead.

On the phone, it’s no different. When you’re shouting, it’s not just about being heard—it’s about being respected. A conversation about rice suddenly feels like a political debate when someone says:

  • “YOU TELL ME SAY YOU BUY IT FOR 6K LAST WEEK! NA LIE!”

The louder, the better.

Act IV: Public Transport Olympics

No setting is more iconic for loud Nigerian phone calls than public transport. In a packed danfo bus, everyone becomes an unwilling member of a live podcast:

  • Auntie in the back seat: “ADE, I TOLD YOU NOT TO EAT THAT THING!”
  • Uncle in the front row: “I DEY COME, I GO REACH SOON. NO, YOU NO GO DIE!”
  • The bus conductor chiming in with “Abeg, who get N100 change?”

By the time you alight, you’ve memorized more details about strangers’ lives than you ever asked for.

Act V: Is It Drama or Therapy?

For Nigerians, shouting on the phone isn’t just a habit—it’s therapy. Life in Nigeria is loud, chaotic, and stressful, so maybe we’re just letting it all out.

  • The man yelling at his wife over jollof rice quantities isn’t just mad about rice; he’s mad about fuel scarcity and unpaid bills.
  • The woman scolding her son over the phone isn’t just angry about bad grades; she’s venting about the Neps taking light again.

It’s not just a call—it’s catharsis.

Act VI: Global Appeal, Nigerian Twist

Other cultures have loud phone talkers too, but Nigerians elevate it into performance art. Italians use hand gestures while shouting; Nigerians add pacing, dramatic pauses, and the occasional “Hello?!” that sounds like a battle cry.

It’s why we can be in a crowd and instantly spot the Nigerian shouting at the airport:

  • “AH-AH, MUSA, WHERE YOU KEEP THE BOX?!”

We’re not just talking; we’re announcing.

Act VII: What Can Be Done? (Or Should It Be?)

Here’s the thing: Nigerians shouting on the phone is annoying, hilarious, and deeply endearing all at once. If we stop shouting, will we even still be Nigerian? Maybe the key isn’t to fix it—it’s to embrace it. After all, it’s our unique way of staying connected in a world that often feels too disconnected.

The Final Act

So, the next time someone starts shouting into their phone near you, don’t roll your eyes. Instead, smile and think, “Na my people.” Because in a world full of noise, Nigerians are simply making sure their voices are heard—even if it’s at the top of their lungs.

For more fun and curious insights into everyday life, visit Life’s Little Mysteries.

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