What to do in Nigeria: There’s a Wedding Every Weekend.

It’s the weekend! If you are ever wondering what to do in Nigeria, just know there is a wedding happening somewhere and you just might be invited! We already know that weddings are a big deal. But weddings in Nigeria are the BIGGEST! There is a special term used by those from the Yuroba tribe, “owambe” which means, the presence of a celebration. So if you want to ask what to do this weekend, you could also ask,”Any owambe happening this weekend?” Or better yet… “Owambe dey this weekend?” (Is that right? I don’t know…lol)

On top of that, add that several cultures within Nigeria have their own style and traditions. These ceremonies could either be big or small depending on the individuals involved. You see the weddings in this Nigeria – they are some times a hulabaloo of pomp and pageantry. Whether big or small, Nigerian weddings are a big flex and the individual parties never fail to show it.

This weekend alone, class of 25 stunned the internet with sights and sounds from the wedding of JumaJux, a Tanzanian musician and Priscilla Ojo, daughter of on screen goddess, Iyabo Ojo. This wedding has been on the lips of everyone both in Nigeria and abroad with star studded appearances ranging from actors, social media influencers and high standing men and women in the society. This wedding is a testament to the pomp and pageantry that a Nigerian wedding can offer.

Igbo weddings are the ones where the who’s who in society come to show their financial prowess. You will just see mint notes flying left, right and center without too much noise being made. I once came across a post on Instagram where people were given household items at a wedding as souvenirs. These items included gas cylinders, bags of rice, groundnut oil, cartons of noodles, spaghetti, you name it. Items enough for an individual to start adult life in a 1 bedroom apartment.

Can we talk about weddings where people were given iPads and iPhones as souvenirs. This was how the Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s daughter was gifting her wedding guests. Omo! Most people don’t joke about their souvenirs. I remember at my wedding we gave out notebooks and umbrellas. I found out later that my sister-in-law had to hide two for Obi and I because people rushed them. I shock oo!

There have even been debates on how much money is enough to do a wedding. People roll out budgets in the millions of naira or even dollars. An example is the wedding of the son of oil magnate Mrs. Folorunso Alakija. They rented out the biggest hall in London for their wedding reception and it was filled to capacity.

Attending a Nigerian wedding can have you in awe. And if you are a non-Nigerian and new to all this like me, then let me tell you – You are in for the time of your life. Are you a non-Nigerian and you’ve been invited to a Nigerian Wedding, take a look at my guest style guide. It has everything you need to know about being the perfect guest.

For my naija babes, what’s your go-to wedding guest look? Drop your tips and outfit inspo in the comments—I’d love to hear from you!