Who are the people in your neighbourhood? If you live in Nigeria, you probably run into all sorts of characters on a daily basis. Of course, where you live and what your social status is influence the type of crowd you run with, but regardless of where you've been and who you are, if you live or are in Nigeria, sooner or later, you will run into all of the following people.

The Igbo Trader (cashifera economica)

General Characteristics:

Check your bank balance. Now check it again. The Igbo Trader doesn’t play with money. There’s too much riding on that last five kobo to just walk away.

No matter what you’ve bought, he probably imported it. And if you need another one, come find him in the electronics shop he set up with his son Chinedu.

In spite of actually being quite wealthy, Igbo Traders are loathe to let go of any money they don’t absolutely have to, and eschew the usual trappings of wealthy Nigerians for ill-fitting native coats and other attire that often has them mistaken for drivers and menial labourers.

Don’t be fooled by appearance though, in a country that is almost totally dependent on imported goods, The Igbo Trader practically runs the joint. He sells all things sellable and then some. Demand is high and he’ll never be in short supply thanks to his ever expanding network of containers on the high seas.

Natural Habitat: Plazas, Markets, Shipping and Docking Wharfs, and Electronics stores around the country.

Notable Habits: Going into business with their sons, real or borrowed.

Natural Enemies: The Aboki.

Related To: The Cash Madam