Dating Nigerian-American girls in the United States - Romance

Nigerian-Americans to a very large extent, are Nigerians who were born and/or raised by Nigerian parents in the United States. Most of them were born to Nigerian immigrant families - many of whom migrated to Yankee during the ”visa lottery and green card regime”. Some prominent Nigerian American girls are Tomi Adeyemi, Chineye Ogwumike, Nneka Ogwumike, Arike Ogunbowale, Oyinye Iweala and many more. 

In the course of my experience studying and living in America, I’ve interacted with so many Nigerian-Americans and these are some of my observations. 

This thread is a response to previous threads on dating African Americans and immigrant Nigerian women(those who migrated to the US from Naija as adults - some in their late 20s and some in their early 30s, 40s etc) in the USA. This particular thread could help guide prospective Nigerian foreign students or immigrants in America - who hope to end up with one of their sisters or brothers that were born and raised in the diaspora. 

(1). Most of them(Nigerian-Americans) are more Nigerian than you think.

There is an erroneous belief among many Nigerians back home who feel once people leave Nigeria - they stop being a Nigerian. To be honest, I'm more Nigerian right now than I was while growing up in Naija. For many Nigerian-Americans, the story is the same. Most(not all) of the Nigerian-Americans I’ve met here are so deeply rooted in the Nigerian culture that I'm sometimes left in awe. Many of them have Nigerian flags in their apartments and if you check their Instagram profiles - you are very likely to see the smiley of a Nigerian flag there. And please: don't think ”patriotism is sweet from the abroad”. 

There are many Nigerian-Americans who go home every 6months - they know how difficult things could be in Naija but the reality is: once you have a Nigerian ancestry - you and your descendants are forever Nigerians. Thus, you can never disassociate yourself from your roots. Unless you just want to foo.l yourself. I know of Nigerian immigrants (with a US green card) who left the US(sold their properties) and returned to Naija to hustle because living abroad does not feel like home to many Nigerians. 

In states like Texas, Maryland, New York, Georgia, California, Illinois, and others with tens of thousands of Nigerians, it is common to meet Nigerian-American girls who eat only Nigerian food(they don't like American food despite being born and raised there). They also know the songs of Davido, Wiz Kid, Burna Boy, Tiwa, Falz, Zlatan, Naira Marley and the likes in manners typical of a Lagos babe. That explains why whenever these Naija artistes come to the US - their concerts are usually sold out. Nigerian -Americans no dey joke with Afrobeat music oo. 

(2). Nigerian -American girls are super ambitious and successful 

Wait! If you are a Naija guy hoping to date a Naija-Americana, you better up your game now! These girls are not joking mehn. 99% of the Nigerian-American girls around me are all pursuing careers that pay at least 6-figures annually. There was a Nigerian-American girl I met in New York. She had her first degree from Harvard. An MPH(Master of Public Health) from Yale and she's about resuming medical school at another ivy league school. In a system like America, with the field she plans to work in, such a fellow is likely to end up earning at least $500,000 pay in a few years. Her story is similar to that of most Nigerian-American girls here. I have never met a Naija-Americana who is not interested in higher degrees or high paying careers in America like medicine, nursing, tech, finance, pharmacy, sports, business/investment/investment banking, trade, engineering, consulting, etc. 

So, if you plan to date/marry a Naija-Americana, you must be ambitious, honest, and hardworking. Otherwise, you go play second fiddle tire. 

(3). Their parents and family are heavily involved in their lives. 

One of the major reasons why they are super successful is because of their parents. Most Nigerian-Americans live in America but they were raised in Nigerian homes. Thus, many of their parents raised them like Naija kids - read your books. Work hard. Be excellent and always aim for the top. Pursue high-paying careers. All of these coupled with the enabling environment and opportunities that America provides make them who they are. Many of their parents give them the specs of the husbands/wives they want them to have. I’ve seen cases where Nigerian-American girls refused to date guys because they were not ambitious and successful enough. In fact, within the Nigerian community here, there is ”elitism”(if you are a young Nigerian chap and you are not well educated or you don't have a good-paying career job, many Nigerian-Americans won't even roll with you. This is a story for another day). 

(4). They don't really need your money. 

They want you to be successful. Be well educated and have a great career but they don't plan to leech off you. To the basics. Whenever I go out with Nigerian-American girls here, they always want to pay for their own food and drinks. In fact, some of them have offered to pay for mine - even though I invited them for lunch/dinner. I’ve had arguments with a few of them for always wanting to split bills when I was the one who planned the treat. Hence, don't expect them to disturb you for money related to makeup, hair, accessories, and the likes. Although, it is always good to surprise them with gifts and flowers - if you plan to date or marry any of them. 

(5).Many of them place a premium on physical features(being tall is a big deal to them) 

Especially when they are young(let's say below the age of 25), many Nigerian-American girls love guys with certain physical features like height(6’7 tall), muscles, beards and the likes. They love guys that are athletic and super clean. So, apart from being career-driven, be prepared to hit the gym to grow some mass if you wan see them date. 
Although, as they grow older, they tend to care less about these physical features. Regardless, they always love and prefer tall and clean guys who have great careers. Their ideal man is a guy who is physically appealing, clean, intelligent, career-driven and has a great taste of fashion. 

(6). They are not your cooks or slaves 

This is the American part of them. If you know you want a wife that will constantly cook for you, clean the house and do other numerous chores. Sorry. Most Nigerian-American girls are not for you. You, as a man must learn how to cook as well. Clean the bathroom. Wash dishes and other ways you could be of assistance to her. They are not your typical ”villa girls”. If you plan to date/marry a Nigerian-American babe, be prepared to split the cookings/chores - the same way you will always split many of your bills. 

(7). They can be sometimes arrogant and snobby 

Many of them can ghost guys for Africa sha especially when they find you socially awkward or not possessing the physical features they desire in their man or you don't look like what they prefer. I find this to be somewhat childish tho. It's part of the unnecessary ”growing class division” within the Nigerian community here. 

(. Treat them right. Take good care of them and support them. They are our sisters and brothers! 

CAVEAT: These points were made based on my own personal experience. Another person may have a slightly different experience. ONE LOVE NAIJA ❤️.