Omotayo Akinro

As Nigerians, we need to develop a greater sense of self-awareness. Beyond the way many Nigerians constantly de-market the country online for social media validation, we also know how some of our compatriots conduct themselves in other African countries and the negative impressions their behaviour creates. Personally, I am not surprised by the disrespect Nigerians sometimes face abroad. That doesn't mean I will tolerate it from anyone, but I would be dishonest to pretend I don't understand where some of these perceptions come from. We cannot constantly ridicule our country, denigrate our passport, and turn every "japa" experience into content designed to humiliate Nigeria, then act shocked when others begin to see us through that same lens. Criticising Nigeria is one thing; making a spectacle of its shortcomings for validation is another. So, the next time you feel the urge to publicly trash the country for likes and engagement, remember that you may be contributing to the very disrespect you complain about. National pride doesn't require pretending our problems don't exist. It requires understanding that how we speak about our country, and how we conduct ourselves abroad, have consequences.