Nigeria is a country with deep cultural roots and wide diversity. With over 250 ethnic groups, culture is not just something people talk about; it is something they live every day. It shows in the way elders are greeted, respect is shown, and even how people carry themselves in public. These everyday actions may seem small, but they quietly define identity and shape how society functions. In the suceeding paragraphs, we will talk about some cultural practices in Nigeria that are harmful and have been controversial.
You can see culture in almost every part of life. It is present in marriage, where families are involved, and in traditions such as bride price or introductions, which vary from one tribe to another. It also appears in healthcare, where some people still trust traditional birth methods or home remedies passed down through generations. Before hospitals, courts, and modern systems became common, communities relied on elders and shared customs to solve problems and maintain order. That history still reflects in how people make decisions today.
But culture does not always lead to the best outcomes. People sometimes hold on to practices even when safer and better alternatives exist. It is not always easy to let go of what feels familiar. In many places around the world, not just in Nigeria, people have resisted modern medicine or formal education because it seemed to conflict with their beliefs. This tension between tradition and change is still present in many societies.
Many social problems in Nigeria, including resistance to change in traditions, reflect broader cultural influences.
This is where the real concern begins. Culture is meant to give life meaning and structure. But when it is followed without reflection, it can begin to cause harm. We have seen situations, locally and globally, where certain practices put people at risk instead of protecting them. When that happens, trust in culture can also be affected. That is why it is important to examine how these practices function today, especially in societies where culture remains deeply influential.
Examining Some Controversial Cultural Practices in Nigeria
In Nigeria, culture plays a powerful role in shaping how people live, celebrate, and approach health and safety. Many practices are deeply rooted in history and community identity, passed down through generations and trusted as part of everyday life. However, they become controversial when they interact with modern systems like healthcare, law, and public safety.
One clear example is newborn care. Childbirth in many Nigerian communities is not only a medical event but also a cultural one. Families often follow traditional practices around pregnancy, delivery, and newborn care based on long-standing beliefs. While these practices are usually intended to protect the child, challenges arise when they delay or replace medical attention.
For example, neonatal jaundice is a common condition among newborns. Although it is treatable, delays in proper care can increase risks significantly. In some cases, families may first rely on traditional remedies instead of visiting a hospital.
Similarly, umbilical cord care is another sensitive area. Medical guidelines recommend keeping the area clean and dry to prevent infection, yet some cultural practices still involve applying substances based on tradition. Research has shown that proper hygienic cord care can greatly reduce the risk of infection in low-resource settings, showing how small decisions can have major health impacts.
Another area where culture and public systems sometimes clash is festivals and large community celebrations. Nigerian Festivals are a vital part of Nigerian identity. They bring people together, preserve heritage, and strengthen social bonds through ceremonies, processions, and communal gatherings. However, issues arise when these celebrations affect public infrastructure.
One common example is the blocking of public roads during festivals, processions, or large social events. While culturally significant, roads are also essential public spaces used for transportation, emergency response, and daily movement. When access is restricted without coordination, it can disrupt daily life and create tension within communities.
There have also been cases where festival activities involving fireworks or gunpowder have led to injuries and, in some cases, loss of life. These incidents show how cultural expression can become a public safety concern when proper regulation is missing. In some regions, efforts have been introduced to manage these events more safely—not to erase culture, but to ensure it aligns with public safety and order.
What becomes clear from both newborn care and festival-related concerns is that culture is not being questioned in itself.
The focus is on how it interacts with systems designed to protect life, health, and public order. When culture and these institutions work together, society benefits. But when they fall out of balance, the consequences often affect the most vulnerable.
Why Controversial Cultural Practices Continue to Be Repeated
Even when certain cultural practices are harmful, create challenges or conflict with modern systems, they often continue across generations because they are tied to everyday life, trust, and lived experience. In many cases, people are not simply choosing tradition over modernity; they are following what feels familiar, accessible, and socially accepted.
For example, in some communities, traditional newborn care practices are preferred over hospital procedures because families trust methods they were raised with. A mother may be advised by elders to apply traditional substances to a newborn’s umbilical cord instead of antiseptic care recommended in hospitals. Even when healthcare workers explain infection risks, the belief that “this is how we were raised” often carries more influence than medical advice.
Just as cultural trends like prom culture in Nigeria have shown social resistance to change, some health-related traditions also continue despite risks
The same pattern appears in public space management during festivals and large gatherings. Road blocking during processions continues in some areas because it is often justified as a cultural or religious practice. In reality, many religious teachings also emphasize order, safety, and consideration for others, but this is sometimes overlooked.
In addition, limited or expensive access to event spaces can push communities to use public roads for celebrations. Over time, what begins as a practical solution becomes normalized, especially where regulation and enforcement are weak.
In the case of processions, the fact that they are often seen as rare or “once-a-year” cultural expressions also contributes to their continuation. Because they are infrequent, less attention is given to planning for traffic control, emergency access, or safety measures. Yet even short disruptions can affect healthcare access, movement, and emergency response.
Social influence also plays a major role. Many people continue certain practices not out of personal conviction, but due to community expectations. Even when individuals have doubts, they may still conform to avoid criticism or being seen as disrespectful.
There is also limited exposure to alternatives. Where access to healthcare, education, or regulated public infrastructure is uneven, people rely on what is available and familiar. Over time, these patterns become default systems.
Finally, repetition itself strengthens cultural behavior. Once a practice is repeated over many years, it becomes normal and less questioned. At that point, it is no longer seen as a decision but as “how things are done.”
In the end, these practices continue not only because of belief, but because of structure—how communities are organized, how trust is formed, and how habits become embedded in daily life.
How Cultural Practices Can Be Preserved Without Causing Harm
Culture should not be erased. It is part of identity, history, and community life. The goal is not to remove cultural practices but to ensure they can exist safely alongside modern systems like healthcare, law, and public safety.
One important approach is awareness and clear communication. When people understand the risks and consequences of certain practices, they are more likely to adjust them. For example, explaining newborn care in simple, relatable terms can help families understand hospital guidelines without making them feel their traditions are being dismissed.
Another key step is community involvement. Change is more effective when it comes from within the cultural system. Religious leaders, traditional rulers, and respected elders often have more influence than external institutions. When they support safer practices, communities are more willing to accept adjustments.
There is also a need for practical alternatives. For festivals and public gatherings, providing accessible and affordable spaces can reduce the need to use roads or unsafe public areas. When people have realistic options, cultural expression can continue without unnecessary disruption.
Finally, balance is essential. Cultural practices can be adjusted without being destroyed. The goal is not to choose between culture and safety, but to allow both to work together. When traditions are reviewed alongside health, law, and public order, they become more sustainable and more responsible.
Conclusion
Culture remains a strong part of identity, but it does not exist outside modern realities like health, law, and public safety. The issue is not tradition itself, but when long-held practices begin to create
avoidable risks or delay better outcomes.
Many of these practices continue because they are trusted and familiar, not because they are always safe or effective. But when the impact affects health, safety, or public order, they cannot be ignored.
The goal is not to replace culture, but to refine it where necessary. A society grows stronger when it can preserve its identity while also protecting the wellbeing of its people.
