Culture shocks Nigerians still face in the UK (January 2026)

The first week in the UK can feel like stepping into a film where the volume has been turned down. The air is sharp, the streets are quiet, and even the sun seems shy. You might find yourself staring at a bus timetable like it’s a riddle, or wondering why everyone walks so fast with their eyes forward.

That feeling has a name: culture shock. It’s what happens when normal life suddenly feels unfamiliar. Not scary, just strange. You’re still you, but the rules around you have changed.

This guide is for Nigerians in the UK who want practical, kind advice. No judgement, no “just get used to it”. Just real examples from daily life, the unspoken social rules, and the bigger systems (money, housing, work, and health) that can surprise you.

Daily life surprises Nigerians notice first in the UK

Some culture shocks hit you before you’ve even unpacked. They don’t look “serious” on paper, but they can make you feel out of place fast. It’s the small things that stack up.

A neighbour who doesn’t greet you might not be rude, they might be giving you privacy. A cashier who doesn’t chat might still be polite, just focused. A bus that arrives and no one rushes the driver can feel odd when you’re used to calling out, “Driver, wait!”

If you’re new, give yourself time. Your brain is learning a new rhythm.

Weather, daylight, and how it can change your mood

UK cold isn’t just cold, it’s damp cold. It gets into your sleeves and sits on your skin. Wind can feel personal, like it’s aiming for your ears.

Winter also plays tricks with daylight. It can be dark by late afternoon, and that early darkness can mess with your mood. In summer, the opposite happens: it stays bright until late evening, which can make your body clock feel confused.

A few practical habits help:

• Dress in layers, even if you think you look “too wrapped up”. A good coat matters more than style.
• Keep gloves and a small umbrella in your bag, because weather can change mid-day.
• Try a short walk at midday when there’s more light, even if it’s just 15 minutes.
• If you’re thinking about vitamin D, speak to a pharmacist or GP first. Don’t guess doses.

Feeling low in winter is common. If you’re struggling, talk about it. Silence makes it heavier.

For a broader picture of how culture shock can affect international students and mood, the University of Northampton’s perspective on culture shock is a useful read.

Food, shopping, and why “lunch provided” can mean a tiny sandwich

Back home, “I’ll eat later” can still mean a proper plate. In many UK workplaces, lunch is quick and small. “Lunch provided” might be a tray of sandwiches, crisps, and fruit. You’ll eat it and still feel like you’re waiting for the real food to arrive.

Supermarkets can also surprise you. The aisles look full, but the flavours may feel mild. Pepper isn’t a default setting. Many people eat ready meals, meal deals, and quick bites during the week because time is tight and commuting is long.

Nigerian staples exist, but they can cost more. Plantain, yam, crayfish, ogbono, palm oil, and dried fish might be easy to find in some cities and harder in others. People often rely on African and Caribbean food shops, market stalls, and community recommendations. If you’re budgeting, plan your “Naija shop” trips like a monthly restock, not random daily buys.

Also watch the “served” gap at events. In Nigeria, hospitality is loud and generous. In the UK, it can be quieter and more measured. It’s not stinginess, it’s a different expectation.

If you want a grounded overview of common adjustment issues for Nigerian migrants, this article on challenges faced by Nigerian immigrants in the UK lines up with what many newcomers experience.

The UK’s unwritten rules, time culture, and communication style

In Nigeria, you can often read the room quickly. In the UK, the room can be harder to read because people keep their emotions on a shorter leash in public. The rules aren’t written down, but people follow them like they are.

Once you learn the pattern, life gets easier. Until then, it can feel like everyone received a manual you didn’t get.

Punctuality, booked appointments, and why missing a slot costs you

Time in the UK is treated like a booking, not a suggestion. A GP appointment at 10:10 is not “around ten”. A job interview at 2 pm is not “I’ll get there when traffic allows”. People may still smile if you’re late, but the decision has already been made.

It shows up everywhere:

• Trains and buses: missing one can mean waiting a long time, and it can affect your whole day.
• GP and dentist bookings: if you miss a slot, you might wait weeks for another.
• Work and classes: meetings start on time, even if only two people have arrived.

Quick habits that save stress:

• Aim to arrive 10 minutes early.
• Set two alarms, not one.
• Use calendar reminders for everything, even small appointments.
• Plan for delays, especially in winter when weather can disrupt transport.

You don’t need to stop being Nigerian to do this. Think of it as respect for other people’s schedule, and protection for your own plans.

Queuing and personal space, polite does not mean soft

Queues in the UK are almost sacred. At the bus stop, people may look relaxed, but they remember who arrived first. At supermarkets, banks, and events, cutting in line can cause real tension, even if nobody shouts.

Personal space is another quiet rule. People stand a bit further apart than you might expect. On public transport, many keep their voices low. Some won’t greet strangers, not because they dislike you, but because they don’t want to intrude.

UK politeness can sound gentle, but the rule is firm: wait your turn. “Sorry” can mean “excuse me”, “I’m coming through”, or even “you’re in my way”. It takes time to learn the meanings.

If you’ve ever felt the UK is “cold”, it can help to reframe it as privacy-first. Warmth exists, but it’s usually invited, not assumed.

A thoughtful personal account of adjusting to this style of living is in SGN’s Nigerian perspective on life in the diaspora, shared during Black History Month.

Big shocks that affect money, housing, work, and wellbeing

Small surprises are one thing. The heavier culture shocks are the ones that touch your bank account, your home, your job, and your health. These are the ones that can change how safe you feel.

You don’t need fear, you need information and good habits.

Paperwork, contracts, and the shock of rules that don’t bend

UK life runs on paperwork. Tenancy agreements, deposits, references, council tax, energy bills, broadband contracts, parking rules, and penalty charges. It can feel like everything comes with a form, a deadline, and a consequence.

Many Nigerians are shocked by how little “knowing someone” changes the process. In Nigeria, relationships can soften hard edges. In the UK, the system often stays the system.

Simple ways to protect yourself:

• Read what you sign, even if it’s long.
• Ask for clarification in writing, not just a phone call.
• Save emails and letters, and take screenshots of key messages.
• Don’t sign under pressure, even if someone says, “It’s standard.”

Housing can also be a shock. Rooms can be smaller than expected, and house shares with strangers are common, even for working adults. It’s not failure, it’s the market.

Work culture, accents, and subtle bias people don’t always name

Workplaces can feel formal without looking formal. People might dress casually, call managers by their first name, and still follow strict processes. You may also notice feedback is often indirect. “That’s interesting” might mean “I don’t agree”. “We’ll think about it” can mean “no”.

Another reality is accents. You might be asked to repeat yourself, even when your English is clear. Some people will struggle with Nigerian speech patterns, and sometimes it’s not effort, it’s bias.

What helps in the real world:

• Speak a bit slower, not out of shame, but for clarity.
• If you’re in meetings, summarise your point in one clean sentence at the end.
• Don’t be afraid to ask, “Do you want me to explain that another way?”

If discrimination shows up, it can be subtle: being overlooked, being held to a different standard, or “UK experience” being used as a moving target. Document patterns, keep records, and speak to HR, a union rep, or a trusted mentor if you have one.

For academic context on this broader topic, the University of East London repository includes research on managing culture shock among Nigerian expatriates in the UK.

The NHS surprise: free care, but long waits and fewer quick antibiotics

The NHS can feel confusing at first. Many Nigerians expect to walk into a hospital, see a doctor, and leave with strong medicine. In the UK, you often start with a GP (local doctor), and you may be advised to rest, use over-the-counter meds, and monitor symptoms.

The shock isn’t that care is bad, it’s that it can be slow for non-emergencies. Referrals take time, and waiting lists exist.

Do these early:

• Register with a GP as soon as you have an address.
• Know the difference between urgent advice and emergencies.

Antibiotics are not handed out easily, especially for viral illnesses. It can feel like you’re being dismissed, but it’s part of how UK prescribing works.

Loneliness, independence, and building a new support system

The UK can be busy and still lonely. Streets are full, but people keep to themselves. Visits are planned. Even close friends may book weeks ahead. Adult children often move out early, and family life can look different from what you’re used to.

This hits harder in winter. Darkness comes early, and staying indoors becomes the default. If you’re newly arrived, you can start to feel like you’re living inside your head.

Connection takes intention here. Try simple, steady steps:

• Join a faith community if that fits your life.
• Look for local community groups, sports clubs, or volunteering roles.
• Use WhatsApp communities, but keep boundaries (not every group is healthy).
• Invite one person for tea or a walk, not a big outing.

You’re not “too needy” for wanting people. You’re human.

If you want a wider social view of migration expectations versus reality, The Conversation’s article on Nigerians seeking the good life abroad offers useful context.

Conclusion

Culture shocks Nigerians still face in the UK don’t mean you made a bad choice. They mean you’ve entered a place with different rhythms: daily habits, unwritten social rules, and systems that run on paperwork and time slots. Once you name the shock, you can plan around it, instead of taking it personally.

For the next 7 days, keep it simple: register with a GP, read your tenancy agreement properly, set up a basic budget, find one community space (online or in person), and plan one weekend walk in daylight. Small steps build a life.

You’re not starting from zero. You’re starting from experience, and learning a new map.