Nigerians are some of the warmest, most welcoming people on earth, even when we try not to. We offer strangers help, give directions with our whole chest, and generally treat guests like family. That’s a beautiful thing. But it can also be exploited.
Here are three things to be careful about sharing; in person, on the phone, or online:
- Your home address with someone you just met online. No matter how long you’ve been chatting, sharing your exact home address before properly verifying someone is risky. Suggest a public location first.
- Your bank details or BVN. No genuine bank, government agency, or employer needs your full BVN, PIN, or card number via phone or chat. None. If someone is asking, something is wrong.
- That you live alone. You don’t have to lie—but you also don’t have to confirm it. A simple change of subject works fine.
Staying safe doesn’t mean being cold or suspicious of everyone. It just means being a little more thoughtful about who gets what information. Trust slowly. Verify when you can. And when something feels off—-even if you can’t explain why—lean into that feeling.