Let's try an experiment. Go to Tunein.com. It's a website where radio stations are streamed live from all over the world. Since Nigeria is in the world, our radio stations are also included.
Next, go to the Nigerian radio stations. Here's a shortcut to make your life easier: Nigeria Radio Stations on Tune in.
Then, just pick a random radio station on the list. Any one. Note the accent of the presenter or on air personality (assuming they are not playing commercials).
Repeat the process 5 or more times.
What were the results in terms of Nigerian accent versus American, British, etc?
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Whether you took part in the experiment above or not, I am pretty sure that if you listen to Nigerian radio regularly or even watch our TV stations for news, entertainment, sports or whatever, you will come across presenters and other people speaking with something other than a Nigerian accent.
Isn't it strange?
You're in Nigeria communicating with mostly Nigerians, and yet you have to change the way you speak to what end? For clarity, you say. I'm not buying it. With the way some people jumble all the accents together, it is more of a distraction than anything.
As to whether there is such a thing as a Nigerian accent in the first place, I touched on it here.
Since it appears that Nigerians value every other person's accent above their own regular accent, shall we conclude that they hate their own accent? I am leaning towards that conclusion.
What about you?
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