High tolerance

Back in the day, we used to joke about how Nigerians are always quick to adapt to any condition they find themselves in, no matter the hardship. It used to be a joke that we do normally laugh about it, but it honestly doesn't feel like a joke anymore and maybe that's why the government still treats us like shit because they know we will complain for a little while and if none of them say anything, we will have no choice but to adjust and just look for a way to live with the current condition.

_{photo by Pharaoh Fontain}

Just yesterday, the police carried out about three illegal raids here where I live and everyone just reacted like it was suppose to happen because we've gotten used to things like this happening. I had to move away to go stay with a friend and stayed there just to be safe because when it comes to these illegal raids, they tend to arrest any and almost everybody, it all depends on how many people who can fit into their vehicle.

One time these officers had arrested so many people that some of the officers had to get down from their vehicle to get on a commercial vehicle in order to get to their station just so that they could have enough room for the boys on their vehicle that they had arrested.

Another thing people don't talk about and have gotten used to is dress codes and their colours. If you're a Nigerian then you're no stranger to the fact there are certain colours of clothes that you could put on and end up getting yourself in trouble and this is because over here, cultism has become a huge problem and these cult groups tend to have certain colors that they believe is theirs, so you wearing those colours without being a member will get you in trouble.

It's a crazy thing I know, especially when you think about the fact that you can't wear the clothes that you had gotten with your own money, but as usual we had found a way to live with it like we had no choice.

There are a couple of other things too that we've all gotten used to, things that aren't normal. This is why to me, it no longer sounds funny when I hear someone say that a Nigerian could get used to any condition where ever he or she finds themselves, because it used to be a good joke, but it seems like people and government organisations are actively trying to find out what the limits is and if we keep on tolerating, they will keep on testing while raising the bar up of how brutal they can be each time.