Nigerian Pidgin, a vibrant and expressive lingua franca spoken across the country, is rich with proverbs that offer wit, wisdom, and social commentary.

Often humorous and deeply rooted in Nigerian culture, these sayings provide insightful perspectives on life, relationships, and everyday situations. Their widespread use highlights the unifying power of Pidgin and its ability to encapsulate complex ideas in concise and memorable ways.

Exploring these proverbs offers a fascinating glimpse into the Nigerian worldview and the art of linguistic creativity. Prepare to be both amused and enlightened by these popular nuggets of Nigerian Pidgin wisdom!

Here are some popular Pidgin proverbs Nigerians use daily:

1. Custard na pap wey jand
Something that looks rich or enticing on the outside may be empty when you dig in.  

2. Man wey naked no dey put hand for pocket
You can’t pretend to have what you don’t; be upfront about your true state.  

3. Who dey purge no dey select toilet
A person in need can’t afford to be picky about where they get help.  

4. Cunny man die, cunny man bury am
Only someone familiar with wrongdoing can catch another in the act.  

5. E don tey wey yansh dey for back
There’s nothing new under the sun; some truths have always been so.  

6. Better soup, na money kill am
Quality comes at a price; expect to invest for top results.  

7. Rice wey dey bottom pot today go dey on top cooler tomorrow
Your fortunes can reverse; tough times won’t last.  

8. Lion no dey born goat
Like father, like son; offspring often reflect their roots.  

9. One day breeze go blow, fowl yansh go open
Hidden matters eventually come to light.  

10. Pikin wey say mama no go sleep, him eye no go touch sleep
The mischief you plan will keep you awake with worry.  

11. Leave mata for Mathias and sabi for Sabinus
Mind your own business; let others sort theirs.  

12. Ikebe no dey heavy the owner
One’s own troubles feel lighter to them.  

13. Na see finish make “good morning” turn “how far”
Understand limits; respect when greetings turn formal or distant.  

14. One day bush meat go catch the hunter
Even the most cunning can get outsmarted eventually.  

15. Who borrow cloth nor dey too dance for party
Live within your means; avoid showing off what isn’t yours.  

16. Lean on me, no be press me die
I’m willing to help, but don’t wear down my generosity.  

17. Woman wey never see problem na him dey hold breast run
When trouble hits, everything else becomes irrelevant.  

18. Woman wey dey find bele no dey wear pant sleep
Don’t mask your issues; face them honestly.  

19. Na from clap dance dey start
Every big achievement begins with a small step.  

20. To piss no hard but fowl no fit
Some tasks seem trivial until you actually try them.  

21. No matter how your anger hot reach, e nor fit boil beans
Anger won’t accomplish practical tasks.  

22. Person wey tey for party go follow dem wash plate
Know when to bow out; overstaying your welcome has consequences.  

23. Cassava today fit be Garri tomorrow
One day’s abundance can become the next day’s staple.  

24. You no need cutlery to chop slap
If you push someone too far, you’ll face the repercussions directly.  

25. Na condition make crayfish bend
Poverty or hardship forces people into uncomfortable poses.  

26. Nearly no dey kill bird
If something didn’t happen, there’s no need to fear it.  

27. Cow wey dey in a hurry to go America go come back as corn beef
Rushing often leads to worse outcomes.  

28. Every mallam with him own kettle
Every expert has their own specialty; don’t compare unfairly.  

29. Because lizard dey nod no mean say everything dey okay
Appearances can be deceiving.  

30. Shift make i siddon na im dey collect person space
Sometimes kindness can be taken advantage of, be mindful of how kind you are 

31. Today’s newspaper na tomorrow’s suya paper
Today’s news quickly becomes yesterday’s trash.  

32. I get am before no be property
Past successes don’t guarantee present gains; keep working.  

33. Chicken wey run from Borno go Ibadan go still end up inside pot of soup
You can’t escape your fate.  

34. Lizard wey fall from tall iroko tree, if nobody hail am, e go hail himself
If no one appreciates your fall, you must find your own praise.  

35. Na for afternoon dem dey find black goat
Strike while the iron is hot; seize your chance promptly.  

36. Fowl wey dem carry for head no dey know say to waka na work
Those shielded from effort often undervalue hard work.  

37. Akara and moin moin get same parent na wetin dey pass tru make dem different
It’s not where you start but how you finish that counts.  

38. No matter how dark room wan be, man go still locate woman breast
Where there’s will, there’s a way.  

39. Person wey chop belle full, no know wetin hungry man dey see
Privilege blinds you to others’ struggles.  

40. Yansh no get teeth but e dey cut shit
Even the smallest tool can have big impact.  

41. My thing and our thing no be the same oh
Personal responsibilities differ from communal ones.  

42. Better name better pass gold and silver
A good reputation outvalues any riches.  

43. Na small world no mean say you fit trek from Naija go London
Just because it seems easy doesn’t mean it is.  

44. Student wey read na him serious, but na who pass sabi book
Mastery is what matters, not just effort.  

45. Rolling stone, na person push am
Behind every rumor or action, there’s someone starting it.  

46. Pikin wey use agbada take start guy go talk wetin e go wear wen e old
Plan early for what comes later.  

47. Fly wey no get special adviser na im dey folow dead body enta grave
Going without guidance leads to ruin.  

48. If life dey show you pepper, my guy make pepper soup
Turn hardships into something flavorful or useful.  

49. Water wey dem use take make eba no fit come back
Don’t cry over spilt milk.  

50. No matter how lizard dey do press up, e no go get chest like alligator
Be proud of who you are, not who you’re not.  

51. Wetin old woman siddon for ground see, pikin wey stand on top tree no fit see am
Wisdom comes with age and perspective.  

52. Bring suya, bring suya… na cow body dey suffer am
Actions have consequences you might not see.  

53. Egg roll wey no get egg na puff‑puff
Something without its core element is meaningless.  

54. No be everything wey touch your hand you go put for mouth
Not everything available is worth taking.  

55. Pikin no sabi fire unless he touch am
You only learn truly through direct experience.  

56. Poor man no dey siddon for front bench for village meeting
Wealth brings confidence and prominence.  

57. Na same water wey make egg hard dey make potato soft
The same situation can affect people differently.  

58. Table no dey turn, na who get sense dey change chair
You can’t rely on luck; use your wit to change your position.  

59. If trust dey, water for no boil fish
Betrayal spoils the best relationships.  

60. Na strong head make February no complete
Determination can overcome natural limitations.  

61. Water and ogogoro na the same colour, no mean say na the same
Similar looks don’t guarantee similar substance.  

62. Na wetin happen before, make strong man quiet
Past wounds can silence even the mightiest.  

63. Person no dey learn to use left hand for old age
Old habits die hard.  

64. Who dey argue na him dey tey for knee down
The loser in an argument ends up humbled.  

65. I hear no mean say I gree
Just because you listen doesn’t mean you consent.  

66. Head wey no wan think go carry load
Thoughtlessness leads to unnecessary burdens.  

67. Respect who get, but fear who never collect
Honor the established, but beware the unpredictable.  

68. Pikin wey like party rice no suppose fear to dance
If you enjoy something, fully engage.  

69. Even dirty water dey quench fire
Unlikely solutions can still work.  

70. Dem no dey slim fit borrowed clothes
You shouldn’t overextend help beyond your means.  

71. Monkey no fine, but him mama like am
Everyone has someone who loves them, flaws and all.  

72. If fish dey talk, e no go die for hook
Speaking up can keep you out of traps.  

73. Body no be firewood
You must rest; you aren’t made to burn endlessly.  

74. Wetin bird chop, na im e go take fly
You can only rise with the energy you’ve taken in.  

75. Time no dey wait for anybody
Time marches on; don’t dawdle.  

76. When one door close, another one go open
Endings pave the way for new beginnings.  

77. Wetin no kill you go make you stronger
Surviving hardship builds inner strength.  

78. Shine your eye well well
Stay vigilant; observe everything around you.  

79. Person wey e get fine woman get the same problem with person wey e plant sugarcane for corner of the road
Even the fortunate face everyday struggles.  

80. Na person wey never see wahala dey use English pray
Those untouched by hardship often speak in empty language.

So, as you can see, the vibrant tapestry of Nigerian Pidgin, with its colorful expressions and insightful wisdom woven into everyday speech, truly comes alive through these proverbs. They are a testament to the enduring power and adaptability of Pidgin, making it a unique and cherished part of Nigerian Pidgin culture. Indeed, the everyday use of Pidgin showcases its significance, highlighting how integral Pidgin is to Nigerian communication. The beauty of Pidgin lies in its everyday application, a true reflection of Nigerian Pidgin.