Nightlife is a staple of young adult living for some more than others, but if there’s something 20-somethings will do, it’s be outside at night. The possibilities are endless; it can be a bonding experience with your girlfriends; the night feels infinite, and memories, good or bad, are abundant and waiting to be made.
While there’s enjoyment to be had, in a place like Nigeria, as a woman, safety concerns are a priority if you’re going to be out and dressed like a hot girl at night. From police problems, to slut shaming and unwanted sexual advances, while you’re trying to have a good time, it may feel like you’re navigating a minefield too.
Nights out may make for good stories to laugh at in the future, but they could also be potentially scarring experiences. We asked women to tell us about their most outrageous nights out, and while they undoubtedly had fun, some of them also had some wild and mild to seriously horrific experiences.
Cece, 23
I live in Abuja, and I go out mostly with my girlfriends, though only occasionally. We go to lounges mostly, and poolsides sometimes. It’s not a full-on clubbing experience, but it gives an in-between vibe. Sweet music, hype man by the side. Dance if you want to dance, sit down and eat wings if you want. No pressure.
I went out with this guy one time and got white boy wasted. In between the drinking, we had some nasty food and mixed lots of drinks. As expected, we spilled our guts as the last magic trick for the night. But that’s not the crazy part. The next morning, I woke up with vomit all over the bed. It was a horror scene. Everywhere was a mess. When I asked what happened, he said I was the one who threw up on the bed, but I know that was not true because I remembered throwing up in the bathroom, not on the bed. He was the one who threw up on the bed, but because my memory was hazy, I couldn’t defend myself. I had to clean up HIS vomit from the bed because he said it was “my mess”. Why did he lie about that? E pain me gan.
My favourite part of the nightlife experience is the thrill. I feel like I’m in a sorority movie or something. Just young, wild and free. Or maybe I just like night waka. My least favourite part of the nightlife is that sometimes, people look at you like an ashewo and mi nuh like dat, but all of us are ashewo at the end of the day. Also, I hate having to look over my shoulder every time. Sharing my location with my friends and family, the attitude of Bolt and Uber riders, etc. It’s exhausting.
Kay, 22
I like to go out, and I live in Ibadan. I go to clubs mostly. I also tend to go to a lot of house parties too, usually with my girlfriends. My wildest experience was going to four clubs in one night with strangers, high off my ass. Fortunately, nothing bad happened, and it was a great night. Fun times.
The worst part is men I don’t know wanting to dance with me or just making me/my friends generally uncomfortable. Also sometimes there’s no place to crash, so I have to wait till they open my school gate at 5 or is it 6? My favourite is dancing! I love dancing, especially when I’m tipsy and have no care in the world and as much as loud music can be annoying, sometimes, it’s just what I need.
Judith, 23
I live in Lagos, and I’m an outsider. I mostly like to go to clubs and lounges, and the craziest thing I’ve done is go to four clubs in one night, drunk as fuck. My favourite part is that you forget your problems while my least favourite is the hungry men you have to deal with.
Sade, 22
I love going out with my friends, to parties and the club. The craziest thing I’ve experienced was the night I went out with my friends, we went home with a mutual friend, and that night, they wanted to engage in a fivesome. I can’t lie, I wanted to faint that day. I like everything about nightlife, all pros, few cons.
Hillary, 23
I like to go out for drinks first to pregame either at a friend’s house or at a bar, and then to the club. This usually depends on what I have planned out with my friends. My most outrageous night out experience was the day I almost got arrested. My friend & I were on our way back to a hotel to sleep & we got harassed by some policemen at Allen in Ikeja. My favourite part has to be when I’m getting dressed with my friends. Deciding & picking outfits, fixing each other’s hair/ makeup. It’s usually very fun. My least favourite is when we’re being stopped by the police for stop & search or when we are at the club & a random nigga is asking one of us to go home with him. It’s usually a 10/10 night with my girls though.
Nneka, 22
I like to party with my girls, vibing together with the hope of meeting other friends. My worst experience was when I got sexually assaulted after I slept over at a guy’s place on a night out. My favourite thing about the nightlife experience is partying with friends. My least favourite is the risk of partying as a girl in an Ashewo outfit. I mean the catcalling, the stares the following morning when getting out of the cab.
Iseoluwa, 24
I live in Ibadan, and I don’t like to go out like that, only occasionally. The most outrageous night out I’ve had was when I went to a club. An ideal night out for me is going to a restaurant. The club wasn’t really my scene, my least favourite part of nightlife so far.
