Lesson 3.1: When yes means maybe

In much of U.S. business, a clear "no" is seen as efficient and respectful of everyone's time. In many West African business settings, a flat refusal can feel harsh, especially toward a guest or a new partner. So people often signal reluctance more gently: "We will look into it." "No problem, we will see." Or a reply that never comes.

None of this is dishonest. It is a different way of protecting the relationship. The risk is that you hear agreement where none was given. The fix is not to push for a yes. It is to ask questions that make an honest answer easy: "What would need to change for this to work for you?" or "Which part of the proposal would you like us to revisit?"

Phrases worth a second look

• "We will see." Often means "not yet," or "we have concerns we have not raised."

• "No problem." Can mean "I heard you" or "I do not want to disappoint you," rather than "I agree to all of it."

• "Let me get back to you." May be genuine, or may be a polite way to close the topic for now.

• "We will look into it." Often means the proposal needs internal discussion, possibly with someone senior you have not met.

• "It is not bad." Can be measured praise with reservations underneath.

• "Yes" to a yes-or-no question asked in front of others. May mean "I hear you," said to avoid an awkward moment.

Context tells you which meaning applies. Look at what comes with the words. Is there a specific next step, a date, a named person? "Yes, I will send the purchase order on Thursday after our board meets" is a real yes. "Yes, yes, no problem" with no detail may not be.

Why soften a refusal at all? In many Nigerian business settings, saying no directly to a guest, a senior person or a new partner can cause loss of face on both sides. It may also close a door the partner wants to keep open for later. A gentle "we will see" keeps the relationship intact while signaling that something is not right. It is often a considerate act, not an evasive one.

The person you are talking to may also not have the authority to say yes. Final decisions in many Nigerian companies sit with a senior person who may not attend early meetings. Your contact may like your proposal and still be unable to commit. "We will look into it" may mean "I need to take this to my chairman." Asking gently who else should be involved helps; the Template Library includes "Asking who else should be involved."

After any important conversation, send a short written recap. Include what was agreed, what is still open and the next steps. End with "Please let me know if I have missed or misunderstood anything." The recap gives your partner an easy, private way to correct you without disagreeing in front of others. Use the template "Written recap after a call."

Finally, read signals over time, not in a single moment. One "we will see" is a data point. A pattern of general replies, missed calls and slower responses tells you much more. Compare each partner against their own usual pattern, and if you think a misunderstanding has already happened, Module 6 shows you how to repair it.

Worked example: a video call with Dr. Balogun, managing director of a distributor in Ibadan, after you present your pricing. This is the moment in simulator scenario S2.

Dr. Balogun: No problem, we will see about the price.

You: Great, so we have a deal? I'll send the contract over tonight.

Dr. Balogun: No problem, we will see about the price.

You: Thank you, Dr. Balogun. Which part of the pricing would you like us to look at together?

Dr. Balogun: The unit price is fine. Our concern is the minimum order.

You: That is very helpful. Let us look at a smaller first order.

What changed: the first reply treated "no problem" as agreement and rushed to a contract. The open question gave Dr. Balogun an easy way to name the real concern, which turned out not to be the price at all. You can now solve the right problem.