If there’s one dish that unites Nigerians across regions, it’s pepper soup. It is spicy just like it sounds and is packed with aromatic herbs.

Nigerian pepper soup is that comfort food that always hits the spot. Whether it’s served at parties, in bars, or enjoyed right at home, it never disappoints. There are different types and everyone has their fave, but either way, it’s one of the easiest meals to prepare.

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What truly defines the type of pepper soup is the protein used. From goat meat to catfish, each variation brings its own flavour and personality to the table.

In this article, we’ll explore six popular types of Nigerian pepper soup, then show you one base recipe you can use for all, you just have to switch the protein!

The Six Types of Nigerian Pepper Soup

1. Goat Meat Pepper Soup: This is perhaps the most popular type. It is loved for its rich flavour.

2. Chicken Pepper Soup: A lighter version made with soft chicken (or hard local chicken if you prefer a richer stock).

3. Turkey Pepper Soup: It is similar to chicken but with a deeper, slightly smoky flavour. Turkey absorbs spices beautifully and makes a great pepper soup base.

4. Cow Leg Pepper Soup: It is known for its chewy texture. Cow leg (also called bokoto) gives the broth a rich thickness that’s absolutely satisfying.

5. Catfish Pepper Soup (Point and Kill): This variation is made with live catfish. It’s soft, slightly sweet, and pairs well with yam or agidi.

6. Assorted Meat Pepper Soup: This combines different parts of the cow: red meat, shaki (tripe), kpomo (cow skin), intestine, liver, and kidney.

Recipe for Nigerian Pepper Soup

Use this recipe for any of the above pepper soups. Just swap out the protein, adjust cooking time as needed, and enjoy!

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Ingredients

• 1kg of assorted meat or preferred protein

• 3 seeds of ehu (calabash nutmeg)

• A handful of scent leaves

• A handful of sliced utazi leaves (Optional because it adds slight bitterness)

• Stock cubes

• Ground crayfish (optional)

• Onions

• Salt

• Pepper

• Beef seasoning spice

• Garlic and ginger

• Pepper soup spice blend

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

1. Prep the Spices: Peel the ehu seeds and roast them lightly before blending or pounding them with the crayfish, ginger, and garlic. Set aside your sliced onions, scent leaves, and utazi leaves.

2. Wash and Boil the Protein: Clean your chosen protein thoroughly. For assorted meats, wash with hot water to remove excess fat and slime. In a large pot, add the meat with sliced onions, seasoning cube and beef seasoning spice. Add salt to taste and boil on medium heat for 10 minutes to seal in flavour.

3. Add Water and Cook Until Tender: Add about 3 cups of water and cook until the meat is soft (30–50 minutes depending on protein). Add more water if needed.

4. Add the Blended Spices: Stir in the ehu, crayfish and pepper soup spice. Add the remaining onions, and scotch bonnet and continue to cook for 5–10 minutes.

5. Finish with Leaves: Add scent leaves and sliced utazi. Simmer for another 5 minutes. Taste and adjust salt or seasoning if needed.

Final Tips

• For catfish pepper soup, avoid stirring too much to keep the fish from breaking apart.

• For cow leg or assorted meat, longer cooking ensures a softer texture.

• Adjust the spice level to your taste. Pepper soup is meant to be spicy, but not painful.

Serving Suggestions

Pepper soup can be enjoyed on its own, especially during cold or rainy days. But for a more filling meal, pair with:

• White rice

• Boiled yam or plantains

• Agidi (cornmeal pudding)

• Or even cold drinks for that bar-style vibe

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Sarah’s phone buzzed—again. She told herself she wouldn’t check it, but the flood of notifications was too tempting. What started as a simple discussion in her friend group had exploded into a full-blown argument. 

One passive-aggressive comment led to another, and now everyone was chiming in, taking sides. Sarah sighed. She hated drama, so why couldn’t she look away?

Most of us say we want peace, calm, and stability. But scroll through your social media, and what do you stop to watch? The fight, the clapback, the breakup, the messy drama. It could be a celebrity scandal, a heated argument in the group chat, or even gossip from your neighbour. Drama just pulls us in. 

Meanwhile, the peaceful stuff? Meh. It rarely gets our attention. Why?

Take this for example: A friend of mine recently told me she was glued to her phone because two influencers she barely knew were beefing over who stole whose boyfriend. It had nothing to do with her, but she couldn’t stop refreshing the comments.

Sounds familiar? 

The truth is, your brain isn’t wired to ignore drama. In fact, it feeds on it—sometimes a little too eagerly. It’s not that you’re a bad person or that you enjoy negativity. So why does drama pull you in so easily?

1. Your brain loves emotional highs

Drama often comes with big emotions—anger, shock, jealousy, excitement. These feelings trigger the release of powerful brain chemicals like dopamine and adrenaline, which make you feel alive and alert. 

Peace, on the other hand, is calm and stable. It doesn’t spike your hormones the same way, so your brain may interpret it as “less interesting” or even dull. In short, drama gives your brain a rush, even if it’s toxic.

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2. We’re wired to spot danger

Your brain is still running on ancient survival software. Back in the day, spotting danger or tension in your surroundings could save your life. So, your brain evolved to notice threats more than peaceful scenes. 

That’s why you might miss 10 beautiful moments but remember the one argument. Your brain thinks it’s doing you a favour by highlighting the “chaos,” just in case it’s a threat.

3. Social comparison makes drama juicier

When we see drama, especially involving other people, our brains love to judge and compare. “At least I’m not like that.” “Wow, they’re messy.” It feeds our ego and helps us feel better about our own lives. 

I swore I was never the type to watch reality TV. “Not into all that drama,” I’d always say. But one lazy Sunday, I got sucked into an episode of Real Housewives of Lagos and I couldn’t stop watching! Before I knew it, I was 3 seasons deep, texting my friend, “How could Sophia lie about owning a boat? Na wa!”

Drama makes us feel like spectators in someone else’s circus. And let’s be honest, sometimes it’s entertaining.

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4. Peace requires presence; drama is passive

To enjoy peace, you have to be fully present, still, and connected to the moment. That takes effort. But drama? You just scroll, listen, and react. It’s passive entertainment. That’s why people will binge-watch toxic shows or stay stuck in gossip—it’s easier than meditating or reflecting. Peace requires awareness. Drama requires popcorn.

You might be addicted without knowing it

If you find yourself constantly chasing the next heated conversation, messy thread, or emotional chaos, your brain might be addicted to drama. 

The constant emotional highs and lows act like a drug. You get a hit, feel alive, then crash—and start seeking the next dose. This can show up in friendships, relationships, or even how you consume celebrity news and gossip.

BUT!

You can retrain your brain. Start small—enjoy a walk without your phone, journal your thoughts, or practise deep breathing. Learn to find joy in quiet. Because while drama is loud and addictive, peace is powerful. And your brain can learn to love it, too.

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Sex is fun, exciting, and, for the most part, harmless. But what many people don’t realise is that sometimes, things can go a little wrong. 

We’re not just talking about awkward moments or cramps. We mean actual body parts getting hurt or even broken. Yes, broken!

The human body is incredible, but when it’s under pressure or in positions it wasn’t designed for, accidents can happen. This isn’t to scare you—it’s to inform and maybe make you think twice before turning yourself into a bedroom contortionist. 

Here are some body parts that can actually break during sex.

1. The penis

Let’s start with the most talked-about one. Technically, there are no bones in a penis, but it can still “break.” This is called a penile fracture. It happens when an erect penis is bent sharply during sex—usually due to sudden movement or missing the right spot during penetration. 

You might hear a loud “pop,” followed by intense pain, swelling, and bruising. It’s scary, and yes, it’s a medical emergency. The sooner it’s treated, the better the outcome. 

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2. The vagina

Vaginas are strong and stretchy, but they can also get injured. Vaginal tearing can happen during rough sex, lack of lubrication, or if something too large is involved. In rare cases, the wall of the vagina can be torn deeply, causing internal bleeding. 

Some women also experience a condition called vaginal prolapse, where organs like the bladder or uterus begin to shift out of place, especially if there’s already weakness from childbirth. It’s not common, but it’s not impossible, either.

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3. The neck

Many people have ended up in the hospital after hurting their necks during sex. All that tossing, turning, flipping, head-tilting and weird sex positions can strain the muscles or even cause cervical sprain. 

Some people have even pinched nerves during oral sex or when lying in awkward positions for too long.

4. The back (especially the lower spine)

Your spine takes a lot of the weight and movement during sex, and the lower back is especially vulnerable. 

If you already have back issues or are trying out new adventurous moves without proper support, you might end up with a slipped disc or strained muscles. That’s why sometimes, the day after a fun night, you find yourself walking like you just ran a marathon backwards.

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5. The jaw

Prolonged oral sex or simply biting down at the wrong moment can lead to something called TMJ disorder (short for temporomandibular joint dysfunction). 

It causes jaw pain, clicking, and even lockjaw in extreme cases. It’s easy to overdo it when you’re focused on pleasing your partner, but your jaw has limits. You’re not a robot, and you shouldn’t try to be one, either.

Pleasure should never end in a hospital visit. Stay safe and sexy!

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