An Unflattering Portrait of "Old" Nigeria: Analyzing Mr Omo Anonymous 11th Grade

Mr Omo from the novel ‘No Longer at Ease’ by Chinua Achebe is a minor character. He is one of the Nigerian men who shares a workplace with Obi, and is Obi’s idea of a typical ‘old Nigerian man’. Indeed, Mr Omo does represent the older generation of Nigerians - as viewed by younger characters and construed by the author - and the readers are led to think him lazy and corrupt as a consequence..

When readers are first introduced to him, Mr Omo is shown to be lazing off during his job, and quickly “pockets a kola nut” when Mr Green walks into the room. This is likely why Obi quickly forms the conclusion that Mr Omo is one of the lazy, corrupt, older generation of Nigerians. Throughout the rest of the novel, there are also several mentions of Obi not knowing certain details of his job, such as the fact that the excess of the fund he received for his journey back to Umuofia needs to be returned, because Mr Omo did not mention it to Obi. This may indicate that Mr Omo is not responsible and thorough in his work, and only does the bare minimum required of him. Thus, readers will look down on him.

Moreover, Mr Omo is someone who is intimidated by the white man and their world. He grovels in the presence of Mr Green, and tries to flatter...