A new cultural intelligence study has indicated a gradual shift in alcohol preferences among younger Nigerian consumers, with wine emerging as an increasingly popular choice within a demographic long associated with louder, experience-driven drinking culture.

The new intelligence report by X3M Intelligence challenged long-held assumptions about how alcohol brands engage Nigeria’s Gen Z consumers, revealing that the group is reshaping drinking culture, social rituals, and brand interaction in more nuanced ways than widely perceived.

The findings were presented at an industry session held at Lagos Marriott, where X3M Ideas’ research and insight division unveiled a study titled “Gen Zs Are Rewriting the Party Rules.” The report examined how Nigeria’s youngest legal drinking generation is redefining social culture, identity, and alcohol consumption patterns.

The event attracted marketers, brand strategists, creatives, and researchers seeking deeper insight into one of Nigeria’s most influential consumer demographics.

Rather than focusing solely on consumption patterns, the report explored the motivations behind Gen Z drinking behaviour, including evolving social rituals, identity expression, wellness considerations, taste preferences, occasions, and digital culture influences.

Speaking during the presentation, Strategy & Intelligence Lead at X3M Ideas, Ayoade Omolola, said the study was driven by concerns over superficial interpretations of Gen Z in marketing discussions.

“Everybody talks about Gen Z, but very few people slow down enough to actually listen to them,” he said. “A lot of brand strategy today is still built on stereotypes. We wanted to move away from internet caricatures and understand the real emotional and cultural drivers shaping this generation.”

The report also pointed to shifting market preferences, including a growing inclination toward wine consumption and more curated social experiences among younger consumers.

For Chief Executive Officer of X3M Ideas, Steve Babaeko, the findings underscore the need for research-driven creativity in brand communication.

“There are too many myths around Gen Z. Every week, there is a new opinion about what they supposedly care about,” Babaeko said. “But culture is changing quickly, and brands cannot afford to build communication on guesswork.”

He added that intelligence-led creativity would become increasingly important as audiences become more fragmented and culturally fluid. “The era of one-dimensional marketing is fading. Today’s consumers are more self-aware, more expressive, and more complex. Brands have to evolve from broadcasting messages to genuinely understanding people,” he stated.

Beyond alcohol consumption trends, the session also examined broader cultural shifts among Nigerian youth, including changing attitudes toward status, social interaction, relationships, and self-expression.

X3M Intelligence said the report is part of a wider effort to develop African-centred cultural research that helps brands better understand shifting consumer realities across the continent.

According to Babaeko, the long-term goal is to build intelligence platforms that document African cultural and market transitions with greater depth and accuracy.

“Africa is changing fast, and culture is evolving in real time. If brands want to remain relevant, they have to pay closer attention to what people are becoming, not just who they used to be,” he said.