The usually overcrowded markets are almost empty, and the streets impassable because of traffic jams are
incredibly free: Lagos, a sprawling megalopolis of 20 million inhabitants, is getting up to date with the
confinement.
Across the world, social distancing rules are difficult to adopt, but in Lagos, the capital
economy of Nigeria, and the most populous city in Africa, this is a daunting challenge.
The authorities, who cast doubt on mandatory total confinement, ultimately did not
imposed.
But, for now, simple advice to stay at home, and the closure of schools, public places, bars
and non-food markets emptied the streets, where possible.
Rotimi Oyedepo, a seller of chemicals in a Lagos Island market, had to close his shop
by order of the police.
"It's not going to be easy, but what can we do about it?" Says this father of four, seated in front
his little store.
In this country, where more than half of the population lives below the extreme poverty line, we cannot
afford not to work.
"I don't have enough money to stop working for more than a week," says Mr. Oyedepo.
"By Monday, Tuesday, in a few days, everyone will come out of their homes and do what they have to do to
survive," he predicted.
As of Saturday morning, Nigeria had only 70 cases, but the number of tests is insufficient and the government
announced a possible "explosion" in the number of cases.
Authorities have closed international airports and borders in an attempt to halt the spread of the virus.
coronavirus.
The vast majority of local flights have been cancelled, trains are at a standstill, and many states have
isolated.
But convincing almost 200 million people to stay at home and limit their movements is not
not always easy.
Dauda Ali, 24, needed to get out of his house and take public transport to find
a friend who agreed to give him some money.
"I sell construction equipment, but as the government has imposed the closure of the markets, this
It's not easy to feed my family," he told AFP.
"The government must help us, nothing can be done while these restrictions are in place,"
he pleads.

The governor of Lagos has promised aid to the more than 200,000 most vulnerable households, and aid
food for the poor.
“Please stay home with the ones you love. We are doing what is best for you,”
wrote the governor on Twitter.
But soon state revenues will no longer suffice. The continent's largest oil producer, which derives
90% of its revenue budget from black gold, is hit hard by the fall in the price of a barrel and has had to
cut its budget forecasts in half.
On the other hand, inflation is increasing. Suppliers are failing to keep up. "They don't come
more and customers are buying a lot to stock up," explains Ismail Yahaya, a seller of
fruits.
"I'm begging God to stop this virus. It's really not good for business."
In the country's federal capital, Abuja, politics have come to a standstill.
Parliament was closed and officials were ordered to stay at home. "The service is very
skeletal", explained one of them, not wishing to be named.
"It's really bizarre what's happening, and a big concern for everyone. This situation is instilling fear
among Nigerians in the workplace," he said.
Maintaining a state service with employees who must work from home is simply not
doable for many.
In Nigeria, power cuts are frequent and sometimes last several days.
“We are living in difficult times”, acknowledges Tony Ogunleye, spokesperson for the Ministry of Transport
from Abuja.
"But tough times require tough decisions, and everyone will have to deal with them, for a time,
which I think shouldn't last too long."