Nigeria: Lagos population prepares for containment

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Between Lagos, Abuja and the state of Ogun, almost 30 million people will be confined from this Monday evening in Nigeria. A decision announced this Sunday by the president to try to limit the spread of the coronavirus. This morning, in the administrative capital of the country, the atmosphere was in the final preparations. Report.

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With our correspondent in Lagos, Moïse Gomis

The open trunk of his station wagon overflowing with flickering gas cylinders is the last concern of this Abuja driver. Hands hung on the steering wheel, staring into the air, he is stuck in a traffic jam like several dozen cars near the Gwarinpa market, one of the largest residential areas in the administrative capital. These are the last races before the start of the packaging. Here a growing minority wears a mask or gloves, luxury items for the majority of people living below the poverty line.

The Gwarinpa market is not crowded, but full. It is less noisy than usual. Transactions are done mechanically. The amazement and worry can be read on almost all faces. No respect for distances between buyers and traders. As if people need a last proximity to this fruit, vegetable, meat and fish market.

The numerous masked police officers are observing for the moment without intervening. But already many hairdressers, sellers of second-hand clothes and shoes, accessories stores have anticipated the order of containment which will come into effect at 11:00 pm local time on Monday evening.

A real challenge

Imposing containment on almost 30 million people is a major challenge for Nigeria. Especially since hundreds of thousands, even millions of Nigerians, in Abuja and Lagos, live in extreme poverty. And for them, it's a mission almost impossible to survive during confinement without being able to leave. In fact, they most often live in substandard housing and neighborhoods with little access to drinking water, and sometimes without electricity for several days.

President Muhammadu Buhari has promised two months advance payment of allowances for recipients of income dedicated to the poorest. But will this measure really apply in a country accustomed more to ad hoc charity than to the solidarity of the welfare state? What about Abuja's real capacities at a time when the drop in the barrel of oil is calling into question Nigeria's 2020 budget.

President Buhari spoke of tens of millions of euros available for the containment. But will he have the means to achieve this ambition? Finally, this initial confinement is planned for 14 days, but how will the residents of Abuja and especially Lagos comply with it, especially if this measure were to last? Afrobeat king Fela Kuti sang " Suffering and Smilin g", Abuja, Lagos and Ogun State are preparing for joyless containment, anticipating the pain.

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• Nigeria
• Health and Medicine
• Coronavirus