Lagos is a city that often makes headlines for its vibrancy, its cultural dynamism, and its status as Nigeria’s commercial and entertainment hub. But behind the lights, traffic, and constant hustle, the city can be a tough and stressful place to live, work, and navigate. Comedian and actor Basketmouth, who has made a career out of sharing humorous insights on life, often talks about the realities of life in Lagos with a touch of humor, though often with an undercurrent of frustration. In this reflection on the five things about Lagos that stress him to the bone, it’s clear that while the city offers immense opportunities, it also comes with its own set of grueling challenges.
- The Traffic (Lagos Traffic – The Devil’s Playground)
If there’s one thing that unites every Lagosian in shared frustration, it’s the city’s traffic. Basketmouth has spoken numerous times about the agony of spending hours on the road, even for short distances. The traffic in Lagos is notoriously bad, and whether you’re in a private car, a public bus, or an Uber, it feels like you are at the mercy of the city’s chaotic roads.
The city’s road network is often clogged with vehicles, ranging from cars to commercial buses (known as ‘danfos’), motorcycles (okadas), and tricycles (keke maruas). The situation worsens during peak hours, and the lack of proper road management or infrastructure means that the traffic snarls are often compounded by potholes, reckless driving, and poorly maintained roads.
Basketmouth humorously expresses the frustration that comes with Lagos traffic by emphasizing how much time people waste just sitting in the car, staring at their watches, and trying to maintain their sanity. From getting stuck in traffic jams that last for hours to dealing with the chaos caused by road construction projects or poorly designed intersections, Lagos traffic is a never-ending source of stress. For him, it’s the kind of stress that wears you out physically, mentally, and emotionally.
- The Noise (A City That Never Sleeps)
In a city as populous as Lagos, the cacophony of noise is inescapable. Basketmouth often pokes fun at the overwhelming sounds that bombard people in the city. From the incessant honking of car horns to the loudspeakers used by street vendors, religious groups, and political campaigns, Lagos is a city that never lets you experience silence.
Imagine walking down a street in Lagos, and you’ll find yourself competing with a medley of sounds: blaring music from street parties or roadside events, calls of hawkers advertising their wares, the sounds of construction workers on building sites, and even the calls of street preachers or political agitators trying to rally support.
The noise, to Basketmouth, is more than just an inconvenience—it can feel like a psychological assault. With so much going on at once, it’s hard to find any peace, even in the most quiet moments. Trying to hold a conversation with a friend in the middle of such noise is a feat in itself, and it can get overwhelming to the point where you long for the serenity of a place with fewer distractions. It’s a type of stress that creeps up gradually but hits you hard once you realize how much constant sound affects your mental peace.
- The Power Outages (Where’s the Light?)
Another stressor in Lagos that Basketmouth frequently mentions is the issue of power outages. Despite being the commercial heart of Nigeria, Lagos still struggles with inconsistent power supply. It’s not uncommon for residents to experience power cuts that last for hours or even days. The frustration that comes with these blackouts can easily ruin anyone’s day.
Basketmouth humorously details the absurdity of living in a place where the phrase “light no dey” (there’s no power) has become a cultural norm. The frequent power outages affect everyday life—whether it’s trying to work from home, prepare meals, or simply relax in the comfort of your own space. People often rely on generators to make up for the lack of power, which only adds to the noise pollution and environmental stress. Running a generator comes with its own problems, like fuel costs, noise, and exhaust fumes.
In Basketmouth’s eyes, Lagosians have mastered the art of patience when it comes to power issues. However, it’s an ongoing issue that leaves people perpetually on edge, never truly knowing when their next blackout will hit.
- The Unpredictability of Life (Expect the Unexpected)
Lagos is a city of contrasts, and one of the things that Basketmouth finds most stressful is the unpredictable nature of life in the city. From sudden weather changes to unexpected changes in traffic patterns, nothing about Lagos seems stable or reliable. This lack of predictability can be mentally exhausting.
You can leave your house in the morning thinking you’re on track to have a smooth day, but then the unexpected happens. A heavy rainstorm can flood the streets, turning them into rivers. A political rally might block off a major road, forcing you to take detours for hours. A bus might break down in the middle of your journey, or an event could end up being far more crowded (and chaotic) than you had anticipated.
Basketmouth often jokes about how planning anything in Lagos feels like playing a game of chance. Whether it’s going to a meeting, attending an event, or even just running errands, things rarely go as planned. This uncertainty can be mentally exhausting, as it requires a lot of flexibility and the ability to adapt to whatever comes your way. Over time, this unpredictability builds up, causing stress for anyone who has to navigate the city on a daily basis.
- The Cost of Living (Is There Any Money Left?)
Lastly, the cost of living in Lagos is another stressor that Basketmouth often highlights. Lagos is known for being one of the most expensive cities in Africa, and its high living costs can be a major source of anxiety for its residents. Whether it’s rent, food, transportation, or entertainment, the cost of daily life in Lagos seems to constantly rise, while wages remain stagnant for many.
Basketmouth humorously talks about how one’s income often doesn’t stretch far enough to cover the basic needs of living in the city. Whether it’s the skyrocketing cost of housing or the price of fuel and transportation, it feels like money just slips away as fast as it comes in. This financial pressure only adds to the overall stress of living in Lagos.
Conclusion
For Basketmouth, Lagos is a city that both excites and exhausts its residents. It’s a place that demands resilience, patience, and a good sense of humor to survive. While he finds humor in the frustrations of Lagos, these five stressors—traffic, noise, power outages, unpredictability, and high living costs—are a constant reality for many residents. In the end, Lagos may be a city of opportunities, but it’s also a place that demands a lot from its people. And for Basketmouth, this combination of opportunity and stress is a central theme of life in Lagos.