Less Than Human [TMP #98]
A Lagos experience + 'Dive' by Olivia Dean
At a glance:
Less Than Human
Book Club 📖
The Gallery 🎨
A jam someone recently introduced me to 🫶🏾
Less Than Human
After three months in Lagos, one night brought me close to losing my shit.
In clearing out my drafts, here we go:
First I was on a bus to CMS. Then I was on a bus to Oshodi. And all I thought was “I wish I was in an electric car right now.”
Sometimes, I remember that I hate the Lagos life, with great irritation.
Sometimes, I enter markets and think, ‘How can we make this country better?’, for surely we can be better.
Sometimes, I drive past roads and all I think is that to live the way we do is to be less than human. Traffic in Lagos is abysmal. Disgustingly abysmal.
When I started typing this draft, on Saturday, February 24th, the tyre of the keke I took had just torn apart. Or burst? I can't remember; it was 9:30 pm. By then, I was emotionally detached from the situation to have registered it.
The following week started with a sizzle, literally. I was on the road to Lagos and the car I entered started overheating. Water was boiling and the bonnet looked like it was smoking1. I reached Lagos by 9:30 pm. I made it to work on Monday before 8:30 am. My back was on fire.
I know stress and everything that comes with it is universal. But what I also know is that we can be better. Living conditions could be better, you know?
To live like this is less than human.
— Dayo 🙏🏾
Book Club 📖
It has been eight weeks since the last book club (!) and since then I started Risk and Return: A journey of entrepreneurship and self-discovery in Africa by Yomi Jemibewon and re-read Single. Dating. Engaged. Married by Ben Stuart. Risk and Return was a gift, a beautiful timely gift. You can get a copy on Roving Heights here.2
As to Ben Stuart’s book, I love how something new sticks on a re-read. It’s never just the same book. Bonus points for spreading its good news to five people and getting two people to read it. Music to my heart. You can read my first review here. (I consider it amateur now 😅)
The Gallery 🎨
In some parts of Lagos, it feels like everyone is trying to one-up each other. What parts? Just drive on her roads.
It wasn’t. It was simply steam.
It’s not an affiliate link. It’s just worth buying.
Loved it!