​In 2018, it was reported that President Trump referred to African countries as shithole countries. Other actors would refrain from that kind of language but continue to suggest they think that way too by consistently framing that any wins Africa has are due to accidents/mysteries of poverty than any deliberate action on the part of the government(s). We are seeing it today with the reaction to Covid in Africa. When the COVID-19 was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization in early 2020. All eyes were on Africa. This is despite the fact the pandemic was of Chinese origin with high cases in Europe - Italy, and Spain recording highest fatality recording in thousands at the time. When low cases were reported in most African countries, many in the media were perplexed on why the COVID pandemic is not ravaging African countries. 
Some in the US did not believe the low cases from African countries. Evacuees arriving from other countries including African ones are shocked on the lack of protocol at American Airports. One arriving from DRC attested to the DRC actually has some protocols using the available capacity they used during Ebola.
Others in the media assumed that it was a matter of time. On April 21st, 2020 Vox published an article by Alex Ward titled “Africa has so far been spared the worst of the coronavirus. That could soon change”. The author acknowledged the swift action taken by African countries to contain the spread but suggested that lack of testing could explain the low cases. We are now in the second wave of the pandemic (2020/21), and most African countries with the exception of South Africa, are still recording low cases  in comparison to many in Europe and North America. 
 
.www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?utm_campaign=homeAdvegas1?.

Why is the exaggerated alarm from both African and international commentators and media? There is a combination of reasons but some of those that frequently occur are: Africa is continuously treated as a homogenous country and there is a constructed perception of Africa as a deathbed for diseases, and an incapacitated region. Many African countries do not have the capacity and technology equivalent to that of some developed countries in Europe, North America, and Asia. Yes, African countries have had some experience managing diseases but so do every other region. In the last two decades, there have been regional and global disease outbreaks - such as Swine Flu,  SAR, Zika and etc. These outbreaks were not in African countries. This did not stop attributing the low spread of COVID-19 in African countries to frequent disease outbreaks in the region using Ebola as an example. Even though there were very few Ebola cases in some countries both within and outside Africa, the outbreak was in four West African countries - DRC, Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. Despite this, it is wrongly assumed that the Ebola outbreak happened in every African country, due to the way it is framed in the media. 
There are various factors that could be attributed to the low cases of COVID in African countries (https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-54418613). Whilst there have been challenges (low testing especially outside major cities) there are things African governments are doing right. My trip to Nigeria is testament to that. 

Immediately, my flight was confirmed, I started paying more attention to COVID cases in Nigeria. I spoke with friends and family members and they assured me that it was safe. The assurance did not completely assuage my fear given the rate of the spread in the US. I researched the rate of transfer while inside the plane and planned to follow Naomi Campbell’s traveling routine. Nigeria has an official traveling protocol that requires anyone traveling to Nigeria to obtain a negative COVID-19 by a well-recognized and accredited clinic. The test is uploaded into the Nigerian traveling portal with details of my trips. This includes where I have traveled in the past two months, my contacts, and next of kin in Nigeria. Everywhere I planned to visit in Nigeria with detailed addresses and phone numbers. We are also required to pay an equivalent of $100 for a test a week after my arrival in Nigeria. 

On arrival at the Abuja Airport Nigeria, the first stop after disembarking from the plane was to take the temperature of every passenger. Then, we proceed to the verification of our travel permit to confirm a negative COVID test and the payment for another test in a week's time. Having passed through this, we are to go through a full-body screening. All these include mandatory mask-wearing at the airport. When it is ascertained that you are negative, you are allowed to enter the country. A week after my arrival, I went for the test. In less than 24 hours, I got my negative result. It was another big relief. 

In Abuja, people walk about casually with little restrictions. Physical locations such as malls and airports usually have personnel stationed at entrance points for security reasons. All they have had to do is give them temperature sensors and hand gel. Compare with America where a person is likely to feel their human rights are being attacked because a shop personnel with little experience of customer management is asking them to wear a mask. Nigeria already has these protocols entrenched for a number of reasons. There is more focus on contact tracing of those coming into the country because most cases are from outside the country.

My first week in Nigeria, there was a report of 700 cases. It became big news and chatter. I had a laugh at people's reaction to the 700 cases which were seen as a big spark. I said to a friend, that is less than the number of COVID-related deaths registered by a state in the US. Nigeria was generally safe and I was at peace’. It is interesting that I did not know how much the impact of COVID and its management in the US has affected me until I traveled to that ‘shithole’ country Nigeria. On our way back to the US, things were dangerously simple. We were asked to complete a COVID form on the flight but when we arrived, there was nobody asking questions about where we were coming from. The form I completed is still in my bag. 

I have come to realize that some African countries have a more stringent protocol and strong tracing process. For instance, in Rwanda, if you are not wearing a mask in public, you will be required to go on 12 hours of training. African governments have been more like China and other Asian countries comfortable with stringent approaches  that require testing at strategic points and as a precondition for entry. The UK has now decided to follow this procedure given its own out-of-control situation, but allowed inbound travel without testing for almost a year. 

Africa as a region has its own problems but many countries in Africa are managing this pandemic better than expected. We understand there are governance challenges in some African countries, but when a country gets it right, let’s stop explaining it away but rather learn to apply the positive example to other areas. We are already into a new decade. It is time we stop treating the most heterogeneous continent as a homogenous country. This is a broken record but it has continued to happen. Instead of lazy reporting or using dummies to assess African countries, it would do everyone a favour especially foreign media to try visiting countries and report the reality instead of reports driven by false perceptions. Us shithole countries also  have to take matters - and science - into our own hands, if we want to see the kinds of headlines that capture our reality.  For example, are Africans looking at our blood samples to check whether Africans have higher rates of exposure/antibodies for coronaviruses. What are our scientists doing?

We are in Abuja now, the Capitol city. The hotel is affordable and nice. This is much more of a planned city, nice homes with landscaping. People seem to be following traffic laws to some extent. There is a clear sense of order here. Police direct traffic. Occasionally there is a check point. Police with semi automatics look at cars and wave em on. There is a nice park we go to and sit on the grass and eat spicy seasoned meat called Suya and rice bread wrapped in newspaper. It’s crowed with folks enjoying the day. Photographers offer to take pictures of your outing for a fee. A man selling books kneels down besides to show us his collection. Won’t take no for an answer. Starts getting annoying truthfully, cause I tried not make eye contact, it doesn’t work. I don’t think I have ever bought a book from high pressure sales rep. It’s just not the same. He leaves annoyed. It’s a nice park, other vendors sell crafts and paintings along the walkway, eagles soar above, people are happy. We walk the streets near our hotel I’m told this area was the first planned neighborhood
The houses are nicely kept. The landscaping showcases beautiful palm tree hybrids that look like they have been hand painted with spirals halfway up the tree. It’s a very peaceful neighborhood. We stop at a fresh food market to buy fruit. Again it’s organized and vendors are patient and very helpful

May is that time of the year in the northeast of maybe spring or summer
It is the peak of spring and the beginning of summer. It sometimes plays in our mentality.
Maybe its rains today, sunny tomorrow or cloudy the next. It is warm today and maybe cold.
I start with peak clarity and deep confusion, then I pick up to decide because what I invested in May will determine my June. May is beautiful, hopeful confusing but also a time to be decisive and seek clarity. May time to plan for the remaining year.

Africa the motherland
Oh! Africa full of beauty and gem, luscious and alive
The sun rising majestically. I’m in awe of its beauty,
The red, yellow sky big goodnight and blue in the day
It ushered magnificent moon for light at night
Innumerable stars are ever bright  in African sky
Sparkling like a diamond in the African night
Oh Africa! What can be compare to your beauty?

The river runs deep and shallow ever flowing
The blue oceans meet at the tip of the south
The Ubo spring ever fresh and sweet
Food still grows from nature, and delicious
As I lay in bed I hear the whistle of the wind
That gives great melody to the tree whispering
And birds singing as cock crow at dawn  

Stretching out with a smile, as the sun floods in
The day begins. What a wonderful way to wake in Africa
My heart, my home and God’s grand design. My Africa!
What happen to you oh Africa?
Men of power eating your children while trodden on you
How long would you survive this wickedness?
Your children are being preyed upon for money and greed

​

​Since 1999 when Nigerian transitioned once again to democracy, the country's political crisis has deepened in every presidential election circle. Last month – January 2019, while in Nigeria on fieldwork, I had the opportunity to observe the pre-election activities in four regions of the country. I traveled to the Southwest, Abuja, Northeast, and the Southeast interacting with people of different backgrounds on their political views and the state of the country. Compare to the 2014/2015-election season in Nigeria; a lot has changed in the political landscape. 
First, the Nigerian national political imaginations and cleavages – religion, region, and ethnicity are not as salient as it was in 2015. This is understandable given that in the last election, it was a context between the sitting President, a southern Christian, and a northern Muslim.  This year, the two major candidates are both Fulani Muslim from the north. The current President (Muhammed Buhari) is from the northwest while AtikuAbubakar is from the northeast.
Second, there is a lot of lethargy. People do not think their vote will count. Unlike four years ago whereby there were a robust civic engagement and the confidence that every vote counts. This time, there is a general belief that this election will be rigged, which is not new in Nigeria. However, there is a regression in political freedom as oppositions claim of suppression. Some activists I spoke with confirmed that they have been threatened when their report is not favorable to the government. 
​Third, in addition to the suppression of opposition voices, political violence has escalated in the country as never before. Some people said that they are not voting for fear of their lives. Just a few days ago, President Buhari ordered the police and the military to be ruthless with vote-riggers. The problem is that this is emboldening the police and the military that are already known for their recklessness and operating outside the law. Many have condemned the President's order and rhetoric. The opposition calls it jungle justice and licenses to kill. They accused the President of politicizing and using the military to further his political interest. The two major parties will commit election fraud. It is a matter of who will be more ruthless?
Fourth, there is a problem with voters card as many, especially in the south, complained of inability to collect their voter's card. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) confirmed the voters' ID problem and also noted that election would not be held in some areas due to PVC problem and ballot allocation. Despite postponing the election for one week, these problems have not been solved. The INEC insisted that the election will be held on Saturday 23rd February. It is very likely it would hold, but the legitimacy of the election will be in question.
Generally, the improvement that was made four years ago in the Nigerian democratic process has been erased. Nigerian elections have always been a zero-sum game, and the winner takes it all. In the absence of a better word, I say, this election is an absolute-zero-sum game. This is why many have resigned to whatever outcome would be. It is now 'a wait and see situation'.

​I traveled to Nigeria this January for follow-up research on my study of Boko Haram insurgency. This is my fourth field trip on the same topic, but for the first time, I was able to visit Borno State. I think it was well overdue. I have been writing on two different angles of Boko Haram insurgency –examining civil/military relations and the use of female suicide bombers. I had to put them on hold because of the gap in data. The last time I was in Nigeria in 2016, I was not allowed to travel to Maiduguri due to security reason.  Despite having a research assistant, I needed to travel to the epicenter. Another motivation for the trip was to observe the upcoming Nigerian election and Nigerian political behavior. I will be writing more about the election.
I arrived Lagos on Wednesday night and take the first flight to the Enugu to visit some part of southeastern Nigeria for three days. From there I traveled to Abuja. I had the opportunity to interview some key people that have been working with Boko Haram and have had direct contact with the would-be and failed female suicide bombers. Information from the Abuja interviews shifted my perspectives, and I had to revaluate my questions before traveling to Maiduguri.
My trip to Maiduguri was not without fear, especially from family and friends.  However, I got much encouragement from people that have visited and those living there. The fear of Borno is like an epidemic in Nigeria. At the airport, I found that two major groups are traveling to Maiduguri – people living there and International Non-governmental Agencies with their security personnel. There were a lot of first timers like me. However, for some reason, people come to me for questions about Maiduguri. I met a young banker posted to Maiduguri. He was also frightened on the prospect of working and living in Maiduguri. He noted that he is only going there to change his posting back.
It was surreal when I arrived Maiduguri. First, there were many foreigners. I have not seen such number foreigners in military gear anywhere in Nigeria. I met with my driver Usman (not real name). He was a very nice man proud of his city – Maiduguri. He knows his city very well. He told me stories of every street we passed, new constructions going on — the renovated school buildings with full air-conditioned classes.  We drove through what he described as the most affluent area of the city and possibly the entire state — pointing at different magnificent buildings and their owners. Then we got to a large golden-gated estate that took half of the street. He said, this owned by the former governor. He had just a wife and couple of kids. What would he do with this? Along this quiet street are about five ragged, hungry boys begging for money. The first thing that comes to my mind was the Almajiris.
I asked Usman about them. He explained that there are possibly more of them in Borno state specifically in big cities like Maiduguri because historically Borno was center of Islamic education. He further explained - before the insurgency, truckloads of Almajiris are regularly dumped in the state from neighboring states and countries (Chad and Niger). The role of the Amajiri in the insurgency is a big debate. I learn a lot about Maiduguri and Borno state in general from Usman. I will use him when I go back.
However, the best part of my visit was gathering information on various aspect of Boko Haram insurgency. My contacts were very generous with their time. They were open and spoke freely. Some did not mind to be recorded, but people are more open without recording. I was able to visit different training centers for the Joint Civilian Task Force (JCT). I was surprised to find the number of women members of the JCT. I also visited a newly established school for girls that takes in the most vulnerable affected by the insurgency. Female education and women empowerment are now being promoted. Some women activists observed that there is more interest in female education than ever before. Generally, state and national government may not be doing much, but the citizens are. It is heartwarming to see the resilient and the work of local citizens in rebuilding their city and state. They gave me hope. I will take time in subsequent blogs to profile some of these local NGOs and their works.
There is a real and imagined fear of northeastern Nigeria. The real is the Boko Haram insurgency, while the imagined is that no one lives there and stepping your feet in the area is a death sentence. Contrary to general perceptions Maiduguri was peaceful and quiet during my visit. People were friendly and receptive. Even the banker acquaintance, changed his mind about his reposting. However, the economy is not doing well.   On the surface, it seems like business as usual, but my interaction with the residents show that the city is feeling the economic impact of Boko Haram. Despite its relative peace, many people left the state with their businesses at the peak of the insurgency in 2014.  The Borno state major agricultural produces are millet, wheat, rice, and peanut. Borno is also known for its fishery and beef.Unfortunately, about 2.5 million of the population are now displaced and are not able to go back to their communities and farm. Due to the declining economic activities, the cost of living at least for the visitor is astronomically high. Hotel accommodation, food, and taxi are more expensive in Maiduguri compared to major cities like Abuja and Lagos. 
I am pleased to have made this trip and thankful to those that helped me.I am planning on traveling again pending funding. It has been very enlightening. I don’t think anyone could write about Boko Haram without visiting Nigeria, but one's understanding of the group insurgency will be more robust and authentic by visiting northeastern Nigeria. I cannot wait to review my data and start writing again.