 | | Courtesy of Damilare Dosunmu | | Hi readers,
I'm Damilare Dosunmu, a reporter covering Africa for Rest of World. I was born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria, and for the past four years, I've been reporting on tech stories from across the continent. This is what my typical day in Lagos looks like. | | 8:00 a.m.
I wake up late and start my day by observing salat [morning prayers]. Then, exercise. I'm focusing on my health now: running, veggies, one meal a day. I used to eat snacks like chin chin [fried dough] during the day, but now it's cucumbers. Once I have a goal in mind, I am all in.
Then I call or text my friends and family, especially my mom. Nigerian moms: They panic. If you don't call them, they'll think something has happened to you. Better to contact them and manage their panic upfront.
9:30 a.m.
I sign in to Rest of World Slack, and update my colleagues on my tasks for the day. I message my editor to discuss impending assignments and brainstorm new ones. Today I'm reporting a story about the government's ambition to electrify 50% of public transportation in Lagos state.
Nigerians are cautious when speaking to the press. Not like Kenyans. Kenyans will tell you exactly what they think, and demand you print their full name. Nigerians, you have to make them feel comfortable to open up. It helps that I work for an international publication; that's good for credibility.
Every hour is rush hour in Lagos. A 15-minute drive can take over an hour in traffic. I've learned to take traffic as an opportunity to connect: I'll take my work meetings, or check in with sources while stuck in the car. The big problem is that traffic is expensive. Fuel can be scarce — such a weird paradox for an oil-producing country — and prices go up by the day.
I spend a few hours interviewing sources. I have to balance my relationships as a reporter. It can be stressful. My startup sources might think of me as a friend, but I tell them my work comes first: If there's a good story, I'm going to write it and not hold back. | | 1:30 p.m.
When I get home, the power is out. The power is out all the time in Lagos. I finally installed a grid at home, with solar. I built my own small inverter with two batteries. But it's not very strong and can only power the internet, TV, standing fans, and light bulbs. So my fridge and AC won't work.
Lunch is my main meal. I do meal prep at the start of each week, but the power cuts mean leftovers don't last long. Today it's chicken salad. Remember, healthy living.
Our HQ is in New York, meaning it's morning there, so after lunch I join editorial and other internal meetings to pitch and brainstorm story ideas. I resume working on my story drafts, attending to editor's notes after.
6:00 p.m.
I take a break and head to the pool at the University of Lagos. I'm finally learning how to swim this year. The pool is huge and never crowded. There are so many things they don't teach us as kids in Nigeria, like the benefits of swimming. I joined a class to learn the basics, and now I love it.
I actually thought I knew how to swim when I was younger, because we played in rivers near my grandmother's village. Then one day in uni, I jumped in the deep end of a real pool and almost drowned. | | 8:00 p.m.
I skip dinner and snack on an apple as I binge my favorite YouTube channels or watch Bollywood movies. I feed my cat, Sultan. At one point I had five cats at home; it was too much. I proceed to work on my music for a bit. I love Afro House music and Caiiro is my favorite artist and DJ. I also DJ, and sometimes I have my friends over to play Afro House music on my balcony.
11:00 p.m.
No deadline in sight so I head out to meet my friends at a party. I'm going to Mantra Lagos, an Indian restaurant and lounge located in the island region of Lagos, to listen and dance to some EDM and Afro House music. Being a reporter can be lonely sometimes; I enjoy getting lost in the chaos of Lagos nightlife. | |  Damilare Dosunmu
Reporter | | | | |
