A young woman in Calabar has sparked online debate after sharing a video of unusually quiet streets at 9AM, questioning whether the city’s late start to business is unique or common across Nigeria.

The lady, identified on social media as @giftty000, posted a clip showing rows of shops still closed when she stepped out in Calabar one morning. Expecting the streets to be bustling with activity, she was surprised to find the city center largely inactive. In her caption, she wrote: “Is it everywhere or it’s only here that shops don’t open till prolly past 9-10?”.

Her video quickly went viral, amassing nearly 200,000 views and drawing comments from Nigerians across different regions. Many users compared Calabar’s slower morning routine to cities like Lagos and Abuja, where shops and markets often open as early as 6AM. Others noted that Calabar, known for its relaxed lifestyle and tourism appeal, tends to operate at a different pace, with businesses opening later in the day.

The conversation highlighted cultural and regional differences in Nigeria’s urban rhythms. While commercial hubs like Lagos thrive on early-morning activity driven by heavy traffic and commuter schedules, cities such as Calabar often reflect a more laid-back tempo. Some commenters even joked that Calabar’s residents “wake up with the sun,” while others defended the practice, saying it aligns with the city’s slower pace of life and lower population density compared to Nigeria’s megacities.

Beyond humor, the viral post also raised questions about economic activity and productivity. Analysts note that business hours can influence consumer behavior, tourism, and even perceptions of a city’s vibrancy. For Calabar, which is famous for its annual carnival and hospitality industry, the relaxed start to the day may be part of its charm, but it also contrasts sharply with the hustle-driven culture of Nigeria’s larger commercial centers.

In the end, what began as a casual observation by one resident has turned into a national conversation about how different Nigerian cities live, work, and move. As one commenter put it, “Calabar is not Lagos. Here, life is slower, but maybe that’s why people love it.”