We highlight aspects of the ordinary-known interactions between urban environments and physical activity-that are amplified by the extraordinary-the COVID-19 pandemic in Lagos, Nigeria. Leisure physical activity is shaped by local contexts, and pandemic-related changes may have altered existing trade-offs between the benefits and risks of undertaking Leisure physical activity in the city. We note the dynamic and inequitable ways that urban spaces are used during the pandemic and the urgent need for local evidence and solutions. Our reflections in this commentary illustrate the possibility of rethinking urban development and the reforms necessary to address health inequalities post-pandemic.

The study analyzed the relationship between non-oil sector and economic growth from 1980-2012 and data was derived from Central Bank of Nigeria's statistical bulletin (CBN) and World Development Indicators (2013). Variables of interest were GDP as proxy for economic growth, non-oil exports, openness as proxy for technological advancement, oil exports and exchange rate variables. The theoretical framework was the Neoclassical growth model and model specification followed Ondigo et al.,(2013) in conformity to theoretical framework. Unit root test of stationarity was carried out using Augmented Dickey Fuller test and Phillips Peron test and once data was proved stationary, we carried out co integration test; which shows four co-integrating relationships, an indication of long run relationship among variables. Thus, we proceeded to Error Correction Model (ECM) ECM was significant however; non oil export variable was significant but negative. This is an indication of the dismal performance of the sector. The paper concludes that there is need for the government to focus on reviving the sector to improve its performance and ensure that the sector is repositioned to meet international standards.

Public spaces have the potential to produce equitable improvements in population health. This mixed-methods systematic review aims to understand the components of, determinants, risks, and outcomes associated with public space initiatives in African cities. This study will include quantitative and qualitative study designs that describe public space initiatives in African cities with implications for promoting health and wellbeing, particularly through the prevention of noncommunicable diseases. Only studies published after 1990 and that contain primary or secondary data will be included in the review. Literature search strategies will be developed with a medical librarian. We will search PubMed, using both text words and medical subject headings. We will adapt this search to Scopus, Global Health, and Web of Science. This systematic review will adopt a mixed methods analytical approach. Mixing will occur in extracting both qualitative and quantitative findings; in synthesizing findings; and in the analysis where we will integrate the qualitative and quantitative strands. The learnings from this study will contribute to advancing knowledge on noncommunicable disease prevention through public space initiatives in African cities.

Sub‐Saharan Africa has been the last continent to experience a significant number of cases in the novel Coronavirus (COVID‐19). Studies suggest that air pollution is related to COVID‐19 mortality; poor air quality has been linked to cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and respiratory diseases, which are considered co‐morbidities linked to COVID‐19 deaths. We examine potential connections between country‐wide COVID‐19 cases and environmental conditions in Senegal, Cabo Verde, Nigeria, Cote D'Ivorie, and Angola. We analyze PM2.5 concentrations, temperatures from cost‐effective in situ measurements, aerosol optical depth (AOD), and fire count and NO2 column values from space‐borne platforms from 1 January 2020 through 31 March 2021. Our results show that the first COVID‐19 wave in West Africa began during the wet season of 2020, followed by a second during the dry season of 2020. In Angola, the first wave starts during the biomass burning season but does not peak until November of 2020. Overall PM2.5 concentrations are the highest in Ibadan, Nigeria, and coincided with the second wave of COVID‐19 in late 2021 and early 2022. The COVID‐19 waves in Cabo Verde are not in phase with those in Senegal, Nigeria, and Cote, lagging by several months in general. Overall, the highest correlations occurred between weekly new COVID‐19 cases meteorological and air quality variables occurred in the dry season.

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