Written by Torinmo Salau

This time last year, there was massive promotion for Easter-themed events such as specially curated menu deals, concerts like Gidifest, food festivals and many more. However, this year’s celebration was muted and devoid of the boisterous fanfare associated with this holiday, an implication of the restriction of movements across the country in a bid to curtail the spread of the disease.

Although social gatherings were off the table as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the current state of things didn’t hinder people from preparing celebratory meals for their families - whether through the many delivery services available or their own special menus.

As the first 14-day lockdown order by the Federal government overlapped with the Easter weekend, we spoke to Nigerians about their experience celebrating Easter before and during COVID-19, and here’s what they had to say:

“My neighbours didn’t get their share of my Easter rice this year”

Compared to last year when I cooked bulk meals to share with neighbours, this Easter was a little muted. Although I was still able to order chicken and meat from my vendor, she said it will be the last delivery she will make until the lockdown is over. Visits to the market are limited, so we have to be very economical with food items during this time.

-  Rayo Ahenmokhai, Manager, LagosHouseWife.

“I had to settle for a home-cooked meal”

I cooked my meals this Easter because there wasn’t any opportunity to eat out, unlike last year.

- Wemimo David

“Easter was really boring this year”

Easter during the coronavirus pandemic was different because the lockdown is affecting a lot of things. Some food stalls are not open, while the available stores have hiked their prices. I spoke to my chicken supplier recently and she lamented about how the price of chicken has skyrocketed. Easter celebration was boring compared to last year because of the restriction of movements, many fun spots are on lockdown.

- Tosin, Food blogger, TSpice Kitchen

“My holiday experience was the same as last year”

‘The lockdown did not affect the way I celebrated Easter this year because I did not do any special cooking for Easter last year, so it was still the same experience.

- Akinola Ojo

“We had to celebrate away from family”

‘This year’s Easter holiday was different because of the restriction of movement. Before the coronavirus pandemic, we celebrated Easter at my grandparents’ house but we couldn’t spend the holidays with them this year.

- Ibukun Banjoko

“We had to make do with a single-course meal”

Before the covid19 pandemic, I had a tradition of always preparing a three-course meal for my family during Easter, I couldn’t do it this year due this hike in food prices. I am trying to control my spending, so we had to make do with a single course meal, Jollof rice and chicken.

- Helena Udo

Ed note: Responses were edited for clarity and length.

Torinmo Salau is a Writer/Journalist and her works have been published online and offline in local and international publications.