Democracy's star is fading as Nigerians struggle to afford the basics

For visitors to Lagos, the gentle plea begins with immigration officials at the airport and is echoed across the streets of Africa's most populous city: "Show me love." It is a familiar request for tips in a city of omnipresent hustle, but residents say the requests have intensified in the last year as people struggle under the crushing weight of Nigeria's underperforming economy. Wednesday marked the completion of the first year in office of the president, Bola Tinubu, after the disputed election of February 2023. It was also the 25th anniversary of Nigeria's return to democracy, a promising point in…