The Lagos hustle has no manual — everyone’s just figuring it out one alarm, one commute, and one deadline at a time. Or eight. Some days you’re up before sunrise, racing traffic that doesn’t sleep. Other days, you’re simply trying to keep your head above the city’s noise.
For Ameenah, a copywriter and marketer at MyCoverGenius, the hustle is both chaos and rhythm. Her day starts with eight alarms, a to-do list, and the constant tug between creativity and structure. From catching the 5:45 a.m. ride out of Ikorodu to managing campaigns and brand strategies, she’s learned that surviving Lagos is an art form — one built on planning, patience, and playlists.
This week on Lagos Hustle Diaries, Ameenah lets us into her world — a story of structure, sound, and silent strength in a city that never stops moving.
Kindly tell us about yourself and what you do
I’m Ameenah Aderinto. I work as a copywriter and marketer at MyCoverGenius, an insurtech company where I handle lifecycle marketing, email campaigns, press releases, SEO blogs, sales pitches, and more. Generally, my career extends into operations, executive support, and personal branding, which means I am constantly balancing creativity with structure, strategy with execution.
Over the years, I have learned to connect these different areas in a way that makes my work more adaptable and impactful. Just like Lagos itself, my career is a mix of energy, discipline, and resilience, and that combination shapes the way I show up every day.
Can you walk us through a typical Lagos morning for you. What’s the first thing you do when you wake up, and how quickly does the Lagos rush hit you?
My mornings start with checking messages, emails, and LinkedIn, then updating my task list. I rely on alarms (Gosh, I’m so obsessed with alarms, and I have 8 regular alarms and add or remove based on my tasks for the day), Asana, and Google Calendar to track what needs to be done. Once I have my day lined up, I plug straight into work, with meals and quick Instagram scrolls in between.
On days I have to be on-site, I leave Ikorodu by 5:45 a.m. to beat traffic and get to Lekki by 8:45 am latest. Work officially starts at 9 am. If I am not stuck in traffic, it might be a faulty vehicle or a sudden fare hike waiting for me. Some days I take the ferry instead, just to stay ahead of the rush.
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Lagos has a reputation for its traffic, but also for its energy. What’s one unforgettable commuting experience that still makes you smile or shake your head?
Smile? None. I don’t enjoy going out, and traffic tops the list of things I dislike about Lagos. Every commute seems to come with a surprise: a breakdown on the road, the struggle to enter buses with others, heavy traffic, inflated fares, etc. For me, it is less about one unforgettable experience and more about the daily frustration of moving around.
When the city gets intense, what’s your little ritual or hack for staying grounded, music, quiet time, or something else?
Music and naps mostly. Sometimes, I scroll through LinkedIn and IG for fun skits to loosen up my day and head.
Work and hustle are at the heart of Lagos living. How does the city’s energy shape the way you approach your career or side projects?
Lagos teaches you to anticipate problems and adapt quickly. Nothing really goes smoothly here, so you learn to stay prepared and still deliver no matter what happens. That has shaped the way I work across marketing, operations, and branding. The city’s energy forces me to stay consistent and disciplined, which is how I approach my career.
Food is part of Lagos culture. What’s your go-to meal or snack, whether it’s suya, amala, or that one hidden spot you think everyone should try?
Snacks and cereals. I rarely cook on time or regularly, so I stick to easy meals that keep me moving through the day. But I’m a big fan of Ugwu stew-like soup with eba or fufu, spicy jollof rice/ jollof spaghetti wth peppered meat.
Right now, what’s the one song currently on repeat for you, the soundtrack that powers your Lagos hustle?
I don’t stick to just one song. I create and rotate my own playlists depending on how I feel. Some days it is classics or blues, other days it’s R&B, old and new Naija songs, or even Spanish tracks. I actually listen to music in different foreign languages. The mix keeps things fresh and helps me power through the Lagos grind.
Lagos is busy, but it also has pockets of peace. Where’s your favourite place to relax or recharge in the city?
I am more of an indoor person, so I do not really have a favorite spot in Lagos. It is usually either work, home, or important events. That said, I think I would enjoy visiting an art gallery, cozy, unpopular restaurants, or a perfume-making store to create my own scent. Those kinds of experiences interest me more than the usual hangouts.
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If you had one weekend free with no work and no traffic, where in Lagos would you eat, hang out, or explore?
I would use the chance to finally explore that art gallery and perfume studio I have been thinking about. Lagos has a creative side that often gets overshadowed by the noise, and I would like to discover more of it.
Looking beyond Lagos, what destination is at the top of your travel list and why?
Dubai, Delhi, Sweden, and places where I already have friends, like the UK and the US. Each destination has something different to offer, from culture to architecture to simply connecting with people I care about.
Finally, complete this sentence for us: “Lagos is…”
Lagos is chaotic, exhausting, expensive, and unforgettable.