Why are Nigerians paying for fake COVID test results?

The high cost of private PCR tests and results delays are inhibiting a key weapon in Nigeria’s fight against COVID-19.

Lagos, Nigeria – In August, the University of Lagos temporarily closed its doors after positive cases of COVID-19 were reported in hostels on the main campus in Akoka.

Twenty-three-year-old Bolu and 24-year-old Veronica were among the thousands of students whose studies were interrupted.

The students, who asked Al Jazeera to refer to them by pseudonyms, are both in their final year of medical school. Neither was allowed to return to the classroom until the end of August – and only then if they could furnish the school with a negative COVID-19 test result.