Posted by Chinenye on Tue 19th May, 2026 - tori.ng
A viral video has sparked reactions online after street vendors were seen using a traditional cooling method to keep drinks cold without electricity, highlighting both creativity and frustration in Nigeria.
(Vendors Cool Drinks in Mud Pits. photo Credit; X.com)
A video circulating on social media shows vendors employing a traditional cooling technique to keep drinks chilled without electricity.
The method involves wrapping sealed bottles in wet clay, which lowers the temperature by between 10 and 15 degrees Celsius through the process of evaporation a principle similar to that used in traditional zeer pots that have been around for generations.
The clip has drawn mixed reactions online. Many viewers have praised the ingenuity and resourcefulness of the vendors in finding a way to keep their products fresh without relying on the power grid.
Others, however, have used the moment to express deeper frustration over Nigeria's persistent electricity crisis, pointing out that the national grid currently generates only around 4,000 megawatts to serve a population of 230 million people, with rural communities often going without power entirely.
While the method serves as a testament to everyday resilience in the face of infrastructure challenges, it also underscores the urgent need for lasting solutions.
Efforts to expand solar energy access and improve grid capacity are ongoing, with the hope of eventually bringing reliable electricity to more Nigerians.