Nigeria, July 6 -- Fifty-three-year-old Akanni Kareem adjusted two heavy tyres dangling delicately on his head, his left hand placed around the waist for support. Although he said he was weak and tired, three damaged tyres belonging to his customers must be fixed before sunset.

The time was 3:05 on a Monday afternoon in the autumn of June and for Mr Kareem, that time of the day was the peak period. Yet with no assistance from anyone, he said he had to get the job done amidst excruciating back pains.

"There is nobody to assist me with anything," the dark-skinned vulcaniser quipped, wiping away beads of sweat dripping down from the middle of his bare head. "No apprentice here, nothing. Young ones nowadays only want quick money, they don't...