Nigeria’s Call For UN Reform At UNGA

Nigeria’s presentation at the 79th United Nations General Assembly was more than just a diplomatic exercise; it was a bold call to rethink the structures that define global governance. Delivered by Vice President Kashim Shettima, on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, the address touched on issues that transcend Nigeria’s borders – climate change, debt relief, and the deep inequities in global power structures, particularly at the United Nations.

The core of Nigeria’s message is both urgent and logical: today’s crises, whether economic, environmental, or security-related, demand solutions that are as interconnected as the problems themselves. The UN, as it currently stands, is not equipped to handle these challenges.
In our view, Nigeria’s proposal for a more inclusive Security Council, one that reflects the realities of the 21st century, is long overdue.

In a world where Africa, home to 1.4 billion people and some of the fastest-growing economies, has no permanent voice on the UN Security Council, the call for reform is not only justified, it is essential.

As Tinubu pointed out, the Council is a relic of a post-World War II order that no longer reflects the world we live in today. His argument that Africa deserves a permanent seat is more than just a plea for representation; it is a demand for the inclusion of perspectives that could reshape global responses to pressing issues like terrorism, migration, and climate change.

One of the most compelling aspects of Nigeria’s message is its call for debt relief for developing nations. Tinubu’s argument here is strikingly clear: when countries are crushed by debt, their ability to invest in critical sectors like healthcare, education, and infrastructure is severely compromised. The result is not just national instability but regional and even global insecurity.

The West’s reluctance to seriously address this issue, despite growing crises in nations across the Global South, only exacerbates the problem. Debt relief, in this context, is not charity; it’s a strategic imperative for global stability.

Equally important is Nigeria’s focus on climate change, a crisis that hits the Global South hardest. Tinubu’s reference to the floods that have devastated parts of Nigeria, including major cities like Maiduguri, underscores a point often lost in Western discourse: for many nations, climate change is not a distant threat but an immediate danger. His call for the global community to honor its COP commitments is a reminder that, for some countries, survival depends on it. Climate inaction, particularly by wealthier nations, is not just negligent, it’s dangerous.

On terrorism, Nigeria is once again positioning itself as a leader, with plans for the upcoming High-Level African Counter-Terrorism Meeting. This is a recognition that terrorism, like climate change, is a global problem requiring global solutions. And yet, Nigeria’s emphasis on addressing the root causes of conflic like poverty, hunger, inequality, goes beyond the usual security-centric responses.

This is where Nigeria’s voice is particularly compelling: it understands, perhaps better than most, that the roots of extremism are often found in systemic inequality and exclusion.

Moreover, Nigeria’s call aligns with a broader movement towards greater representation for the Global South. From the expansion of BRICS to the African Union’s recent inclusion in the G20, the world is slowly recognising that the voices of emerging economies can no longer be sidelined. Nigeria’s proposals at the UN are part of this shift, one that Western powers would be wise to engage with, rather than resist.

To be sure, Nigeria faces its own internal challenges such as corruption, insecurity, and governance issues. But rather than undermine the country’s credibility, these challenges lend weight to its call for global cooperation. Nigeria knows the complexity of development in the 21st century firsthand, and its voice carries the authority of experience.

The global order, as it stands, is at a crossroads. We can cling to outdated structures and policies, or we can adapt, embracing the idea that a more inclusive, equitable system benefits everyone. Nigeria’s presentation at UNGA offers a path forward, one that requires courage and a willingness to listen. It’s a vision worth considering—because the alternative, a world fractured by division and paralyzed in the face of shared threats, is simply untenable.

The question now is whether the international community, particularly Western powers, will listen. Will they reform the UN to include African voices in the Security Council? Will they take seriously the need for debt relief, not as an act of charity but as an investment in global stability? And will they finally commit to meaningful action on climate change, recognizing that the survival of nations, and perhaps the planet, depends on it?

Leadership

Zookeeper mauled to death by lion in Nigeria

A zookeeper has been mauled to death by a lion in south-western Nigeria after he failed to secure the locks on its enclosure when he went to feed it, police say.

The victim, a 35-year-old man, worked at the Presidential Library Wildlife Park, owned by former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, in Abeokuta, capital of Ogun state.

Local police spokesperson Omolola Odutola said in a statement that "the lion inflicted serious fatal injuries to the man’s neck".

He said the lion was then shot to "release its grip on the handler".

According to a statement from the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, the zookeeper had taken some guests to see the lion's feeding routine after hours on Saturday evening.

“The zookeeper, apparently, feeling comfortable with the animal, left the safety protection gate open and proceeded to feed the animal. He was mauled by the animal and died on the spot.

“To prevent further mutilation of the body, the animal was put down immediately by personnel of the park.”

The victim has been named as Babaji Daule, described by police as a trained lion handler.

It comes less than a year after another zookeeper was attacked and killed by a lion at the Obafemi Awolowo University, also in south-western Nigeria.

The incident has triggered concerns with people raising questions about the country’s regulations and management of zoos and handling of wild animals.

By Chris Ewokor, BBC

Related story: Lion kills zookeeper in Nigeria

World Bank approves $1.57 billion loan for Nigeria

The World Bank has approved a $1.57 billion financing package for Nigeria under a new programme to support its health and education sectors and help provide sustainable power, the bank said on Monday.

The World Bank is the largest lender to Nigeria, with more than $15 billion in loans at the end of March, data from the Debt Management Office showed.

The bank said in a statement that the money would help increase availability and effectiveness of financing for basic education and primary healthcare service delivery.

"The new financing includes $500 million for addressing governance issues that constrain the delivery of education and health, $570 million for the Primary Healthcare Provision Strengthening Program and $500 million for the Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria Project," the bank said.

Nigeria is among countries with the highest number of out of school children mainly due to insecurity, especially in the north of the country where a long-running Islamist insurgency and armed kidnapping gangs have caused havoc.

The World Bank said part of the money would be used to improve dam safety to protect people from floods.

Nigeria faces frequent flooding and this year up to a million people were affected after a dam in northeastern Borno state burst.

More floods are expected in Nigeria after authorities in Cameroon started releasing water from a large dam to prevent it from overflowing.

By MacDonald Dzirutwe, Reuters

Video - External reserves surge to 22-month high in Nigeria

The reserves have grown by 13 percent to just over 37 billion U.S. dollars. The increase was driven by crude oil revenues, non-oil exports, and a rise in external borrowings, and could help Nigeria stabilize its currency, improve international trade, and possibly attract more foreign investments.

CGTN

Nigeria’s hula cap gains traction as foreign exchange earner

The hula cap is a popular traditional headgear in northern Nigeria. Its intricate designs are gaining traction beyond Nigeria's borders. Local producers are now exporting caps to countries like Chad, Cameroon, and even the United States.

CGTN

Nigeria ranks first in cassava production, yet imports

Although Nigeria is ranked number one in cassava production globally, she imported about $54, 200 in cassava in 2022, becoming the 121st largest importer of cassava in the world.

This was disclosed at the Ist National Conference of Industrial Cassava Stakeholders Association of Nigeria (ICSAN) titled “The Golden Crop: Harnessing the Economic Potential of Cassava for National Development through Industrialization,” which held at Ikeja, Lagos.

Delivering a keynote address at the conference on the theme, Prof. Lateef Oladimeji Sanni, President, International Society for Tropical Root Crops, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture and Executive Director, Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute, Ilorin and Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, also said Nigeria exported $733, 000 in cassava in the same year, making it the 61st largest exporter of cassava in the world.

After the President of ICSAN, Mr. Segun Ladele, gave the opening address, Prof Oladimeji further gave an insight into the cassava industry and its significance to Nigeria’s economy.

He defined industrialization as “the mass production of goods in a factory system, which involves some degree of mechanized production technology,” saying industrialisation enables the business environment, promotes private sector leadership, facilitates renewal for sunset industries, and encourages innovators.
According to Oladimeji, as at 2022, cassava was the 1063rd most imported product in Nigeria.

“Nigeria,” he said, “imports cassava primarily from United Kingdom ($49.2k), Brazil ($2.68k), Cameroon (1.91k), Niger ($321), and Belgium ($33).

He said Egypt is the only African country ranked among the world’s top ten highest exporters of cassava, with an export value of $81.8 million with less than 1% share (0.94%) of the total producers and export value of cassava in Africa and globally.

Apart from garri, lafun, fufu, etc., cassava products have a wide range of value chain such as in the making of bread, cake, candies, ice cream, beverages, fuel ethanol, animal feeds, furniture, paper and wood. All these lead to job creation, food security and incomes for farmers.

He identified some of the challenges facing cassava production in Nigeria as government inconsistent policy, increase in foreign exchange in the course of the project implementation, destruction of cassava farmland by cattle herdsmen, insecurity and communal clashes, lack of infrastructural facilities, little access to credit facilities, and lack of enough partnership and collaboration.

He proposed packaging differentiation, product diversification, regional standards and quality control, appropriate processing equipment, viable regulatory system, capacity building, and marketing channels as the way forward for the cassava industry in Nigeria.

He also prescribed that “government MUST be the catalyst, enabler and regulator of the cassava industry. There is the need for key players to ensure that private-led actions geared towards sustaining the development of cassava-based industries are initiated and advocated. There should be fair public incentives and funding within the geopolitical zone of the federation,” he said. 

By Osa Mbonu-Amadi, Vanguard

Nigeria military says dozens of militia group leaders killed over past three months

Nigeria's military has killed dozens of leaders of armed militia groups and hundreds of fighters across the country following a renewed offensive in the third quarter of the year, a spokesperson said on Thursday.

Nigeria faces widespread insecurity including a 15-year Islamist insurgency in its northeast, separatist violence in the southeast, rampant oil theft in the Niger River delta and kidnapping for ransom by criminal gangs, known locally as bandits, in the northwest.

Military spokesperson Major-General Edward Buba said "troops offensive actions culminated in the neutralization of 65 notable terrorist leaders, commanders and combatants across all theaters of operations."

"Overall, in the third quarter of this year, troops neutralized 1,937 terrorists, arrested 2,782 suspected terrorists and other criminal elements as well as rescued 1,854 hostages," Buba said in a statement.

The fatalities include members of Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province, and different amorphous bandit groups. Among those killed was Halilu Sububu, who was declared wanted by the military in 2022 with a bounty of five million naira, Buba said.

Earlier in September, Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu ordered the minister of defense and top military chiefs to relocate to the northwestern Sokoto, one of the worst-hit states, to combat insecurity.

Since then, the military has stepped up actions against armed groups intensifying air bombardment and land operations.

By Ope Adetayo, Reuters

Nigeria prison officials suspended over celebrity jail row

Two senior Nigerian prison officials have been suspended over bribery allegations regarding controversial transgender celebrity Bobrisky.

It follows claims by social media influencer Martins Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan, that some anti-corruption officials were bribed to drop money laundering charges against Bobrisky. She has dismissed the bribery claim.

Bobrisky, whose real name is Idris Okuneye, was released from prison last month after serving a six-month sentence for abusing naira, the local currency. But a court dismissed money laundering charges.

Nigeria was last year ranked 145 out of 180 countries in the Transparency International's perceptions of corruption index, with bribery named more prevalent in government offices.

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have ordered investigations into a viral video, which Bobrisky has called "false", allegedly linking her to the bribery allegation.

In the leaked video, someone who is purported to be Bobrisky is heard alleging that she paid $9,000 (£7,000) to EFCC officials to have the money laundering charges dropped.

It was also alleged that she paid some millions of naira to secure a private apartment near the prison where she allegedly served her jail term.

Bobrisky, who has nearly five million followers on Instagram, denied the allegations in an Instagram post.

"I didn’t pay any EFCC money, which is a very big lie. I served my term in full, and I came out. Discard any false information.”

In a statement on Thursday, the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire, and Immigration Services Board, said it suspended two prison officers linked to the bribery allegations, which have sparked widespread condemnation in the country.

Two other senior prison officials were also suspended over separate accusations.

“The suspension of these officers is to allow for further investigation on the various allegations while assuring that the outcome would be made public when concluded,” the statement added.

By Wycliffe Muia, BBC

Nigeria urges permanent UN security council seat, debt cancellation

Nigeria on Tuesday demanded a permanent seat for African countries on the United Nations Security Council and called for the cancellation of its debt owed to international lenders.

Currently, the Security Council has five permanent members: the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Russia and China. All hold a veto on any Security Council resolution.

Addressing the UN's 79th general assembly in New York, Kashim Shettima, vice president of Africa's most populous nation, insisted that the "Security Council should be expanded".

"Our continent deserves a place in the permanent members' category of the Security Council, " said Shettima, representing head of state Bola Tinubu.

That should come "with the same rights and responsibilities as other permanent members", he added -- notably the power of veto.

Speaking to American broadcaster MSNBC, Nigeria's Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar said "Nigeria needs to be in that security council as a permanent member".

Nigeria's continental rival South Africa is also eyeing a seat at the top table.

Earlier in the month, the United States ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, said Washington would support the creation of two additional permanent seats for African countries on the Security Council.

However, she said the new entrants would not have the right to veto.

The Nigerian vice president also called for a "reform of the international financial system", urging the cancellation of the debt Nigeria owed to multilateral institutions.

Shettima argued "nationalism" and self-interest were undermining the fight against various global issues, including terrorism, armed conflict, inequality, poverty, racism, debt, hunger and climate change.

He urged UN member states to recommit to multilateralism to "sustain the global body's relevance and resilience".

Shettima also denounced unconstitutional changes of governments in some African countries in recent years -- a reference to coups that have plagued fellow West African countries.

The juntas in Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso came to power in a series of coups over recent years and have pulled out of the regional bloc ECOWAS.

Shettima warned democracy was "fragile" if not supported by peace, security, and economic development.

AFP

Exxon plans $10 billion oil investment in Nigeria

Exxon Mobil Corp has proposed a $10 billion investment in offshore oil operations in a new investment push in Nigeria, a presidential spokesperson said on Thursday, citing company executives.

The investment was announced during talks between Nigeria's Vice President Kashim Shettima and the CEO of Exxon's Nigeria operations Shane Harris on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly in New York on Wednesday, presidential spokesperson Stanley Nkwocha said in a statement.

Exxon plans to focus on developing its Owo project, a sizable deep-water project estimated to cost $10 billion.

The producer also plans to spend $2.5 billion annually to boost oil output by 50,000 barrels per day (bpd) over the next few years and maintain its Nigerian operations, despite agreeing to sell its onshore assets to Seplat Energy for $1.3 billion.

Exxon is working closely with the office of Nigeria's president "to secure favourable fiscal arrangements that will make this significant investment possible," Harris was quoted as saying.

An Exxon spokesperson didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

Production of oil, which accounts for the bulk of Nigerian government revenue and foreign exchange, increased by 10.15% in the second quarter, averaging 1.41 million bpd, up from 1.22 million bpd a year earlier.

But Africa's largest oil producer is still grappling with challenges in its oil industry, including large-scale theft and sabotage, despite passing a law three years ago to ease regulatory uncertainties and attract investments.

"This potential investment by ExxonMobil aligns perfectly with President Bola Tinubu administration's vision for a more investment-friendly Nigeria," Shettima said. "We are committed to creating an enabling environment for such transformative projects." 

By Felix Onuah, Reuters

Nigerian officials seize cocaine worth almost $3 million at Lagos airport

Nigerian officials seized 19.4 kg (42.77 pounds) of cocaine worth 4.66 billion naira ($2.93 million) from a passenger who arrived at Lagos airport on a flight from Ethiopia, its anti-drug agency said on Tuesday.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said it arrested a 48-year Nigerian businessman, who had been convicted of trafficking last year but paid a fine to avoid jail time, on Sept. 18. He was allegedly carrying 817 wraps of cocaine.

Nigeria, Africa's most populous country with over 200 million people, has in recent years gone from being a transit point for gangs moving drugs between South America and Europe to a full-blown consumer and distributor.

"The agency will continue to work to disrupt the activities of drug cartels operating in the country," NDLEA chief Mohammed Buba Marwa said in a statement. 

By Camillus Eboh, Reuters

Nigeria preventive care gets boost as Hospital unveils advanced procedures

To reduce the high cost of curative therapies, Medic Partners Multi Specialist Hospital last week launched a range of advanced procedures designed to prevent medical challenges from the onset. The multi-specialist wellness centre located in Victoria Island, Lagos officially opened Wednesday, promising to assist Nigerians in navigating the challenging economic climate by providing preventive care and increasing awareness of their health conditions.

The Chief Medical Director, of Medic Partners Multi Specialist Hospital and preventive care specialist, Busola Ayelowo-Eso, explained that the disturbing prevalence of preventable diseases in Nigeria informed the centre’s establishment.

Despite a significant increase in the awareness of preventable diseases such as hypertension or end-stage renal disease, Ayelowo-Eso said many are not keen on undertaking comprehensive medical screening.

“A lot of Nigerians have this I don’t-care-attitude of if it’s not disturbing me, why should I look for it? So, preventive medicine is one speciality that hasn’t gotten so much awareness. Nigerians don’t believe in treating what is not broken.

“We still have a very long way to go in preventive medicine because the World Health Organization (WHO) says that at least once a year an average person or an individual should have a medical check-up. In Nigeria, until they start feeling ill, they don’t go to the hospital. So, until we get to that point where everybody knows that once a year, I should check myself irrespective of how I feel, we are not there yet. It’s a growing concern that is being addressed daily.”

The founders of Medic Partners Multi Specialist Hospital have invested in advanced diagnostic and treatment services to aid early detection and management. Specifically, the facility operates with advanced imaging technologies including digital X-rays, and 4D ultrasound, which provide high-resolution images that allow for accurate and early diagnosis of various conditions.

It runs a fully automated laboratory that provides comprehensive laboratory services from routine blood work to specialized diagnostics like genetic testing and molecular diagnostics, within a short time. Automation minimizes human involvement and reduces the risk of errors in terms of reporting.

In terms of kidney care, the facility is equipped with a six-bedded dialysis unit to tackle renal issues among an estimated 50 million people Nigerians who are affected. It has also invested in a fully functional cardiac unit where stress tests, procedures and other heart-related screenings are conducted.

Other specialities are endoscopy and minimally invasive surgeries where its surgical team specializes in minimally invasive techniques, reducing recovery times and improving patient outcomes.

“It offers a comprehensive wellness program where we provide holistic wellness check-ups that include advanced diagnostic tests, personalised health assessments, and preventive care strategies, helping patients maintain their health and prevent diseases.

“These advanced services reflect our commitment to providing world-class healthcare and ensuring that our patients have access to the best diagnostic and treatment options available”.

Speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of Medic Partners, Akin Eso explained that the centre will prioritise exceptional patient experience along with good practices aligned with international standards.

He emphasised that the facility is equipped to bridge the gap for those seeking quality healthcare locally, having assembled top medical expertise and technologies. This reduces the need for medical tourism, providing solutions right here in Nigeria.

The facility operates with a dedicated team of approximately 40 medical professionals and 15 support staff. The medical team includes specialists in family medicine, dermatology, cosmetic surgery, nephrology, obstetrics and gynaecology, paediatrics, and geriatrics.

“At Medic Partners we are transforming healthcare delivery, ensuring quality. That’s why we prioritise not only providing premium medical services but also ensuring that every interaction is seamless, comfortable and tailored to your needs,” Eso said. 

By Chioma Obinna, Vanguard

Nigeria's central bank surprises with fifth rate hike this year

Nigeria's central bank unexpectedly raised its benchmark lending rate by 50 basis points to 27.25% on Tuesday in a unanimous decision to tame persistent inflationary pressures, bank governor Olayemi Cardoso said.

The move wrongfooted analysts who had expected rates to stay on hold and indicates the bank is prioritizing inflation control over economic growth amid the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation.

It is the fifth rate hike this year, after increases of 50 basis points (bps) in July, 150 bps in May, 200 bps in March and 400 bps in February which was its largest in around 17 years.

Analysts had expected no rate change after inflation fell for a second consecutive month in August and the naira currency held steady - almost converging on the official and parallel markets - after the bank resumed regular dollar sales to dealers to support the currency.

Central Bank of Nigeria Governor Olayemi Cardoso said the multiple rate hikes so far this year had helped moderate inflation, but pressures lingered.

"The MPC noted that even though headline inflation trended downwards due to a moderation in food inflation, core inflation has remained elevated, driven primarily by rising energy prices," Cardoso said.

"The uptrend poses severe concerns to members, as it clearly indicates the persistence of inflationary pressures."

Inflation fell to 32.15% in annual terms in August, but the slowdown could be short-lived after two petrol prices increases this month that have roiled citizens struggling with the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation.

"Despite the consistent tightening resolve of the central bank, the effort starts to look very piecemeal in hindsight, when core inflation is still rising and the policy rate is still negative," said Razia Khan, managing director and chief economist for Africa and Middle East at Standard Chartered.

Price pressures have been spurred by the government slashing petrol and electricity subsidies and twice devaluingthe naira since President Bola Tinubu took over last year.

Lingering inflation risk include crop damage due to floods in the north of the country, potentially causing higher food prices due to lower harvest.

"I guess this was bold, this was audacious, and quite frankly, it would probably help to stabilize Naira a little bit. But definitely the cost of borrowing is going to be higher," said Bismarck Rewane, CEO of Lagos-based Financial Derivatives Company.

By Elisha Bala-Gbogbo and Camillus Eboh, Reuters

Video - Experts in Nigeria call for more support to snake farmers to counter anti-venom shortages

Snake farming is not widespread, despite a high demand for venom due to frequent snake bite incidents and related deaths.

CGTN

Nigeria's ruling party wins first test since Tinubu elected

Nigeria's ruling party, the All Progressive Congress (APC), has won its first big electoral test since Bola Tinubu became president last year, despite the dire state of the country's economy.

In the southern Edo state, which had previously been in the hands of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Monday Okpebholo defeated the PDP's Asue Ighodalo.

He gained 291,667 votes against 247,274 for Ighodalo.

However, the PDP has complained of fraud and vowed to challenge the result in court.

"The way these elections are going, they are probably going to be the worst elections in the history of this country," said PDP candidate Ighodalo.

The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD-West Africa), which monitored the election, accused both the PDP and APC of vote-buying and also said election official had been intimidated in some areas.

Although the PDP had previously been in power in Edo, the state has been in the hands of the APC for many years so its victory isn't necessarily a huge surprise.

But given Nigeria's economic situation, some analysts had thought the APC could lose.

The country is experiencing its worst economic crisis in a generation with annual inflation at 34% - the highest in almost three decades.

Food prices have risen even faster - for example, in the commercial hub, Lagos, yams, a staple food, cost almost four times more than they did a year ago.

Last month, massive protests were held across the country over the economic situation.

Political analyst Muzammil Yakasai told the BBC that election violence had prevented some people from voting.

“I don't think the election in itself is a reflection of how people in Edo state and Nigeria see the APC at the moment.”

Another test awaits the APC in another governorship election in the south-western Ondo state in November.
 

Who is Monday Okpebholo?

Before his latest victory, he represented Edo Central as a senator at the National Assembly in an election he won last year.

Born in 1970, Okpebholo, has a degree in Business Administration from the University of Abuja and a masters in policy and leadership studies from the same institution.

Married with two children, the 54-year-old was charged earlier this year over allegations that he had falsified the date on his birth certificate.

He has not commented on the matter which is still in court. However, now that he's a governor, he has immunity from prosecution.

By Mansur Abubakar, BBC

Video - Billionaire Dangote on Nigeria's Fuel Subsidy, Oil Prices, Arsenal

Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote said that ending Nigeria's gasoline subsidy is a “sensitive issue” in the nation that is used to cheap fuel. He also says it seems that the "time has passed" for him to buy the Arsenal soccer club. He speaks with Bloomberg's Francine Lacqua in New York.

Bloomberg

Related story: Nigeria’s Bid to End Fuel Subsidy Comes at Good Time for Dangote

 

Video - Nigeria’s electronic transfer levy sparks concern for sector growth

While the government aims to increase revenue, many fear the new levy that comes with added cost could slow progress in the fintech sector and push customers back to cash transactions. 

CGTN

Video - Nigerian farmers working to prevent the extinction of Indigenous varieties

In local vegetable markets across the country, many traditional vegetables are gradually disappearing. However, one farmer, Emmanuel Thomas is on a mission to collect and cultivate rare species of traditional Nigerian and African vegetables.

CGTN

Video - Nigeria rolls out rice subsidy as economic woes deepen

With inflation hitting a near three-decade high of 33.4 percent in July, millions of Nigerians have struggled to keep up with rising food costs. This subsidy comes as a lifeline for many families teetering on the edge. However, the rice sale is limited to public servants and those with a National Identification Number (or NIN), leaving many out of the program.

CGTN

Nigeria to decriminalize attempted suicide

Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Mohammad Pate, assures that Nigeria will soon join countries that have decriminalized attempted suicide.

Speaking at the 2024 World Suicide Prevention Day event in Abuja, Prof. Pate revealed that his ministry is working with the Office of the Attorney General to address the law criminalizing attempted suicide.

Nigeria has launched a National Suicide Strategic Framework (2023-2030) to identify risk factors, strategic objectives, and interventions for suicide prevention.

Prof. Pate emphasized that suicide prevention is a collective responsibility, urging a society that values mental health and provides care for all.

Africa’s suicide rate is 11.2 per 100,000, higher than the global average. In Nigeria, it’s 12.9 per 100,000, with young people (15-29 years) most affected.

This year’s event theme, “Changing the Narrative on Suicide,” aims to raise awareness about reducing stigma and encouraging open conversations to prevent suicides.

The ministry has taken significant steps to address mental health needs through treatment, prevention, and promotion.

For more information on Nigeria’s efforts to decriminalize attempted suicide and mental health initiatives, consider searching online for the latest updates.

By Joseph Erunke, Vanguard

Coca-Cola plans to invest $1 billion in Nigeria operations

Coca-Cola plans to invest $1 billion in its Nigeria operations over the next five years, the country's presidency said after a meeting between President Bola Tinubu and senior executives of the soft drinks maker on Thursday.

Tinubu met John Murphy, president and chief financial officer of Coca‑Cola , Zoran Bogdanovic, CEO of Coca-Cola HBC - one of Coca-Cola's many bottlers worldwide - and several other company officials as he seeks to attract investment into the economy.

Bogdanovic told Tinubu that Coca-Cola had since 2013 invested $1.5 billion in Nigeria to expand its production capacity, improve its supply chain and on training and development, the Nigerian presidency said in a statement.

"I am very pleased to announce that, with a predictable and enabling environment in place, we plan to invest an additional $1 billion over the next five years," Bogdanovic was quoted as saying.

The investment announcement comes after Tinubu's government saw several multinationals like Procter & Gamble,and Bayer AG leave the country or appoint third parties to distribute their products due to foreign exchange shortages.

Tinubu, in office since May last year, said his government wanted to create an environment open to businesses.

"We are building a financial system where you can invest, re-invest, and repatriate all your dividends. I have a firm belief in that," he said.

Nigeria, with a population of more than 200 million is seen as a potential market for many global brands, but forex woes, red tape and policy inconsistency discourages some investors.

Bottler Coca-Cola HBC in April said its operating profit would rise this year, supported by strong demand for its coffee, energy and sparkling drinks even as prices were hiked to keep up with high costs and currency devaluation in countries like Egypt and Nigeria. 

By Felix Onuah, Reuters

Video - Nigeria’s health authorities to fortify bouillon cubes to improve diets

Bouillon cubes, typically made from salt, sugars, starch, vegetable fats and proteins, as well as herbs and spices, are widely used in Nigeria. Experts say their fortification could vastly improve the diets of millions of families living on restricted budgets, as they cannot afford protein-rich meals like fish and meat.

CGTN

Nigeria flags flood risk in 11 states as Cameroon releases dam water

Nigeria's hydrological services agency has warned of potential flooding in 11 states after neighbouring Cameroon said it was starting to release water from one of its largest dams following recent heavy rainfall in West and Central Africa.

The warning comes as Nigeria is already grappling with severe floods in northeastern Borno state where a dam burst its walls after heavy rains that have also caused floods in Cameroon, Chad, Mali and Niger - all part of Africa's Sahel region that usually receives little rain.

The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) said it had been notified by authorities in Cameroon on Tuesday that they had started controlled water releases from Lagdo dam.

Cameroon has several dams on the Benue River, which flows downstream to Nigeria.

A spokesperson for Cameroon's utility ENEO, which manages the dam, told Reuters there was a possibility that the dam could be flooded, but the reservoirs had not been opened on Wednesday morning.

The NIHSA said Lagdo dam managers would gradually release water in a way not to exceed the capacity of the Benue river downstream to prevent flooding.

But 11 states, including Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi in the food producing central belt region and southern oil producing states of Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers were at risk, said NIHSA.

It urged federal and state authorities in Nigeria "to step up vigilance and deploy adequate preparedness measures to reduce possible impacts of flooding that may occur as a result of increase in flow levels of our major rivers at this period".

In 2022, Nigeria lost more than 600 people and farmlands to the worst flooding in a decade following heavy rain and after Cameroon released water from Lagdo dam.

Experts said then that Nigeria's failure to complete a dam of its own that was supposed to backstop the Cameroonian one worsened the disaster.

Nigeria, the most populous nation in Africa, is prone to flooding but critics say defective infrastructure and poor planning worsen the situation.

By MacDonald Dzirutwe, Reuters

Related story: Nigeria's flood-hit residents lament expensive canoe rides

Nigeria's flood-hit residents lament expensive canoe rides

 When floods swept through Nigeria's northeastern city of Maiduguri last week, canoe owners volunteered to help move residents to safety. But residents say they are now being ripped off by the canoe owners charging steep fees to move their belongings.

Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state, is reeling from the worst flooding in three decades after a dam wall burst following heavy rains that also hit several parts of West and Central Africa.

With vehicles unable to move in many parts of Maiduguri, residents are relying on canoes.

Falmata Muhammed, a 48-year-old mother of three said she decided to move some furniture this week but was shocked when a canoe owner charged her 80,000 naira ($49.56) for a short trip, more than the monthly minimum wage.

After losing almost everything to floods, she was upset that "some are making it a big business, using the disaster to make a huge amount of money."

Fisherman and canoe owner Mohammed Yusuf said he still moved residents for free but that some residents offered money to use his canoe.

By Ahmed Kingimi, Reuters

Related story: Video - Humanitarian crisis looms in Nigeria’s flood-hit Borno State

Video - Nigeria to establish blood collection centers nationwide to tackle the shortage

The government hopes the action addresses the shortfall of 73 percent of blood that's needed for medical emergencies.

CGTN

Video - Humanitarian crisis looms in Nigeria’s flood-hit Borno State

Aid agencies warned of a humanitarian crisis and an outbreak of waterborne diseases. The United Nations World Food Programme said it needs 148 million U.S. dollars to support flood victims for the next six months.

CGTN 

Related story: UN agencies assist families affected by floods

 

Breaking the cycle of Malaria misdiagnosis in Nigeria

What is the available data on malaria telling us? According to the Primary Healthcare Performance Initiative funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, diagnostic accuracy in Nigeria is as low as 36.4%. This means that less than 4 out of 10 patients who seek healthcare are accurately diagnosed. Since 70% of diagnostic decisions depend on laboratory tests, the statistics also suggest that most patients are treated without objective evidence from medical tests, also referred to as in-vitro diagnostics.

Of all the diseases wrongly diagnosed in Nigeria, malaria remains the most frequently treated disease in community-based healthcare settings like pharmacies, clinics, and primary health centres. However, it is largely treated without evidence from testing, resulting in poor outcomes like preventable deaths and complications.

Consequently, it is imperative to build capacity for accurate and consistent testing of malaria at the point of care where health workers like community health practitioners, community pharmacists, nurses, and primary care physicians directly provide treatments for patients.

For context, Point of Care Testing for malaria refers to the use of Malaria Rapid Diagnostic Test for screening or diagnosis of malaria. Malaria RDT is the most accessible, affordable, and easiest-to-perform method of diagnosis. However, it is still not accessible or utilised efficiently and widely by health workers due to several addressable factors. This includes concerns over the validity and accuracy of the results, logistic challenges, food poverty, etc.

Crucially, there is a need to rethink the malaria strategy. The fact that Nigeria alone still accounts for approximately 30% of global malaria cases, which amount to 68 million cases, and 23% of malaria mortality, valued at 194,000 deaths, despite 70 years of implementing various outlandish strategies, highlights the critical need for us to rethink our strategy and execute homegrown solutions for malaria control and elimination rather than over-relying on international funding bodies.

Applying homegrown solutions that address the nuances and peculiarities of Nigerian communities and economy is what will put us on track to achieve malaria control and elimination targets. The World Health Organisation’s goals for malaria control and elimination by 2030 include reducing malaria incidence and mortality rates by at least 90% compared to 2015 levels, achieving malaria elimination in at least 35 countries, and preventing the re-establishment of malaria in countries that are currently malaria-free.

Thankfully, the Honourable Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare Professor Ali Pate has called for a rethink of malaria elimination strategies in Nigeria in his address to stakeholders in Abuja at an event organised by the National Malaria Elimination Programme in May 2024. The minister noted that 60% of all hospital attendance in Nigeria, including at tertiary hospitals, is due to malaria. This means that there are serious loopholes and issues at the community and primary care level where uncomplicated malaria ought to have been fully managed.

I conducted a survey-based research among community-based healthcare professionals in Nigeria across cadres and found out many of them had abandoned the MRDT altogether for various reasons despite policy support from the government.

These are community pharmacists, community health and extension workers, nurses, and community physicians who are the first port of call for malaria case management. Now, when we have a situation where those who treat over 70% of malaria cases are not running diagnostic tests, then we should not be surprised that malaria-related deaths and complications continue to remain high and our teaching hospitals are inundated by malaria cases.

As sub-Saharan Africa grapples with a disproportionate burden of malaria, accounting for 95% of the cases and 96% of global malaria deaths, the African Leadership and Management Training for Impact in Malaria-Eradication, an NGO, is striving to provide a homegrown solution to situation. ALAMIME, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, is coordinated by the Ugandan Makerere University’s School of Public Health, and runs in 9 African countries; Nigeria, Uganda, The Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Zambia, Sierra Leone, Burkina Faso, Togo, and Benin. The programme has produced over 500 alumni in the last 3 years. According to the Programme Lead in Nigeria, Prof. Olufunmilayo Fawole, it was designed to build leadership and management competencies among people working in malaria programs in Africa.

Amidst concerns about fake drugs in Nigeria, we need to put the issue of the efficacy of malaria drugs into context because even authentic anti-malaria medications may still fail to work for various reasons not previously given deserving attention.

Food poverty is a critical issue that must be addressed by the government, as it significantly affects malaria treatment and overall health outcomes. Malnutrition increases vulnerability to malaria, particularly among immunocompromised infants and adults, leading to severe cases or even death. Additionally, food poverty is linked to malaria treatment failure. For example, when a mother can only afford to feed her baby a low-nutrition diet, such as pap, while administering an artemether/lumefantrine anti-malarial drug, the treatment is likely to fail due to the lack of a fatty meal, which is essential for proper drug absorption. Many mistakenly believe the treatment failed due to fake drugs or misdiagnosed typhoid, when in fact, poor nutrition is the culprit.

Another significant issue is the suboptimal dosage of anti-malarial drugs. In many cases, children, especially, are prescribed inadequate doses, either due to insufficient knowledge of proper dosing by health workers or because of financial constraints. Proper dosage is critical, as inadequate treatment can lead to severe complications or death, especially among children and pregnant women. The National Malaria Elimination Programme should increase the standard tablet pack size from six to twelve to ensure better treatment outcomes, as the cost difference is minimal.

Moreover, there is widespread scepticism among health workers regarding Malaria Rapid Diagnostic Tests, leading to inaccurate diagnoses and poor access to testing. One cause is the misuse of antibiotics, which can mask the presence of malaria parasites, leading to false-negative test results. This issue calls for stricter control over public access to antibiotics. Furthermore, many MRDT kits in the market lack the sensitivity to detect low levels of parasitaemia, contributing to the mistrust of these tests. Health workers often cite this as a reason to bypass testing altogether.

To address these issues, a multi-pronged approach is needed, including improved education on proper dosing and nutrition, stricter antibiotic control, and enhanced MRDT sensitivity. The newly inaugurated Committee on Antimicrobial Resistance should prioritize these challenges to improve malaria diagnosis and treatment across Nigeria. 

By Akindele Opeyemi, Punch

Nigeria Police arrest 2,740 suspected murderers, kidnappers

The Nigeria Police Force says its operatives have arrested no fewer than 2,740 suspects for various crimes across the country in the past one month.

Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi said in a statement on Tuesday night that the arrests followed the commitment by the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, who vowed to ensure that the perpetrators of heinous crimes in Nigeria were brought to book.

According to the statement, between August and September, operatives of the NPF arrested 295-armed robbery suspects, 186 kidnappers, 271 Murder/Homicide suspects, and 71 suspects for the unlawful possession of firearms.

Olumuyiwa also stated that 199 suspects were nabbed for sexual-related offences, 143 suspects for cultism, and 1575 suspects arrested for other crimes.

He said the Force also recovered 185 firearms, 4087 ammunition of various calibres and 111 vehicles, stating that about 129 kidnapped victims were also rescued.

The statement added that in more recent events, the operatives also dismantled and arrested a gunrunning syndicate operating in the Bauchi-Plateau region.

“The suspects, identified as Taimako Mato, John Danladi, Mohammed Munkail, Manasseh William, and Muhammadu Haddi were arrested with 1 PKT Machine Gun, 40 rounds of 37.2mm and 95rounds of 62mm cartridge ammunition.

“The Leader of the syndicate, Taimako Mato, was a weapon handling instructor at a Boko Haram Camp, who procures these prohibited weapons and passes them on to the other members of the syndicate to sell to various buyers”, Olumuyiwa said. 

By Ochogwu Sunday, Daily Post

Related story: Government of Nigeria secures release of over 1,000 kidnapped people

UN agencies assist families affected by floods

Heavy rains have ravaged 30 of the country’s 36 states, the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, said on Tuesday.

The Government has reported 269 deaths so far, while over a million people have been affected and more than 640,000 are now displaced.
 

Major dam breach

Nigeria is among a handful of West African countries that have been hit by torrential rains that have triggered devastating flooding, impacting millions across the region.

The northeastern town of Maiduguri, capital of Borno state and a major humanitarian hub, is at the epicentre of the crisis there.

Rains caused a breach in nearby Alau Dam, causing severe flooding that has uprooted more than 400,000 people in recent days.

Half of Maiduguri has been submerged and most residents have lost everything. Many had already been displaced by conflict or the effects of climate change.
 

Displaced once again

The UNHCR Representative in Nigeria, Arjun Jain, said the floods have compounded years of prior displacement, food insecurity and economic hardship, with disastrous consequences.

“Communities which, after years of conflict and violence, had started rebuilding their lives were struck by the floods and once again displaced,” he told journalists attending the regular UN humanitarian briefing in Geneva.
 

Assistance to families

In response to the crisis, UNHCR and partners have been working tirelessly to support those affected.

Staff are providing tarpaulins, blankets, sleeping mats, mosquito nets and other essential items. Emergency cash assistance is also being given to single-parent families, people with disabilities and families with young children to help them purchase food and other necessities.

Meanwhile, the World Food Programme has set up food kitchens in four camps in Maiduguri, where families can get nutritious meals of rice and beans.

WFP is ramping up support across West Africa, where torrential rains have unleashed catastrophic floods impacting over four million people in 14 countries.

The agency is providing people in hard-hit areas in Chad, Liberia, Mali and Niger with emergency cash and food assistance.

At the same time, WFP is calling for investments in early warning systems, disaster risk financing and other measures to help mitigate flood and climate risks.
 

Urgent action required

Back in Nigeria, UNHCR warned, however, that supplies there are quickly depleting meaning the agency can only meet less than 10 per cent of the urgent needs.

“When the floodwaters finally recede, thousands of families will face the daunting task of returning to homes that have been destroyed. They will need significant support to rebuild homes, livelihoods, and a sense of normalcy,” said Mr. Jain.

In the meantime, the UN and partners are collecting more data to help assess and address the overall needs.

“But we cannot afford to wait,” he warned. “The urgency of this crisis requires immediate action and increased support for flood-affected families, in Maiduguri and elsewhere in Nigeria.”

Mr. Jain said there are currently 3.6 million internally displaced people in Nigeria, mostly in the northeast, and the country hosts almost 100,000 asylum-seekers and refugees.

UNHCR is seeking $107.1 million for operations there this year, but he said the appeal was just 28 per cent funded by the end of August.

UN News 

Related story: UN diverts $8 million in humanitarian funding to Nigeria flood response

Video - Nigeria’s state-owned oil company increases oil prices by 11 percent

Citing the higher cost of purchasing oil from the Dangote refinery, the state-owned oil company has raised prices, with rates in Lagos rising to 950 Naira per liter (approximately 58 U.S. cents). But despite this price hike challenge, the new refinery may also address long-standing issues of fuel shortages and long queues at pumps.

CGTN

Video - Nigerian farming community loses crop due to toxic emissions from oil refinery

Environmental regulators linked the issues to a hydrogen chloride leak at a refinery in Kaduna State. They added it could take between 5 to 10 years to reverse the effects of the acid released into the soil.

CGTN

UN diverts $8 million in humanitarian funding to Nigeria flood response

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has approved the immediate release of $8 million dollars to support victims in flood ravaged Maiduguri, in Nigeria's Borno state. Severe flooding there last week killed dozens of people and displaced hundreds of thousands of others.

Mohammed Malick Fall, the U.N. resident coordinator, announced the new funding to journalists in Maiduguri while visiting flood victims over the weekend.

The visit was to assess the extent of damage caused by the flooding and to ramp up lifesaving assistance.

Fall announced the allocation of $8 million from the humanitarian fund to support disaster response and management.

"We're all behind you not only in sympathy but in solidarity. We will not spare any of our resources in this response,” Fall said. “Probably we might not be where we want it to be in terms of resources, but as we speak, we'll try to refocus resources that have been designed for some other intervention to see how we can bring them toward scaling up and speeding up this response. We'll prioritize our response around the immediate need."

The U.N. has provided hot meals and facilitated food air drops in hard-to-reach areas cut off by flood waters.

Last Thursday, a dam burst caused millions of liters of water to pour into communities in Maiduguri. State authorities say the flood killed dozens of people and affected more than 1 million others.

Many are taking shelter in camps. The disaster follows an alarming malnutrition crisis caused by conflict, climate change and inflation in the region.

Local residents say food prices have skyrocketed as a result of flood waters washing out access roads and markets and farms.

Borno state Governor Babagana Umara Zulum told journalists the full extent of damage remains unknown.

"The unfortunate flood incident is perhaps the most devastating acute disaster that our state has suffered as far as we can remember,” Zulum said. “Many bridges are damaged and we're yet to assess the integrity of the bridges that form the main link between the two major parts of the city.”

Zulum added that the flood hit the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, which has the most up-to-date medical diagnostic and therapeutic equipment in West Africa. The status and function of the equipment has yet to be ascertained.

Borno state is the heartland region of the Boko Haram terror group. The group's 15-year insurgency has sparked one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world.

But the U.N. said Nigeria's Humanitarian Response Plan for Nigeria, seeking $927 million dollars, is only about 46% funded.

In 2022, Nigeria's worst flooding in a decade killed more than 600 people and displaced 1.4 million.

On Monday, the Nigerian Correctional Services announced a manhunt for more than 280 escapees from a prison destroyed by the flooding.

By Timothy Obiezu, VOA

How a beauty queen became the face of South Africa-Nigeria tensions

Anita Odunyao Solarin, a 21-year-old Nigerian who has spent her entire life in South Africa, finds it safer not to disclose her West African roots.

She does her best to assimilate with her peers and rarely volunteers her origins. This, she says, shields her from persistent bullying – a phenomenon she’s faced since childhood after moving to South Africa as a baby.

“I try not to show where I am from or look Nigerian. I hide my identity socially,” Solarin told Al Jazeera. “Because I’ve had to do it for so long, it has become normal.”

Her earliest memories of the tensions between South Africans and Nigerians date back to kindergarten, where she was mistreated by a peer.

“It was disheartening. A child, just four years old, hated me even though we were in the same school, looked the same, and did the same things,” Solarin shared.

“My school life was tough because I was bullied for my background. I was called names, especially the derogatory term, makwerekwere [a local slur for foreigner]. South Africans have this idea that if you’re not one of them, you don’t deserve to be here,” she added, her frustration still palpable.

Solarin was brought up in Pretoria, but she doesn’t feel like she belongs in South Africa. Even decades on, she says it’s still easier for her – and other young Nigerians – not to disclose their heritage.

“Not many Nigerian children here will say ‘I am Nigerian’ because they are scared of the backlash and the hate. It’s just not safe for them,” she said.

South Africa has a long history of simmering anti-foreigner sentiment, and social tensions directed at other Black Africans in the country have turned violent over the years.

However, it’s recent events that have deepened Solarin’s disappointment with South Africa when, last month, 23-year-old beauty queen Chidimma Adetshina faced such severe xenophobic harassment as a finalist in the Miss South Africa (Miss SA) pageant that she eventually exited the competition.
 

Chidimma Adetshina debacle

Adetshina, who was born in Soweto, Johannesburg to two immigrant parents, proudly spoke of her Nigerian heritage during Miss SA, sparking outrage from South Africans on social media.

Many insisted she had no right to represent South Africa in the competition.

When the controversy around Adetshina began, Solarin said she raised the matter for discussion with some of her international relations professors at the University of Pretoria, but was largely ignored. Her peers, on the other hand, tried to justify their belief that Adetshina should be disqualified based on unfounded rumours that her father may have been linked to criminality.

“[Adetshina] was bullied online because her father was Nigerian. If it had been any other nationality, there wouldn’t have been a problem,” Solarin said. “People even said her father was a drug dealer. Where does that come from? It’s the assumption that all Nigerians are criminals – it’s annoying.”

For weeks, Adetshina endured trolling and abuse, with the online vitriol amplifying existing South African-Nigerian tensions that are fuelled by economic frustrations and stereotypes about foreigners.

South Africa suffers from widespread unemployment and sluggish economic growth. While the government does little to improve the situation, many find it easier to turn on migrant African communities, accusing them of taking jobs and increasing criminality. These tensions inevitably spill into social media debates, where xenophobic rhetoric soars.

Adetshina’s situation came to a head when a video went viral of her celebrating her Miss SA qualification with her father, who was dressed in traditional Nigerian attire. The backlash was swift and relentless.

South Africa’s Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture, Gayton McKenzie – known for his xenophobic rhetoric – only added fuel to the fire.

“We truly cannot have Nigerians compete in our Miss SA competition. I wanna get all the facts before I comment, but it gives funny vibes already,” McKenzie posted on X.

This statement set off a barrage of online abuse, escalating into manifest threats – despite the fact that Adetshina was born in South Africa and therefore qualified to compete.

The South African Department of Home Affairs launched a formal investigation. Minister of Home Affairs Leon Schreiber alleged that Adetshina’s mother had committed identity theft when registering her as a South African citizen.

While the government admitted Adetshina had committed no crime, her mother – who claims South African and Mozambican descent – became the subject of a criminal investigation. Both women denied any wrongdoing, but the pressure eventually forced Adetshina to withdraw from the Miss SA pageant.

“I have made the difficult decision to withdraw from the competition for the safety and well-being of my family and me,” she announced on Instagram in August, days before the Miss SA final.

The abuse had become too much to bear, leading her to quit social media platform X and limit her Instagram engagement. Adetshina later went on to compete in and win the Miss Universe Nigeria contest, representing her father’s homeland on the basis that she carries dual citizenship.

In interviews, Adetshina shared how the ordeal left her questioning whether she would ever return to South Africa. The emotional scars were so deep that she admitted she would seek therapy to cope.
 

‘Disappointed in South Africa’

For Solarin, Adetshina’s withdrawal was disheartening.

“I was very disappointed in South Africa,” she said, her voice filled with regret. Solarin, who dreams of one day becoming a public figure in the political arena, hopes to educate people about the consequences of the social tensions between South Africans and Nigerians.

However, “I don’t see a future for myself in South Africa”, she confessed.

Solarin’s mother, Doris Ikeri-Solarin, who is the head of the civic group Nigerian Union South Africa, says Adetshina was unfairly targeted by anti-Nigerian sentiment.

“This young lady was born, raised, and educated in South Africa. Whatever happened before she was born, she had no control over it. She grew up with the ambition of becoming a beauty queen, and suddenly, because of this tension, she has fallen victim. Even if it turns out her mother was involved in identity fraud, Chidimma shouldn’t have to bear the consequences,” she said.

She views the bullying of Adetshina as a symptom of a deeper rivalry.

“This goes beyond Chidimma. You see it in sport, in school competitions – any time there’s a Nigerian involved, there’s this underlying envy. South Africans don’t want Nigerians to outshine them,” she said.

Ikeri-Solarin compares the experiences of her two daughters: 21-year-old Anita, who studies in South Africa, and 23-year-old Esther, who studies in the United States.

“There’s a stark difference. In South Africa, they see foreigners as threats,” she said, adding that the government should do more to educate citizens. “People migrate all over the world. There are South Africans living abroad, and they’re not treated the way Nigerians are here.”

South Africa witnessed outbreaks of severe xenophobic violence in 2008 and 2015 in which dozens of people were killed. NGO Xenowatch also reported 170 incidents of xenophobia in 2022 and 2023 and 18 incidents in the first quarter of 2024.

South African foreign relations analyst Sanusha Naidu explained that anti-immigrant sentiment in South Africa is Afrophobic. However, she cautioned against interpreting the Adetshina debacle as South Africans targeting Nigerians more.

“Let me put it this way, Nigerians give as they get,” she said of the online social rivalry between both states.

Naidu said tensions between large African countries were political, economic and social.

“I think the challenge is not about South Africa and Nigeria and whether we [are] Afrophobic towards them … There are many competing factors and drives and push and pull issues that informed the way we react,” she said.
 

‘Needs aren’t being met’

Harvest-Time Obadire, a Nigerian who moved to Johannesburg to attend high school in 2001 and later pursued a master’s degree in sustainable energy, has had a different experience than Solarin.

“In person, I haven’t faced xenophobia. My interactions have been pretty normal. Online, though, that’s where the confrontations happen,” he said.

Obadire believes the root of the social tension is frustration on both sides.

“Everyday South Africans feel like their needs aren’t being met, and then they see someone who’s different from them seemingly getting ahead. On the other side, Nigerians are open about their success, which creates friction,” he explained.

Unlike Solarin, Obadire found university life in Johannesburg welcoming and even secured employment after graduation. However, when asked about the Adetshina controversy, he admits both sides could have handled it better.

Meanwhile, Joseph (not his real name), a South African security guard working at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto – where Adetshina was born – claims that many foreign nationals give birth at the hospital and attempt to register their children as South Africans through illicit means.

“Money talks here,” Joseph said, alluding to corruption in government services.

In Soweto, 22-year-old Patience Dlamini harbours negative views about Nigerians, echoing widespread stereotypes.

“Nigerians commit a lot of crimes,” she said, though she admits she has no proof. “I don’t think the government would lie about her [Adetshina’s] mother stealing someone’s identity. They need to get to the bottom of it.”
Dlamini’s sentiment is shared by other young South Africans who believe that Nigerian immigrants dominate sectors like hospitality and retail while contributing to unemployment and crime.

The social media storm around Adetshina even spurred pranks between South Africans and Nigerians on the e-hailing platform Bolt – which is big in both countries. The taxi app allows users to book “intercountry” requests. People in both countries took advantage of this last month, with Nigerians requesting rides in South Africa and South Africans requesting rides in Nigeria before cancelling them. The so-called ‘Bolt war’ caused prices to surge, left some riders stranded, and led to Bolt restricting intercountry requests.
 

‘Being a successful migrant is a crime’

Alex Asakitikpi, a Nigerian sociologist based in Johannesburg, warns that online tensions can have real-life consequences. He attributes the conflict to economic rivalry between South Africa and Nigeria.

“The comments made by some South African ministers about Chidimma certainly escalated the issue,” he said.

Asakitikpi, who moved to Johannesburg in 2012, acknowledges that while he has experienced xenophobia, most of his South African colleagues have been supportive.

“I overlook the subtle hostility. But I’ve taken precautions, like stopping communication with certain individuals. I don’t visit them anymore, nor do I invite them to visit me,” he admitted.

He argues that politics and media narratives often fuel xenophobia towards Nigerians.

“It’s unfortunate. Just recently, the South African government denied a Nigerian sports team visas. Such actions institutionalise antagonism,” he said.

Olorunfemi Adeleke, a migrant rights activist, agrees.

“In South Africa, it’s almost like being a successful migrant is a crime. The moment you succeed, you face a barrage of investigations,” he said.

Adetshina’s experience, while tragic, underscores the complexities of South African-Nigerian relations, analysts say.

These tensions, though most visible online, reflect deeper issues that both countries must confront if they hope to foster peace and mutual understanding.

Both South Africans and Nigerian social analysts agree that the rivalry doesn’t benefit either country or its people.

By Qaanitah Hunter, Al Jazeera

Dozens of Muslim worshippers killed in Nigeria crash

Dozens of Muslim worshippers have been killed in a crash in northern Nigeria's Kaduna state.

The victims were travelling to celebrate Eid-el-Maulud - Prophet Muhammad's birthday - in the northern town of Saminaka.

Their bus collided with an oncoming truck near the town of Lere, an organiser of the Eid celebration said.

Fatal road collisions are very common in Nigeria. Both drivers and passengers have been known to flout safety measures, which are loosely enforced by the authorities.

An official at the Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency put the death toll at 36 on Monday morning.

However, event organiser Ahmad Dayyabu told the BBC up to 40 people had died and 31 more were being treated in hospital.

“They took off from the town of Kwandare on their way to here, Saminaka. On reaching the town of Lere, their vehicle was run over by a trailer truck," he said.

“From our investigation, there were 71 people in that ill-fated vehicle."

The bus is said to have been overloaded.

More than 1,470 people died in road collisions across Nigeria in the first quarter of 2024, official statistics show.

That is around 16 people per day on average.

The government declared Monday a public holiday in order to mark this year's Eid-el-Maulud.

By Haruna Shehu-Tangaza, BBC

Video - Nigeria looking to send flag football team to 2028 Olympics

Flag football isn't a mainstream sport in Nigeria, but it's slowly gaining in popularity. The emerging sport is a variant of American football where, instead of tackling players to the ground, the defensive team must remove a flag or flag belt from the ball carrier. It will feature at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

CGTN 

Related story: Top NFL Players Who Hail from Nigeria

 

Video - Creative industry has room for growth in Nigeria

Nigeria’s creative industry is growing rapidly, but analysts say more needs to be done to overcome challenges and fully realize its potential for economic growth.

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Video - Widening illiteracy gap driving crime surge in Nigeria

Over 60 million Nigerians are unable to read or write, creating a major impediment to the country’s developmental aspirations. Education analysts warn that the country’s widening illiteracy gap is driving crime upwards.

CGTN

Video - Nigerian entrepreneur turns banana waste into business gold

Tera Korumene Robinson is transforming banana and plantain stems into organic hair extensions and eco-friendly products. Her innovative approach is turning waste into wealth, driving sustainability and business success in Nigeria.

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Video - Nigeria's economic shift

As foreign firms exit Nigeria due to economic challenges, local businesses are stepping in to fill the gaps.

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Video - Nigeria, China revive $2.4 billion currency swap deal

Nigeria and China have agreed to expand their currency swap agreement, aiming to boost trade in Naira and Yuan, originally signed in 2018. Experts say reducing Nigeria’s trade deficit will be key.

CGTN

Video - Nigeria's Maiduguri struggles after Alau Dam breach

Floods caused by the dam burst have displaced over 400,000 people in Maiduguri. The city, already vulnerable from years of insurgency, now faces a new crisis.

CGTN

A boat capsizes in Nigeria drowning at least 40 people

A boat carrying mostly farmers capsized on a river in northwest Nigeria, drowning at least 40 people, President Bola Tinub u said Sunday.

The accident happened in Zamfara state, as farmers were trying to get to their land, Tinubu said in a statement. The president promised support for the victims and directed emergency agencies to assess the incident.

Yazid Abubakar, a police spokesperson in Zamfara, told The Associated Press the accident happened on Saturday and that five people were rescued, but 40 are still missing. It was not immediately clear how many people were on the boat when it went down.

The boat was carrying mostly farmers who use the crossing regularly to sell produce at the markets and locals say they’re often overloaded.

Zamfara state is rampant with armed groups who kidnap for ransom, steel cattle and engage in illegal mining.

Boat accidents are common in remote communities across Nigeria because of overloading and boats that are in poor condition.

In August, more than 20 people died in a boat accident on a river in southern Nigeria after the engine exploded.

Most boats don’t carry life jackets or have proper safety measures in place, say locals.

By Dyepkazah Shibayan, AP

Related story: Drowning of Nollywood start forces industry to look at safety

 

Video - 200 prisoners escape Maiduguri prison after flood

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, disclosed that some Boko Haram commanders held at the Maiduguri New Prison were among those who escaped. Not fewer than 200 inmates have escaped after a devastating flood pulled down a prison wall in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

WION

Related story: Nigeria faces humanitarian crisis as floods ravage communities, farmlands

 

 

NNPC raises petrol prices again as Dangote fuel hits market

Nigerian state oil firm NNPC Ltd on Monday increased the price of petrol by 11%, the second increase in two weeks and a day after it started purchasing the fuel from the giant Dangote oil refinery on the outskirts of Lagos.

Nigeria expects the 650,000 barrels per day refinery to end years of imports of gasoline, which had been subsidised for decades until President Bola Tinubu began removing support when he took office in May last year.

The price of gasoline is a sensitive issue in Nigeria because many households and small businesses use it to power generators because the majority of citizens are not connected to the national electricity grid.

On Monday, NNPC said it had increased gasoline prices from 858 naira ($0.53) a litre to 950 naira in Lagos and as high as 1,019 naira in northeastern states. It said it buys the product at 898 naira per litre from the refinery.

NNPC said it had started buying the fuel from Dangote on Sunday in U.S. dollars and that a deal to purchase gasoline in the local naira currency was still to take effect.

The latest increase is likely to add to public anger as Nigerians are already struggling with inflation of 33.4%, which has driven up transport costs and caused a cost of living crisis that led to violent protests in early August.

On Friday, a Nigerian presidential committee announced that NNPC would distribute gasoline from the $20 billion Dangote refinery to the local market, ending a deadlock that had stalled distribution.

From October NNPC will supply 385,000 barrels of crude per day to be paid for in naira by Dangote refinery, which will in turn sell its fuel in the local currency.

By Camillus Eboh, Reuters

US Urges Nigeria to release Binance executive as health worsens

The US government is urging Nigeria to release an employee of the world’s largest crypto exchange Binance who was arrested in February and has faced worsening health conditions in prison, according to two US State Department officials.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken raised the issue directly with his Nigerian counterpart in May, as confirmed by the officials. US diplomats, including the ambassador to Nigeria, have since held private discussions with several top Nigerian officials, including the country’s president, finance minister, attorney general, and trade minister, advocating for the employee’s release.

The detained employee, Mr. Gambaryan, 40, has reportedly endured significant medical challenges while incarcerated, including a bout of malaria and complications stemming from a herniated disk.

US diplomats have stressed the need for his release on humanitarian grounds. According to his family, Mr. Gambaryan has not received adequate medical attention, leading to a rapid decline in his health.

Efforts to secure his release have escalated since June, with the State Department repeatedly pressing the Nigerian government over concerns about his lack of proper medical care. Despite this, his supporters are calling on the U.S. to take more decisive action.

Mr. Gambaryan’s wife, Yuki, expressed her frustrations in an interview, saying, “I would be very upset if the US government welcomes Nigerian delegates with open arms,” referring to the upcoming visit of Nigerian officials to New York for the United Nations General Assembly.

As Crypto Briefing reported, in May, Binance CEO Richard Teng demanded the release of Tigran Gambaryan, detained in Nigeria for over 70 days, warning of the dangerous precedent it sets for global businesses.

In June, US lawmakers visited Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan in a Nigerian prison, advocating for his release due to critical health conditions and inadequate care.

By Diego Almada Lopez, Crypto Briefing

Related story: US lawmakers say Nigeria is detaining American to extort Binance

Nigeria faces humanitarian crisis as floods ravage communities, farmlands

Nigeria faces a looming humanitarian crisis as massive floods submerge communities and farmlands across the country.

At least 10 states have experienced massive flooding this year, displacing close to 500,000 residen0ts.

According to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the floods destroyed more than 16,000 hectares of farmlands. Farmers in some communities are now being forced to harvest their farm produce prematurely over fears of destruction by imminent floods.

In Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, North-east Nigeria, overflowing riverbanks and the collapse of the Alau Dam on the Ngadda River have opened floodgates in the city. Buildings are now submerged, and more than 239,000 residents have been displaced, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Authorities are scampering to evacuate inmates from one affected prison. Animals in the zoo have been let loose by the floods, causing panic among residents.

An aerial view of the city reminds one of Nigeria’s massive flooding of 2022. Described as the worst in a decade, it displaced more than 1.4 million people in 34 of the country’s 36 states.

Although this year’s flood did not cause the same scale of destruction, it raised similar systemic issues in Nigeria’s flood management and emergency preparedness.

The development also threatens a new wave of humanitarian crises in a country facing increasing hardship amidst fears that 26.5 million Nigerians face food insecurity this year, up from 18.6 million people last year, according to the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organisation.
There were warnings

The 2024 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO), launched in April, predicted high floods in 148 local government areas (LGAs) in 31 states, including Borno. The report, produced by Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), also said 249 LGAs in 35 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are within moderate flood risk areas.

The report listed the high flood-prone states as Adamawa, Akwa-Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue and Borno. Others are Cross-River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, and Yobe.

“These regions are characterised by erratic rainfall patterns, river basin dynamics and inadequate hydraulic infrastructures, amplifying the potential for devastating flood impacts on communities, agriculture and infrastructures,” the report stated.

The AFO recommended implementing robust early warning systems to provide timely alerts to at-risk communities and enable proactive evacuation and response efforts.

It also recommended infrastructure improvements, such as flood defences, drainage systems, and embankments, to mitigate flood risk and protect vulnerable areas.

It added: “Strengthening institutional capacity at all levels of government to effectively coordinate flood response and recovery efforts, including disaster risk management, emergency response and post-disaster recovery planning.”
NEMA prepares

The spokesperson for the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Manzo Ezekiel, told PREMIUM TIMES on Wednesday that the agency had sent alarms to stakeholders, including state governors, since the beginning of the year, asking them to prepare for the floods.

He said the agency also met with the stakeholders to analyse the flood forecast and the roles to play towards mitigating the occurrence. He noted that the agency also placed several jingles on the radio, directing residents of flood-prone and riverine areas to be on the lookout.

“NEMA wrote to all the state governors. And we didn’t stop at that. NEMA convened stakeholder meetings where the forecast was discussed, and the mitigating side was discussed. Then NEMA also embarked on advocacy to the stakeholders,” he said in a telephone interview on Wednesday.
Floods ravage communities, destroy farmlands

The flood in Borno, exacerbated by the collapse of the Alau dam, has garnered the most attention and has been described as the worst that the state experienced in over three decades.

However, at least 10 other states listed in the AFO report have witnessed flooding that killed people and destroyed properties in the last two months.

Last month, at least 39 people lost their lives to massive floods that swept through part of Jigawa State. According to the Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Haruna Mairiga, more than 15,000 people were displaced and 8,500 houses were affected by the floods. Mr Mairiga added that 12,000 hectares of farmlands were washed away.

In Adamawa State, at least six persons were reported dead in August as a result of the flooding that displaced more than 12,961 persons in three LGAs, namely Madagali, Demsa, and Numan.

In Gombe and Yobe states, more than 4,000 houses and farmlands have been destroyed by flood. While Gombe SEMA said 2,517 houses and shops were destroyed by a flood that ravaged 33 communities, the Yobe SEMA stated that 1,650 houses were destroyed in Jajere and Yunusari towns of the state.

In Kaduna, close to 4,000 people have been displaced by flooding. More than 200 houses were submerged in Zaria and Sabon-Gari LGAs of Kaduna State. In Kafanchan and surrounding villages in Jema’a LGA of the state, floods displaced more than 1,000 residents and killed two children. In Zango Kataf LGA, NEMA said the flood had displaced no fewer than 3,633 people from five communities.

In Kano, the Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Isyaku Kubarachi, said the recent flood killed 31 people and displaced 31,818.

He said the floods destroyed 2,518 farmlands, covering 976 hectares of land in 21 local government areas in the state, and 5,280 houses.

The Executive Secretary of Zamfara State SEMA, Ahmed Bala, said the flood affected 9,784 households in all 12 political wards in Gummi LGA of the state. He added that 12 people lost their lives while hundreds of hectares of farmlands were washed away.

In Bauchi, the state SEMA said more than N7.81 billion worth of farmlands and properties have been destroyed by flood in 16 LGAs.

The agency’s Director of planning, Research, and Statistics, Adamu Nayola, attributed the flood to two months of heavy downpours in the northern part of the state.

“The floods, which affected communities in 16 hard-hit LGAs, destroyed and damaged houses, farmlands, roads, electricity poles, and domestic animals. This resulted in significant economic losses,” he said.

He listed affected LGAs as Giade, Shira, Katagum, Gamawa, Zaki, Kirfi, Dambam, Alkaleri, Darazo, Itas Gadau, Toro, Bauchi, Misau, Jama’are, Warji and Ganjuwa.
Premature harvest

In Anambra and Bayelsa states, panicky farmers are prematurely harvesting crops over fear of an impending flood disaster that could destroy them if left unharvested.

According to Paul Odenigbo, the Executive Secretary of Anambra SEMA, many community farmlands had already been submerged due to increased water levels.
Looming humanitarian crises

NEMA announced last month that more than 16,000 hectares of farmlands have been destroyed in 27 states. With the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organisation’s warning that an estimated 26.5 million people would face food insecurity in Nigeria this year, the situation threatens to become dire.

NEMA has also warned that the overflowing rivers are reaching other communities. The agency has placed other states, such as Benue, Kogi, Anambra, Delta, Imo, Rivers, and Bayelsa, on alert.

With the flood in Maiduguri, Mr Ezekiel said NEMA has deployed some of the facilities used in Jigawa to Maiduguri. He listed them as including life jackets, rescue boats, spreaders and cutters, and a mobile water treatment plant.

“As I speak to you now, since Jigawa has stabilised with the situation in Maiduguri, our facilities have been moved to Maiduguri to support the ongoing rescue operations that are ongoing there now,” he added.

He, therefore, called for preparedness in the central and southern states, noting that the “water will naturally flow downward.”

By Qosim Suleiman, Premium Times