President Bola Tinubu said the new law will create a fairer and more efficient tax system, simplify revenue collection, reduce the tax burden on individuals and businesses and boost government revenue collection.
Monday, June 30, 2025
Video - Nigerian President signs four tax reform bills into law
President Bola Tinubu said the new law will create a fairer and more efficient tax system, simplify revenue collection, reduce the tax burden on individuals and businesses and boost government revenue collection.
Video - Nigerian experts urge better PTSD support
Mental health professionals in Nigeria are calling for more government support, awareness, and accessible treatment for Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 40 million Nigerians suffer from mental illness.
One of Nigeria’s richest men set to be buried in Saudi Arabia
Business mogul Dantata, 94, an uncle of Africa's richest man Aliko Dangote, leaves three wives, 21 children and 121 grandchildren.
His body was transferred from Abu Dhabi where he died to Medina after Saudi authorities approved his burial in their country.
It was his wish to be buried in a city he adored and where Islam's prophet Muhammad lived and died.
Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu described Dantata's death as a "monumental national loss” in a statement.
He said Dantata had made "sterling contributions to Nigeria's growth and development" through decades of enterprise, service, and philanthropy.
He was known across Nigeria for his philanthropic activities. Last year, he donated 1.5 billion naira ($972,000; £710,000) to victims of the devastating floods in north-eastern Borno state.
His business interests cut across agriculture, real estate, construction and manufacturing.
He first made his name in agriculture, starting trading kola nuts and groundnuts in the 1940s.
He came from a business family - his father Alhassan Dantata was once considered to be the richest man in West Africa.
Despite his riches, Dantata lived in one of the poorest areas of the northern city of Kano, like his parents before him.
His influence was also felt in politics, with politicians eager to seek his blessings before elections.
A video of President Tinubu bowing to greet him before the 2023 elections went viral on social media.
A special prayer was held for him in Kano, where he lived all his life.
Two Nigerian governors and the defence minister have gone to Medina for his funeral.
Mansur Abubakar, BBC
Friday, June 27, 2025
Video - Nigeria tackles methamphetamine crisis
Nigerian drug enforcement agency officers report that Nigeria, once merely a transit point for methamphetamine, is now a producer, thanks to secret laboratories left behind by South American cartels. The agents state that the meth being produced in Nigeria is among the most sought after worldwide. Authorities are intensifying their efforts to crack down on meth traffickers and users.
Nigeria’s first stablecoin summit to offer $10,000 to startups, undergraduates
Nigeria’s first stablecoin summit scheduled to hold in Lagos is expected to offer outstanding startups and undergraduates grants up to $10,000 in what would promote business development and innovation, organisers say.
The conference, billed for Thursday, July 24, 2025, is set to bring together policymakers, stablecoin innovators, and various stakeholders to discuss the future of borderless digital payments on the continent.
“Startups attending the event would have the opportunity to participate in a pitch competition, where winners would receive up to $10,000 in cash and other prizes,” the organisers said in a statement.
“Undergraduates with an interest in the tech and digital finance ecosystem are invited to submit their write-ups for an Essay Competition, which would award 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place to the best entries.”
Nigeria boasts one of the largest tech talent pools in Africa. During the conference, policymakers, stablecoin issuers, exchanges, payment gateways, regulators, developers, and ecosystem enablers are all expected to engage in open dialogues to develop frameworks that reflect current realities.
Nathaniel Luz, president of the Africa Stablecoin Network and convener of the Nigeria Stablecoin Summit, stated that there is a need for coordinated efforts and collaborations between the government and fintechs to unlock the full potential of stablecoins in Nigeria.
He added that policymakers and stablecoin innovators would need to engage in open dialogue to develop frameworks that reflect current realities.
Luz explained that the summit’s theme, “Enhancing Adoption for a Borderless Digital Economy,” speaks to Nigeria’s need for a more integrated and seamless borderless payment ecosystem.
He emphasized that the industry needs interoperable payment systems and reliable on- and off-ramps that connect everyday commerce with stablecoins, stressing that collaborations between the government and fintechs would strengthen trust, scale solutions, and help build a sustainable ecosystem that solves real-world problems.
He further said that Nigeria’s digital finance economy is ripe for growth and expansion with room for more adoption, but these crucial “gateway discussions” have not yet taken place. He therefore urged all stakeholders in the Nigerian digital finance ecosystem to attend the Nigeria Stablecoin Summit, organised by the Africa Stablecoin Network.
Luz described the gathering as a very special and pivotal moment that would shape the future of payments in Nigeria and beyond. He asserted that while stablecoins might be a luxury for the West, they are an economic lifeline for Africa.
The conference, billed for Thursday, July 24, 2025, is set to bring together policymakers, stablecoin innovators, and various stakeholders to discuss the future of borderless digital payments on the continent.
“Startups attending the event would have the opportunity to participate in a pitch competition, where winners would receive up to $10,000 in cash and other prizes,” the organisers said in a statement.
“Undergraduates with an interest in the tech and digital finance ecosystem are invited to submit their write-ups for an Essay Competition, which would award 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place to the best entries.”
Nigeria boasts one of the largest tech talent pools in Africa. During the conference, policymakers, stablecoin issuers, exchanges, payment gateways, regulators, developers, and ecosystem enablers are all expected to engage in open dialogues to develop frameworks that reflect current realities.
Nathaniel Luz, president of the Africa Stablecoin Network and convener of the Nigeria Stablecoin Summit, stated that there is a need for coordinated efforts and collaborations between the government and fintechs to unlock the full potential of stablecoins in Nigeria.
He added that policymakers and stablecoin innovators would need to engage in open dialogue to develop frameworks that reflect current realities.
Luz explained that the summit’s theme, “Enhancing Adoption for a Borderless Digital Economy,” speaks to Nigeria’s need for a more integrated and seamless borderless payment ecosystem.
He emphasized that the industry needs interoperable payment systems and reliable on- and off-ramps that connect everyday commerce with stablecoins, stressing that collaborations between the government and fintechs would strengthen trust, scale solutions, and help build a sustainable ecosystem that solves real-world problems.
He further said that Nigeria’s digital finance economy is ripe for growth and expansion with room for more adoption, but these crucial “gateway discussions” have not yet taken place. He therefore urged all stakeholders in the Nigerian digital finance ecosystem to attend the Nigeria Stablecoin Summit, organised by the Africa Stablecoin Network.
Luz described the gathering as a very special and pivotal moment that would shape the future of payments in Nigeria and beyond. He asserted that while stablecoins might be a luxury for the West, they are an economic lifeline for Africa.
Thursday, June 26, 2025
Video - UN report issues a food insecurity warning for Nigeria
A new UN report labeled Nigeria as one of five African hunger hotspots where food insecurity is predicted to worsen through October. This situation has been attributed to insecurity and weak land rights, both of which hinder food production.
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
Video - Nigeria rushes to evacuate citizens from Israel, Iran
With airstrikes targeting major cities and airports closed, hundreds of Nigerians remain stranded in high-risk areas, causing growing concern among families at home. Evacuation plans are underway, with Nigerian embassies in both capitals coordinating efforts with international partners.
Tuesday, June 24, 2025
Nigerian man handed 76-year sentence in sextortion of B.C. boy
RCMP have said that the boy’s sudden death in 2023 came after he fell victim to “financial sextortion.”
Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission says in social media posts that Olukeye Adedayo faced 18 charges, including possession and distribution of child pornography, attempted extortion by threats and money laundering.
It says Adedayo set up an Instagram account using the boy’s name to distribute the images, which the RCMP said the 14-year-old thought he sent to a teenage girl in an online interaction that was over within minutes.
The Nigerian agency says Adedayo pleaded not guilty to all counts but a judge convicted him of all charges and sentenced him last Thursday.
However, the agency said the 18 sentences are to run concurrently, suggesting the longest sentence he’ll serve is seven years for each of four counts of obtaining property under false pretences.
The commission says the prosecution witnesses included a sergeant with the RCMP Serious Crime Unit.
Related story: FBI nabs Nigerian over teen sextortion, gets five years
Friday, June 20, 2025
Nigerian university sparks outrage as staff check whether female students are wearing bras before exams
A Nigerian university is facing backlash after a viral video appeared to show young women who were queuing for exams being checked for whether they were wearing bras before being allowed in.
In a short clip that spread quickly on social media, two women seem to be touching the breasts of the women in the queue as they walk past. Students at Olabisi Onabanjo University confirmed to CNN that the video was shot at their school, in Nigeria’s southwestern Ogun state.
In the video, one female student appeared to be removed from the queue after one of the women touched her.
CNN has not been able to confirm when the video was taken but a student representative at OOU, who defended the school over what he dubbed the, “no bra, no entry policy,” said exams began this week.
The university has not responded to CNN’s request for comment and has not commented publicly on the alleged policy amid widespread outrage on Nigerian social media.
Student union leader Muizz Olanrewaju Olatunji said in a post on X Tuesday that the check for bras “is not a new policy” in the school, which he stated, “promotes a dress code policy aimed at maintaining a respectful and distraction-free environment, encouraging students to dress modestly and in line with the institution’s values.”
Olatunji shared parts of what he said were the school’s policies, which described indecent dressing as that which shows sensitive body parts “such as breasts, buttocks, nipples and belly-buttons,” including “any dressing that is capable of making the same or opposite sex to lust after the student in an indecent manner.”
By Nimi Princewill, CNN
In a short clip that spread quickly on social media, two women seem to be touching the breasts of the women in the queue as they walk past. Students at Olabisi Onabanjo University confirmed to CNN that the video was shot at their school, in Nigeria’s southwestern Ogun state.
In the video, one female student appeared to be removed from the queue after one of the women touched her.
CNN has not been able to confirm when the video was taken but a student representative at OOU, who defended the school over what he dubbed the, “no bra, no entry policy,” said exams began this week.
The university has not responded to CNN’s request for comment and has not commented publicly on the alleged policy amid widespread outrage on Nigerian social media.
Student union leader Muizz Olanrewaju Olatunji said in a post on X Tuesday that the check for bras “is not a new policy” in the school, which he stated, “promotes a dress code policy aimed at maintaining a respectful and distraction-free environment, encouraging students to dress modestly and in line with the institution’s values.”
Olatunji shared parts of what he said were the school’s policies, which described indecent dressing as that which shows sensitive body parts “such as breasts, buttocks, nipples and belly-buttons,” including “any dressing that is capable of making the same or opposite sex to lust after the student in an indecent manner.”
A ‘draconian’ policy
Human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong described the OOU’s bra policy as “draconian” and “arbitrary,” and one that “might amount to some form of sexual harassment.”
He told CNN that “physically examining the bodies of students to determine whether they are wearing a bra or not is not only degrading but also undignifying.”
“There could be medical explanations for why certain students may not feel comfortable wearing a bra at a particular time,” he said, adding that enforcing the policy “without exceptions, or without taking peculiarities into consideration is arbitrary,” and could lead to legal actions.
Human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong described the OOU’s bra policy as “draconian” and “arbitrary,” and one that “might amount to some form of sexual harassment.”
He told CNN that “physically examining the bodies of students to determine whether they are wearing a bra or not is not only degrading but also undignifying.”
“There could be medical explanations for why certain students may not feel comfortable wearing a bra at a particular time,” he said, adding that enforcing the policy “without exceptions, or without taking peculiarities into consideration is arbitrary,” and could lead to legal actions.
Student leader Olatunji said in another post on X Tuesday that talks were ongoing with OOU’s administration “to explore alternative approaches to addressing indecent dressing, focusing on respectful and dignified interactions between students and staff.”
Unmasking the silent rise of ritual killings in Nigeria
Nigeria is grappling with an alarming surge in ritual killings—a trend that has left many citizens in shock and fearful of what seems like an unrelenting menace. The country has witnessed a rise in these heinous crimes, with young people, particularly young girls, becoming frequent victims, Ruth Tene Natsa writes.
These ritual killings have spread across all regions of the country, sparing no one. From the South-West to the South-East and even the capital city located in Nigeria’s North-Central region, no area appears immune.
Just a few weeks ago, social media users were shocked by the arrest of a well-known herbalist from Enugu State, suspected of being involved in ritual killings. Eyewitnesses claimed that several bodies were discovered buried in a secret soakaway in his house. He was eventually apprehended while attempting to cross the border into the Republic of Benin.
Similarly, a recent incident in Gwarinpa, an Abuja suburb, sparked national outrage when a young woman was found tied, gagged, sexually assaulted, and murdered in a hotel. In response, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command launched a manhunt for those responsible.
This came shortly after a disturbing case in January 2025, where a man was apprehended during a church service in Orozo for carrying the decapitated head of his alleged girlfriend in a polybag. Despite the gruesome evidence, there are growing fears that Timileyin Ajayi’s case may eventually fade into obscurity like many others.
These appalling acts have raised serious concerns about the safety and security of Nigerians, particularly women and children.
Many experts attribute the rise in ritual killings to a toxic pursuit of wealth, power, and perceived protection. Some individuals believe that human sacrifice can guarantee good fortune or success, leading them to commit unspeakable atrocities.
According to President Muhammadu Buhari, the increasing cases of ritual killings and deadly attacks against innocent Nigerians are matters of urgent national concern requiring immediate intervention.
The consequences of these killings are devastating, inflicting deep emotional trauma on victims’ families and fostering a culture of fear and distrust. Nigerians are now more cautious, often suspicious of those around them, especially strangers.
In Abuja, some residents attribute the surge in such crimes to the indifferent “mind your business” attitude among neighbours. Others blame the excellent road networks, which, while a sign of progress, unfortunately make it easier for criminals to flee the scene of their crimes.
Beyond ritual killings, Nigeria is also witnessing a rise in “One Chance” criminal gangs. These gangs pose as commercial vehicle operators, only to rob and sometimes kill unsuspecting passengers. One such victim, Madam Bolanle, recounted being held captive for over four hours, during which she was driven around the city and coerced into handing over large sums of money.
Experts warn that the relentless pursuit of wealth and social validation is fuelling these crimes. Reports have implicated a diverse range of individuals, including medical professionals and politicians. The growing “get-rich-quick” culture, especially among the youth, has contributed to a dangerous trend that now threatens the moral foundation of Nigerian society.
To address this crisis, security agencies must be strengthened, properly equipped, and held accountable in tracking and dismantling criminal networks. Community-level efforts are equally crucial, building trust between local populations and law enforcement and establishing early warning systems to prevent crimes before they occur.
Some stakeholders have proposed stringent penalties, including the death sentence without the option of imprisonment, for anyone found guilty of ritual killings.
The Nigerian government has been repeatedly urged to take immediate and decisive action. According to media executive Sunday Oyinloye, “The federal government and other tiers of government, as well as relevant stakeholders, must urgently confront the alarming rise in the ritual killing of girls for money-making purposes.”
In a rare move, the Emir of Ilorin, Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, has also weighed in on the matter, instructing Imams across the state to preach against ritual killings during Friday sermons.
Ultimately, combating ritual killings requires a united front involving government institutions, security agencies, religious and traditional leaders, and the general public.
Nigeria must return to its moral compass, where hard work and integrity are recognised as the true paths to success. Parents must instil in their children a strong work ethic, while religious leaders must teach values that promote honesty and diligence, not materialism.
Only through collective action can Nigeria build a safer, more secure society. The government must prioritise the safety of its citizens and take bold, sustained measures to reverse this deadly trend.
In conclusion, the rise in ritual killings in Nigeria demands urgent attention and concrete action. By confronting the root causes, strengthening law enforcement, and reviving core societal values, Nigeria can begin to restore hope and safety for all its citizens.
By Ruth Tene Natsa, Business Day
These ritual killings have spread across all regions of the country, sparing no one. From the South-West to the South-East and even the capital city located in Nigeria’s North-Central region, no area appears immune.
Just a few weeks ago, social media users were shocked by the arrest of a well-known herbalist from Enugu State, suspected of being involved in ritual killings. Eyewitnesses claimed that several bodies were discovered buried in a secret soakaway in his house. He was eventually apprehended while attempting to cross the border into the Republic of Benin.
Similarly, a recent incident in Gwarinpa, an Abuja suburb, sparked national outrage when a young woman was found tied, gagged, sexually assaulted, and murdered in a hotel. In response, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command launched a manhunt for those responsible.
This came shortly after a disturbing case in January 2025, where a man was apprehended during a church service in Orozo for carrying the decapitated head of his alleged girlfriend in a polybag. Despite the gruesome evidence, there are growing fears that Timileyin Ajayi’s case may eventually fade into obscurity like many others.
These appalling acts have raised serious concerns about the safety and security of Nigerians, particularly women and children.
Many experts attribute the rise in ritual killings to a toxic pursuit of wealth, power, and perceived protection. Some individuals believe that human sacrifice can guarantee good fortune or success, leading them to commit unspeakable atrocities.
According to President Muhammadu Buhari, the increasing cases of ritual killings and deadly attacks against innocent Nigerians are matters of urgent national concern requiring immediate intervention.
The consequences of these killings are devastating, inflicting deep emotional trauma on victims’ families and fostering a culture of fear and distrust. Nigerians are now more cautious, often suspicious of those around them, especially strangers.
In Abuja, some residents attribute the surge in such crimes to the indifferent “mind your business” attitude among neighbours. Others blame the excellent road networks, which, while a sign of progress, unfortunately make it easier for criminals to flee the scene of their crimes.
Beyond ritual killings, Nigeria is also witnessing a rise in “One Chance” criminal gangs. These gangs pose as commercial vehicle operators, only to rob and sometimes kill unsuspecting passengers. One such victim, Madam Bolanle, recounted being held captive for over four hours, during which she was driven around the city and coerced into handing over large sums of money.
Experts warn that the relentless pursuit of wealth and social validation is fuelling these crimes. Reports have implicated a diverse range of individuals, including medical professionals and politicians. The growing “get-rich-quick” culture, especially among the youth, has contributed to a dangerous trend that now threatens the moral foundation of Nigerian society.
To address this crisis, security agencies must be strengthened, properly equipped, and held accountable in tracking and dismantling criminal networks. Community-level efforts are equally crucial, building trust between local populations and law enforcement and establishing early warning systems to prevent crimes before they occur.
Some stakeholders have proposed stringent penalties, including the death sentence without the option of imprisonment, for anyone found guilty of ritual killings.
The Nigerian government has been repeatedly urged to take immediate and decisive action. According to media executive Sunday Oyinloye, “The federal government and other tiers of government, as well as relevant stakeholders, must urgently confront the alarming rise in the ritual killing of girls for money-making purposes.”
In a rare move, the Emir of Ilorin, Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, has also weighed in on the matter, instructing Imams across the state to preach against ritual killings during Friday sermons.
Ultimately, combating ritual killings requires a united front involving government institutions, security agencies, religious and traditional leaders, and the general public.
Nigeria must return to its moral compass, where hard work and integrity are recognised as the true paths to success. Parents must instil in their children a strong work ethic, while religious leaders must teach values that promote honesty and diligence, not materialism.
Only through collective action can Nigeria build a safer, more secure society. The government must prioritise the safety of its citizens and take bold, sustained measures to reverse this deadly trend.
In conclusion, the rise in ritual killings in Nigeria demands urgent attention and concrete action. By confronting the root causes, strengthening law enforcement, and reviving core societal values, Nigeria can begin to restore hope and safety for all its citizens.
Nigeria Arrests 76 Vessels, Seizes 171,000 Barrels Of Crude Oil To Combat Oil Theft
Over the past two years, the Nigerian Navy has detained 76 vessels and more than 242 individuals linked to oil theft. During this period, the Navy destroyed over 800 illegal oil refining sites.
Widespread oil theft from pipelines and wells has severely impacted Nigeria’s oil industry in recent years, reducing government revenue and hindering export activities. The Navy has been working to stop these losses by targeting criminal groups operating in oil-producing areas.
At a briefing in Abuja, Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla said that since June 2023, the Navy had seized around 171,000 barrels of stolen crude oil. He also stated that millions of litres of illegally refined fuel were recovered during various operations.
Ogalla said the Navy started inspecting oil cargoes at Nigeria’s five main export terminals in January to stop oil theft and smuggling. This step was taken to track shipments and prevent smuggling from the point of origin.
The Navy has added new patrol boats and three new ships to its fleet to boost its operations. It has also acquired three AW 139 Trekker helicopters for better aerial surveillance. Additionally, two seaward defense boats are currently under construction.
Ogalla also said that the Navy will soon receive two 76-meter-long offshore patrol vessels from Dearsan Shipyard in Turkey. These new assets are expected to help the Navy improve its presence and patrol ability across Nigeria’s coastal waters.
Widespread oil theft from pipelines and wells has severely impacted Nigeria’s oil industry in recent years, reducing government revenue and hindering export activities. The Navy has been working to stop these losses by targeting criminal groups operating in oil-producing areas.
At a briefing in Abuja, Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla said that since June 2023, the Navy had seized around 171,000 barrels of stolen crude oil. He also stated that millions of litres of illegally refined fuel were recovered during various operations.
Ogalla said the Navy started inspecting oil cargoes at Nigeria’s five main export terminals in January to stop oil theft and smuggling. This step was taken to track shipments and prevent smuggling from the point of origin.
The Navy has added new patrol boats and three new ships to its fleet to boost its operations. It has also acquired three AW 139 Trekker helicopters for better aerial surveillance. Additionally, two seaward defense boats are currently under construction.
Ogalla also said that the Navy will soon receive two 76-meter-long offshore patrol vessels from Dearsan Shipyard in Turkey. These new assets are expected to help the Navy improve its presence and patrol ability across Nigeria’s coastal waters.
Firm unveils greenhouse to boost smart farming in Jos
A food processing firm Teva Food, has unveiled a new greenhouse and planted 12,400 seeds of bell pepper and cucumber to boost organic and smart farming in Jos. The facility was officially inaugurated on Thursday, June 18.
Speaking at the event, Mr Chima Christian, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Co Founder of the company, said that the initiative aimed at promoting a climate-resiliant farming. Christian added that the initiative would create job opportunities for residents of the state, particularly for the youths.
"Teva foods is a food production company that started as a result of the fatigue, that people are actually fed up with Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) and inorganic food. So we felt we should do something about it, and we started developing multiple projects across the country.
"We are doing a lot in the food industry and this is why we were here today to officially launch this greenhouse. In this facility, we have planted 12,400 bell pepper and cucumber seeds; this is all in a bid to boost smart and climate-resiliant farming," he said.
Christian also said that the greenhouse would serve as a training ground for residents of the state who wish to learn about smart farming.
He particularly called on the youths to embrace smart farming, particularly as farming has now become a business and not just for subsistence purposes.
"As you can see, in each of our facility we have a training center and there are interns that we are training.
"The goal is to provide young people with the knowledge; and again, agriculture should leave the hands of the aged.
"So we want to put agriculture back in the hands of young people who are enterprising, who will see it as a business.
"This is why we are also motivating people to just come and learn and replicate it in their small spaces," he added.
Christian explained that his initiative would complement President Bola Tinubu's and Gov. Caleb Mutfwang's drive for food security.
Speaking at the event, Mr Chima Christian, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Co Founder of the company, said that the initiative aimed at promoting a climate-resiliant farming. Christian added that the initiative would create job opportunities for residents of the state, particularly for the youths.
"Teva foods is a food production company that started as a result of the fatigue, that people are actually fed up with Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) and inorganic food. So we felt we should do something about it, and we started developing multiple projects across the country.
"We are doing a lot in the food industry and this is why we were here today to officially launch this greenhouse. In this facility, we have planted 12,400 bell pepper and cucumber seeds; this is all in a bid to boost smart and climate-resiliant farming," he said.
Christian also said that the greenhouse would serve as a training ground for residents of the state who wish to learn about smart farming.
He particularly called on the youths to embrace smart farming, particularly as farming has now become a business and not just for subsistence purposes.
"As you can see, in each of our facility we have a training center and there are interns that we are training.
"The goal is to provide young people with the knowledge; and again, agriculture should leave the hands of the aged.
"So we want to put agriculture back in the hands of young people who are enterprising, who will see it as a business.
"This is why we are also motivating people to just come and learn and replicate it in their small spaces," he added.
Christian explained that his initiative would complement President Bola Tinubu's and Gov. Caleb Mutfwang's drive for food security.
Thursday, June 19, 2025
Going door to door to beat diphtheria in Nigeria
On a hot Saturday afternoon in May, Maryam Umar left her small drug store in Bosso Low-Cost, a locality in Nigeria’s Niger state, and headed out into the community. “Visiting [homes] to create awareness of diphtheria disease and to vaccinate children is part of my duty,” she explained.
Umar pushed open a small red gate and was greeted by familiar faces. “They are children I have administered vaccines to,” she said. A few steps on, Umar called out their mothers, requesting the children’s immunisation cards. After reviewing the cards, Umar explained to the mothers the ways diphtheria could sicken their children, and the dangers of not taking the vaccine.
Diphtheria is caused by a bacterium called Corynebacterium diphtheriae, which targets the mucous membranes of the nose, throat and, sometimes, the skin. The disease spreads through infected respiratory droplets, physical contact with an infected individual, or contaminated objects, explained Iyare Osarhiemen, public health physician at Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki. It’s frequently deadly: even with medical care, one in ten people with respiratory diphtheria is expected to die. Without intervention, as many as half succumb.
But the infection is preventable through vaccination, and the vaccine is available publicly through Nigeria’s routine immunisation programme. While the country has made gains on basic vaccination coverage over the years, movement restrictions and lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic, which made it difficult for health workers to reach people, especially those in far-flung communities with vaccines, caused significant and dangerous declines in vaccination rates. Nationwide coverage with the basic diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis-containing vaccine (DTP) dipped from 66% in 2019 to 62% in 2020, at which level it remains.
In pockets of the country, protection levels are far lower still, raising the risk of disease spread. In Niger State, just 43.8% of children had received the necessary three doses of the diphtheria vaccine when the 2023–2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey was conducted, meaning the northern state significantly lagged the national average.
Not coincidentally, over the past three years, Nigeria has been battling its worst diphtheria outbreak in decades. The epidemic, which began in May 2022 and peaked in 2023, had sickened a suspected 44,000 people and caused 1,376 deaths by May 2025. Eleven of those suspected cases occurred in Niger State.
News of those suspected cases prompted quick action in her area, Umar said. “We enlightened [the people] on preventive measures and also [encouraged] them to come for preventive care. The reason for this is to ensure that the rate at which people are infected is reduced,” she added.
To many health workers and parents, diphtheria had become an unfamiliar threat. Between 2003 and 2017, Nigeria recorded no cases of the disease at all, according to World Health Organization data. But decades of suboptimal vaccination coverage, followed by increased vulnerability after COVID-19, meant large populations of susceptible children had accumulated in many places. All that was needed for a major outbreak to begin was a spark: a single infection reaching a group of unimmunised children would set off a wildfire chain-reaction.
Umar pushed open a small red gate and was greeted by familiar faces. “They are children I have administered vaccines to,” she said. A few steps on, Umar called out their mothers, requesting the children’s immunisation cards. After reviewing the cards, Umar explained to the mothers the ways diphtheria could sicken their children, and the dangers of not taking the vaccine.
Diphtheria is caused by a bacterium called Corynebacterium diphtheriae, which targets the mucous membranes of the nose, throat and, sometimes, the skin. The disease spreads through infected respiratory droplets, physical contact with an infected individual, or contaminated objects, explained Iyare Osarhiemen, public health physician at Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki. It’s frequently deadly: even with medical care, one in ten people with respiratory diphtheria is expected to die. Without intervention, as many as half succumb.
But the infection is preventable through vaccination, and the vaccine is available publicly through Nigeria’s routine immunisation programme. While the country has made gains on basic vaccination coverage over the years, movement restrictions and lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic, which made it difficult for health workers to reach people, especially those in far-flung communities with vaccines, caused significant and dangerous declines in vaccination rates. Nationwide coverage with the basic diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis-containing vaccine (DTP) dipped from 66% in 2019 to 62% in 2020, at which level it remains.
In pockets of the country, protection levels are far lower still, raising the risk of disease spread. In Niger State, just 43.8% of children had received the necessary three doses of the diphtheria vaccine when the 2023–2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey was conducted, meaning the northern state significantly lagged the national average.
Not coincidentally, over the past three years, Nigeria has been battling its worst diphtheria outbreak in decades. The epidemic, which began in May 2022 and peaked in 2023, had sickened a suspected 44,000 people and caused 1,376 deaths by May 2025. Eleven of those suspected cases occurred in Niger State.
News of those suspected cases prompted quick action in her area, Umar said. “We enlightened [the people] on preventive measures and also [encouraged] them to come for preventive care. The reason for this is to ensure that the rate at which people are infected is reduced,” she added.
To many health workers and parents, diphtheria had become an unfamiliar threat. Between 2003 and 2017, Nigeria recorded no cases of the disease at all, according to World Health Organization data. But decades of suboptimal vaccination coverage, followed by increased vulnerability after COVID-19, meant large populations of susceptible children had accumulated in many places. All that was needed for a major outbreak to begin was a spark: a single infection reaching a group of unimmunised children would set off a wildfire chain-reaction.
One household at a time
The fire is still smouldering, so in communities across the country, including Bosso Low-Cost, health workers like Umar are defending against renewed spread of the disease by redoubling their vaccination efforts. A lot of that has to do with simply making it easier for parents to stay on track.
Every Monday and Thursday, Umar provides routine immunisation services at Bosso Low-Cost Primary Healthcare Centre, where she is based as a community health worker. During the immunisation session, the health facility collects mothers’ information such as name, phone number, and address, principally to help them stay on track with their children’s vaccines. But even with reminders, some families still fall off schedule. Protection against diphtheria requires a full primary series of the vaccine – three doses, spaced weeks apart – so falling off schedule can spell mortal danger.
To get as many children as possible protected, Umar and her colleagues now take vaccines closer to people in their communities every week during outreach, going house-to-house with their vaccine boxes.
Umar said her team visits a minimum of five households at every outreach and in a week, they vaccinate at least 20 children at home. Two-year-old Suleiman Jibrin is one of the children Umar vaccinated. Namana Umar, his mother, says she feels happy knowing her only child has received all three vaccine doses.
“When I see my boy, I feel happy because my child is fully vaccinated. He has been healthy since he took the vaccines [and] I am satisfied,” she said. “This vaccine is for his health so that he can be protected from diphtheria and other diseases.”
Like Jibril’s mother, Happy Nambala, who just had her seven-month-old child vaccinated, said she was confident that vaccines contribute significantly to a child’s health. “Vaccines build children’s immune system; I have never doubted this,” said Nambala, who has had her three children fully vaccinated. “I take health information during outreach very seriously because it has to do with the health of my children.”
The fire is still smouldering, so in communities across the country, including Bosso Low-Cost, health workers like Umar are defending against renewed spread of the disease by redoubling their vaccination efforts. A lot of that has to do with simply making it easier for parents to stay on track.
Every Monday and Thursday, Umar provides routine immunisation services at Bosso Low-Cost Primary Healthcare Centre, where she is based as a community health worker. During the immunisation session, the health facility collects mothers’ information such as name, phone number, and address, principally to help them stay on track with their children’s vaccines. But even with reminders, some families still fall off schedule. Protection against diphtheria requires a full primary series of the vaccine – three doses, spaced weeks apart – so falling off schedule can spell mortal danger.
To get as many children as possible protected, Umar and her colleagues now take vaccines closer to people in their communities every week during outreach, going house-to-house with their vaccine boxes.
Umar said her team visits a minimum of five households at every outreach and in a week, they vaccinate at least 20 children at home. Two-year-old Suleiman Jibrin is one of the children Umar vaccinated. Namana Umar, his mother, says she feels happy knowing her only child has received all three vaccine doses.
“When I see my boy, I feel happy because my child is fully vaccinated. He has been healthy since he took the vaccines [and] I am satisfied,” she said. “This vaccine is for his health so that he can be protected from diphtheria and other diseases.”
Like Jibril’s mother, Happy Nambala, who just had her seven-month-old child vaccinated, said she was confident that vaccines contribute significantly to a child’s health. “Vaccines build children’s immune system; I have never doubted this,” said Nambala, who has had her three children fully vaccinated. “I take health information during outreach very seriously because it has to do with the health of my children.”
Tackling hesitancy
But pockets of resistance to vaccination – often traceable to circulating rumours or traditional beliefs about health – remain, and in those places, efforts to boost vaccination coverage can prove frustrating.
Community health worker Karima Muhammad blames this attitude on lack of awareness and explains that in an effort to tackle that, Niger state outreach workers have made a policy of always showing mothers visual resources, like posters, during visits, to more clearly explain how the disease manifests and how the vaccines work.
“We explain the signs and symptoms to them and we tell them it’s not a spiritual problem,” Hajiya Rabi Yusuf, the director of primary healthcare in Niger State’s Chanchaga local government area, told VaccinesWork. “We explain in their local dialect.”
And in cases where mothers still aren’t convinced, Yusuf said they deploy a “rapid response team”, which might include the local imam, pastor, youth leader, ward health development committee, women leader, security agent and health worker.
“If we have such non-compliance, we go in a team to speak with the person,” she said. “This strategy has helped to deal with diphtheria cases.”
Osarhiemen, the public health physician, adds that besides poor compliance with routine immunisation, the insecurity in the north is also limiting vaccination efforts.
Luckily enough for the families of Bosso, they have Umar, who has taken community engagement and vaccination as a personal, as well as professional, mission. Her reason is simple: “I feel bad when there is mortality due to some [preventable] diseases like diphtheria,” she said.
But pockets of resistance to vaccination – often traceable to circulating rumours or traditional beliefs about health – remain, and in those places, efforts to boost vaccination coverage can prove frustrating.
Community health worker Karima Muhammad blames this attitude on lack of awareness and explains that in an effort to tackle that, Niger state outreach workers have made a policy of always showing mothers visual resources, like posters, during visits, to more clearly explain how the disease manifests and how the vaccines work.
“We explain the signs and symptoms to them and we tell them it’s not a spiritual problem,” Hajiya Rabi Yusuf, the director of primary healthcare in Niger State’s Chanchaga local government area, told VaccinesWork. “We explain in their local dialect.”
And in cases where mothers still aren’t convinced, Yusuf said they deploy a “rapid response team”, which might include the local imam, pastor, youth leader, ward health development committee, women leader, security agent and health worker.
“If we have such non-compliance, we go in a team to speak with the person,” she said. “This strategy has helped to deal with diphtheria cases.”
Osarhiemen, the public health physician, adds that besides poor compliance with routine immunisation, the insecurity in the north is also limiting vaccination efforts.
Luckily enough for the families of Bosso, they have Umar, who has taken community engagement and vaccination as a personal, as well as professional, mission. Her reason is simple: “I feel bad when there is mortality due to some [preventable] diseases like diphtheria,” she said.
President Tinubu orders crackdown on gangs after 150 killed in conflict-hit north
President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday directed security agencies to hunt down the perpetrators of a weekend attack that killed at least 150 people in the country's northcentral, as he faces growing pressure over a worsening security crisis.
Tinubu visited Benue state, the site of the recent deadly attacks, seeking to calm tensions and promise justice for the victims. “We will restore peace, rebuild, and bring the perpetrators to justice. You are not alone.” the Nigerian leader said on X.
Assailants stormed Benue state’s Yelewata community from Friday night till Saturday morning, opening fire on villagers who were asleep and setting their homes ablaze, survivors and the local farmers union said. Many of those killed were sheltering in a local market after fleeing violence in other parts of the state.
Authorities in Benue state blamed herdsmen for the attack, a type of violence frequently seen in northern Nigeria's decadeslong pastoral conflict.
Opposition leaders and critics have accused Tinubu of a delayed response to the killings, noting his office issued a statement over 24 hours after the attack. His visit to the state occurred five days later.
The Nigerian leader traveled to Makurdi, Benue State’s capital, where he visited a hospital to see those injured in the attack and met with local leaders to discuss how to end the killings. He did not visit the Yelewata community.
He also appeared to reprimand the police for not making any arrest yet more than four days after the killings.
“How come no arrest has been made? I expect there should be an arrest of those criminals,” Tinubu asked as he addressed senior police officers during a gathering in Benue.
Analysts blame Nigeria's worsening security crisis on a lack of political will to go after criminals and ensure justice for victims.
“In the end, the result is the same: No justice, no accountability, and no closure for the victims and their communities," said Senator Iroegbu, a security analyst based in Nigeria's capital Abuja. “Until this changes, impunity will remain the norm, and such tragedies will continue to occur.”
By Dyepkazah Shibayan, AP
Tinubu visited Benue state, the site of the recent deadly attacks, seeking to calm tensions and promise justice for the victims. “We will restore peace, rebuild, and bring the perpetrators to justice. You are not alone.” the Nigerian leader said on X.
Assailants stormed Benue state’s Yelewata community from Friday night till Saturday morning, opening fire on villagers who were asleep and setting their homes ablaze, survivors and the local farmers union said. Many of those killed were sheltering in a local market after fleeing violence in other parts of the state.
Authorities in Benue state blamed herdsmen for the attack, a type of violence frequently seen in northern Nigeria's decadeslong pastoral conflict.
Opposition leaders and critics have accused Tinubu of a delayed response to the killings, noting his office issued a statement over 24 hours after the attack. His visit to the state occurred five days later.
The Nigerian leader traveled to Makurdi, Benue State’s capital, where he visited a hospital to see those injured in the attack and met with local leaders to discuss how to end the killings. He did not visit the Yelewata community.
He also appeared to reprimand the police for not making any arrest yet more than four days after the killings.
“How come no arrest has been made? I expect there should be an arrest of those criminals,” Tinubu asked as he addressed senior police officers during a gathering in Benue.
Analysts blame Nigeria's worsening security crisis on a lack of political will to go after criminals and ensure justice for victims.
“In the end, the result is the same: No justice, no accountability, and no closure for the victims and their communities," said Senator Iroegbu, a security analyst based in Nigeria's capital Abuja. “Until this changes, impunity will remain the norm, and such tragedies will continue to occur.”
By Dyepkazah Shibayan, AP
Tuesday, June 17, 2025
Video - Persistent clashes in Central Nigeria over land and resources
Residents of Yelewata in Benue State, Central Nigeria, are struggling to recover from a devastating overnight attack this weekend. Such attacks are frequent in the region, driven by ongoing conflicts between farmers and nomadic herders over competition for land and resources.
Video - Nigeria rejects EU'S migrant return plan, champions legal migration model
The European Union wants Nigeria to help with returning migrants, but Nigerian officials believe the bloc isn't looking at the bigger picture. Nigeria is pushing a legal migration model, sending skilled workers abroad through official channels, and insists any deal must ensure safety, dignity and opportunity.
Fears of a Dangote monopoly spurs backlash against his fuel distribution plan
With free logistics provided as a sweetener to improve distribution, the company declared that it would start supplying Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and diesel to a broad spectrum of customers, including fuel marketers, gasoline dealers, manufacturers, telecom companies, aviation companies, and other large users.
However, the industry's biggest players have swiftly criticized and opposed what was seen as a game-changer.The Products Retail Outlets Owners Association (PETROAN), which represents the interests of retail fuel businesses across the country, has publicly opposed the proposal, as reported by the Punch.
The organization claims that Dangote's desire to function as both a producer and a distributor of petroleum products is an overreach that might destabilize the sector and result in significant job losses.
What PETROAN said
“The company may leverage its market power to fix prices, limit competition, and exploit consumers, much like it has done in other sectors,” the group disclosed via a statement.
“This could lead to a massive shutdown of filling stations across Nigeria, resulting in widespread job losses. The introduction of 4,000 brand-new Compressed Natural Gas-powered tankers by the Dangote refinery poses a significant threat to the livelihoods of thousands of truck drivers and owners,” the statement added.
This is not the first time that concerns have been voiced about the refinery's expanding impact. PETROAN cited similar tendencies in other industries where Dangote Group has a significant presence, accusing the conglomerate of abusing its enormous market clout to dominate and suppress competition.
There have been claims that allowing Dangote to dominate both refining and retailing risks distorting pricing processes and reducing transparency in Nigeria's petroleum industry, which is already plagued by inefficiency, opacity, and regional inequities.
PETROAN is now urging the Nigerian government to intervene and regulate the refinery's role in fuel distribution to prevent market exploitation and maintain a level playing field.
“It is obvious that Dangote plans to gain full monopoly of the downstream sector, which would enable the company to exploit Nigeria’s petroleum consumers. This could lead to higher prices, reduced competition, and decreased economic efficiency.
“The National President of PETROAN, Dr Billy Gillis-Harry, calls on the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority and the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources to put in place price control mechanisms to prevent any form of monopoly,” the statement read further.
“The company may leverage its market power to fix prices, limit competition, and exploit consumers, much like it has done in other sectors,” the group disclosed via a statement.
“This could lead to a massive shutdown of filling stations across Nigeria, resulting in widespread job losses. The introduction of 4,000 brand-new Compressed Natural Gas-powered tankers by the Dangote refinery poses a significant threat to the livelihoods of thousands of truck drivers and owners,” the statement added.
This is not the first time that concerns have been voiced about the refinery's expanding impact. PETROAN cited similar tendencies in other industries where Dangote Group has a significant presence, accusing the conglomerate of abusing its enormous market clout to dominate and suppress competition.
There have been claims that allowing Dangote to dominate both refining and retailing risks distorting pricing processes and reducing transparency in Nigeria's petroleum industry, which is already plagued by inefficiency, opacity, and regional inequities.
PETROAN is now urging the Nigerian government to intervene and regulate the refinery's role in fuel distribution to prevent market exploitation and maintain a level playing field.
“It is obvious that Dangote plans to gain full monopoly of the downstream sector, which would enable the company to exploit Nigeria’s petroleum consumers. This could lead to higher prices, reduced competition, and decreased economic efficiency.
“The National President of PETROAN, Dr Billy Gillis-Harry, calls on the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority and the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources to put in place price control mechanisms to prevent any form of monopoly,” the statement read further.
By Chinedu Okafor, Business Insider Africa
Nigeria moves closer to acquiring 12 US-made AH-1Z viper attack helicopters
The meeting brought together senior U.S. government officials and representatives from Bell Textron, manufacturers of the helicopters, to assess progress and fine-tune the delivery timeline.
The visit marked a critical step in the procurement process, offering Nigerian defense officials direct engagement with their U.S. counterparts, including the United States Marine Corps—operators of the AH-1Z platform.
According to Air Marshal Abubakar, the meetings provided Nigeria with valuable insights into best practices for operating, sustaining, and supporting the AH-1Z, a platform known for its agility, precision strike capabilities, and battlefield survivability.
During the engagement, Air Marshal Abubakar expressed his deep appreciation to the U.S. Government, emphasizing the value of its longstanding strategic partnership with Nigeria.
“We are deeply grateful to the United States Government for its enduring strategic partnership with Nigeria.
“The acquisition of the AH-1Z Viper helicopters will significantly enhance the Nigerian Air Force’s combat effectiveness, operational efficiency, and mission readiness.”
The acquisition comes at a time when Nigeria is facing one of the most intense waves of terrorist violence in its history, with insurgent groups launching increasingly sophisticated attacks using advanced weaponry.
Deal closed after three years after initial request
This deal was first discussed in 2022, when Nigeria indicated interest in purchasing 12 AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters from the United States.
After nearly three years of deliberation and diplomatic back-and-forth, the U.S. Department of Defense confirmed the sale, signaling a major milestone in Nigeria’s military modernization efforts.
Originally approved in April 2022, the full $997 million package includes engines, guided weapons, night vision systems, training, and logistics support as per Military Africa.
The delay was largely due to U.S. concerns over human rights issues, which had stalled similar arms sales in the past.
With regional security threats growing, the helicopters are expected to boost Nigeria’s counterinsurgency operations and mark a new phase in U.S.-Nigeria military cooperation.
This deal was first discussed in 2022, when Nigeria indicated interest in purchasing 12 AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters from the United States.
After nearly three years of deliberation and diplomatic back-and-forth, the U.S. Department of Defense confirmed the sale, signaling a major milestone in Nigeria’s military modernization efforts.
Originally approved in April 2022, the full $997 million package includes engines, guided weapons, night vision systems, training, and logistics support as per Military Africa.
The delay was largely due to U.S. concerns over human rights issues, which had stalled similar arms sales in the past.
With regional security threats growing, the helicopters are expected to boost Nigeria’s counterinsurgency operations and mark a new phase in U.S.-Nigeria military cooperation.
The AH-1Z Viper attack helicopter
The AH-1Z Viper—also known as the "Zulu Cobra"—is one of the most advanced attack helicopters in the world, developed by Bell Helicopter for the United States Marine Corps. It is an upgraded variant of the AH-1W Super Cobra and is designed for precision strike missions, close air support, and battlefield reconnaissance
The platform features advanced avionics, weapons systems, and target acquisition technologies, making it one of the most capable attack helicopters in use today.
The AH-1Z Viper offers a multi-mission platform that combines lethal firepower, high survivability, and advanced situational awareness—making it a valuable asset in modern asymmetrical and conventional warfare.
The AH-1Z Viper features advanced targeting systems like FLIR and laser designation for precise day-and-night operations, along with radar and rangefinders for engaging ground and air threats.
Its weapons include a 20mm rotary cannon, Hellfire missiles, Hydra rockets, Sidewinder missiles, and other munitions, making it a versatile and lethal combat platform.
For Nigeria, it represents a significant leap in combat aviation capability, especially in counterinsurgency, anti-terrorism, and border security operations.
As Nigeria continues to modernize its armed forces, the AH-1Z deal symbolizes deepening military cooperation between Abuja and Washington and reflects growing U.S. support for Nigeria’s security and counterterrorism efforts in the West African region.
The AH-1Z Viper—also known as the "Zulu Cobra"—is one of the most advanced attack helicopters in the world, developed by Bell Helicopter for the United States Marine Corps. It is an upgraded variant of the AH-1W Super Cobra and is designed for precision strike missions, close air support, and battlefield reconnaissance
The platform features advanced avionics, weapons systems, and target acquisition technologies, making it one of the most capable attack helicopters in use today.
The AH-1Z Viper offers a multi-mission platform that combines lethal firepower, high survivability, and advanced situational awareness—making it a valuable asset in modern asymmetrical and conventional warfare.
The AH-1Z Viper features advanced targeting systems like FLIR and laser designation for precise day-and-night operations, along with radar and rangefinders for engaging ground and air threats.
Its weapons include a 20mm rotary cannon, Hellfire missiles, Hydra rockets, Sidewinder missiles, and other munitions, making it a versatile and lethal combat platform.
For Nigeria, it represents a significant leap in combat aviation capability, especially in counterinsurgency, anti-terrorism, and border security operations.
As Nigeria continues to modernize its armed forces, the AH-1Z deal symbolizes deepening military cooperation between Abuja and Washington and reflects growing U.S. support for Nigeria’s security and counterterrorism efforts in the West African region.
By Solomon Ekanem, Business Insider Africa
Death toll from an attack by gunmen in north-central Nigeria reaches 150
The death toll from an attack by gunmen over the weekend in north-central Nigeria has climbed to 150, survivors said Monday as the villagers were still digging through burned homes, counting their dead and looking for dozens of people still missing.
Assailants stormed Benue state’s Yelewata community late on Friday night, opening fire on villagers who were asleep and setting their homes ablaze, survivors and the local farmers union said. Many of those killed were sheltering in a local market after fleeing violence in other parts of the state.
No one immediately claimed responsibility for the killings, but such attacks are common in Nigeria’s northern region where local herders and farmers often clash over limited access to land and water. The prolonged conflict has become deadlier in recent years, with authorities and analysts warning that more herdsmen are taking up arms.
The farmers accuse the herders, mostly of Fulani origin, of grazing their livestock on their farms and destroying their produce. The herders insist that the lands are grazing routes that were first backed by law in 1965, five years after the country gained its independence.
Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu, whose government has fallen short of expectations in ending the country’s deadly security crises, described the Benue attack as “senseless bloodletting” while his office said he would visit the stricken community on Wednesday.
Titus Tsegba, who lost his wife and four of his children in the attack, said more than 20 bodies were recovered on Monday. The initial death toll was reported to be 100 on Saturday.
His wife and children — the youngest 8 and the oldest 27 — were “burned into ashes beyond recognition,” he told The Associated Press, adding that he survived because he was sleeping in another part of the community.
“Everything is gone,” he said.
Benue Deputy Gov. Sam Ode said he suspected the perpetrators were herdsmen. Ode and the survivors spoke to the AP by phone.
The gunmen made it difficult for many to flee after surrounding the Yelewata community, which is about 120 kilometers (75 miles) from the state capital of Makurdi, said Jacob Psokaa, who lost his 55-year-old father in the attack.
“They were coming from different sides at the same moment … it was sporadic shooting,” Psokaa said. “The situation is very bad now with many people in the ground … your people leaving you suddenly.”
The gunmen also burned food stores in the local market, razing a year’s harvest that included rice and yam, staple food mainly exported from Benue to other parts of Nigeria.
“Enough is enough!” said Tinubu, the president. “I have directed the security agencies to act decisively, arrest perpetrators of these evil acts on all sides of the conflict, and prosecute them.”
Assailants stormed Benue state’s Yelewata community late on Friday night, opening fire on villagers who were asleep and setting their homes ablaze, survivors and the local farmers union said. Many of those killed were sheltering in a local market after fleeing violence in other parts of the state.
No one immediately claimed responsibility for the killings, but such attacks are common in Nigeria’s northern region where local herders and farmers often clash over limited access to land and water. The prolonged conflict has become deadlier in recent years, with authorities and analysts warning that more herdsmen are taking up arms.
The farmers accuse the herders, mostly of Fulani origin, of grazing their livestock on their farms and destroying their produce. The herders insist that the lands are grazing routes that were first backed by law in 1965, five years after the country gained its independence.
Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu, whose government has fallen short of expectations in ending the country’s deadly security crises, described the Benue attack as “senseless bloodletting” while his office said he would visit the stricken community on Wednesday.
Titus Tsegba, who lost his wife and four of his children in the attack, said more than 20 bodies were recovered on Monday. The initial death toll was reported to be 100 on Saturday.
His wife and children — the youngest 8 and the oldest 27 — were “burned into ashes beyond recognition,” he told The Associated Press, adding that he survived because he was sleeping in another part of the community.
“Everything is gone,” he said.
Benue Deputy Gov. Sam Ode said he suspected the perpetrators were herdsmen. Ode and the survivors spoke to the AP by phone.
The gunmen made it difficult for many to flee after surrounding the Yelewata community, which is about 120 kilometers (75 miles) from the state capital of Makurdi, said Jacob Psokaa, who lost his 55-year-old father in the attack.
“They were coming from different sides at the same moment … it was sporadic shooting,” Psokaa said. “The situation is very bad now with many people in the ground … your people leaving you suddenly.”
The gunmen also burned food stores in the local market, razing a year’s harvest that included rice and yam, staple food mainly exported from Benue to other parts of Nigeria.
“Enough is enough!” said Tinubu, the president. “I have directed the security agencies to act decisively, arrest perpetrators of these evil acts on all sides of the conflict, and prosecute them.”
By Chinedu Asadu, AP
Monday, June 16, 2025
Video - At least 45 killed by gunmen in Nigeria’s Benue state
The spokesperson for Benue state's governor's said armed bandits attacked Yelwata town early on Saturday, killing 45 people. A police spokesperson confirmed the attack, saying they had engaged suspects in a gun battle. The attacks are the latest violence to hit Benue, a state facing land disputes.
Video - Nigeria, FAO back on $135,000 injection to boost aquaculture
Nigeria, in partnership with the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation, is investing approximately $135,000 into the aquaculture sector. The initiative will support 40 small- and medium-sized fish farms, aiming to boost local fish production and reduce the country's $1.2 billion fish import costs.
Police break up Nigeria protest as anger mounts over killings in southern state
Police fired tear gas to disperse protesters in the central city of Makurdi on Sunday, as anger mounted over the killing of dozens of people by gunmen in a nearby town.
Gunmen attacked the village of Yelewata on Friday night in a region that has seen a surge in violence amid clashes between Muslim Fulani herders and mostly Christian farmers competing for land and resources.
Police fired tear gas to break up a protest by thousands of people, witnesses said, as demonstrators called on the state’s governor to act swiftly to halt the cycle of violence.
“The protesters were given specific time by the security to make their peaceful protest and disperse,” Tersoo Kula, spokesperson for Benue state’s governor, told AFP.
John Shiaondo, a local journalist, said he was covering the “peaceful protest” when the police moved in and started firing tear gas.
“Many people ran away for fear of injuries, and I also left the scene for my safety,” he told AFP.
Joseph Hir, who took part in the protest, said people were protesting the killings in Benue when the police intervened.
“We are not abusing anyone, we are also not tampering with anybody’s property, we are discharging our rights to peacefully protest the unabated killings of our people, and now the police are shooting tear gas at us,” he told AFP.
Benue state governor Hyacinth Alia told a news conference late Sunday that the death toll had reached 59 in Yelewata, though residents said the toll could exceed 100.
“We will move very quickly to set up a five-man panel... to enable us find out who the culprits are, to know who the sponsors are and to identify the victims and to see how justice will be applied,” Alia said.
Amnesty International put the death toll at more than 100.
The rights group called the attack “horrifying,” saying it “shows the security measures (the) government claims to be implementing in the state are not working.”
Pope Leo XIV also condemned the killings, in comments during his Sunday prayer in Rome, calling it a “terrible massacre” in which mostly displaced civilians were murdered with “extreme cruelty.”
He said “rural Christian communities” in Benue were victims of incessant violence.
Authorities typically blame such attacks on Fulani herders but the latter say they are targets of violence and land seizures too.
Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said in a statement Sunday night he had “directed the security agencies to act decisively and arrest perpetrators of these evil acts on all sides of the conflict and prosecute them.
“Political and community leaders in Benue State must act responsibly and avoid inflammatory utterances that could further increase tensions and killings,” he said.
Governor Alia said earlier that “tactical teams had begun arriving from the federal government and security reinforcements are being deployed in vulnerable areas.”
“The state’s joint operational units are also being reinforced, and the government will not let up its efforts to defend the lives and property of all residents,” he said.
Attacks in the region, part of what is known as the central belt of Nigeria, are often motivated by religious or ethnic differences.
Two weeks ago, gunmen killed 25 people in two attacks in Benue state.
More than 150 people were killed in massacres across Plateau and Benue states in April.
Gunmen attacked the village of Yelewata on Friday night in a region that has seen a surge in violence amid clashes between Muslim Fulani herders and mostly Christian farmers competing for land and resources.
Police fired tear gas to break up a protest by thousands of people, witnesses said, as demonstrators called on the state’s governor to act swiftly to halt the cycle of violence.
“The protesters were given specific time by the security to make their peaceful protest and disperse,” Tersoo Kula, spokesperson for Benue state’s governor, told AFP.
John Shiaondo, a local journalist, said he was covering the “peaceful protest” when the police moved in and started firing tear gas.
“Many people ran away for fear of injuries, and I also left the scene for my safety,” he told AFP.
Joseph Hir, who took part in the protest, said people were protesting the killings in Benue when the police intervened.
“We are not abusing anyone, we are also not tampering with anybody’s property, we are discharging our rights to peacefully protest the unabated killings of our people, and now the police are shooting tear gas at us,” he told AFP.
Benue state governor Hyacinth Alia told a news conference late Sunday that the death toll had reached 59 in Yelewata, though residents said the toll could exceed 100.
“We will move very quickly to set up a five-man panel... to enable us find out who the culprits are, to know who the sponsors are and to identify the victims and to see how justice will be applied,” Alia said.
Amnesty International put the death toll at more than 100.
The rights group called the attack “horrifying,” saying it “shows the security measures (the) government claims to be implementing in the state are not working.”
Pope Leo XIV also condemned the killings, in comments during his Sunday prayer in Rome, calling it a “terrible massacre” in which mostly displaced civilians were murdered with “extreme cruelty.”
He said “rural Christian communities” in Benue were victims of incessant violence.
Authorities typically blame such attacks on Fulani herders but the latter say they are targets of violence and land seizures too.
Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said in a statement Sunday night he had “directed the security agencies to act decisively and arrest perpetrators of these evil acts on all sides of the conflict and prosecute them.
“Political and community leaders in Benue State must act responsibly and avoid inflammatory utterances that could further increase tensions and killings,” he said.
Governor Alia said earlier that “tactical teams had begun arriving from the federal government and security reinforcements are being deployed in vulnerable areas.”
“The state’s joint operational units are also being reinforced, and the government will not let up its efforts to defend the lives and property of all residents,” he said.
Attacks in the region, part of what is known as the central belt of Nigeria, are often motivated by religious or ethnic differences.
Two weeks ago, gunmen killed 25 people in two attacks in Benue state.
More than 150 people were killed in massacres across Plateau and Benue states in April.
Friday, June 13, 2025
President Tinubu unveils Chinese-built arterial road in capital city
Tinubu on Wednesday commissioned the 3.64-km arterial road N16, built by CGC Nigeria Limited.
The commissioning was listed as one of the landmark projects of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, marking the president's second year in office.
The N16 connects several parts of Abuja, along with accompanying interchanges and feeder roads in the Maitama District, one of the most sought-after neighborhoods in the city.
"What was once a missing link is now a modern, functional, and durable infrastructure, an artery fully realized," Tinubu said, noting that the construction project affirmed his administration's commitment to transformation under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
"This road will ease traffic congestion around Central Abuja and improve connectivity to developing districts such as Katampe, Jahi, and Bwari. It will stimulate housing and business growth while serving as a foundation for future city integration," the president said.
Tinubu commended the smooth relocation of local communities and compensation of residents affected by the development, urging citizens to protect and use the infrastructure wisely to bring about growth, social integration, and economic opportunity.
Nigeria's Federal Executive Council awarded the contract to CGC Nigeria in September 2024, and the construction commenced a month later. The project was completed in eight months, four months ahead of the one-year working period.
Zhong Xiang, managing director of CGC Nigeria, told Xinhua that the spirit of trust and friendship between China and Nigeria buoyed their confidence.
"Throughout the construction, we created over 1,300 direct and indirect jobs, significantly boosting local economic activities," he said. "The completion of this road project reflects our commitment to excellence and aligns with the Nigerian president's Renewed Hope Agenda on infrastructural development."
Ogoni Nine Pardon ‘Falls Far Short’ of Real Justice
Responding to the announcement on Wednesday that the Nigerian government has pardoned the Ogoni Nine, Isa Sanusi, Amnesty International Nigeria’s Director, said:
“This is welcome news but it falls far short of the justice the Ogoni Nine need and deserve – the Nigerian government must recognize formally that they are innocent of any crime and fully exonerate them.
“The Ogoni Nine, led by Ken Saro-Wiwa Nigeria’s leading author and campaigner, were brutally executed by a regime that wanted to hide the crimes of Shell and other oil companies that were destroying – and continue to destroy – the lives and livelihoods of tens of thousands of people across the Niger Delta as a result of their devastating oil spills and leaks.
“The execution of these activists nearly 30 years ago has given the Nigerian government and oil companies, including Shell, license to crackdown on protests and intimidate people in the Niger Delta who have been demanding justice and an end to their toxic pollution.
“Full justice for the Ogoni Nine is only a first step – much more needs to be done to get justice for communities in the Niger Delta, including holding Shell and other oil companies to account for the damage they have done and continue to do. They must pay the Niger Delta’s communities full compensation for the devastation their oil spills and leaks have caused and clean up their toxic mess before they leave the region.”
“This is welcome news but it falls far short of the justice the Ogoni Nine need and deserve – the Nigerian government must recognize formally that they are innocent of any crime and fully exonerate them.
“The Ogoni Nine, led by Ken Saro-Wiwa Nigeria’s leading author and campaigner, were brutally executed by a regime that wanted to hide the crimes of Shell and other oil companies that were destroying – and continue to destroy – the lives and livelihoods of tens of thousands of people across the Niger Delta as a result of their devastating oil spills and leaks.
“The execution of these activists nearly 30 years ago has given the Nigerian government and oil companies, including Shell, license to crackdown on protests and intimidate people in the Niger Delta who have been demanding justice and an end to their toxic pollution.
“Full justice for the Ogoni Nine is only a first step – much more needs to be done to get justice for communities in the Niger Delta, including holding Shell and other oil companies to account for the damage they have done and continue to do. They must pay the Niger Delta’s communities full compensation for the devastation their oil spills and leaks have caused and clean up their toxic mess before they leave the region.”
The Ogoni Nine
Ken Saro-Wiwa, environmental activist and writer, Barinem Kiobel, John Kpuinen, Baribor Bera, Felix Nuate, Paul Levula, Saturday Dobee, Nordu Eawo and Daniel Gbokoo, were executed after a blatantly unfair trial on 10 November 1995. Officially accused of involvement in murder, the men had in fact been put on trial because they had challenged the devastating impact of oil production by Shell, in the Ogoniland region of the Niger Delta.
Shell have been accused of complicity in the unlawful arrest, detention and execution of nine men.
Ken Saro-Wiwa, environmental activist and writer, Barinem Kiobel, John Kpuinen, Baribor Bera, Felix Nuate, Paul Levula, Saturday Dobee, Nordu Eawo and Daniel Gbokoo, were executed after a blatantly unfair trial on 10 November 1995. Officially accused of involvement in murder, the men had in fact been put on trial because they had challenged the devastating impact of oil production by Shell, in the Ogoniland region of the Niger Delta.
Shell have been accused of complicity in the unlawful arrest, detention and execution of nine men.
Niger Delta devastation
For 60 years Shell and other oil companies have been responsible for oil spills and leaks due to poorly maintained pipelines, wells and inadequate clean-up attempts that have ravaged the health and livelihoods of many of the 30 million people living in the Niger Delta – most of whom live in poverty. People can’t fish anymore because their water sources, including their wells for drinking water, are poisoned and the land is contaminated which has killed plant life, meaning communities can no longer farm.
The Ogale and Bille communities as well as the Bodo community are taking Shell to the UK’s Royal Courts of Justice demanding the oil giant cleans up the oil spills that have wrecked their livelihoods, health and caused widespread devastation to the local environment.
For 60 years Shell and other oil companies have been responsible for oil spills and leaks due to poorly maintained pipelines, wells and inadequate clean-up attempts that have ravaged the health and livelihoods of many of the 30 million people living in the Niger Delta – most of whom live in poverty. People can’t fish anymore because their water sources, including their wells for drinking water, are poisoned and the land is contaminated which has killed plant life, meaning communities can no longer farm.
The Ogale and Bille communities as well as the Bodo community are taking Shell to the UK’s Royal Courts of Justice demanding the oil giant cleans up the oil spills that have wrecked their livelihoods, health and caused widespread devastation to the local environment.
Nigeria pardons activist Ken Saro-Wiwa 30 years after execution
Along with eight other campaigners, Mr Saro-Wiwa was convicted of murder, then hanged in 1995 by the then-military regime.
Many believed the activists were being punished for leading protests against the operations of oil multinationals, particularly Shell, in Nigeria's Ogoniland. Shell has long denied any involvement in the executions.
Though the pardons have been welcomed, some activists and relatives say they do not go far enough.
As well as issuing the pardons on Thursday, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu bestowed national honours on Mr Saro-Wiwa and his fellow campaigners, who were known as the Ogoni Nine.
The nine men - Mr Saro-Wiwa, Barinem Kiobel, John Kpuinen, Baribor Bera, Felix Nuate, Paul Levula, Saturday Dobee, Nordu Eawo and Daniel Gbokoo - were among dozens who received the honours as part of Nigeria's annual Democracy Day.
Tinubu said the accolades recognised "heroes" who had made "outstanding contributions " to the nation's democracy.
Responding to the pardons for the Ogoni Nine, campaign groups said they would like the government to take further steps.
The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (Mosop), which was formerly led by Mr Saro-Wiwa, called the pardon a "courageous act".
However, Mosop also said that the pardon implies wrongdoing, while in reality "no crime ever took place".
Barinem Kiobel's widow expressed her gratitude to Tinubu for the national honour, but called on the president to "properly declare [her] husband and his compatriots innocent" because a "pardon is not granted to the innocent".
Likewise, Amnesty International said clemency falls "far short of the justice the Ogoni Nine need".
More must be done to hold oil companies to account for environmental damage currently occurring in Nigeria, the organisation added.
Mr Saro-Wiwa, who was one of Nigeria's leading authors, led the Ogoni people in peaceful demonstrations against Shell and other oil companies.
Mosop accused the multinational company of polluting the land that locals relied on for their livelihoods.
The Nigerian government responded by brutally cracking down on the protesters. The Ogoni Nine were subsequently found guilty by a secret military tribunal of the murder of four Ogoni chiefs.
Their execution sparked outrage within the international community. It was widely condemned as extrajudicial murder and became a global symbol of the struggle against environmental injustice and repression.
Nigeria was consequently suspended from the Commonwealth group of nations.
Since then, Shell has faced various lawsuits over oil spills and environmental damage in the Niger Delta, the southern region that Ogoniland is a part of.
In 2021 a Dutch court ordered Shell to compensate farmers for spills that contaminated swathes of farmland and fishing waters in the Niger Delta. The company agreed to pay more than a hundred million dollars.
Earlier this year, lawyers representing two Ogoniland communities argued in London's High Court that Shell must take responsibility for oil pollution that occurred between 1989 and 2020.
Shell denies wrongdoing and says spills in the region have been caused by sabotage, theft and illegal refining for which the company says it is not liable.
The case's full trial is set for 2026.
Responding to the pardons for the Ogoni Nine, campaign groups said they would like the government to take further steps.
The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (Mosop), which was formerly led by Mr Saro-Wiwa, called the pardon a "courageous act".
However, Mosop also said that the pardon implies wrongdoing, while in reality "no crime ever took place".
Barinem Kiobel's widow expressed her gratitude to Tinubu for the national honour, but called on the president to "properly declare [her] husband and his compatriots innocent" because a "pardon is not granted to the innocent".
Likewise, Amnesty International said clemency falls "far short of the justice the Ogoni Nine need".
More must be done to hold oil companies to account for environmental damage currently occurring in Nigeria, the organisation added.
Mr Saro-Wiwa, who was one of Nigeria's leading authors, led the Ogoni people in peaceful demonstrations against Shell and other oil companies.
Mosop accused the multinational company of polluting the land that locals relied on for their livelihoods.
The Nigerian government responded by brutally cracking down on the protesters. The Ogoni Nine were subsequently found guilty by a secret military tribunal of the murder of four Ogoni chiefs.
Their execution sparked outrage within the international community. It was widely condemned as extrajudicial murder and became a global symbol of the struggle against environmental injustice and repression.
Nigeria was consequently suspended from the Commonwealth group of nations.
Since then, Shell has faced various lawsuits over oil spills and environmental damage in the Niger Delta, the southern region that Ogoniland is a part of.
In 2021 a Dutch court ordered Shell to compensate farmers for spills that contaminated swathes of farmland and fishing waters in the Niger Delta. The company agreed to pay more than a hundred million dollars.
Earlier this year, lawyers representing two Ogoniland communities argued in London's High Court that Shell must take responsibility for oil pollution that occurred between 1989 and 2020.
Shell denies wrongdoing and says spills in the region have been caused by sabotage, theft and illegal refining for which the company says it is not liable.
The case's full trial is set for 2026.
By Wedaeli Chibelushi, BBC
Thursday, June 12, 2025
Video - Mixed reactions in Nigeria as more men embrace braided hair
An increasing number of young Nigerian men are opting for braided hairstyles instead of traditional haircuts, sparking debate over cultural values and gender norms. Supporters argue that braids are a form of self-expression and individuality, while critics contend that the trend breaks with African tradition and appears inappropriate.
FBI nabs Nigerian over teen sextortion, gets five years
A Nigerian national, Samuel Abiodun, has been sentenced to five years’ imprisonment in the United States after pleading guilty to his role in an online sextortion scheme that led to the death of a teenage boy.
Abiodun, 25, was arrested in Nigeria alongside an accomplice, Afeez Aina, by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and extradited to the US in July 2024. He was sentenced on Tuesday by Judge Joel Slomsky of the US District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
According to US Attorney David Metcalf, Abiodun served as a financial middleman in a network that targeted and extorted vulnerable young people online, with devastating consequences.
Speaking on the role Abiodun played in the conspiracy, Metcalf said, “As the financial middleman, Abiodun played a key role in this sextortion scheme, which thoroughly traumatised the victim and then devastated his family.”
“These scammers’ sole aim is to get money from scared and vulnerable young people, with absolutely no regard for their feelings or the potential fallout. In prosecuting this case, we are bringing to justice the men whose actions resulted in truly indelible harm”.
Abiodun pleaded guilty in December 2024 to conspiracy to commit money laundering and wire fraud. Prosecutors said his role was pivotal in channelling the extorted funds from victims to the perpetrators in Nigeria.
His co-accused, Aina, pleaded guilty last month to cyberstalking, interstate threats, and receiving proceeds of extortion, among other charges. He is scheduled to be sentenced on 11 August and faces up to life in prison.
A third suspect, Afeez Adewale, has also been charged but remains in Nigeria, pending extradition.
The US Department of Justice praised the collaboration of Nigerian authorities, including the Attorney General’s office, the Federal Ministry of Justice, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), for their role in apprehending the suspects.
“This case shows the reach of US law enforcement,” Metcalf said. “If you target Americans online from abroad, we will find you — and you will be brought to justice.”
The victim, whose identity was withheld, died by suicide after being targeted in the online sextortion plot.
By Kareem Azeez, The Guardian
Abiodun, 25, was arrested in Nigeria alongside an accomplice, Afeez Aina, by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and extradited to the US in July 2024. He was sentenced on Tuesday by Judge Joel Slomsky of the US District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
According to US Attorney David Metcalf, Abiodun served as a financial middleman in a network that targeted and extorted vulnerable young people online, with devastating consequences.
Speaking on the role Abiodun played in the conspiracy, Metcalf said, “As the financial middleman, Abiodun played a key role in this sextortion scheme, which thoroughly traumatised the victim and then devastated his family.”
“These scammers’ sole aim is to get money from scared and vulnerable young people, with absolutely no regard for their feelings or the potential fallout. In prosecuting this case, we are bringing to justice the men whose actions resulted in truly indelible harm”.
Abiodun pleaded guilty in December 2024 to conspiracy to commit money laundering and wire fraud. Prosecutors said his role was pivotal in channelling the extorted funds from victims to the perpetrators in Nigeria.
His co-accused, Aina, pleaded guilty last month to cyberstalking, interstate threats, and receiving proceeds of extortion, among other charges. He is scheduled to be sentenced on 11 August and faces up to life in prison.
A third suspect, Afeez Adewale, has also been charged but remains in Nigeria, pending extradition.
The US Department of Justice praised the collaboration of Nigerian authorities, including the Attorney General’s office, the Federal Ministry of Justice, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), for their role in apprehending the suspects.
“This case shows the reach of US law enforcement,” Metcalf said. “If you target Americans online from abroad, we will find you — and you will be brought to justice.”
The victim, whose identity was withheld, died by suicide after being targeted in the online sextortion plot.
Wednesday, June 11, 2025
Video - Nigeria’s Durbar festival shines with Eid al-Adha splendor
The Durbar festival, celebrated in Kano and Katsina states on Eid al-Adha’s third day, dazzles with vibrant colors and Hausa-Fulani traditions. Originating in the 19th century to honor royalty, the event features ornate horsemen processions.
Tuesday, June 10, 2025
Video - Lagos bans single-use plastics amid mounting waste crisis
Authorities in Nigeria’s commercial hub, Lagos, have announced a ban on single-use plastics as part of efforts to tackle the city’s worsening waste problem. Large quantities of plastic waste often end up in the ocean, littering the coastline and posing environmental risks. Local officials say the ban is the latest in a series of steps aimed at addressing the city’s long-standing waste management challenges.
Dangote hints at major shake-up in Nigeria’s oil sector after Tinubu’s refinery visit
Speaking to journalists after President Bola Tinubu’s recent visit to the $20 billion refinery complex in Lekki, Lagos, Dangote described the coming change as a “major shakedown” that would impact the entire country.
While he did not provide full details, Dangote made it clear that this upcoming move would go beyond mere reductions in fuel prices.
Instead, he said it would involve a “total overhaul of the downstream sector,” indicating deep structural changes in how refined petroleum products are produced, distributed, and sold across Nigeria.
“Now that the President has visited and he has given us additional energy, we will inform you. You will hear from us soon, and that will be one of the major shakedowns in the entire country. It is not the reduction of price; it will be the total overhaul of the downstream,” Dangote said as quoted by The Punch
The comments come as the refinery, Africa’s largest, begins ramping up production to meet local fuel demands and reduce Nigeria’s historic dependence on imported petroleum products.
While he did not provide full details, Dangote made it clear that this upcoming move would go beyond mere reductions in fuel prices.
Instead, he said it would involve a “total overhaul of the downstream sector,” indicating deep structural changes in how refined petroleum products are produced, distributed, and sold across Nigeria.
“Now that the President has visited and he has given us additional energy, we will inform you. You will hear from us soon, and that will be one of the major shakedowns in the entire country. It is not the reduction of price; it will be the total overhaul of the downstream,” Dangote said as quoted by The Punch
The comments come as the refinery, Africa’s largest, begins ramping up production to meet local fuel demands and reduce Nigeria’s historic dependence on imported petroleum products.
Dangote's impact on Nigeria's downstream sector
Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector, responsible for refining, distributing, and retailing petroleum products, continues to face significant challenges that have hindered its growth, efficiency, and contribution to the broader economy.
Key issues such as limited refining capacity, persistent fuel subsidies, price volatility in an increasingly deregulated market, infrastructure deficits, rampant oil theft and smuggling, and ongoing foreign exchange constraints have collectively placed the sector in a precarious position
Analysts suggest that a full-scale shake-up of the downstream sector which has long been plagued by inefficiency, subsidy distortions, and opaque pricing mechanisms could redefine energy economics in Africa’s largest oil producer.
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery, a $20 billion mega-project located in Lekki, Lagos, is already reshaping Nigeria’s downstream oil sector even before reaching full operational capacity.
Traditionally dependent on fuel imports despite being a major crude oil producer, Nigeria’s downstream sector has long suffered from inefficiencies, under-capacity, and a crippling subsidy regime.
For years, efforts to revive state-owned refineries under the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) yielded little success.
The Dangote Refinery is now positioned as a transformative force within this space, both economically and strategically.
President Tinubu’s visit to the refinery is widely seen as a sign of federal support for Dangote’s ambitious energy agenda, especially as the administration pushes for reforms under its post-subsidy policy era.
Industry stakeholders are now watching closely for what could be one of the most consequential shifts in Nigeria’s petroleum sector in decades.
Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector, responsible for refining, distributing, and retailing petroleum products, continues to face significant challenges that have hindered its growth, efficiency, and contribution to the broader economy.
Key issues such as limited refining capacity, persistent fuel subsidies, price volatility in an increasingly deregulated market, infrastructure deficits, rampant oil theft and smuggling, and ongoing foreign exchange constraints have collectively placed the sector in a precarious position
Analysts suggest that a full-scale shake-up of the downstream sector which has long been plagued by inefficiency, subsidy distortions, and opaque pricing mechanisms could redefine energy economics in Africa’s largest oil producer.
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery, a $20 billion mega-project located in Lekki, Lagos, is already reshaping Nigeria’s downstream oil sector even before reaching full operational capacity.
Traditionally dependent on fuel imports despite being a major crude oil producer, Nigeria’s downstream sector has long suffered from inefficiencies, under-capacity, and a crippling subsidy regime.
For years, efforts to revive state-owned refineries under the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) yielded little success.
The Dangote Refinery is now positioned as a transformative force within this space, both economically and strategically.
President Tinubu’s visit to the refinery is widely seen as a sign of federal support for Dangote’s ambitious energy agenda, especially as the administration pushes for reforms under its post-subsidy policy era.
Industry stakeholders are now watching closely for what could be one of the most consequential shifts in Nigeria’s petroleum sector in decades.
By Solomon Ekanem, Business Insider Africa
Video - Dog Owners in Nigeria Struggle as Pet Food Prices Soar
As Nigeria’s cost of living crisis stretches into its second year, pet owners are now among those feeling the economic squeeze. With food prices up more than 100% since 2023, many families are struggling to feed their beloved dogs, once a growing symbol of urban middle-class life.
Monday, June 9, 2025
Video - Nigerian street vendors in the spotlight
World Food Safety Day is gaining importance in Nigeria, where street vendors play a vital role in feeding millions. In Lagos, they are a familiar sight on almost every main street, catering to diverse food needs. However, in this largely unregulated sector, concerns about health and safety remain prevalent.
China’s BYD aims for foothold in Nigeria’s auto market
Chinese auto giant BYD is aiming for a foothold in Nigeria’s auto market with a large customer engagement centre along Akin Adesola in Victoria Island in Lagos.
BYD which first made name with its reliable inverter batteries has now become China’s largest electric vehicle manufacturer with presence across the globe.
It is unclear if BYD is entering Nigeria directly or through a franchise given tha Mandilas has been working to be BYD’s partner in Nigeria.
China’s ability to make electric vehicles (evs) cheaply has caused angst in countries with big carmakers, prompting governments to investigate China’s subsidies for the sector and to erect trade barriers.
On May 23rd China’s byd, caused shockwaves when it slashed the cost of 22 electric and hybrid models. Now the starting price of its cheapest model, the Seagull, has fallen to a mere 55,800 yuan ($7,700). The move came just two years after byd had originally unveiled the electric hatchback, at a then astonishingly low cost of 73,800 yuan.
In Nigeria the Seagull ev is priced at a range starting at N31m by Mandillas.
BYD which first made name with its reliable inverter batteries has now become China’s largest electric vehicle manufacturer with presence across the globe.
It is unclear if BYD is entering Nigeria directly or through a franchise given tha Mandilas has been working to be BYD’s partner in Nigeria.
China’s ability to make electric vehicles (evs) cheaply has caused angst in countries with big carmakers, prompting governments to investigate China’s subsidies for the sector and to erect trade barriers.
On May 23rd China’s byd, caused shockwaves when it slashed the cost of 22 electric and hybrid models. Now the starting price of its cheapest model, the Seagull, has fallen to a mere 55,800 yuan ($7,700). The move came just two years after byd had originally unveiled the electric hatchback, at a then astonishingly low cost of 73,800 yuan.
In Nigeria the Seagull ev is priced at a range starting at N31m by Mandillas.
Friday, June 6, 2025
Nigeria’s labour market crisis: How ‘Yahoo’, ‘Hookup Culture’ drain talent
For years, Nigeria’s human capital crisis has been defined by the japa narrative—the migration of skilled professionals seeking better lives abroad. Doctors, nurses, IT experts, and creatives continue to exit in droves. But while policymakers focus on curbing emigration, another crisis is festering within: the internal erosion of potential talent through the rise of cybercrime (Yahoo Yahoo) and the normalisation of transactional sex, now rebranded as “hookup”.
By Temitope Richard-Banji, Business Day
Beyond Japa: A bigger, uglier picture
The japa wave involves individuals who have endured Nigeria’s failing systems—strikes, unemployment, stagnation—and still managed to build careers. But what of the youth who never get that far? Many don’t even try.
In cities like Benin, Abeokuta, Ibadan, Warri, Lagos (Lekki, Festac, Surulere), Abuja (Gwarinpa, Wuse 2), and Port Harcourt, subcultures have formed where fraud and sex work are glamorised, not hidden. In some areas, Yahoo and hookup culture are not outliers—they are norms.
The japa wave involves individuals who have endured Nigeria’s failing systems—strikes, unemployment, stagnation—and still managed to build careers. But what of the youth who never get that far? Many don’t even try.
In cities like Benin, Abeokuta, Ibadan, Warri, Lagos (Lekki, Festac, Surulere), Abuja (Gwarinpa, Wuse 2), and Port Harcourt, subcultures have formed where fraud and sex work are glamorised, not hidden. In some areas, Yahoo and hookup culture are not outliers—they are norms.
‘Yahoo and Hookup’: The youth’s new economy?
Scroll through Instagram or TikTok, and you’ll see youth flaunting designer wear, Dubai trips, and hotel stays paid for by sugar daddies or online scams. These are no longer fringe activities. They are disturbingly mainstream among segments of Gen Z.
What began as covert fraud or discreet sex work is now a structured economy. Yahoo boys operate in “offices”, run training programmes, and use spiritual fortification. Hookup culture features pricing menus, agents, and hotel affiliations.
This is where talent dies before it matures.
Scroll through Instagram or TikTok, and you’ll see youth flaunting designer wear, Dubai trips, and hotel stays paid for by sugar daddies or online scams. These are no longer fringe activities. They are disturbingly mainstream among segments of Gen Z.
What began as covert fraud or discreet sex work is now a structured economy. Yahoo boys operate in “offices”, run training programmes, and use spiritual fortification. Hookup culture features pricing menus, agents, and hotel affiliations.
This is where talent dies before it matures.
Impact on employers and the labour market
From tech startups to farms, employers lament the growing challenge of hiring trainable, motivated young Nigerians. The reasons are stark:
From tech startups to farms, employers lament the growing challenge of hiring trainable, motivated young Nigerians. The reasons are stark:
Eroding work ethic: Many youths dismiss ₦100,000 jobs as pointless when a single “client” or hookup can bring triple that in one night.
Disinterest in skills training: Technical schools and internships struggle for attendance. The long-term payoff of skill-building pales against the instant rewards of fraud and sex work.
No career vision: Even when hired, many young employees lack commitment. Some resign mid-project for better “offers”—not from firms, but from sponsors or hookups.
This creates a talent bottleneck. Investors decry the difficulty of building reliable teams. Multinationals now import staff from other African countries. Even Nigerian SMEs recruit remotely from Ghana and Kenya.
Disinterest in skills training: Technical schools and internships struggle for attendance. The long-term payoff of skill-building pales against the instant rewards of fraud and sex work.
No career vision: Even when hired, many young employees lack commitment. Some resign mid-project for better “offers”—not from firms, but from sponsors or hookups.
This creates a talent bottleneck. Investors decry the difficulty of building reliable teams. Multinationals now import staff from other African countries. Even Nigerian SMEs recruit remotely from Ghana and Kenya.
The societal irony: “Leaders of Tomorrow”?
We chant, “The youth are the leaders of tomorrow.” But which youth?Those who list cyber fraud as a skill?
Those who livestream hookup routines on Snapchat?
Those who say a CV is irrelevant if you have a plug?
If we stay this course, we risk raising a generation with smartphones and data but without skills, ethics, or purpose.
We chant, “The youth are the leaders of tomorrow.” But which youth?Those who list cyber fraud as a skill?
Those who livestream hookup routines on Snapchat?
Those who say a CV is irrelevant if you have a plug?
If we stay this course, we risk raising a generation with smartphones and data but without skills, ethics, or purpose.
The collapse of value systems
What makes this more dangerous than japa is its corrosive effect on values. We are witnessing a collapse of moral and professional aspirations. When fraudsters and hookup influencers are wealthier and more admired than teachers, engineers, or entrepreneurs, young minds are no longer drawn to excellence—they are seduced by excess.
Even universities are affected. Campuses now serve as recruitment grounds for Yahoo rings and hookup networks. Students are lured not by dropout risks but by fast cash.
What makes this more dangerous than japa is its corrosive effect on values. We are witnessing a collapse of moral and professional aspirations. When fraudsters and hookup influencers are wealthier and more admired than teachers, engineers, or entrepreneurs, young minds are no longer drawn to excellence—they are seduced by excess.
Even universities are affected. Campuses now serve as recruitment grounds for Yahoo rings and hookup networks. Students are lured not by dropout risks but by fast cash.
The data we don’t talk about
Though hard to quantify, anecdotal evidence paints a grim picture:A 2022 NOIPolls survey found 62 percent of Nigerians aged 18–30 knew someone involved in cybercrime or transactional sex.
In Lagos, hotel managers report that over 40 percent of daily mid-tier bookings are hookup-related.
EFCC data shows internet fraud arrests rose over 200 percent between 2015 and 2023, yet conviction rates remain low, emboldening offenders.
Though hard to quantify, anecdotal evidence paints a grim picture:A 2022 NOIPolls survey found 62 percent of Nigerians aged 18–30 knew someone involved in cybercrime or transactional sex.
In Lagos, hotel managers report that over 40 percent of daily mid-tier bookings are hookup-related.
EFCC data shows internet fraud arrests rose over 200 percent between 2015 and 2023, yet conviction rates remain low, emboldening offenders.
A national reset is urgent
This crisis is not just a youth problem—it’s systemic. Solutions must include:
This crisis is not just a youth problem—it’s systemic. Solutions must include:
Economic incentives for honest work: Government and the private sector must make entrepreneurship, tech, and vocational work attractive with grants, visibility, and meaningful returns.
Education reform: Beyond curriculum changes, career guidance and mentorship must be embedded at secondary and tertiary levels.
Strengthen the rule of law: Fraud thrives on impunity. Agencies must improve conviction rates, not just conduct high-profile arrests.
Media responsibility: Influencers and media outlets must stop glorifying crime and hookup culture.
Community engagement: Churches, mosques, and local leaders must engage youth, not with judgment, but with purposeful alternatives.
Education reform: Beyond curriculum changes, career guidance and mentorship must be embedded at secondary and tertiary levels.
Strengthen the rule of law: Fraud thrives on impunity. Agencies must improve conviction rates, not just conduct high-profile arrests.
Media responsibility: Influencers and media outlets must stop glorifying crime and hookup culture.
Community engagement: Churches, mosques, and local leaders must engage youth, not with judgment, but with purposeful alternatives.
Conclusion: A nation at war with its potential
Nigeria is not only losing talent to Heathrow, Toronto, or Berlin. It is also losing them to hotel rooms, VPN scams, and the worship of vice. If we fixate only on emigration and ignore the rot within, we risk hollowing out the nation entirely.
This is not just a labour market issue. It is a moral emergency. The fight for Nigeria’s future must begin with reclaiming the minds of its youth.
Nigeria is not only losing talent to Heathrow, Toronto, or Berlin. It is also losing them to hotel rooms, VPN scams, and the worship of vice. If we fixate only on emigration and ignore the rot within, we risk hollowing out the nation entirely.
This is not just a labour market issue. It is a moral emergency. The fight for Nigeria’s future must begin with reclaiming the minds of its youth.
Binance Compliance Chief Tigran Gambaryan Exits Exchange After Nigeria Detention
Tigran Gambaryan, Binance's head of financial crime compliance who was detained for eight months in Nigeria last year, is leaving the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange, according to a Bloomberg report on Friday.
Gambaryan, a former US Internal Revenue Service agent known as the "Crypto Wizard" for his expertise in tracing illicit digital transactions, told Bloomberg that Friday marks his last day at Binance. He joined the exchange in 2021 to help strengthen its anti-money laundering protocols amid increasing global regulatory scrutiny.
The executive's departure follows a harrowing ordeal that began in February 2024 when he traveled to Nigeria on behalf of Binance to address allegations that the exchange's operations had contributed to the country's currency crisis. Nigerian authorities detained Gambaryan and British-Kenyan colleague Nadeem Anjarwalla on charges of money laundering and currency manipulation.
Gambaryan was released in October on humanitarian grounds after his health severely deteriorated in custody. He reportedly suffered from malaria, pneumonia, and tonsillitis, while complications from a herniated disk left him wheelchair-bound and requiring urgent medical care outside Nigeria. The Nigerian government subsequently dropped the money laundering charges against him.
"Tigran has made a lasting impact on Binance, just as he did in his previous roles in law enforcement," a Binance spokesperson said. "We are deeply grateful for his dedication in transforming our financial crimes compliance organization. Thanks to his tireless efforts, the crypto industry is safer for all."
The Nigeria incident occurred as Binance faced multiple regulatory challenges globally. The exchange and former CEO Changpeng Zhao pleaded guilty in November 2023 to violating anti-money laundering and US sanctions laws, with Binance agreeing to pay $4.3 billion in penalties. Zhao served four months in US prison after stepping down as CEO.
Nigeria continues to pursue legal action against Binance, seeking $79.5 billion in damages and $2 billion in back taxes, claiming the exchange caused economic losses to the country. The government has also faced separate defamation lawsuits related to bribery allegations made during the detention controversy.
Freed Binance exec Tigran Gambaryan says he ‘almost died twice’ in Nigeria
Gambaryan, a former US Internal Revenue Service agent known as the "Crypto Wizard" for his expertise in tracing illicit digital transactions, told Bloomberg that Friday marks his last day at Binance. He joined the exchange in 2021 to help strengthen its anti-money laundering protocols amid increasing global regulatory scrutiny.
The executive's departure follows a harrowing ordeal that began in February 2024 when he traveled to Nigeria on behalf of Binance to address allegations that the exchange's operations had contributed to the country's currency crisis. Nigerian authorities detained Gambaryan and British-Kenyan colleague Nadeem Anjarwalla on charges of money laundering and currency manipulation.
Gambaryan was released in October on humanitarian grounds after his health severely deteriorated in custody. He reportedly suffered from malaria, pneumonia, and tonsillitis, while complications from a herniated disk left him wheelchair-bound and requiring urgent medical care outside Nigeria. The Nigerian government subsequently dropped the money laundering charges against him.
"Tigran has made a lasting impact on Binance, just as he did in his previous roles in law enforcement," a Binance spokesperson said. "We are deeply grateful for his dedication in transforming our financial crimes compliance organization. Thanks to his tireless efforts, the crypto industry is safer for all."
The Nigeria incident occurred as Binance faced multiple regulatory challenges globally. The exchange and former CEO Changpeng Zhao pleaded guilty in November 2023 to violating anti-money laundering and US sanctions laws, with Binance agreeing to pay $4.3 billion in penalties. Zhao served four months in US prison after stepping down as CEO.
Nigeria continues to pursue legal action against Binance, seeking $79.5 billion in damages and $2 billion in back taxes, claiming the exchange caused economic losses to the country. The government has also faced separate defamation lawsuits related to bribery allegations made during the detention controversy.
Thursday, June 5, 2025
Eric Chelle Determined To Win More Trophies for Nigeria After Unity Cup Victory
Chelle led the Super Eagles to victory over Jamaica in the final of the second edition of the tournament, 21 years after winning the first-ever organised Unity Cup.
In 2004, Nigeria beat the Reggae Boyz 2-0 to win the maiden edition in Charlton, but they went through a penalty shootout to claim a 5-4 victory on Saturday, after 2-2.draw in regulation time
Chelle, who had begun his reign with a win and a draw in the troubled 2026 World Cup qualifiers, was delighted to lift his first piece of silverware as a coach and hopes to add more as Nigeria go into the 2025 AFCON in Morocco by December.
“This is my first trophy as a coach. When I was a football player, I won lots of trophies. I hope with this trophy I can bring Nigeria another trophy,” Chelle said.
At the Unity Cup, the Franco-Malian coach had a blend of home-based and foreign stars, as they remain hopeful of picking a ticket to the World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico before the AFCON.
“We have an important goal in September. So I saw this as an opportunity to give many players a chance to show what they can do. And I’m really happy and proud of them because, in just two or three training sessions, they worked really hard. That’s the reality.
“During this tournament, we scored goals, we created chances, and we showed some very good things in our game. But of course, we still need to work. We have weaknesses. In today’s game, for instance, we made 22 mistakes — that’s a lot.
“We need to improve, to step up as a group and as a team, especially if we want to qualify for the World Cup.”
The Super Eagles will face Russia in another international friendly on Friday before resuming their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign in September.
With four games left in the series, Chelle’s men will face Rwanda at home and South Africa away in September, while their last two games are against Lesotho away and the Benin Republic at home in October.
They need to win their remaining matches to stand a chance of qualifying as they are currently fourth in Group C with just seven points, six points behind leaders South Africa.
By Paul Akhagbemhe, AIT
Nigerians would need to pay more for Netflix despite diminishing purchasing power
The Basic is set to go for ₦4,000, up from ₦3,500, and the Mobile plan is now ₦2,500, up from ₦2,200, as seen in the Punch.
This new adjustment comes after previous increases in July 2024, further pinching customers in a country dealing with economic contraction and rising inflation.
In July 2024, the Premium plan increased by 40% to ₦7,000 ($4.40), the Standard plan by 37.5% to ₦5,500 ($3.46), the Basic plan by 21% to ₦3,500 ($2.20), and the Mobile plan from ₦1,600 ($1.01) to ₦2,200 ($1.38).
Earlier in April of the same year, the streaming service announced a price increase for its Premium Plan, raising it from N4,400 to N5,000.
At the same time, the Standard Plan increased from N3,600 to N4,000, while the Basic Plan stayed at N2,900.
Nigeria's economy vs Netflix
The Nigerian economy has suffered significantly in recent years, with the country's currency, the naira, depreciating and consumer purchasing power plummeting.
With the country’s inflation continuing to increase, the cost of basic goods and services has risen, making discretionary spending, such as video streaming, more difficult to justify for many Nigerians.
Streaming subscriptions are more expensive in industrialized countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom, but customers often earn much more, making such services reasonably affordable.
For example, although Americans pay $15.49 (approximately ₦24,000 at current exchange rates) for Netflix's Standard plan, the average U.S. worker makes more than $60,000 per year.
Nigeria's minimum monthly wage is currently ₦70,000, with many earning significantly less in the informal economy.
This is more complex when you consider that Nigeria’s current minimum wage of ₦70,000 is merely $43, compared to its minimum wage of ₦30,000 as of 2022, which was $70 when exchanged at the average rate of ₦423.7 at the end of the year.
This dip highlights Nigeria’s declining purchasing power in the face of one of its worst economic periods.
This disparity in purchasing power parity (PPP) also demonstrates the increasing difficulties of developing global subscription models in poor nations.
As streaming platforms pursue profitability, they risk losing customers in price-sensitive areas such as Nigeria.
Unless updated price structures or regional considerations are applied, subscription-based services may see decreased popularity in places where economic hardship makes digital entertainment increasingly costly.
However, the increase in internet and mobile penetration currently sweeping the nation could work against the above argument.
Additionally, Africa as whole led by countries like Nigeria and South Africa has been a market of interest for the streaming giants.
In 2023, reports indicated that Netflix planned to expand its operations on the continent, following the success of its local content production ventures in the region.
From 2016 to 2023 Netflix had invested the equivalent of €160 million in film content production in Africa, creating over 12,000 jobs in Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa.
However, as of the end of 2024, Netflix reportedly pulled out of the Nigerian market.
In a statement to TechCabal, Netflix denied the reports of its exit.
According to TechCabal, a Netflix spokesperson reaffirmed the company’s commitment to Nigeria, saying, “We are not exiting Nigeria. We will continue to invest in Nigerian stories to delight our audience.”
Over USD 23 million has been invested in Nigeria by the streaming service since 2016 in over 250 local licensed titles, co-produced and commissioned film content.
Netflix' investments has contributed $39 million towards GDP, $34 million towards household income, and $2.6 million towards tax revenue.
This new adjustment comes after previous increases in July 2024, further pinching customers in a country dealing with economic contraction and rising inflation.
In July 2024, the Premium plan increased by 40% to ₦7,000 ($4.40), the Standard plan by 37.5% to ₦5,500 ($3.46), the Basic plan by 21% to ₦3,500 ($2.20), and the Mobile plan from ₦1,600 ($1.01) to ₦2,200 ($1.38).
Earlier in April of the same year, the streaming service announced a price increase for its Premium Plan, raising it from N4,400 to N5,000.
At the same time, the Standard Plan increased from N3,600 to N4,000, while the Basic Plan stayed at N2,900.
Nigeria's economy vs Netflix
The Nigerian economy has suffered significantly in recent years, with the country's currency, the naira, depreciating and consumer purchasing power plummeting.
With the country’s inflation continuing to increase, the cost of basic goods and services has risen, making discretionary spending, such as video streaming, more difficult to justify for many Nigerians.
Streaming subscriptions are more expensive in industrialized countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom, but customers often earn much more, making such services reasonably affordable.
For example, although Americans pay $15.49 (approximately ₦24,000 at current exchange rates) for Netflix's Standard plan, the average U.S. worker makes more than $60,000 per year.
Nigeria's minimum monthly wage is currently ₦70,000, with many earning significantly less in the informal economy.
This is more complex when you consider that Nigeria’s current minimum wage of ₦70,000 is merely $43, compared to its minimum wage of ₦30,000 as of 2022, which was $70 when exchanged at the average rate of ₦423.7 at the end of the year.
This dip highlights Nigeria’s declining purchasing power in the face of one of its worst economic periods.
This disparity in purchasing power parity (PPP) also demonstrates the increasing difficulties of developing global subscription models in poor nations.
As streaming platforms pursue profitability, they risk losing customers in price-sensitive areas such as Nigeria.
Unless updated price structures or regional considerations are applied, subscription-based services may see decreased popularity in places where economic hardship makes digital entertainment increasingly costly.
However, the increase in internet and mobile penetration currently sweeping the nation could work against the above argument.
Additionally, Africa as whole led by countries like Nigeria and South Africa has been a market of interest for the streaming giants.
In 2023, reports indicated that Netflix planned to expand its operations on the continent, following the success of its local content production ventures in the region.
From 2016 to 2023 Netflix had invested the equivalent of €160 million in film content production in Africa, creating over 12,000 jobs in Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa.
However, as of the end of 2024, Netflix reportedly pulled out of the Nigerian market.
In a statement to TechCabal, Netflix denied the reports of its exit.
According to TechCabal, a Netflix spokesperson reaffirmed the company’s commitment to Nigeria, saying, “We are not exiting Nigeria. We will continue to invest in Nigerian stories to delight our audience.”
Over USD 23 million has been invested in Nigeria by the streaming service since 2016 in over 250 local licensed titles, co-produced and commissioned film content.
Netflix' investments has contributed $39 million towards GDP, $34 million towards household income, and $2.6 million towards tax revenue.
By Chinedu Okafor, Business Insider Africa
Related story: Netflix cuts original Nigeria productions
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