Nigeria's Grammy-winning Tems cancels Kigali concert amid Rwanda-DRC tensions

Nigeria's Grammy-winning singer Tems announced on Thursday she was cancelling an upcoming concert in Kigali over Rwanda's support of the M23 armed group waging an offensive in eastern DR Congo.

The announcement came amid international condemnation of Rwanda's backing of the M23 group, which seized control of the city of Goma this week in the Democratic Republic of Congo's mineral-rich east.

Tems, whose real name is Temilade Openiyi, revealed in a post on X that she was cancelling a concert at BK Arena in the Rwandan capital on 22 March.

"So I recently promoted my show in Rwanda without realising that there is ongoing conflict between Rwanda and Congo," she wrote.

"I never ever intend to be insensitive to real-world issues, and I sincerely apologise if this came across that way," said Tems, who became the first Nigerian singer to win a Grammy in 2023.

"I simply had no idea this was going on. My heart goes out to those affected."

So I recently promoted my show in Rwanda without realising that there is ongoing conflict between Rwanda and Congo. I never ever intend to be insensitive to real-world issues, and I sincerely apologize if this came across that way. I simply had no idea this was going on. My heart…

— TEMS (@temsbaby) January 30, 2025

The post came hours after M23 leaders vowed to "continue the march of liberation all the way" to the DR Congo capital Kinshasa.

The UK government said on Thursday it was considering reviewing British aid to Rwanda over its involvement in the crisis.

DR Congo has accused Rwanda of waging an offensive to profit from the region's mineral wealth. A report by UN experts in July supported these claims, finding that Rwanda has thousands of troops in eastern DR Congo - and holds "de facto control" over the M23.

Rwanda has denied the accusations.

President Paul Kagame has never admitted military involvement but has maintained the fighting cannot end until a DRC-based armed group, the FDLR, created by former Hutu leaders who massacred Tutsis during the 1994 Rwandan genocide, is eliminated.

Tems will perform in Johannesburg on 20 March 2025 at The Dome, Nasrec, which opens in January 2025, this will be her first South African concert.

AFP

Nigeria Needs Much Higher Power Prices, President's Adviser Says

Nigeria’s power prices need to rise by about two thirds for many customers to reflect the cost of supplying it and an increase can be expected within months, President Bola Tinubu’s special adviser on energy said.

Higher electricity tariffs, which need to be balanced by subsidies for less-affluent consumers, are required to fund the maintenance needed to improve reliability and to attract private investors into power generation and transmission, said the adviser, Olu Verheijen.

“One of the key challenges we’re looking to resolve over the next few months is transitioning to a cost-efficient but cost-reflective tariff,” Verheijen said in an interview in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, this week. This is needed “so the sector generates revenue required to attract private capital, while also protecting the poor and vulnerable,” she said.

Tinubu has already taken a number of steps to ease the burden on state finances and encourage private investment since taking office in May 2023, including removing subsidies on motor fuel. Power prices were already tripled for some customers last year.

While Nigeria, a nation of about 237 million people, has an electricity access rate of around 62%, an erratic grid supply limits productivity and disrupts daily life.

The move to raise tariffs comes amid mounting pressure from Nigeria’s debt-burdened electricity distribution companies for tariffs to be cost-reflective so they can improve their finances.

The country privatized generation and distribution in 2013, yet prices set by the government’s Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission don’t cover the suppliers’ costs. Government subsidies cover some of the difference, but profitability is hard to achieve.

Verheijen was in Tanzania attending a World Bank-backed conference where Nigeria presented a $32 billion plan to boost electricity connections by 2030. Private investors are expected to contribute $15.5 billion and the rest will come from public sources, including the World Bank and African Development Bank.

Nigeria’s power industry needs significant investment to achieve its development aims, Verheijen said. Of the country’s 14 gigawatts of installed power, only 8 gigawatts can be transmitted around the country and just four or five gigawatts can be directly delived to homes and businesses, she said.

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Siemens AG is working with the government on a $2.3 billion project to improve transmission and distribution, while more than 7 million Nigerians in rural areas have been given access to power via decentralized renewable projects.

“Your energy policies have to be closely linked with your own ambition for your country,” Verheijen said.“ Our own ambition is to be a $1 trillion economy in five years and to move to an upper-middle income country in 25 years.”

Nigeria’s gross domestic product is currently just under $200 billion, according to the International Monetary Fund.

By Antony Sguazzin, Bloomberg

Video - Experts urge Nigeria to reduce oil dependency

Economists warn that Nigeria's heavy reliance on crude oil revenue is risky, especially with global price fluctuations. The U.S. push for higher oil output and OPEC’s pricing decisions could impact Nigeria’s economic stability.

CGTN

Nigeria union rejects telecom tariff hike, plans nationwide protest

Nigeria's main labour union has rejected a government-approved 50% hike in telecommunications tariffs and announced plans for a nationwide protest on Feb. 4.

The telecoms regulator last week approved the increase in mobile tariffs, the first such hike in more than a decade, bowing to pressure from operators struggling with surging costs amid high inflation and currency devaluation.

In a meeting of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) late on Wednesday, union leaders called the increase "insensitive, unjustifiable, and a direct assault" on citizens already grappling with the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation caused by reforms instituted by President Bola Tinubu.

"The rally will serve as a warning on the dangers of imposing such an unfair increase on a struggling population, NLC President Joe Ajaero said in a statement, citing high food costs and hikes in the prices of petrol and electricity.

The union demanded the immediate suspension of the tariff adjustment and called for dialogue between the government, the regulator and union leaders.

Ajaero threatened a nationwide boycott of telecommunications services and a possible strike if authorities refused to engage in dialogue.

The NLC, representing millions of workers, has repeatedly clashed with the government over economic reforms which it says exacerbate poverty, but officials argue the measures are necessary to stabilise the economy.

By Camillus Eboh, Reuters

Nigeria's petrol imports reach 8-year low as Dangote refinery expands

Nigeria's petrol imports have reached their lowest level in eight years, as the country’s new mega-refinery reduces reliance on foreign suppliers and strengthens fuel independence.

According to data compiled by Bloomberg from analytics firm Vortexa Ltd., shipments to Nigeria averaged around 110,000 barrels per day between January 1 and 24.

If this pace continues throughout the month, imports, predominantly from Europe, will hit their lowest point since 2017.

“A large part of the slowdown in Nigeria’s gasoline imports is due to the ramp-up of the Dangote refinery,” Vortexa analyst Samantha Hartke said. “Northwest Europe will have to find alternative homes for its gasoline supplies.”

The refinery has been dubbed a game-changer for Nigeria, which has long depended on gasoline imports. The refinery has been hailed as a key step in reducing the country’s reliance on foreign supplies.

The $20.5 billion Dangote refinery, owned by Africa's richest man, has a processing capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, making it the largest refinery in Africa.

It also surpasses Europe's 10 largest refining facilities, including the Pernis Refinery, which has an installed capacity of 404,000 barrels per day (bpd).

According to the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Dangote's oil push in Nigeria is starting to disrupt the European oil market.

Economists suggest that the Dangote refinery could potentially end the long-standing gasoline trade from Europe to Africa, which is valued at $17 billion annually.

By Adekunle Agbetiloye, Business Insider Africa

Video - Nigerian basketball veterans out to inspire the growth of the game among youth

According to the veterans, the sport exposes youth to opportunities and plays a big role in keeping them away from social vices.

CGTN

Video - Chinese community in Nigeria celebrates in Abuja

Members of the Chinese community in Abuja have joined millions around the world to celebrate the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year. Festivities to bring in the Year of the Snake featured a colorful display of Chinese cuisine, music, and dance performances for more than 2,000 attendees.

CGTN

‘Over 400 Killed in 6 Months’: The Sorry Cases of Boat Mishaps in Nigeria

No fewer than 452 people have died from boat mishaps across various waterways in Nigeria. From July to Dec. 2024 alone, incidents were recorded in Niger, Kwara, Kogi, and Bayelsa States.

Over the years, boat mishaps have occurred with alarming regularity, each accompanied by tragic losses. According to the Marine Crafts Builders Association of Nigeria (MCBAN), Nigeria recorded over 3,000 boat accidents in just a decade.

The country’s waterways are estimated to be about 10,000 km, with over 3,000 km of navigable waterways. These waterways connect the country with five neighbouring states and provide access to 28 of the 36 states in Nigeria.

For many coastal communities surrounded by rivers, creeks, and other water bodies in Nigeria, boats are often the most viable means of transportation. Yet, these journeys are fraught with danger, as seen in the alarming frequency of boat mishaps claiming countless lives yearly.

A breakdown of the data collected between July and December 2024 revealed that most of the boat accidents resulted from inefficiency and the lack of proactive rescue measures to ensure the safety of water transport.

Captain Ahmed Hambali, a maritime expert, confirmed this, noting that common causes of such accidents often include poor operator experience, operational inefficiencies, lack of safety measures — such as life-saving appliances — overloading, inadequate boat maintenance, and weak regulatory oversight.

“These factors highlight the need for immediate and comprehensive action to restore safety and public confidence in waterways transportation,” he said.

The recurring issue of boat mishaps raises concern about the inefficiency of the measures taken by the National Inland Waterways Authority [NIWA]. To curb the menace of boat accidents in the country, NIWA’s waterways regulation stipulates a seven-year imprisonment for violators, but the problem persists.

Regional breakdown

When the Nigerian flag stood high for the independence celebration, tragedy knocked on the country’s door in the north-central region. A boat conveying over 300 passengers from the Mundi community in Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State capsized, and about 150 of them died.

The victims were returning from an annual religious celebration. State authorities confirmed that local divers were swift to rescue 150 out of the 300 passengers alive.

Days later, a boat carrying over 200 passengers also drowned in the Gwajibo Mudi community in Kaima LGA of Kwara, leaving at least 169 passengers dead. Only 31 people were reportedly rescued when the boat struck a tree submerged by the rising water levels. Niger and Kwara States have been the most affected in Nigeria.

Another boat accident that occurred in Nov. 2024 resulted in the deaths of 22 commuters, mostly farmers and traders, who were sailing from Kogi State to Katcha weekly market in the Agaie area of Niger State.

In Benue State, about 20 people were killed in a boat accident that occurred in Agatu LGA when a boat conveying women and children capsized. Authorities confirmed that 76 passengers were onboard when the incident occurred.

A tragic boat accident in Lafia East LGA of Nasarawa State resulted in the deaths of four persons. The victims – a man and three women– were farmers travelling to the Ashange market from Alogami village when the overloaded boat sank with 25 passengers, four motorcycles, and bags of melon seeds.

Findings revealed that a lack of an efficient road network to connect commuters to these markets has compelled farmers and traders to adopt boats as a viable means of transportation.

The Northwest region recorded the second-highest fatalities. Data compiled by HumAngle revealed that Jigawa, Zamfara, and Sokoto States recorded 52 fatalities and 18 missing victims.

On July 7, two people died, and two others were reported missing in a boat accident in the Kwalgi village situated in the Auyo area of Jigawa State. The state revealed that the boat was travelling to Hadin village from Kwalgi when it drowned with 20 passengers onboard after a powerful wave hit the overloaded boat.

Another boat mishap at the Nahuce area in Taura LGA in Jigawa claimed five lives, leaving 15 others unaccounted for. Authorities confirmed that the boat was conveying 20 passengers crossing over the Gamoda River when it capsized.

An overloaded boat conveying over 50 passengers capsized in the Gummi LGA of Zamfara State, leaving 41 persons dead. Only 12 people were rescued alive.

In the Dundaye community in the Wamako area of Sokoto State, four people died when a boat conveying 24 passengers capsized. Nineteen of the passengers were rescued, but one of them was declared missing.

In the South-south, Bayelsa State recorded the highest number of fatalities with 21 deaths, followed by five deaths recorded in Delta. No fewer than 20 passengers were killed in a boat accident along the Ezetu I community in the southern Ijaw LGA of Bayelsa.

Reports indicated that the boat, conveying mostly women, had a faulty engine that exploded on its way to Swali in Yenagoa, which led to the deaths of passengers. A boat accident in the Okibie community of the Southern Ijaw in Bayelsa also resulted in the deaths of an individual when a 15-seater speedboat capsized.

Five people were killed in a boat mishap along Bennett Island in the Warri-South LGA of Delta State. The accident left six passengers injured, with one missing and 19 rescued. The recurrence of boat accidents prompted the Bayelsa State government to implement new safety measures, including the compulsory use of life jackets by passengers, among others, to curb the menace.

In the Northeast, however, four lives were lost after a boat mishap occurred in the Mayo Ranemo area in Taraba. The victims, over 30 of them, were in transit to Balengo town in Karin-Lamido when the engine boat capsized in the Benue River, leading to four fatalities.

As for the southwest, a boat collision in Lagos State claimed the lives of five passengers sailing from Ebutte Ero to Badagry when an ill-fated wooden boat collided with a fibre boat with 10 and 15 passengers onboard, respectively.

Ahmad Hambali, a maritime expert, said the frequent boat accidents occurring in the Nigerian waterways, especially in Northern Nigeria, are deeply concerning.

“Although I have not come across any investigation reports to determine the root causes of these incidents, it is important to note that boats, historically, have been regarded as a safe mode of transportation.”

“It is therefore alarming to witness the increasing frequency of these tragic incidents, which continue to claim so many lives. This calls for urgent intervention by the government to address this issue,” he said.

Hambali noted that the services of industry experts must be employed to conduct thorough investigations into these accidents, identify their root causes and implement effective preventive measures, or else the menace will persist.

“By addressing these issues systematically, lives can be saved, and waterways transportation can once again fulfil its vital role in the region’s economic and social life,” he added.

In October last year, while commiserating with the victims of the tragic boat mishap on Independence Day, President Bola Tinubu directed NIWA to investigate the spate of boat mishaps in the country and devise modalities to curtail the trend.

The president also urged them to expand their surveillance of inland waters to ensure safety and prosecute boat owners who violate the ban on night sailing.

However, HumAngle reached out to Bola Oyebamiji, the Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), to understand the latest modalities on the ground aimed at safeguarding the lives of Nigerians commuting via waterways, as per President Tinubu’s directive, but the message was met with silence.

Several calls made to him were unsuccessful because his number was unreachable.

By Isah Ismaila, HumAngle

Related stories: At least 20 feared dead in Nigeria boat accident

Video - 17 bodies recovered after boat capsizes in eastern Nigeria

3,690 Nigerians Among 1.4Million Illegal Immigrants in US Expulsion

The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has identified approximately 1.5 million “illegal immigrants” for deportation.

The deportations come as President Donald Trump enforces his crackdown on illegal immigration.

A document obtained by Fox News from ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) states that, as of 24 November 2024, 1,445,549 non-citizens were on ICE’s non-detained docket with final removal orders.

Nigeria ranked second in Africa with 3,690 individuals on the list, following Somalia with 4,090. Ghana was third with 3,228.

Mexico had the highest number of deportees, with 252,044 individuals identified for removal.

The US government urged countries to accept the return of their nationals, warning that a lack of cooperation could hinder deportations.

“The U.S. Government requests foreign governments to verify citizenship, issue travel documents promptly, and accept the return of their nationals,” the document states.

It further warns that failure to comply may result in countries being designated as uncooperative.

Before his re-election in November, Trump had pledged to prioritise stricter immigration policies.

The US president has repeatedly referred to illegal immigrants as a cause of rising crime rates.

On his first day back in office, Trump signed multiple executive orders, including declaring a national emergency at the US-Mexico border and deploying troops to bolster security.

By Toyibat Ajose, News Central

Nigeria labels Lakurawa as terrorist organization

Nigeria officially labels the Lakurawa group as a terrorist organization after years of violent attacks in rural communities.

The decision follows top-level instructions to Nigeria’s army to either kill or remove Lakurawa radicals from Nigerian territory.

“This is a great concern for the Nigerian government. They’re already trying to fight off the Boko Haram, Fulani herdsman, [and] ISIS West Africa,” Greg Musselman with Voice of the Martyrs Canada says.

The ‘terrorist’ designation allows Nigerian forces to arrest suspects, freeze assets, and dismantle Lakurawa’s networks. However, questions remain about whether these measures address the conditions that enable the group to flourish.

“A lot of these terrorist groups feed on the fact that many of these young men don’t have jobs,” Musselman says.

“They’re poor, and [then they see] here’s an opportunity to join this group, cause all sorts of havoc in the name of Islam, and use it to get material gain.”

Meanwhile, religious minorities suffer.

“You’ve got these competing Islamic groups with their version of Sharia law. They’ll go against each other [and] there’s all this violence breaking out, and the innocent people are often getting caught into it,” Musselman says.

Ask the Lord to protect and strengthen believers in northern Nigeria. Consider providing practical help and biblical counseling through VOM Canada here.

“When you look at what has gone on in Nigeria, you see amazing, brave followers of Christ. But you also see the devastation and pain are real,” Musselman says.

“You’ve got so much violence and so much death and destruction. The only hope is Jesus.”

By Katey Hearth, Mission Network News

Nigerian star 2Baba announces separation from wife

Popular Nigerian musician and performer Innocent Idibia, widely known as 2Baba or Tuface, has announced his separation from his wife, Annie Idibia.

One of Nigeria's biggest celebrity couples, Annie and Tuface got married in 2012 and had two daughters together.

In a post on Instagram, the African Queen singer said they had been separated for some time and had taken steps toward a divorce.

The post was later deleted but 2Baba then released a video to confirm that its contents were accurate.

The singer is seen as being one of the pioneers of the Nigerian music scene that is now popular around the world, paving the way for musicians like Wizkid, Davido and Burna Boy.

The couple had a star-studded wedding ceremony in 2013, an event which was widely followed in Nigeria even though it took place in Dubai.

The star is still widely known as Tuface even though he announced in 2014 that he had changed his name to 2Baba.

News of the separation has shocked fans and admirers across the continent as the couple had overcome previous problems and are one of Nigeria's longest-lasting celebrity couples.

The former Plantashun Boyz member says he plans to hold a press conference to provide more details, adding that he is committed to sharing his perspective directly with his supporters and music lovers around the globe.

"I and Annie Macauley have been separated for a while now, and currently filed for divorce," he said in the Instagram post.

In a bizarre twist, the post was deleted minutes later, followed by another saying the account had been hacked.

But 2Baba then went live on his Instagram account to confirm his initial post about the separation.

"No-one hacked my account, I said what I said, I come in peace," he said in the video.

The couple have also cut ties on social media, unfollowing each other on their respective platforms, backing the performer's statement about their split.

In the video of his most popular song, African Queen, Annie played his love interest and it is believed that their relationship blossomed from there.

Annie, an actor, recently trended on social media after she shared personal details about her marriage, including a miscarriage and struggles with her husband's other relationships, on the reality show Young, Famous & African.

By Mansur Abubakar, BBC

Nigeria man indicted in sextortion scheme after South Carolina teen dies

Nigeria man indicted in sextortion scheme after South Carolina teen dies.

19 News

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Stop Sextortion - bereaved parents' appeal to criminals in Nigeria

At least 20 Nigerian soldiers killed in attack on remote army base

At least 20 Nigerian soldiers have been reportedly killed in a suspected attack by fighters from the ISIL affiliate in West Africa Province (ISWAP).

The attackers targeted an army base in the remote Malam-Fatori town in the northeastern Borno state on Friday, with a surviving soldier saying the attack lasted for more than three hours.

Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters mainly operate in Borno and have attacked both security forces and civilians, killing and displacing tens of thousands of people.

Reuters news agency, citing security sources and residents, on Sunday said a commanding officer was among those killed after ISWAP members arrived on gun trucks and attacked the Nigerian Army’s 149th Battalion in Malam-Fatori, gateway to the border with Niger.

“They rained bullets everywhere,” one of the surviving soldiers told Reuters by phone, adding that the troops were taken by surprise.

“We tried so much to repel the attacks and after more than three hours of gun duel, they overpowered us, killing our commanding officer, a lieutenant colonel,” the soldier said, declining to be named because he was not authorised to speak to the media.

He said 20 soldiers died while several were injured.

Residents who left the town said some of the attackers were seen in Malam-Fatori as late as Saturday night.

Malakaka Bukar, a member of the local militia recruited to help the army, said the fighters also burned buildings, forcing some residents to flee the town.

“They preached to some of the residents,” said Bukar.

ISWAP split from the mainstream Boko Haram in 2016 to become the dominant armed faction in northeastern Nigeria.

Although weakened by military assaults and internal fighting over the years, Boko Haram and ISWAP have stepped up attacks in Borno since the turn of the year, killing dozens of farmers and fishermen in a series of raids.

The 15-year-old conflict has killed nearly 40,000 people and displaced around two million from their homes in the northeast.

The violence spilled into neighbouring Niger, Chad and Cameroon, leading to the creation of a regional force to fight the armed groups.

Al Jazeera

Visa invests in Nigeria's Moniepoint

Founded in 2015, Moniepoint initially focused on providing infrastructure and payments technology for banks and financial institutions.
It has since grown into Nigeria's leading business banking provider and is now the country's largest merchant acquirer, powering most of the country’s Point of Sale transactions. In 2023, it expanded beyond SMEs and entered the personal banking market through its subsidiary, Moniepoint Microfinance Bank.

The firm now claims some 10 million businesses and individual customers, helping them access payments, banking, credit, and business management tools and processing $22 billion monthly.

Visa's investment comes soon after a $110 million Series C investment led by Development Partners International’s African Development Partners III fund and joined by Google’s Africa Investment Fund and African VC Verod Capital.

Tosin Eniolorunda, CEO, Moniepoint, says: "Visa’s expertise in global payments and Moniepoint’s proven ability to serve African businesses make this partnership an exciting opportunity in shaping the continent’s economic future even as we pave the way for a more inclusive and dynamic financial ecosystem."

Andrew Torre, regional president, CEE and Middle East and Africa, Visa, adds: "By making financial services and digital payments more accessible and efficient, Moniepoint is helping transform how businesses operate in Nigeria and beyond. We are excited to support their next phase of growth and innovation."

Fineextra

New Nigerian jihadist group Lakurawa declared terrorists

Nigeria's authorities have officially declared the Lakurawa armed group - which flogs people for listening to music - a terrorist organisation and banned it across the country.

Lakurawa is a new militant group which carries out attacks, targeting local communities in north-western Nigeria and across the border with Niger.

Nigerian officials say Lakurawa is affiliated with jihadist factions in Mali and Niger, and its militants have for years settled in communities along the Nigeria-Niger border, marrying local women and recruiting youths.

This adds to Nigeria's security concerns, as it is already fighting against several armed groups, from Islamist militants Boko Haram to kidnapping gangs.

The Nigerian government submitted a document to a High Court in the capital, Abuja, on Thursday, detailing the activities of the group.

It said Lakurawa had been involved in acts of terrorism, including cattle rustling, kidnapping for ransom, hostage-taking and attacks on top government officials.

The group was also accused of spreading harmful ideology within local communities and encouraging locals to disregard authorities, "resulting in injuries, and loss of lives and property to innocent citizens of Nigeria".

An unnamed man told the BBC the group emerged few years ago in some villages in Sokoto and Kebbi states and people had notified authorities of its existence but nothing was done.

At first, Lakurawa members promised to tackle banditry and help protect local people from cattle thieves.

"But things escalated when they started asking to check people’s phones and would flog those that have music in them before deleting them," the man said.

In the court papers, Nigeria's Attorney-General and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi said the group's activities posed a serious threat to national security.

In a swift decision, Justice James Omotosho declared the group "a terrorist organisation and extended the ban to similar groups across Nigeria, with a specific focus on the North West and North Central regions".

This move will give the Nigerian government sweeping powers to take strong actions against the group.

Security agencies now have broad mandates to disrupt and dismantle the group's operations, including arrests, prosecution, asset freezes, and increased surveillance.

It could also lead to public stigma and isolation for individuals associated with the designated group.

Across the country, especially in northern Nigeria, people fear another scenario similar to when Boko Haram emerged in the late 2000s.

By Chris Ewokor & Mansur Abubakar, BBC

Video - Central Bank of Nigeria halts extensions for export proceeds repatriation

The bank says no extensions will be accorded anymore for the repatriation of exports proceeds, in compliance with Nigeria's foreign exchange regulations. Non-oil export proceeds have a 180-day window for repatriation while oil and gas proceeds have a 90-day deadline.

CGTN

Video - Nigeria’s regulator hikes tariffs for telecoms

The Nigeria Communications Commission says it will approve a 50 percent tariff increase following a request from telecommunication operators in the country, in line with rising costs.

CGTN

Authorities in Nigeria Take Down Child Trafficking Syndicates

Nigerian authorities announced the rescue of over 200 children and the dismantling of multiple gangs and human trafficking networks in a series of nationwide crackdowns that were primarily targeting child exploitation.

Police spokesperson Muyiwa Adejobi revealed that one of the key operations took place in Akure, Ondo State, where a human trafficking network was dismantled, and 14 children, aged between 1 and 7 years old, were rescued.

“Acting on intelligence regarding a missing child, the police uncovered a syndicate responsible for trafficking over 200 children across various locations in the country,” Adejobi said in a statement.

The Nigeria Police Force has ramped up its initiatives to combat human trafficking and illegal baby factories, focusing on intelligence-led operations to disrupt organized networks.

The announcement follows another major breakthrough two weeks ago in Plateau State, where authorities arrested a prominent pastor linked to a large child-trafficking syndicate. In that operation, 13 children were rescued, highlighting Plateau State as a growing hotspot for trafficking activities.

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has also exposed trafficking activities in Kaduna State involving a group called ACHAD Life Mission International. The organization, which claims to promote African traditions and humanitarian aid, is accused of exploiting vulnerable individuals under the guise of charity. NIS officials noted that these groups often operate covertly, making detection challenging.

In a statement, Plateau State’s Gender and Equal Opportunities Commission raised concerns about the region’s rising child trafficking crisis, revealing that over 100 victims were rescued in the past year alone. The commission emphasized the urgent need for stronger institutional frameworks and community engagement to prevent exploitation and protect vulnerable children.

Local authorities pledged to continue their efforts to dismantle trafficking networks and ensure the safety of children. However, they acknowledged the need for greater resources and public awareness to combat the growing threat of human trafficking in Nigeria.

These operations underline the scale of the challenge in addressing trafficking in the country, but they also demonstrate Nigeria’s commitment to fighting organized exploitation and protecting its most vulnerable citizens.

By Nneoma Omeje, OCCRP

Nigeria needs to double economic growth within a year or two, finance minister says

Nigeria needs to double economic growth within the next year or two from an annualized rate of 3.5% in the third quarter to lift its population out of poverty, its finance minister told Reuters on Thursday at the World Economic Forum's annual meeting.

Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister for the Economy Wale Edun said Nigeria was on the path to growth after a year of tough economic reforms that sent inflation soaring, but should open the door for more investment.

Edun said he had been meeting in Davos this week with business leaders in the areas of consumer goods, food and beverages, financial services and infrastructure to promote investments, he said in a Thursday interview.

"It's a steady trickle now. What we want is a stream and at the end of the day a flood of investment," he said.

Nigeria has been trying to encourage private investment rather than rely on borrowing to create jobs, as the government searches for a solution to sluggish growth, double-digit inflation and a heavy debt burden.

President Bola Tinubu has vowed to expand the economy by at least 6% a year, create jobs and unify the exchange rate, while also tackling rampant insecurity.

Tinubu scrapped a popular but costly petrol subsidy and lifted foreign exchange trading restrictions. That contributed to consumer inflation, but Edun expressed confidence that Nigerians would soon be past their cost of living crisis.

Central Bank Governor Olayemi Cardoso on Thursday said he expected the economy to expand by 4.17% this year, driven by ongoing reforms and stabilising inflation.

By Chijioke Ohuocha, Reuters

Huntsville man admits to laundering money for Nigerian sextortionists

Authorities say a Huntsville man is set for sentencing after he admitted he laundered money for Nigerian sextortionists.

Acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Andrew Birge announced on Wednesday that Dinismore Guyton Robinson, 29, of Huntsville, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering after he laundered money for Nigerian Sex extortionists.

His sentencing before U.S. District Judge Robert J. Jonker is scheduled for April 24.

The indictment states a group of money launderers, including Robinson, used online payment systems to collect sextortion proceeds and send them to Nigerian sextortionists.

Other money launderers in the group were:

. Johnathan Demetrius Green, 32, Stone Mountain, Georgia
. Jarell Daivon Williams, 31, McDonough, Georgia
. Kendall Ormond London, Jr., 32, Lithonia, Georgia
. Brian Keith Coldmon, Jr., 30, Stone Mountain, Georgia.

According to the indictment, the sextortionists had boys and young men create nude images. After they received those images, they had the victims send funds to the U.S.-based money launderers through online payment systems like Apple Pay, Cash App and Zelle.

The money launderers would keep about 20% of the money, convert the rest to bitcoin and send the bitcoin back to Nigeria.

The indictment specifically said one of the money launderers, Green, laundered the funds of Jordan DeMay, a 17-year-old high school student from Marquette, Michigan after he was extorted by the three Nigerian men.

Officials said that the sextortion scheme caused DeMay’s death. He died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in March 2022.

In November 2022, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan charged the three Nigerian nationals in the sextortion scheme that targeted DeMay and more than 100 other victims.

By Tony Cortes, News19

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UN seeks $910 million for humanitarian crisis in Nigeria

The United Nations will this week appeal for $910 million to help tackle a humanitarian crisis in northeastern Nigeria, which has been in the grip of an Islamist insurgency since 2009 and was hit by flooding last year, documents showed on Wednesday.

The UN documents seen by Reuters showed that 7.8 million people need help in the three northeastern states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe, and the UN aims to help 3.6 million of them.

At $910 million, it is the most expensive humanitarian crisis in West and Central Africa, ahead of Chad, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, the documents showed.

Nigeria is also grappling with a cost of living crisis that has seen inflation accelerate to its highest level in nearly three decades, propelled by skyrocketing food prices.

The UN has previously said Nigeria's northeast risks becoming a forgotten crisis as the humanitarian focus has shifted to crises elsewhere such as Ukraine, Gaza and Sudan.

A joint report by the government and UN in November said Nigeria faces one of its worst hunger crises with more than 30 million people expected to be food-insecure this year.

President Bola Tinubu's economic reforms, including scrapping a fuel subsidy and foreign exchange controls, have been blamed for worsening Nigeria's economic troubles. He says the reforms will put the economy on a stronger path to growth.

By Ope Adetayo, Reuters

The Nigerian family who have spent five decades as volunteer grave-diggers

For more than 50 years, one family has dedicated itself to caring for the biggest graveyard in Nigeria's northern city of Kaduna - much to the gratitude of other residents who do not fancy the job of dealing with the dead.

Until a few weeks ago, they did it for no formal pay - digging graves, washing corpses and tending to the vast cemetery, receiving only small donations from mourners for their labour.

The vast Tudun Wada Cemetery was set aside for the Muslim residents of the city by the authorities a century ago.

The Abdullahi family became involved in the 1970s when two brothers - Ibrahim and Adamu - began working there.

The two siblings now lie beneath the soil in the graveyard, and their sons have become the cemetery's main custodians.

"Their teachings to us, their children, was that God loves the service and would reward us for it even if we don't get any worldly gains," Ibrahim Abdullahi's oldest son Magaji told the BBC when asked why they had chosen to continue as unpaid undertakers.

The 58-year-old is now in charge at Tudun Wada - shepherding operations and the 18 members of staff or until recently - volunteers.

He and his two younger cousins - Abdullahi, 50, and Aliyu, 40, (Adamu Abdullahi's sons) - are the three full-time workers, all reporting in by 07:00 for a 12-hour shift, seven days a week.

They always need to be on call because, according to Muslim rites, a burial must be organised within a few hours of someone's death.

Magaji tends to get the call on his mobile, either directly from a relative or an imam - all religious clerics in the city have his number.

"A lot of people have our numbers and as soon as someone dies, we get a call and immediately we get to work," he says.

One of the trio goes to tend to the corpse, which may include washing it and wrapping it in a shroud.

The body is measured and those details are texted back to the others so that a grave can be dug.

This can take around an hour - with two people taking it in turns to dig down 6ft (1.8m) into the earth - sometimes longer when it is in a stony area of the graveyard.

They can dig around a dozen graves in a day - hard work in the Kaduna heat.

"Today alone we have dug eight graves and it's not even noon, some days are like that," says Abdullahi, who began work at the cemetery when he was aged 20.

The cousins have experienced very stressful times - especially during religious violence when tensions flare between the city's Christian and Muslim residents. The two communities tend to live on opposite sides of the Kaduna River.

"We have had a couple of religious clashes in Kaduna but the one that sticks the most for me was one in the early 1990s. A lot of people were killed," says Magaji.

"We went round gathering the corpses and taking them off the streets."

Muslims were taken to Tudun Wada in the north of the city and Christians to graveyards in the southern suburbs.

"It was such a troubling time personally and I wasn't long in the job then but that helped enhance my resolve to continue," he says.

Usually, while the team digs a grave, at the local mosque the imam announces during one of the five daily prayers that a funeral will be taking place.

Many of the worshippers then go to where the body has been prepared for prayers - it is then transported to the graveyard for burial, often thronged by the mourners.

Once by the graveside, the shrouded body is lowered - it is covered with a layer of sticks and broken clay pots as a mark of respect. The grave is then filled to form a slightly raised bed.

After the rituals are complete and before the mourners leave, the graveyard keepers appeal for donations.

This is usually done by 72-year-old Inuwa Mohammed, the oldest worker at the cemetery, who explains the importance of Abdullahi family to the community.

He used to work with the cousins' fathers: "They were amazing people who loved what they did and have imbibed their children with this altruistic behaviour."

The little money collected will sometimes buy lunch for the crew - but is never enough for anything else. In order to survive, the family also has a small farm where they grow food.

The graves are recycled after 40 years, meaning land is not a big issue - but maintenance is.

"There is a lot that is lacking at the moment - we don't have enough equipment to work with, or good security," says Aliyu, the youngest of the cousins and who has worked there for 10 years.

He explains how part of the wall has collapsed, allowing those on the look-out for scrap metal to steal the grave markers.

Some of the graves have metal plates inscribed with a name and date of birth and death – though many do not as Islamic clerics do not encourage ostentation. Most are just outlined by stones and bricks or with a stick.

Either way, the cousins remember the location of everyone buried at the cemetery and can direct people if they have forgotten the location of a relative's grave.

Following the BBC's recent visit to the graveyard, they have seen a dramatic change in fortune.

The new local council chairman, whose office oversees the site, has decided to put them on the payroll.

"They deserve it, given the massive work they do every day," Rayyan Hussain tells the BBC.

"Graves are the final homes for us all and people who do this kind of hard work deserve to be paid, so my office would pay them as long as I am chairman."

Magaji confirms that the staff have started receiving a monthly salary for the first time:

.The five oldest, including himself, are getting 43,000 naira ($28; £22.50)
. The others, including Abdullahi and Aliyu, are receiving 20,000 naira ($13; £10.50).

This is well below the national minimum wage of $45 a month, but Mr Hussain says he hopes to increase their allowance "with time".

He says it is regrettable that the graveyard was abandoned for years by previous local council heads.

He has plans to repair parts of the fencing, install solar lights and add security, the chairman adds.

"I am also building a room in the graveyard where corpses could be washed and prepared for burials, before now all of this had to be done from homes."

For the Abdullahi family, it is all welcome investment - and Magaji hopes it will ensure that one of his 23 children will one day become a custodian of the cemetery.

By Mansur Abubakar, BBC

Nigeria's new BRICS partner status sparks economic optimism, debate

Nigerian authorities said this week that the nation’s new partnership status with the BRICS bloc could unlock critical opportunities in trade, investment and agriculture.

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu’s special adviser told Lagos-based Channels Television that the partnership, which became official Friday, is pivotal to promoting trade, investment, food security, infrastructure development and energy security.

The adviser, Daniel Bwala, said the pact enables Nigeria to forge deeper strategic relationships with BRICS members beyond traditional bilateral partnerships.

BRICS — an acronym for the founding members of Brazil, Russia, India and China, with South Africa added a year later — is a political and economic bloc. BRICS introduced the "partner country” category in October. Partner nations are a step below full membership.

Economist Emeka Okengwu praised the arrangement.

"Look at the members of BRICS and the economies that they bring to the table. Brazil is probably the biggest producer of livestock and its products globally, then to aircraft, aviation and renewable energy,” Okengwu said. “Look at Russia, India, China and South Africa, Egypt and Ethiopia. These are big populations.

If you put them together, they probably bring 10 times the value of whatever Europe and America can give to you," he said.

In total, the 10 BRICS member states make up 40% of the global economy and 55% of the global population.

In a statement, Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Ministry said that the country’s participation in BRICS reflects its commitment to leveraging global economic opportunities to advance national development goals.

Last December, Nigeria intensified efforts to join not only BRICS but also the G20 organization of the world’s major economies and the BRICS New Development Bank.

Okengwu said the partnership will help Nigeria at "being productive, taking goods and services in there, being able to meet global standards and being competitive.”

“It would've been horrible if Nigeria was not in BRICS and then we would've been left hanging with all these challenges we're having with our neighbors in the Sahel," Okengwu said.

Despite the optimism, analysts say Nigeria faces significant hurdles.

The country’s struggling economy and inadequate infrastructure raise concerns about its capacity for meaningful growth through BRICS. There's also concern about how Nigeria will balance its alliances with Western nations while deepening ties with BRICS.

However, Ndu Nwokolo, an economist with Nextier, suggested the challenge is manageable.

"It's about how smart you are to benefit from everybody,” Nwokolo said. “With what we're seeing by some of the pronouncements of [U.S.] President [Donald] Trump, Nigeria may benefit from it because already Trump is talking about increasing taxes [tariffs] even within ally states.

“So, if he's going to do that with countries we think are traditional partners, so who's telling you that he will not do more with countries that he considers outsiders,” he said. “So, we're looking at a situation where countries that are not originally traditional allies of America will try to pull together, and Nigeria may benefit from that.”

By Timothy Obiezu, VOA

Related story: Video - Nigeria joins BRICS as ninth partner country

Video - Nigerian labour unions demand annual review of minimum wage

Labour unions in Nigeria are calling for an annual review of the newly introduced US$45 minimum monthly wage. While nearly 20 states and major private sector employers have begun paying the new wage, analysts warn that annual reviews could pose challenges, advocating for more sustainable long-term solutions.

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Video - Nigeria joins BRICS as ninth partner country

Following Uganda’s recent inclusion, Nigeria has officially joined the BRICS alliance as a partner country, strengthening its economic, trade, and geopolitical ties with member countries China, India, Brazil, and Russia.

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Scammers from Nigeria accused in AI Brad Pitt impersonation Scam

A group of Nigerian scammers have been accused of pulling off a scam involving AI to impersonate Hollywood star Brad Pitt and dupe a woman.

The victim, a French citizen named Anne, was duped into thinking she was in a romantic relationship with the actor.

The elaborate ruse cost her life savings and she is now seeking legal redress against the scammers.

The fraudsters used AI to generate convincing images of Pitt, further solidifying their deception.

Anne was initially approached on Instagram by someone claiming to be Pitt's mother, after she posted photos from a skiing trip in Tignes.

The scammers then manipulated her into believing that Pitt urgently needed funds for kidney treatment and his bank accounts were inaccessible due to ongoing divorce proceedings with Angelina Jolie.

Anne's attorney, Laurene Hanna, disclosed that her client had lost a whopping €830,000 (around ₹7.5 crore) to the fraudsters.

In a bid to hunt down these criminals, Anne has sought the assistance of Marwan Ouarab from FindmyScammer.com.

According to Le Parisien's report quoting Ouarab, the culprits are three young men living in Nigeria.

Nigeria's Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has said that it can only launch an investigation into this case if it receives a formal petition. "It is a petition that authorizes the EFCC to act," spokesperson Dele Oyewale told AFP.

Nigeria has a notorious reputation for being home to internet fraudsters, colloquially known as "Yahoo Boys."

However, despite the notoriety, the EFCC remains committed to fighting all forms of emerging crime, including those enabled by AI.

In a recent operation in Lagos's affluent Victoria Island area, the agency apprehended 792 suspects involved in online scams.

By Dwaipayan Roy, NewsBytes

Related story: Nigerian duo found guilty of defrauding Albuquerque resident of $560K

Portugal looks to sideline Russia for increased Nigerian LNG supplies

Portugal has listed Nigeria alongside the United States as one of the countries it aims to get its supply of liquified natural gas (LNG) from.

This results from a shortage of LNG supplies from the Russian market, on which Portugal has traditionally depended on.

Maria da Graca Carvalho, Portugal's environment minister, disclosed this information on Tuesday.

According to statistics from power and gas networks operator REN, as seen in a report by Reuters, Portugal imported 49,141 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of natural gas in 2024, with around 96% of that amount being LNG.

Approximately 40 percent of those LNG deliveries came from the US, 4.4 percent from Russia, and 51% came from Nigeria.

This is sharp contrast to 2021 when Russia accounted for 15% of Portugal's LNG supplies.

However, sanctions placed on Russian products by the European Union, after the Kremlin declared war on Ukraine has seen Russian supplies dwindle.

"Portugal is now practically independent of Russian gas ... but we want to reduce this figure further by importing more gas from Nigeria and the United States," Graca Carvalho told a panel at the World Economic Forum in Davos, according to economic website ECO.

A recent report revealed that Nigeria’s LNG trade seems to be on an upward trajectory.

According to data from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Nigeria produced 2.5 trillion cubic feet of gas last year.

This amounted to a revenue generation of approximately N8.6tn, throughout the year.

Nigeria generated 1.44TCF of associated gas, according to the data provided by the group. Likewise, in the period under review, 1.06TCF of non-associated gas was produced.

However, 192.89 billion standard cubic feet of gas were flared in 2024, whereas 2.31 trillion TCF of gas was used.

The 2.31TCF of gas used in 2024, as reported by the Punch, was roughly 2,370,061,914 MMBTU. When multiplied by $2.42, it comes to around $5.74 billion.

At an average exchange rate of N1,500 to the dollar, the number equates to around N8.6 trillion produced from gas output in 2024.

In contrast to 2023, when 2.3 tcf of the 2.49 tcf of gas produced was used and 183.52 bcf was flared, 92.2% of the gas generated in 2024 was used, while 7.69 percent was flared.

It took almost 2.46 million standard cubic feet for the gas to shrink.

The Nigerian government, last year, claimed that the country's gas output would increase from 7.5 billion cubic feet per day to 12 billion cubic feet per day.

In keeping with the Decade of Gas ambition, Ekperikpe Ekpo, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), revealed that increasing gas production and transforming Nigeria into a gas economy will be the main priorities in his second year in office.

“In the Decade of Gas, we are looking at turning Nigeria into a gas economy by 2030, in which case, we are looking at growing from 7.5 billion cubic feet to about 12bcf. So, we are progressing in that direction to make sure we have gas sufficiency in the country,” he stated.

LNG-associated gas and non-associated gas

Liquefied natural gas (LNG) can come from two main sources: related gas and non-associated gas.

Associated gas is natural gas that occurs as a byproduct in petroleum reserves. It is "associated" because it coexists with crude oil in the same reservoir.

Typically extracted during the oil production process, the gas is separated from the crude oil and can be utilized as fuel for operations, re-injected into the reservoir to increase oil recovery, or converted into LNG for transportation and consumption.

On the flip side, non-associated gas refers to natural gas that occurs independently of crude oil.

It is found in natural gas reserves that do not contain considerable levels of crude oil.

By Chinedu Okafor, Business Insider Africa

MTN Shares Surge After Nigeria Raises Telecoms Tariffs by 50%

MTN Nigeria Communications Plc’s shares jumped after the Nigerian government raised telecommunications tariffs by 50% to offset the impact of the collapse in the naira and surging inflation.

The stock surged the maximum 10% to 256.30 naira at close in Lagos, the commercial capital. Rival Airtel Africa Plc was unchanged at 2,156.90 naira.

The Nigerian Communications Commission announced the tariff hike late Monday to “support the ability of operators to continue investing in infrastructure and innovation,” according to a statement.

The tariff increase — the first in more than a decade — was half of what companies such as MTN had asked for to weather harsh economic conditions, including a 41% depreciation in the naira against the dollar last year and inflation running near a three-decade high.

Even so, MTN Nigeria Chief Executive Officer Karl Toriola said the adjustment was “an important step toward addressing the impact of the prevailing economic challenges on the company and industry. “It will enable us to maintain the critical investments required to deliver reliable, high-quality services,” he said in a filing to the Nigerian Exchange Group.

The increase will also help telecommunications companies in Africa’s most-populous nation return to profitability, Bismarck Rewane, CEO at consultancy Financial Derivatives Co., said. “Giving them the 50% tariff increase is a boost. We are going to see an increase in base stations, an increase in 5G deployment, an increase in capex,” he said by phone.

While the tariff hike is short of what the companies had asked for, Avior Capital Markets Ltd. analyst Mike Steere said it “far exceeds” the 10% to 20% price rise it had factored into its full-year earnings model for MTN in 2025. The increase should eventually support medium-term revenue growth of over 30%, he said.

Higher prices are also likely to have an inflationary impact in the short—term, Rewane said.

“It increases costs, which will pass through to the consumer,” he said. “But you will see that the telcos will have to invest more in capex and the quality of service will become a key issue. If quality of service improves, you will see productivity will improve. That may offset part of the inflationary impact.”

By Nduka Orjinmo and Emele Onu, Bloomberg

Related story: Nigeria approves tariff hikes to protect Telecoms operator margins

Nigeria approves tariff hikes to protect Telecoms operator margins

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) approved tariff increases for operators in a bid to balance rising operational costs with service quality in Nigeria’s challenging economic climate.

Operators sought to double prices, the NCC capped the increase at 50%, emphasising the need to protect consumers while enabling sustainable industry growth.

In a statement, the NCC noted that tariffs had “remained static” since 2013 despite mounting operational costs. It said the adjustment aims to address a “significant gap between operational costs and current tariffs” while ensuring service delivery to consumers remains unaffected.

The regulator added that higher tariffs would allow operators to invest in infrastructure and fund innovation projects, ultimately benefiting consumers through improved services.

Operators have been mandated to clearly communicate price changes to customers and demonstrate “measurable improvements in service delivery” alongside the increases.

Consumer advocacy group, the National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers (NATCOMS), has vowed to contest the decision. NATCOMS president Deolu Ogunbanjo criticised the NCC for failing to involve subscribers in discussions, despite the regulator’s assertion that it held “extensive consultations with key stakeholders across the public and private sectors.” NATCOMS had previously advocated for a more modest increase of 5–10%.

By Manny Pham, Developing Telecoms

Nigeria nears crude oil production quota as per OPEC guidelines

Nigeria came close to meeting its OPEC-regulated crude oil production target in December, averaging 1.48 million barrels per day, just short of the 1.5 million barrels per day quota. The figure however still maintained Nigeria as Africa’s largest producer.

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Death toll in Nigeria gas tanker explosion rises to 98

The death toll from a gasoline tanker explosion in north-central Nigeria has risen to 98, the country’s emergency response agency said Monday.

The blast happened in the early hours of Saturday near the Suleja area of Niger state after individuals attempted to transfer gasoline from a crashed oil tanker into another truck using a generator.

The fuel transfer sparked the explosion, resulting in the deaths of those transferring the gasoline and bystanders.

Hussaini Isah, the National Emergency Management Agency's head of operation for Niger State, told the Associated Press on Monday that there is a possibility that the death toll could still rise.

“The death toll keeps changing,” he said.

On Sunday, Isah said the blast claimed many victims because a crowd had gathered at the scene, including people taking pictures, bystanders and others attempting to scoop gasoline.

Gasoline prices in Africa’s most populous country have soared after the administration of President Bola Tinubu removed subsidies on the product more than a year ago in an attempt to channel the resources to more developmental purposes. However, the policy has caused untoward hardship.

Scooping gasoline from a fallen tanker is common in Nigeria as some people see it as an opportunity to get free product that they could either use or resell for a profit.

By Dyepkazah Shibayan, AP

Related story: Nigerian gasoline tanker explosion death toll rises to 86, with 55 others injured

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Many small scale farmers in West Africa and the Sahel region have been struggling with low yields for years due to the poor soil quality on their farms or growing crops in unsuitable areas. However in Nigeria, farmers are now benefiting from digital soil mapping that's helping them maximize harvests and identify best areas to grow different crops.

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Nigeria make history, beat New Zealand in Women's U-19 Cricket World Cup

Nigeria’s women’s U-19 cricket team, the Junior Female Yellow Greens, stunned test-playing nation New Zealand by two runs in their debut match at the 2025 ICC U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup in Malaysia.

The historic game took place on Monday at the Borneo Cricket Ground, Sarawak.

After their opening match against Samoa was washed out on Saturday, Nigeria’s eager stars finally took to the field. However, the game against New Zealand faced a two-hour delay due to a wet pitch.

New Zealand won the toss and elected to field first in the reduced 13-over match. Despite an early setback, Nigeria’s captain, Lucky Piety, led the fightback, hitting the team’s first-ever World Cup six. New Zealand responded by taking two quick wickets, leaving Nigeria at 28 for three after the powerplay.

Lilian Ude contributed 19 crucial runs, while Omosigho Eguakun struck a four off the final ball, setting New Zealand a target of 66 runs for the loss of six wickets in 13 overs.

In the second innings, the Junior Yellow Greens showed their mettle with the ball. Peace Usen claimed Nigeria’s first World Cup wicket on the opening ball, running out Kate Irwin before Emma McLeod was dismissed for three.

Eve Wolland and Anika Todd steadied New Zealand’s innings, but their dismissals by Piety and Shola Adekunle reignited Nigeria’s hopes. Ude delivered a near-perfect final over, conceding just six runs and securing a run-out on the last ball, sealing a memorable victory for Nigeria.

Captain Lucky Piety was named Player of the Match for her game-changing performance, scoring 18 runs off 22 balls and taking one wicket for just eight runs in three overs.

The victory places Nigeria second in Group C with three points, trailing leaders South Africa, who defeated Samoa by 10 wickets to claim their second win of the tournament.

Nigeria and South Africa are well-positioned to advance to the Super 6 stage. They will face each other on Wednesday to determine the group’s top spot.

By Abiodun Adewale, Punch

New Sect Linked to Human Trafficking Emerges in Nigeria

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has uncovered a sect in Kaduna, northwestern Nigeria, linked to human trafficking and child separation. Known as ACHAD Life Mission International, the group “neither believes in Islam nor Christianity but preaches the restoration of African tradition and support to humanity,” said A.A. Aridegbe, Principal Staff Officer to the NIS Comptroller General, in a statement seen by HumAngle.

The NIS identified Yokana, who resides in Jos, Plateau State, North-central Nigeria, as the sect’s leader. “The sect has been canvassing for members both within and outside Nigeria,” Aridegbe added.

Plateau State has recently been identified as a hotspot for human trafficking, particularly affecting children. Olivia Dazyem, Chairperson of the Plateau State Gender and Equal Opportunities Commission, revealed that over 100 trafficking victims were rescued in the past year.

“The insecurity challenge which bedevilled the state for some years now exposed our vulnerabilities to the point that we have more widows and more orphans on our hands,” Dazyem said. “We have internally displaced camps in the state, and the situation has been exploited by people who do not mean well for our state and our children; they came under the guise of offering help. In their ignorance and lack of awareness, some parents unknowingly allow their children to be trafficked. Many times, with the slightest information on an organisation, most parents bring their children to them.”

These gaps are fertile ground for groups like ACHAD Life Mission International to exploit.

On Dec. 2, 2024, the Nigerian Police Force arrested a child-trafficking syndicate led by Dayo Bernard, a pastor with the End Time Army Ministry in the Jos-Bukuru metropolis. The operation resulted in the rescue of five children, aged 2 to 4, who had been abducted from their homes in Kwande, Qua’an Pan Local Government Area, Plateau State.

“He [referring to Dayo] went [to Kwande] in the disguise of evangelism, where he told the parents that he had an orphanage and convinced them to release their children to him for sponsorship from nursery schools to higher institutions,” said Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the spokesperson of the Nigerian Police Force.

Bernard confessed to abducting and selling 13 other children at varying prices.

Oluwafunmilayo Para-Mallam, National Coordinator of Christian Women for Excellence and Empowerment in Nigerian Society (CWEENS), a faith-based organisation that has been at the forefront of combating child trafficking in the state, revealed that the children are usually sold for amounts ranging from ₦350,000 to ₦750,000.

In Dec. 2024 alone, the CWEENS rescued 13 trafficked children in Plateau State. The children received shelter and psychological support before reuniting with their families through the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.

Local authorities say efforts to combat human trafficking in Plateau State remain ongoing, but the emergence of groups like ACHAD Life Mission International underscores the persistent challenges faced by authorities and advocacy groups in protecting vulnerable families and children.

The NIS has directed its border formations to “stay vigilant, and report immediately any sign of the sect, and where possible arrest,” Aridegbe added.

By Johnstone Kpilaakaa, HumAngle

Nigerian gasoline tanker explosion death toll rises to 86, with 55 others injured

The death toll from a gasoline tanker explosion in north-central Nigeria has risen to 86, the country’s emergency response agency said on Sunday.

The blast happened in the early hours of Saturday near the Suleja area of Niger state after individuals attempted to transfer gasoline from a crashed oil tanker into another truck using a generator.

The fuel transfer sparked the explosion, resulting in the deaths of those transferring the gasoline and bystanders.

In an update, Hussaini Isah of the National Emergency Management Agency told the Associated Press that an additional 55 people were injured and are receiving treatment at three different hospitals in the Suleja area.

“There were people that were burnt to ashes. How can we get that figure?” The official said, indicating that the death toll might be higher than 86. “We won’t know the exact figure without forensics.”

The blast claimed so many victims because a crowd had gathered at the scene, including people taking pictures, bystanders, and others attempting to scoop gasoline, Isah said.

Gasoline prices in Africa’s most populous country has soared after the administration of President Bola Tinubu removed subsides on the product more than a year ago in an attempt to channel the resources to more developmental purposes. However, the policy has caused untoward hardship.

Scooping gasoline from a fallen tanker is common in Nigeria as some people see that as an opportunity to get free product that they could either use or resell for a profit.

By Dyepkazah Shibayan, ABC

Related story: Death Toll rises to 153 from Nigeria fuel tanker explosion

Nigeria aims to become aviation hub of Africa

Nigeria’s full ratification last year of the Cape Town convention will help the nation reach its goal of becoming the “aviation hub of Africa”, according to its aviation minister.

Speaking at the Airline Economics Growth Frontiers conference in Dublin on 13 January, Festus Keyamo said the convention’s legal safeguards will lower risks for lessors leasing aircraft to local airlines.

“Those who bring their equipment to Nigeria are safe, because we are compliant with the Cape Town convention,” says Keyamo, who is also responsible for aerospace development. “I can give my personal guarantee on that. We are here to let the world know that we are open for business.”

Nigeria – Africa’s biggest country by population and its fourth largest economy, with a rapidly expanding middle class – has long struggled with attempts to establish an international flag-carrier, or even a strong home-grown airline sector. Many lessors have been deterred from financing aircraft because of concerns that the Nigerian legal system has not been robust enough to allow them to recover their assets.

However, Keyamo says there are 23 private airlines in Nigeria, and several of these have the potential to become a future national carrier. “Our role is to empower these local operators to grow,” he says. “We have a free-market economy that allows all private operators to come in. There is no reason now why some of these local operators cannot grow.”

Nigeria’s position on the map – equidistant from north, southern, and east Africa – and the fact that Lagos-London is one of the busiest routes in Africa mean it is well placed to become a crossroads for air travel within the continent, he says. And as well as Lagos, Keyamo is keen to encourage the development of other airports. “We will be inviting the biggest players in the world to manage our airports with the aim of making them transit hubs,” he says.

As part of its efforts to put Nigeria more firmly on the international map, the government is hosting a three-day industry convention in December called the Nigeria International Airshow at a Lagos airport hotel.

“The aviation sector is making a key contribution to [Nigerian president Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s] ambition to create a trillion-dollar economy,” says Keyamo. “We are seeing a lot of transition into the middle class and the aviation sector must be ready. Nigeria is on a transformational journey.”

In August last year, the government and Boeing signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at making it easier for the country’s airlines to acquire new-generation aircraft from the manufacturer and its network of lessors and financiers, as well as access training and maintenance services.

By Murdo Morrison, Flight Global

Video - Experts urge diversification of Nigeria’s economy

Under its crude-for-loan arrangements, Nigeria allocated 272,500 barrels of oil daily to service debts until 2029. While these deals provided much-needed liquidity after the naira's devaluation, they limit oil available for domestic consumption, sparking concerns.

CGTN

U.S. Donates New Office Space to NDLEA, Boosts Nigeria’s Counter Narcotics Efforts

The United States Government, through the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), has donated an office space to the Nigerian National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Lagos.

Acting U.S. Consul General JoEllen Gorg formally handed over the keys to the new office space to NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier General Mohammed Buba Marwa (retired), during a ceremony attended by representatives from AFRICOM and the DEA.

Acting Consul General Gorg noted that the donation of a new office, equipped with a solar power system, represents a significant step forward in U.S.-Nigeria security cooperation. She noted that the new facility will provide NDLEA officers with a secure and professional environment to carry out critical investigative functions, including processing detainees and conducting post-arrest interviews.

“The U.S.-Nigeria security partnership remains strong. This donation is the latest example of the robust and productive cooperation between the U.S. government and the NDLEA,” Acting Consul General Gorg said. “Over the years, our joint efforts have helped build the capacity of Nigerian authorities to disrupt drug trafficking networks, dismantle clandestine meth labs, and conduct advanced forensic analyses of synthetic drugs.”

NDLEA Chairman/CEO Marwa lauded the U.S.-Nigeria security cooperation in the fight against illicit drugs and countering narcotics trafficking. He described the United States as a steadfast ally in Nigeria’s fight against drug-related crimes and noted that that the collaboration has significantly enhanced the NDLEA’s operational efficiency.

In 2024, the U.S. government invested approximately $500,000 to modernize and equip the chemical forensic laboratory at the NDLEA zonal office in Lagos. The upgraded laboratory, now equipped with cutting-edge technology, enhances the NDLEA’s capacity to analyze suspicious substances and process evidence from crime scenes and suspects.

Since the establishment of the NDLEA in 1990, the U.S. Mission to Nigeria has partnered with the agency to combat narcotics trafficking. Through training in intelligence, evidence collection, management, and tactical skills, including equipment donation, the U.S. Mission continues to deepen its cooperation with the NDLEA.

U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Nigeria

Nigerian army says it killed 76 extremists during a weeklong operation in Borno State

Nigerian troops killed 76 Islamic militants in the country's northeast during operations conducted in various parts of Borno state, the military said Thursday.

The operations took place between Jan. 7 and Jan. 13, Nigerian army spokesperson Edward Buba said during a news conference in Abuja, Nigeria's capital. He added that the military also arrested 72 suspects and rescued eight hostages kidnapped by the militants.

Buba did not provide details about the extremists' affiliation but the area of operations has long been plagued by attacks from the Boko Haram group and its breakaway faction that is loyal to the Islamic State group.

The army spokesperson also did not specify if any members of the Nigerian military were killed during the operations.

The announcement by Nigeria's military comes days after suspected Boko Haram militants killed at least 40 farmers in another part of Borno State.

Boko Haram, Nigeria’s homegrown jihadis, took up arms in 2009 to fight Western education and impose their radical version of Islamic law. The conflict, now Africa’s longest struggle with militancy, has spilled into Nigeria’s northern neighbors.

Some 35,000 civilians have been killed and more than 2 million have been displaced in the northeastern region, according to the U.N.

The 2014 kidnapping of 276 schoolgirls by Boko Haram in the village of Chibok in Borno state — the epicenter of the conflict — captured the attention of the world.

Nigeria's military has also killed 64 extremists, arrested 69 suspects and rescued 62 hostages during other operations in the country's northwest, Buba said Thursday.

Kidnappings have become a common occurrence in Nigeria's northeast, where dozens of armed groups exploit the region's limited security presence to carry out attacks on villages and along major roads. Many victims are only released after the payment of ransoms that sometimes run into the thousands of dollars.

By Dyepkazah Shibayan, AP

Video - Nigeria seeks UN intervention to beat insurgencies

Nigerian authorities want an investigation into foreign funding that may be sustaining militant groups. The groups often finance their operations through ransom kidnappings and looting.

CGTN

Why Nigeria’s ‘Danfo’ Bus Drivers Might Be The Craziest And Most Skilled Drivers On The Planet

I recently woke up to learn that the Oxford English Dictionary has expanded its lexicon in the latest update to include 20 Nigerian words. One of those words is “Danfo,” the most popular–albeit unofficial–mass transit in Lagos. It’s about time. These minibusses have been around for as long as I can remember. I already knew about them before actually seeing one. Scratch that, before seeing trillions of them on my first visit to Lagos.

They originally came in the form of Volkswagen Kombi vans during the 1960s and quickly took over the city’s narrow streets and high-traffic areas. It didn’t take long for the thing to become a staple of Lagos and its de facto public transport system.

Danfo’s resilience in the face of existential threats underscores its indispensability. This resilience mirrors the unkillable nature of the T3 Volkswagen Transporters that are used as Danfo. Yep, you’re right to wonder how an approximately five-decade-old German machine maintains a tenacious grip on Nigeria’s most advanced metropolitan area.

The Transporter Came, Saw, And Conquered

The Lagos State government has never been one to be overwhelmed by anything, except when it comes to the Danfo’s stubborn, ubiquitous presence in the state.

We’re talking about a government that manages a population of around 21 million people, which grows by roughly 3,000 daily. A government that sent waves of protesting youths scurrying back to their homes by shooting them dead in the open. This microbus, painted yellow with black stripes, somehow manages to tame the powers that be.

They are everywhere and ply routes far beyond where the bigger buses make berth. It’s a colorful symbol of the persistence, tenacity, and resilience that defines the hotheaded people who live in Lagos. Before Danfo’s arrival, there were bigger buses that took forever to get a full passenger load. This matters because those buses never left their terminals until every seat was filled or something close to that, wasting commuters’ time.

So, when the smaller VW Kombi showed up with a mere 14-passenger capacity, it immediately got nicknamed “Kiakia Bus” (which means ‘Quick Bus’ in Yoruba) because it filled faster, and moved faster, too. “Kiakia” evolved into “Danfo” around the time Volkswagen introduced the T3 (third generation) during the 1980s.

Yup, Lagos is probably the only place where the Type 2 “Splitscreen” expanded from 9 passengers to a 14-passenger capacity. It’s been over six decades since the Danfo came, saw, and conquered Lagos against many odds.

Why 14 seats? The drivers rearranged and added extra seats to maximize profit, with four passengers for each seat. They even squeeze two passengers in the front passenger seat when LASTMA (Lagos State Traffic Management Agency) officials aren’t looking.

Like “Kiakia,” “Danfo” is Yoruba for “floating” or “flying.” Whoever came up with that nickname understood, like every Lagosian does, that speed, impatience, and aggressiveness are the prerequisites for being a Danfo driver.

It only has around 112 horsepower but you can hear the wailing of the engine from afar because the driver literally flattens the pedal to the metal at all times. You’d think that a reputation for stripping stark naked in public and getting violent when stopped for traffic offenses would make people think twice about trusting such drivers with their lives.

The Man Behind The Wheel

On graduating high school in 2004, Aridunnuoluwa Adeola Emmanuel moved to Lagos where he started off working as a busboy (known in the country as bus conductors). His job entailed collecting fares from passengers, assisting with boarding and disembarking, and fighting said passengers, fighting other agberos (fare collectors), and even crossing swords with his own driver when the occasion called for it.

He did this for two solid years and would have probably never graduated to “driver” had the boss not gotten ill, leaving him no choice but to muster the courage to hit the road behind the wheel of a Danfo. “I was scared at first,” he says, “but I took the courage to start driving.”

For context, Aridunnuoluwa did not need the courage to drive a van. He needed the courage to drive a Danfo – in Lagos, the sort of courage you’d need to compete in Death Race. You’d think this an exaggeration, but the condition of these buses says otherwise. Just look at them. The typical Danfo is a war rig and it seems there’s no better model for this Mad Max-worthy madness than the T3 Transporter.

“Let me explain one thing to you,” Aridunnuoluwa tells me, “Driving Danfo in Lagos is one of the craziest professions. If you see any man driving Danfo in Lagos, he can drive anywhere in the world. If you can drive a Danfo, I can assure you that you can drive any vehicle anywhere in the whole world.”

When asked what motivates Danfo drivers to strip butt-naked when confronted by traffic officials, Aridunnuoluwa says simply, “It’s really a form of protest but also not a form of protest.” If this sounds crazy, then I guess he’s vindicated.

It’s The T3 Or Nothing

It’s not like the Type 2 Volkswagen Transporter had no worthy competitors or that it was the best Lagos could do. It just so happened that the T3 had become as iconic as the black cab in London or New York’s Ford “yellow medallion” Crown Victoria. New kids are free to show up as long as they don’t mind sharing the block with the old hand. The Danfo is T3 and T3 is Danfo.

The state government and private entities introduced numerous alternatives they hoped would retire or at least help phase out the ugly, embarrassing “old hand.” Instead, the T3 remains the king of Lagos roads.

Sure, there are the Mercedes-Benz Marcopolo buses used for the state’s BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) system, complete with airconditioned cabins (in some models), dedicated lanes, and digital payment solutions. Still, the 55,000-strong BRT fleet hasn’t been able to tame the Danfo tide. Not even the ID. Buzz, which is an evolutionary model of the classic Volkswagen Kombi, can wear the Danfo’s hat.

The T3, produced from 1979 to 1992, is nearly fifty years old and offers virtually zero modern safety features. Not even a driver or passenger airbag to speak of. The interior is reduced to nothing but metal and you’d be hard-pressed to find one in new enough condition to still have any protective rubber or plastic claddings in the cabin. You see junk; I see a diehard transporter.

It’s possible to live in Lagos for a year and never meet a Danfo with the headrests or roof paddings still intact. In some cases, you could observe the driveshaft through the hole from which the gear shifter protrudes.
The ache you feel in your rear barely five minutes after boarding the vehicle is because the factory-installed chairs (in some models) have been stripped and replaced with bench-style slabs of wood lined with metal. Heck, I’ve seen a Danfo with standalone plastic chairs for seats.

All this to say that the Danfo does not dominate Lagos because it is cutting-edge or particularly competitive on its own merit but because it’s a cultural symbol deeply ingrained in Lagos consciousness. Music videos and commercial ads celebrate the Danfo over nicer, more modern alternatives for this reason.

The Heart Of An Icon

The T3 Transporter comes with a variety of engines, including the 1.6-liter / 1.9-liter / 2.0-liter air-cooled H4, 2.1-liter water-cooled inline-5, and even a 1.6-liter turbocharged diesel inline-4. These engines are easy to maintain and the lack of electronics means fewer expensive components to break and need expensive repairs.

I was lucky that Aridunnuoluwa talked to me because the others wouldn’t. Not unless there was cash involved.

Thankfully, Ari is a goldmine of information. “Danfo motor (vehicle) problems are mostly carburetor issues,” he tells me. “If you’re driving any vehicle, you’re supposed to be the first mechanic.”

Don’t I know it.

VW did offer the T3 with options like air-conditioning, radio, and cassette player. The thing is most of these buses on Lagos roads don’t have such luxuries as a radio and certainly none has air-conditioning. Nonetheless, Dnfo rules Lagos because it is the cheapest and most accessible of all the integrated public transport systems. Their discomfitingly crowded cabins offer a unique glimpse into the Nigerian way of life.

Adapt Or Face Obsolescence?

The natural order stipulates evolution or obsolescence, but there’s no such ultimatum for the Danfo because it is an icon representing something far greater than itself. Like a visual shorthand for broader concepts and movements. It’s been a while since the Danfo has weathered multiple existential storms from multiple fronts.

It is at the center of the Lagos State Government’s Bus Reform Initiative. Its aim of phasing out the outdated Volkswagen T3 Transporters in favor of more modern and regulated mass transit options like the Lagos Light Rail, BRT, and e-ticketing systems has largely failed.

Apparently, it’s not the Danfo that needs to evolve to meet modern demands, it’s the demand that needs to evolve. The novelty of rail mass transit and e-ticketing is lost on Lagosians who are highly distrustful of change and incredibly resistant to the same. More so, the people care more about omnipresence and affordability than airconditioned cabins.

Throughout history, gentrification has always been the enemy of tradition. What might seem like the incidental next volley in the government’s arsenal is the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law, 2018 prohibiting the use of slogans, stickers, and photos on commercial vehicles.

On the surface, this law targets advertisements on vehicles without a permit, but there’s no telling how the enforcers choose to interpret a photo or slogan on a vehicle. Aridunnuoluwa tells me there’s no such law. Which means no one is bothering Danfo drivers about it.

It may not seem like it, but a law like this, inspired by gentrification, can have a better chance of killing the Danfo over time than trying to forcefully replace them with modern models.

Why? Banning the stickers and colorful slogans with which drivers decorate their buses eats away at the very heart of what makes the Danfo culture unique. It has the power to gradually erode what the Danfo represents besides conveying people and goods from point A to point B cheaply and in familiar maximum discomfort.

The thing is, irrespective of the government’s intentional and unwitting moves to strangle the Danfo just so the city can look less embarrassing to visitors, the transition hasn’t been as smooth as the government hoped.

That’s thanks to high demand and the deep-rooted presence of the yellow bus in the city’s transport ecosystem.

It’s not that gentrification is a dirty word. What’s at stake here is a complex issue balancing modernization with the practical needs of everyone who calls Lagos home.

By Philip Uwaoma, The Autopian