As climate change wreaks havoc around the world, the need for sustainable solutions grows more urgent. In Nigeria, a private company recently introduced an Uber-style taxi system made of approximately 200 electric vehicles. The company says the fleet is a step toward a greener future. Gibson Emeka reports from Abuja, Nigeria. Amy Reifenrath narrates.
By Gibson Emeka, VOA
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With increasing global demand for chocolate and cocoa prices soaring due to the worst supply shortage in four decades, Nigeria is looking to boost local cocoa production to capitalize on this opportunity.
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The meeting aims to increase cooperation between governments in ongoing counter-terrorism efforts across Africa and find ways to combat militant groups and their proxies more effectively. It comes as many countries on the continent are stepping up security operations against terror groups.
Union leaders say the adjustment is necessary to help workers cope with the rising cost of living in the country.
Nigerian authorities introduced new regulations to enable domestic refineries to pay for crude supply from oil producers in the country in the local currency. The government also introduced a new directive requiring producers to first sell crude oil to local refineries. The actions will hopefully reduce Nigeria's dependence on imported petrol products.
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Nigerian President Tinubu says ransoms will no longer be paid to kidnappers who have made the crime a business in the West African nation. He made the declaration during the commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the kidnapping of 276 school girls from the town of Chibok in the country's northern region.
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The Nigerian government is trying to improve its infrastructure and create more jobs amid a surging growth in its population that could worsen poverty. Nigeria's population is currently estimated at 220 million and is projected to reach 377 million by 2050.
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China's growing demand for Nigerian goods is deepening trade relations between the two nations. Last year, trade volumes between Nigeria and China reached almost 23 billion U.S. dollars, marking a significant shift in the rising economic ties.
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Many people in Nigeria are shocked at the surge in the cost of cassava flakes. Production of cassava flakes or garri, as they are locally known,, is being hampered by rising insecurity which has led to death and kidnapping of farmers for ransom.
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Crowds gathered in Lafia town in central Nigeria to celebrate the Durbar Festival, a colorful religious and traditional fete that features performances from horse-riding men in robes and turbans. The event is one of the ways locals mark the Eid-al Fitr Islamic festivities celebrated after the end of Ramadan.
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kidnappings in Northern Nigeria have grown into an industry worth millions of dollars.
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kidnappers say they will kill all 287 school if $622,000 ransom not paid
An increase in electricity prices by nearly three times has sparked a backlash in Nigeria. The decision to remove electricity subsidies is part of President Bola Tinubu's reform drive to ease pressure on the economy as the government targets up to 2.6 billion U.S. dollars from the subsidy removal.
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About 90 girls kidnapped from a government secondary school in Chibok, in Nigeria’s Borno State in 2014 remain missing. A total of 276 girls were taken. Many abductees have returned home and are trying to resume normal life. However, relatives of the girls still missing anxiously wait and hope for a reunion with their kin.
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Farmers in northern Nigeria have abandoned their commercial farms and turned to small-scale subsistence farming close to their homes to avoid being the victims of kidnapping. Insecurity in the region is an issue. Kidnappings for ransom are increasingly common.
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Eid festivities have reached a climax in Nigeria with colourful events. Al Jazeera’s Ahmed Idris reports from northern Kano state.
Nigeria's government spent 145 million U.S. dollars on motorcycle imports in the second half of 2023, a 159 percent increase from 2023.
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Teachers and others employed in the education sector want Nigeria's government to do something to reduce kidnapping incidents at the country's schools. They say the abductions are violations of a child's right to an education.
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Nigeria is struggling to contain rising cases of kidnappings for ransom. Security experts say criminal elements are taking advantage of vacuums created in ungoverned spaces to profit from the kidnappings.
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A woman who travelled solo from London to Lagos by road in under three months has been given a hero's welcome in the Nigerian state. The Lagos born, London raised travel influencer - Pelumi Nubi, 29 - began the adventure on January 24 with nothing but her trusted purple Peugeot 107, which she fondly named Lumi. Taking to her Instagram page, she documented the journey which took her across 17 countries including France, Spain, Morocco and Ghana.
Pelumi said she attempted the record-making journey in order to inspire 'solo black female travellers' and show them 'adventures like this are possible'.
Yesterday she arrived in Lagos to a grand homecoming lead by governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who awarded her a brand new house and car on behalf of the state.
In a video posted to her page, the content creator was close to tears as the governor presented her with a brand new ride.
In the same post, she informed fans that her efforts had been crowned with a tourism ambassador role, while the state has also offered to reimburse her travel costs.
She wrote: 'This is getting too much! Lagos my city. Lord how did we get here? Thank You Jesus. Meet the newest brand ambassador of tourism in Lagos state.
'Grateful to His Excellency, the Governor of Lagos State Jide Sanwoolu, for the warm reception, generous gift of all expenses on my London to Lagos trip paid for, new car with my customised plate number, a beautiful home in Lagos!
'Truly, God’s blessings overflow! Congratulations to us guys!!!! Lumi now has a sister'.
Before embarking on the months-long journey to Nigeria's largest city Pelumi revealed that she had dyslexia, and that she was determined to see the trip through without having to rely on anyone.
Calling it a 'crazy idea', she shared her excitement at attempting the feat and hoped to show others that 'impossible is just a word'.
She wrote: 'For months, I’ve been chatting with folks who’ve tackled similar adventures. As far as I know, no black woman has made this journey before. But hey, this isn’t about breaking records.
'It’s about showing the world that “impossible” is just a word, especially when you’ve got enough grit and determination. I can’t fully describe my emotions right now but I am just so excited to finally put it out there - no matter the outcome!
Pelumi - who kitted her tiny Peugeot with a sleeping and kitchen space for the trip - has been brimming with emotion since beginning the voyage.
Speaking to CNN Travel shortly afterwards, she said: 'When I crossed into Morocco, I literally broke down crying. And it wasn’t sadness.
'It was just this overwhelming feeling of [realizing] wow, I overcomplicated this process in my head. I really thought it would be more difficult than it was. And it made me wonder what else in my life I was overthinking'.
Pelumi's trip was also spiked with adversity, including multiple breakdowns and a frightening car crash.
On March 26, the travel blogger took to her page to share the aftermath of what appeared to be a front-on collision.
Her beloved Lumi received massive damage to its front side while Pelumi filmed herself laying inside an ambulance and in a hospital bed receiving treatment.
She later explained that the crash occurred in Ivory Coast after a driver allegedly parked his truck in the middle of a highway.
Speaking on the crash she said: 'I am deeply thankful to be alive! This kind [of] incident comes with a deeper appreciation life.
'It also brought me a lot of joy that Lumi is getting fix[ed]. Thank you all once again for your kind wishes'.
Fans learned that she was forced to take time out to 'mend' before resuming the trip, inevitably delaying its completion date.
On another occasion and enroute to her second to last country, Pelumi's car broke down.
In the video, the purple car can be seen still in the middle of a busy major road before a few locals step in to help the influencer move the car.
'This is mad she just stopped working' she said. 'I'm not going to lie this is really stressful'.
She accompanied the post with an uplifting message to herself: 'One minute I am 30 mins away from crossing the borders into my second to final country, and the next, it feels like it might never happen.
'But as usual, giving up is never an option. We must keep pushing through for when we get knocked down 7 times, we rise the 8th'.
Also at the finish line were her parents, who she said were at first were reluctant to let their daughter explore the globe by road.
However she thanked them for their unwavering support. She gushed: 'Daddy! Mummy! I did it!!!! I solo drove from London to Lagos.
'I’ll never forget the look on mummy’s face when I first shared my crazy idea with her a year ago. Oh, the typical African mother reaction!
'Thank you, Lord, for blessing me with the most supportive parents and family. Your approval and encouragement meant everything to me, and I’m forever grateful.
'I’m proud to be your daughter, and I promise to keep making you proud. I love you both so much'.
Upon completing her journey across the continents, she wrote: 'It’s a wrap, everyone! We made it! London to Lagos is officially completed. I had a fantastic night’s sleep, no exaggeration.
'Huge thanks to everyone who came out yesterday. I genuinely appreciate your support and don’t take any of it for granted. Thank you, Lagos. Thank you, Nigeria!'
By Maria Okanrende, Daily Mail
In a bid to alleviate the country's over-dependence on imports, which has contributed to the devaluation of the Naira against the U.S. dollar, the Nigerian government is championing the consumption of domestically produced goods. However, this initiative faces challenges, with the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria citing the closure of over 700 companies and distress among 300 others due to various hurdles.
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