Flying Malaria Vaccines Arrive in Nigeria

Over 20,000 children across the Federal Republic of Nigeria's Bayelsa state recently gained access to malaria vaccines, bypassing traditional distribution routes.

According to an article published by GAVI on April 22, 2025, approved malaria vaccines arrived by Zipline drone, an unmanned mini-plane carrying parachute-equipped cargo in its belly. This innovative technology can drop packages precisely over targeted facilities.

"So far, this initiative has helped to reach 20,000 people with the first dose of the malaria vaccine in the state," said Chinedu Amah, the Sales and Partnership Director for Zipline in Bayelsa state, in GAVI's article.

"Our drones can make the journey in as little as 45 minutes. So it's been a game-changer for the state in its health system, and we've shown a lot of value creation within the state using our drones," Amah added.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), despite an annual expenditure of $4 billion, malaria deaths and cases have not shown substantial change over the last decade. According to WHO's latest malaria report, there were an estimated 263 million malaria cases and 597,000 related fatalities worldwide in 2023.

This data represents about 11 million more cases than in 2022.

The WHO African Region shoulders the heaviest burden of malaria outbreaks.

Dr Williams of the Bayelsa State Primary Health Care Board told VaccinesWork, "Our (Nigeria) distribution centre, serving hundreds of health facilities and community sites across a 38,000 square-kilometre radius, has drastically reduced stock-outs to below 1%. Deliveries now arrive within 15–45 minutes, regardless of weather or terrain, significantly improving coverage and timeliness."

As of April 23, 2025, the WHO recommends Mosquirix™ and R21 / Matrix-M™ vaccines to prevent this mosquito-transmitted disease for travelers visiting malaria-endemic countries. These malaria vaccines were added to the WHO's list of prequalified vaccines in 2024.

Currently, 17 African countries have introduced malaria vaccines through routine immunization targeting children.

Vax Before Travel

Nigeria’s blasphemy laws must be repealed, orders court

In Kano State, a Muslim-majority state in northern Nigeria, strict blasphemy laws carry punishments as severe as the death penalty for insulting Prophet Muhammad. The ECOWAS court has now called for the laws to be repealed, and declared them to be in violation of international human rights obligations.

ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) has 12 member nations, including Nigeria, and the justices unanimously ordered Nigeria to repeal, or amend, blasphemy laws across the nation. Blasphemy laws in the state ‘had led to serious violations including arbitrary arrests, prolonged detention, and in some cases, death sentences’, said Expression Now Human Rights Initiative, as reported by Nigeria’s Punch newspaper.

As well as infringing on freedom of expression, these laws often lead to extrajudicial mob violence. Even when someone is never officially found guilty of blasphemy, an accusation can make them very vulnerable to vigilante attacks, and even murder.

Kano State is ruled by sharia (Islamic law), and Section 210 of the Kano State Penal Code was singled out. The court said: “It fails to clearly define what constitutes an insult to religion’, falling short of the legal clarity required under human rights law.” The judges also focused on Section 382(b), which imposes the death penalty for insulting Prophet Muhammad. The Justice said it was ‘excessive and disproportionate in a democratic society’.

Kano State officials have signalled unhappiness at the ruling. “We will not be deterred by external pressures,” Kano State Commissioner Ibrahim Waiya said. “Our responsibility is to uphold the values of our society, which are grounded in religious and moral beliefs… While we respect international opinions, our laws are a reflection of our people’s will.”

Meanwhile, campaigners for religious freedom are celebrating the result. “Religious laws must not become instruments for fear and mob justice,” said rights group, Rivers in the Desert Nigeria, describing it as ‘a matter of life, dignity and Nigeria’s soul’. The Christian Association of Nigeria warmly supported the court and urged Kano State to adhere to the ruling of ECOWAS.

A good result for every Nigerian citizen

John Samuel*, Open Doors’ legal expert for sub-Saharan Africa, noted that every single Nigerian citizen – regardless of background or religion – would enjoy protection as a result of the ruling.

“People of all faiths and none have had their right to religious freedom and free expression upheld,” he said. “The decision is highly welcomed. The Nigerian government should take the necessary steps to repeal or amend the blasphemy laws, in accordance with this ruling.”


Arise Africa

While southern Nigeria has a majority-Christian population, most of the northern states are mostly Muslim. States have individual federal laws, alongside nationwide laws, which is why Kano has been singled out in this case.

In the north of the country, Christians are also particularly vulnerable to jihadist attacks – though this Islamist militant violence is also spreading further south in the country. According to Open Doors research, more Christians are killed for their faith in Nigeria than in the rest of the world combined – and millions of believers in sub-Saharan Africa are being displaced by violence and conflict, including persecution.

In response, the African church is asking people to stand with them – through prayer, through support, and through signing the Arise Africa petition. This ruling by ECOWAS shows that amplifying the voices of the persecuted can lead to change – and that is the hope for the Arise Africa petition, which calls for protection, justice and restoration for religious minorities in sub-Saharan Africa. It is intended to be presented to the Africa Union, UN, EU, and local governments including the UK government in 2026. If you haven’t done so yet, do add your voice to the petition – and encourage others to sign too. Stories like this one show why calling for justice is crucial – and can lead to big results.

*Names changed for security reasons

By Simon, Open Doors

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Nigerian humanist freed after imprisonment for ‘blasphemy’

IMF Urges Nigeria to be Prudent in Spending

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has urged Nigeria to be prudent in spending following the implementation of hard economic reform that has made it save more revenue.

The Director, Fiscal Affairs Department IMF, Vitor Gaspar, said this at a Fiscal Monitor news conference at the ongoing 2025 IMF/World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington D.C. on Wednesday.

He said that there was an urgent need for fiscal authorities and governments to build buffers. According to him, governments need to act urgently and decisively as they face harsh trade offs and painful choices.

He said it was important for policy makers to invest their political capital in building confidence and trust that starts with keeping their own houses in order.

” This is especially important in a situation that tests the resilience of individual economies, not to mention the entire system.

“Putting house in order involves three policy priorities. first, fiscal policy should be part of an overall policies.

“Secondly, fiscal policy should in most countries, aim atreducing public debt and rebuilding buffers to create space to respond to spending pressures and other economic shocks through a credible medium term framework.

“Thirdly, fiscal policy should together with other structural policies, aim at improving potential growth, thereby easing policy trade offs in these times of high uncertainty.

“Fiscal policy must be an anchor for confidence and stability that contributes to a competitive economy, delivering growth and prosperity for all ministers of finance must build trust, tax fairly, spend wisely and take the long team,” the director said.

The Nigerian Division Chief in the Fiscal Affairs Department of the IMF, Davide Furceri, said that Nigeria had been able to make some of those painful choices to have space for fiscal savings but it needs to spend wisely.

“Nigeira managed to do a very difficult reform that was important in delivering fiscal savings.”

Furceri said that the country need to focus on boosting revenue through improved mobilisation efforts, and secondly, scaling up spending in key areas like social protection and investment.

“That said, we understand that many countries, including Nigeria, face pressing spending needs. But spending must be done wisely, this means stronger prioritisation and greater efficiency in how resources are allocated.

“One key message not just for Nigeria, but for many countries, is the importance of strong fiscal institutions. Medium-term fiscal frameworks and solid public financial management systems.are essential.

“They provide a fiscal anchor to guide necessary adjustments and help reduce uncertainty. We want fiscal policy to be a source of stability, not a source of volatility,” he said. #IMF Urges Nigeria to be Prudent in Spending Pension Fund Assets Grows to N23.366 Trillion.

By Olu Anisere, Market Forces Africa

Nigeria’s Arnergy Solar Secures $18 Million Series B Round to Scale Solar Deployments, Expand Access in Key Sectors

Arnergy Solar, a leading Nigerian renewable energy company specializing in distributed solar power solutions, has successfully closed an $18 million Series B funding round to accelerate its solar deployment initiatives and expand its footprint across critical sectors.

The funding round was led by CardinalStone Capital Advisers Growth Fund (CCA-GF), with British International Investment (BII) joining as a new investor with a $3 million commitment. The round also drew continued backing from existing investors including Norfund (the Norwegian Investment Fund for Developing Countries), Breakthrough Energy Ventures (BEV)—founded by Bill Gates, EDFI Management Company (EDFI MC), and Shell-backed All On.

The $18 million raise includes a $15 million Series B extension and a previously closed $3 million Series B1 round led by All On. This brings Arnergy’s total capital raised to date to over $27 million, following its $9 million Series A in 2019 that included support from BEV, Norfund, ElectriFI, and All On.

The new capital is earmarked for deployment of 12,000 additional solar systems by 2029, expansion of Arnergy’s rent-to-own solar financing model, and sector-specific growth in healthcare, education, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The company also plans to leverage strategic partnerships to strengthen its distribution network and increase energy access across Nigeria.

Legal advisory on the deal was provided by Aluko & Oyebode, with Partner Oludare Senbore leading the transaction, supported by Zacheus Akanni, Esther Yugbovwre, and Precious Odina.

Arnergy’s solar systems play a vital role in closing Nigeria’s energy access gap by offering clean, reliable, and affordable off-grid power to underserved communities and businesses. This latest investment underscores investor confidence in the company’s scalable model and its role in driving Nigeria’s energy transition.

By Kavitha, Solar Quarter

Video - Nigerian legendary artist Femi Kuti gives new album fresh perspective

Femi Kuti is set to release his new album this week. He is known for his critiques of political corruption and social injustice. However, Kuti says his latest release is more introspective, with introspective reflections on family, life, and personal growth.

CGTN

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