NAIJAFEED

Tuesday, June 2, 2026

From Pipelines to Data Centers: Nigeria Positions Natural Gas as the Ultimate AI Baseload

The global artificial intelligence (AI) adoption is fast becoming an energy efficiency race. As hyperscale data centres multiply across the United States, Europe and other regions, electricity has emerged as the single biggest constraint.

Tech giants like Microsoft, Amazon, Google and Oracle are no longer just building servers; they are signing long-term power deals, financing generation assets and partnering directly with energy companies to secure supply.

That same model could soon transform Nigeria’s gas industry.

Today, AI-focused data centres consume staggering amounts of electricity. In March 2026, Google committed 2.7GW of power capacity for a U.S. project, which is equal to the demand of two million homes. Microsoft has already teamed up with Chevron to build 2.5GW of gas-fired generation in Texas. It can be deduced that without reliable energy, AI cannot scale.

Currently, Nigeria holds the trump card. With more than 200 trillion cubic feet of proven natural gas reserves, the largest in Africa, and a digital economy racing ahead, the country is uniquely positioned to anchor the next wave of AI infrastructure. Its population is set to exceed 400 million by 2050, internet penetration is rising, and cloud adoption is accelerating.

According to the Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber, NJ Ayuk, “Big Tech changes the financing equation for African gas. For the first time, projects can be underwritten by companies whose energy demand rivals entire industrial sectors.”

The opportunity is immense. Africa accounts for just 0.6 per cent of global data centre capacity despite housing nearly 20 per cent of the world’s population. Nigeria is moving to close that gap, with 21 operational data centres and nearly $1 billion in AI-ready facilities under development. Many are converging around gas-powered models.

However, the sector faces two major bottlenecks: severe geographic concentration in Lagos and heavy reliance on private, gas- and diesel-powered energy due to an unstable national grid.

The market is dominated by major operators such as Equinix (formerly MainOne/MDXi), Rack Centre, Open Access Data Centres (OADC), Africa Data Centres, Dabengwa Data Centre, Galaxy Backbone, among others.

In March, Tetracore Energy Group announced a $400 million gas-powered data centre in Ogun State, backed by Huawei and Inspirive Technologies, with its own 100MW gas plant to guarantee uptime.

For decades, financing domestic gas infrastructure in Nigeria was hampered by payment risks and inconsistent demand. Hyperscale technology firms change that equation. Long-term supply agreements backed by investment-grade companies could unlock pipelines, processing plants, and embedded generation projects, creating privately financed gas-to-power corridors anchored by data centres and industrial parks.

The ripple effects go beyond energy. Hyperscale investment would accelerate fibre rollout, strengthen cloud sovereignty, fuel fintech growth, and reduce reliance on overseas hosting. It could position Nigeria as West Africa’s AI and digital hub at a time when global tech firms are searching for new growth markets.

Gas offers what renewables alone cannot yet guarantee in emerging markets: stable baseload power. For mission-critical AI workloads, uptime and latency demand dispatchable solutions.

As African Energy Week 2026 approaches, one message is clear: the future of African gas may not lie solely in industrialisation or LNG exports. It may lie in powering the global AI economy. And in that future, Big Tech could become Nigeria’s most strategic energy partner yet.

By Adeyemi Adepetun, The Guardian

Anthony Joshua vows to be 'good soldier' for parents of friends killed in car crash in Nigeria

Anthony Joshua has said he is putting his own emotions to the side to be "a good soldier" for the grieving parents of two of his close friends, who were killed in a car crash in Nigeria.

The fatal accident in December claimed the lives of Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele, who were members of the boxer's team and long-term friends.

Joshua himself was left with minor injuries.

Speaking to the media for the first time since the crash, as he prepares to return to boxing, the 36-year-old said processing his own emotions would come at later stage.

"I have to put my emotions to the side because I focus on the parents," he said. "I really look at their parents, and I understand it must be most difficult for them."

Ghami was Joshua's strength and conditioning coach, while Ayodele was a trainer, described as being like a "twin brother" to the boxer.

For a period of time after surviving the crash, it was uncertain whether he would continue fighting.

However, the two-time world heavyweight champion is now due to take on Albanian Kristian Prenga, a relative unknown, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on 25 July.

He is expected to face Tyson Fury for the first time at Wembley later in the year, although the details for that match – which would be the biggest fight in British boxing history – have yet to be announced.

'Boxing is therapeutic - it gives us purpose'

Joshua said he would dedicate his fighting to his late friends' parents.

"Everyone does it differently, but for me that's the best way of handling the situation," he said. "It's not about me; it's bigger than me.

"I'm just there for their parents. It's about being a good soldier for them because I've got to look after them."

"This is my purpose. Boxing is not only good for the competitive side of things, it's also quite therapeutic, it gives us fighters a lot of purpose and that's what it does for me."

Joshua paid tribute to his friends in a video posted in January, calling the two men "my left and my right".

He had been on holiday with the men when the crash happened, following his knockout victory over US YouTuber turned-boxer Jake Paul in Miami on 19 December.

A 46-year-old man, Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, has been charged with dangerous driving causing death, reckless and negligent driving, driving without due care and attention, and driving without a valid national driver's licence in connection with the crash.

Sky News

Anthony Joshua issues emotional first remarks since car accident in Nigeria that killed two close friends

Monday, June 1, 2026

Video - Nigeria flood survivors demand answers

One year after devastating floods killed more than 160 people in Mokwa, Niger State, survivors are protesting over what they say are unfulfilled government promises. Residents are demanding accountability and stronger protections ahead of another rainy season.

CGTN Africa

Nigeria seeks used German H145M military helicopters and support on Sahel security

Diplomatic relations between Nigeria and Germany have reached a 65 years’ milestone, marked by a recent strategic dialogue between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. During a ten-minute telephone conversation on the afternoon of Wednesday, February 18, 2026, the two leaders addressed a multifaceted agenda covering regional security, energy infrastructure, and cultural exchange. A central focus of this discussion was a request from the Nigerian presidency for the transfer of used military helicopters to bolster Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities within the volatile Sahel corridor.

Strengthening Aerial Reconnaissance in the Sahel

President Tinubu emphasized the deteriorating security environment in the Sahel, noting that instability is increasingly moving toward the coastal states of West Africa. To counter this threat, Nigeria is seeking to acquire used Airbus H145M helicopters from German military inventory. These aircraft would serve as a specialized platform for intelligence reconnaissance, providing a necessary eye in the sky over porous borders and rugged terrain. The H145M is a light twin engine helicopter known for its agility and relatively low acoustic signature, making it an effective choice for covert surveillance and tactical support roles.

The H145M features the Helionix avionics suite and a four axis autopilot, which reduces pilot workload during complex ISR missions. Its performance in high altitude and hot environments is particularly relevant for the Sahel, where temperatures often exceed 40 degrees Celsius. While the German government has not yet formally confirmed the transfer, the Bundeswehr (the German armed forces) has been transitioning its rotary wing fleet. The potential availability of these assets stems from Germany’s ongoing modernization programs, which involve the phased replacement of older light utility units with newer configurations. By utilizing used airframes, Nigeria could potentially shorten the procurement timeline and reduce the capital expenditure required to expand its aerial surveillance fleet.

The request for German aviation support comes at a time of profound transition in Sahelian security architecture. For several years, European partners have modified their engagement in the region. In August 2021, the French Army deployed 32 Griffon armored vehicles to the Sahel as part of the 3rd Marine Infantry Regiment to combat insurgent groups. However, geopolitical shifts led the European Union to end some of its military training commitments in Mali by April 2022, primarily due to the presence of private military contractors and the political direction of the local administration. Despite these withdrawals, the European Union remains vocal about its commitment to the region, with officials stating that the Sahel remains a priority for international stability. During that period, the German Air Force (Luftwaffe) had sent five of its CH-53G Super Stallion heavy-lift helicopters and an additional 120 personnel to Gao, Mali to support the United Nations mission (MINUSMA).

The German military (Bundeswehr) utilizes the Airbus H145M as a highly versatile, multi-role light twin-engine helicopter. Formally designated in German service as the Leichter Kampfhubschrauber (LKH or Light Combat Helicopter), it serves as a flexible platform bridging tactical transport, special operations, and armed reconnaissance.

Nigeria’s proactive stance in requesting German assets demonstrates a regional push to fill the security vacuum left by departing international missions. Effective ISR operations are critical because insurgent movements in the Sahel rely on mobility and the exploitation of ungoverned spaces. Without persistent aerial oversight, ground forces often remain reactive. The H145M could bridge this gap by providing real time data to commanders, allowing for more precise deployments of ground units and a more effective response to cross border incursions.

Revitalizing the Presidential Power Initiative

Beyond defense cooperation, the dialogue between Tinubu and Merz addressed the long standing challenges within Nigeria’s energy sector. The Presidential Power Initiative (PPI) is a centerpiece of this effort, aiming to modernize the national grid through a $2.3 billion partnership with Siemens. Although the agreement was established in 2019, it has faced numerous regulatory and logistical hurdles. The original roadmap envisioned achieving 7,000 megawatts of reliable power by 2021 and 11,000 megawatts by 2023, targets that remain unfulfilled.

Chancellor Merz assured President Tinubu that Siemens would fulfill its commitments to rehabilitate transmission lines and distribution substations. Financing remains a critical component of this infrastructure push, with Deutsche Bank ready to provide the necessary capital. In late 2021, the Nigerian Federal Executive Council approved €62.9 million and $1.9 million for the initial phase of the project, focusing on grid expansion and modernization. While President Tinubu noted in late 2025 that progress had been made, he acknowledged that the pace of implementation has not yet met the expectations of the Nigerian public. The renewed commitment from Berlin suggests a diplomatic push to clear the remaining bottlenecks and stabilize Nigeria’s electricity supply, which is a prerequisite for broader industrial growth.

Cultural Diplomacy and the New Ambassador

The conversation also touched upon the “soft power” aspects of the bilateral relationship. Chancellor Merz expressed a desire to establish the Great Museum of African Arts, a project intended to foster deeper cultural understanding and academic cooperation. This initiative aligns with broader efforts to preserve and showcase African heritage on a global stage. The German government is also awaiting the arrival of the new Nigerian ambassador to Berlin, a move expected to further streamline communication between the two administrations.

This multifaceted approach to diplomacy suggests that Germany views Nigeria as a pivotal partner not just for regional security, but as a long term economic and cultural collaborator in West Africa. The success of the helicopter request and the Siemens power project will likely serve as the primary metrics for the strength of this partnership in the coming years. By integrating military hardware, infrastructure engineering, and cultural exchange, both nations are attempting to build a resilient framework for cooperation in an increasingly complex global landscape.

Military Africa

US tech billionaire Joe Lonsdale invests $11.8m in Nigerian drone firm to tackle Africa’s insecurity

Police warn against reprisal attacks on South Africans in Nigeria

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has warned against reprisal attacks on South Africans residing in Nigeria over the recent xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in the former apartheid country.

The police issued the warning on Sunday in a statement signed by spokesman, Anthony Placid, saying anyone who attacks South African nationals or businesses in Nigeria will face the full wrath of the law.

Placid said the NPF had received concerns about possible reprisal attacks on South African nationals, businesses, and interests in Nigeria in response to the xenophobic attacks on Nigerians.

“While concerns about attacks on Nigerians in South Africa are understandable, the public is strongly advised not to take the law into their own hands,” the statement read.

“Reprisal attacks, violence, intimidation, destruction of property, hate speech, or any conduct that threatens public peace and national security is unlawful and will not be tolerated.

“Nigeria remains a nation governed by the rule of law. All persons lawfully residing within the country, irrespective of nationality, are entitled to protection under the law.

“Consequently, any attempt to target South African nationals, diplomatic facilities, businesses, or other lawful interests within Nigeria will be treated as a criminal act and dealt with in accordance with extant laws.”

Placid also urged the public to refrain from spreading unverified, inflammatory, or inciting information, especially on social media.

According to him, false or provocative content can escalate tensions, undermine public order, and hinder diplomatic efforts to resolve the situation.

He added that the police is collaborating with other security and intelligence agencies and has implemented security measures and increased surveillance around critical national assets, foreign missions, and other key locations.

“Adequate deployments have been made to prevent any breakdown of law and order,” Placid explained.

By Oluyemi Ogunseyin, The Guardian