Nigeria

At the recent 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva, an impressive coalition of world leaders and philanthropic organizations came together, collectively pledging over $170 million to bolster the efforts of the World Health Organization (WHO). These contributions are not merely funds; they signify a commitment to global health at a time when it is desperately needed. This financial injection aligns with WHO's ongoing Investment Round, which supports its 14th General Programme of Work. This ambitious initiative aims to save…

Nigeria and China: A New Era in Economic Collaboration The latest developments in Nigeria's industrial landscape signal a promising chapter for the country’s aspirations towards industrialization. With China's ever-expanding foothold in Nigeria—especially in the realm of natural resources—this year has been a remarkable one for the two nations. They are deeply engaging with each other, particularly as Nigeria stands out as Africa’s largest oil producer and a country ripe with potential. This significant progression was…

In a poignant moment of cultural restoration, Finland has returned a ceremonial stool known as the kataklè to Benin. This act of restitution follows over 130 years since the piece was taken by French troops and subsequently transferred to the National Museum of Finland. The three-legged royal chair, emblematic of the former Kingdom of Dahomey, resurfaced after a diligent investigation into its whereabouts. The stool, an integral part of Dahomey’s royal heritage, had been in storage in Finland since 1939, following an…

Confronting Illegal Mining: A High Court Ruling in Plateau State In a significant ruling from the Federal High Court in Jos, Plateau State, four Chinese nationals—Liang Quin Yong, Wang Huajie, Zhong Jiajing, and Long Kechong—have been ordered to face deportation following their conviction for unlawfully mining solid minerals in the region. The ruling serves as a stark reminder of the complexities surrounding mining regulations and international involvement in local resource extraction. These individuals were…

The European Union finds itself at a significant crossroads in its relationship with the Sahel region. An urgent call for a transformative political strategy has been articulated in an open letter to the EU Vice President by Human Rights Watch. They assert that the "Integrated Strategy in the Sahel," which was introduced in April 2021, has unfortunately grown antiquated, especially in the wake of recent military coups in the central Sahel. Why, one might ask, does this matter? The Sahel, a vast stretch of land encompassing…

In the latest Poverty and Equity Brief released by the World Bank in April 2025, the situation in Nigeria paints a rather grim picture: an alarming 41.3% of its urban population lives in poverty, with rural communities bearing an even heavier burden. The factors contributing to this crisis are multifaceted, encompassing economic stagnation, rampant inflation, and widespread insecurity that have collectively stifled growth in recent years. To fully grasp the gravity of this situation, consider that 30.9% of Nigerians were…

In an eyebrow-raising turn of events, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) reported a staggering loss of 13.9 trillion naira (approximately $9 billion) in 2024 due to settling overdue derivatives contracts. This significant financial setback is part of the bank's broader strategy to reduce foreign currency liabilities and bolster investor confidence in the naira, as noted in a recent Bloomberg report. Reflecting on this context, one must wonder: what does this mean for the average Nigerian citizen? Are we…

In a recent announcement, Starlink has rolled out a new pricing structure for its monthly subscriptions in Nigeria, igniting various responses across the country. This follows several unsuccessful attempts to institute a price increase between October 1 and December 28, 2024. The previous efforts had sparked criticism from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), which characterized the proposed hikes as unilateral decisions that clashed with Nigeria's telecommunications pricing regulations. Nonetheless, in…

Understanding Nigeria's New Visa Overstay Regulations Beginning on September 1, 2025, a significant shift in Nigeria's approach to visa overstays will take place. Foreign nationals who exceed their visa allowances will incur a daily fine of $15 for each day they remain in the country beyond their authorized stay. This new regulation is not merely a policy adjustment but an integral part of Nigeria's broader immigration reform strategy. The impetus behind these reforms is to enhance…

Recent cuts to international funding, notably the stop-work orders imposed by the United States, have begun to take a heavy toll on humanitarian initiatives and local economies that depend heavily on aid operations. This predicament is exemplified by the situation in Maiduguri, Nigeria, as reported by The New Humanitarian. Often nicknamed the heart of aid efforts battling Boko Haram's relentless insurgency, Maiduguri has witnessed notable economic revival, significantly driven by the initiatives of non-governmental…