Police patrol boats and rescue teams searched waterways around the crash site on October 6, while an excavator moved through the waterlogged area. Rescue personnel and residents also gathered along the riverbank.

The Nigerian Air Force ATR-42, with tail number NAF 931, crashed near a naval base in Igbokoda on October 5 while flying a routine mission from Benin to Lagos.

Volunteer rescuer Akinten Omotaeremi said reaching the crash site proved difficult because of the terrain.

"It took the Nigerian Navy first responder team about fifteen minutes before they got to the crash site," Omotaeremi explained. "There was no road to the site. It took a while before we could get to the crash site - we had to clear vegetation to get there. When we got there, we saw a big impact site in the swamp."

Another rescuer, Omotayo Orimisan, said the aircraft could not be seen when the team reached the impact site.

"We didn't see the plane at all at the crash site, but when we dipped sticks in the crater at the impact site, we could feel it touching something, but we didn't see it," he said, adding that human remains had been sighted.

Eyewitness Erejuwa Sunday said the pilot appeared to manoeuvre the aircraft away from the town centre before the crash.

"The pilot manoeuvred the plane away from the town centre. I thought he probably did that to avoid a crowded place that could get homes destroyed or get people killed," he said.

The Nigerian Air Force confirmed that 20 passengers and five crew members were aboard the aircraft and that no survivors had been found. The figure corrected an earlier government report that put the number of people on board at 32.

President Bola Tinubu declared three days of national mourning and ordered an investigation into the cause of the crash.

Specialist equipment has been deployed to help recovery teams retrieve wreckage from the swamp.

Abdulkadiri Aremu Mogaji-Ile-Eleran lives in Ilorin, Kwara State, with an extended family that includes four wives.

Footage filmed at his home on Thursday shows him walking alongside his grandson, going through old photographs and examining a family tree.

From Parties to Working Life

Abdulkadiri said he was 30 when he married his first wife. He also recalled spending about five decades working, including as a butcher, before eventually retiring.

His younger years, he said, were filled with social gatherings and celebrations.

"I used to have fun and party well as a youth. Marriage and children's naming ceremonies, no matter the distance, my colleagues and I must be there," he recalled.

Abdulkadiri said many people from his generation have died, while some of those still alive have aged differently from him.

"There are a few of my contemporaries one could still see around, but most of them have aged very well. They don't look like me. I thank God for how I still look. I love eating local delicacies like pounded yam (iyan), yam flour (amala), corn flour (tuwo). I don't drink alcohol, though there was a time I used to smoke - about 50 years ago," Abdulkadiri said.

Walking Remained Part of His Routine

Abdulkadiri also recalled spending considerable time on foot, particularly during his years working with cattle.

"I loved walking back then. I used to walk for a long time to my destinations, but now I don't have that strength again, though I still regularly walk some short distances today," he shared.

Questions remain, however, over whether he is actually 120 years old.

His family said determining an exact age is difficult because official birth documentation from the period is unavailable.

"There's no way we can remember our specific ages. Back then, there was no paper documentation of information," remarked his second wife, Kusumu Aremu.

Abdulkadiri's claimed age has not been independently confirmed, and no birth certificate or other contemporary record has been produced to verify it.

If evidence established that he is 120, he would rank among the oldest people ever documented.

Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo suspended the Niger State NSCDC commandant and ordered a full investigation, while the state government called for autopsies and forensic examinations to establish the cause of death. The case comes amid continued government crackdowns on illegal and unregulated mining in Niger State, which is rich in mineral resources.

The dispute follows a legal battle between the community and British energy giant Shell over its exit from Nigeria's onshore oil sector and alleged environmental damage in the region.

"Sometimes, it comes like hell's fire itself," said Bubaraye Dakolo, monarch of the kingdom, describing how wind spreads pollution from the flare.

Dakolo criticised a July ruling by the Federal High Court in Yenagoa, which dismissed his lawsuit seeking environmental remediation and compensation for more than 40 years of alleged damage. He has since appealed.

Shell has rejected claims that its operations are chiefly responsible for pollution in the Niger Delta, pointing to oil theft, pipeline sabotage and illegal refining as major causes. The company says it cleans up spills from its facilities regardless of cause.

"Yesterday, around 9 - 10 a.m., children , women and elderly men boarded a canoe to go to their farms. Unfortunately, the canoe capsized," eyewitness Salisu Umar Goronyo said, adding that at least 80 people were on board.

Survivor Abdullahi Karani said passengers and local residents worked to rescue victims after the boat overturned.

"We made efforts to rescue some of the victims before other people arrived to support us in the rescue operation, during which many bodies were recovered," he said. Goronyo said his family lost 10 relatives, adding that many of the victims were young women expected to marry this year.

The vessel capsized near Gorau in Goronyo Local Government Area while passengers were travelling to rice farms.

Nigeria's National Emergency Management Agency later confirmed 52 deaths as rescue and recovery operations continued.

Residents later rallied in the streets, calling for justice over repeated violence in the region. Plateau State Commissioner of Police Faniyan Ayodeji said officers had been deployed and efforts were underway to identify and arrest those responsible.

"Everything will be done to track and arrest these wicked and callous criminals," Ayodeji said. "We have already started work and we are already getting results."

Youth leader Joseph Sunday Manset accused Fulani individuals of carrying out the attack and called on the government to designate those responsible as terrorists.

Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang condemned the killings and ordered increased surveillance and patrols in Bin-Per and other vulnerable communities in Mangu. He also urged residents to avoid retaliation and cooperate with security agencies.

Plateau State has experienced years of deadly violence, with disputes involving farming and herding communities repeatedly escalating into attacks. In June, police said at least 20 people were killed in an attack on the Kawel community in Bokkos Local Government Area.

Nigeria has deployed 86 military personnel to the ECOWAS Stabilisation Support Mission in Guinea-Bissau (ESSMGB), reaffirming its role as one of West Africa's leading security contributors. The deployment is intended to support constitutional order, strengthen regional stability, and assist Guinea-Bissau's security institutions amid ongoing political uncertainty. Nigerian military authorities said the contingent had completed pre-deployment training before departing for the mission. The move underscores Abuja's continued commitment to ECOWAS peacekeeping operations, which have long been central to Nigeria's regional foreign policy.

AfDB warns West Africa misallocates capital despite $100 billion annual development needs

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has warned that West Africa continues to misallocate investment capital even though the region requires roughly US$100 billion every year to finance critical infrastructure and economic development. The warning has significant implications for Nigeria, Africa's largest economy, where infrastructure deficits continue to constrain industrial growth, logistics and competitiveness. The Bank argues that mobilising private investment, improving project preparation and strengthening public financial management will be essential if countries are to close infrastructure gaps and accelerate inclusive growth. The report also stresses that better capital allocation could unlock faster economic transformation across the region.

Manufacturers warn Nigeria's industrial sector is under mounting pressure

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has warned that many manufacturers are struggling to remain competitive as businesses face high borrowing costs, energy shortages, foreign exchange constraints and rising production expenses. Industry leaders argue that despite ongoing economic reforms, manufacturers continue to battle declining purchasing power, logistics costs and expensive credit, making expansion increasingly difficult. They are calling for targeted government intervention, including improved electricity supply, lower financing costs and policies that encourage domestic production. Analysts warn that sustained pressure on manufacturers could affect employment, exports and Nigeria's industrialisation agenda.

Government targets $4.4 billion investment through Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones

The Federal Government says Nigeria's Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) programme is expected to attract US$4.4 billion in investment while generating stronger value chains for agriculture and agro-processing. Officials say the initiative is designed to move production closer to farming communities, reduce post-harvest losses, increase food processing capacity and create jobs in rural areas. The programme is backed by development partners including the African Development Bank, with authorities expecting the zones to improve food security, increase exports and reduce dependence on imported processed foods. The government believes agro-processing will become a major pillar of Nigeria's economic diversification strategy.

IMF projects Nigeria's economy to grow 4.1% in 2026 despite global slowdown

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has projected that Nigeria's economy will grow by 4.1% in 2026 and 4.3% in 2027, outperforming expected global growth despite continuing geopolitical tensions and inflationary pressures. The IMF said Nigeria's outlook reflects improving macroeconomic reforms, although it cautioned that maintaining growth will require sustained fiscal discipline, stronger investment, structural reforms and efforts to reduce poverty. The projection comes as Nigeria continues implementing reforms in the foreign exchange market, public finances and energy sector while seeking to attract greater domestic and foreign investment.

Despite having no formal engineering qualifications, Chukwudi designed and assembled the vehicle himself. The compact car can comfortably seat three people and represents years of experimentation, persistence and problem-solving.

While Nigeria has several licensed vehicle assembly plants, it still relies heavily on imported new and used vehicles to meet local demand. The U.S. International Trade Administration estimates Nigeria's automotive market at around 1.15 million new and used vehicles, with imports continuing to dominate because of affordability challenges and limited local production.

To encourage local manufacturing, the Nigerian government has renewed its National Automotive Industry Development Plan (NAIDP), which aims to increase local vehicle production, raise the local content of assembled vehicles to 40%, create jobs across the automotive value chain and support the development of electric vehicle manufacturing.

For Chukwudi, however, one of the biggest challenges has been developing a reliable engine.

According to him, his first engine was made from wood, but it proved too weak to withstand the demands of powering a vehicle. His second version was much stronger, yet it still lacked the power needed for optimal performance.

Now, he is working on what he hopes will be his breakthrough: a more durable and powerful engine. He estimates that building this next-generation engine will cost approximately $600.

Chukwudi told Global South World the project is about much more than building a single vehicle.

His long-term ambition is to establish a car manufacturing factory in Nigeria, producing vehicles designed and built locally. He hopes that with the right support, his prototype can evolve into a commercially viable automobile and inspire more young Africans to pursue innovation, regardless of their educational background.

"29 people were killed. The attackers came carrying fire and set houses in the village ablaze," survivor Emmanuel Danjuma said.

Community youth leader Ishaya Dawa said about 30 people were killed and seven others injured, urging the government to intervene.

"I need help because of what is happening to my village and this community. I am pleading with the government," he said.

The attack occurred late on Sunday when armed men opened fire, torched homes and fled before security forces arrived the following morning.

On Wednesday, officers from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) dismantled the makeshift facility after a court approved its demolition during an ongoing drug trafficking trial involving three Mexican nationals.

AFP visited the site with NDLEA officers as a local welder and carpenter dismantled the cauldrons and filtration equipment used to manufacture methamphetamine.

The laboratory occupied about an acre of forest land between the villages of Abidagba and Iroto.

The court ordered the site to be dismantled because of the environmental risks posed by the chemicals used in the production process.

Patricia Afolabi, the NDLEA's director of forensics, said the decision was taken to prevent groundwater and air pollution .

When AFP visited, barrels containing chemicals and partially processed methamphetamine remained inside the shed, with strong fumes still filling the air.

The laboratory was raided in May, when authorities arrested 10 suspects, including three Mexican nationals and seven Nigerians. Officers also searched two residential properties in an upscale Lagos neighbourhood, seizing methamphetamine and precursor chemicals worth an estimated $360 million.

The criminal case remains before the courts in Lagos.

The discovery has raised concerns over the presence of Mexican drug cartels in Nigeria.

"About our readiness to combat the cartel... yes, we are ready," NDLEA Deputy Commander of Narcotics James Taalba told AFP.

"We have people who are capable of curtailing such a situation."

West Africa has increasingly become a transit route for cocaine shipments moving from South America to Europe. Authorities also say methamphetamine production has expanded in the region as foreign criminal groups bring their expertise to local operations.

A 2019 report by the Institute for Security Studies found that methamphetamine seizures and laboratory raids in Nigeria have increased since around 2011.

Another Mexican national was arrested in a separate methamphetamine operation in Oyo State in June.

For residents living near the site, the discovery came as a shock.

Florence Banjo, a farmer from the nearby village of Abidagba, said the smell from the laboratory often drifted into the community. She believed it came from a pig farm and never suspected a drug operation hidden in the forest.

She also recalled that construction activity around the site had sparked hopes of development.

"We heard rumours that they were going to build (a housing) estate there, and I was happy that they'd finally pave the road that leads into our village," the 59-year-old told AFP.

"We were disappointed."

At the centre of the case is Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, who presented himself as the head of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), also known as the Presidential Economic Advisory Council. The body claimed it would attract foreign investment and strengthen Nigeria's international partnerships.

The operation extended well beyond appearances. Documents obtained by TheCable show that in August 2025, the Office of the Head of the Civil Service approved a waiver allowing the recruitment of 300 staff for the council despite an existing hiring freeze across the civil service. Weeks later, the council announced plans to establish offices across Nigeria's 36 states and more than 100 overseas locations.

The controversy deepened when it emerged that PFIPC had been allocated ₦1.3 billion (around US$1 million) in Nigeria's approved 2026 budget for salaries, operating costs and capital projects. It marked the first time the organisation had appeared in the federal budget, despite there being no legal record of its establishment.

The arrangement began to unravel after officials at the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission questioned why another body appeared to be performing similar functions. Concerns intensified when Adeyemi reportedly hosted foreign ambassadors without notifying the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, prompting Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila to alert security agencies.

Adeyemi was arrested in October 2025 inside his office at the Federal Secretariat. Investigators said they uncovered 34 bank accounts, including several opened under fictitious government agencies, as well as a Central Bank account allegedly created using forged documents. He has been charged with forgery, impersonation and conspiracy, and is due back in court on 27 July.

The Presidency maintains that Adeyemi acted alone, describing him as a serial fraudster who deceived government institutions. Yet critics argue the affair raises broader questions than the actions of a single individual.

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has questioned how a non-existent agency could obtain office space, recruitment approval and a budget allocation without passing through multiple layers of official scrutiny. Human rights lawyer Femi Falana has also called for an independent investigation, arguing that accountability should extend beyond the accused to the institutions that enabled — or failed to detect — the operation.

Whether the case ultimately proves to be an elaborate deception or evidence of deeper institutional weaknesses, it has already exposed uncomfortable questions about how power, legitimacy and oversight function inside one of Africa's largest governments.

World Reframed episode 44

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World Reframed is produced in London by  Global South  World, part of the Impactum Group. Its editors are Duncan Hooper and Ismail Akwei.

ISSN 2978-4891

Tinubu's office said the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) had been instructed to complete its investigation within 30 days. The probe will examine allegations that forged appointment letters and false claims of presidential backing were used to gain official recognition, diplomatic support and visa facilitation.

Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga described the council's purported director, Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, as a "con artist" with a history of fraudulent misrepresentation. He also insisted that no public funds had been released to the agency, even as questions mounted over how it was included in the national budget.

The controversy has intensified scrutiny of the government's budgeting process and placed fresh pressure on Tinubu ahead of January's presidential election .

Adeyemi is due to appear in court on July 27 on charges including forging official documents, seeking recognition for a fake government agency and opening multiple bank accounts in its name.

Debate over constitutional reform is gathering momentum in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with both political figures and senior Catholic clergy arguing that the country's legal framework should reflect today's political and social realities. Priests from the Archdiocese of Kananga have expressed support for the possibility of a lawful constitutional revision, stressing that any reform must follow democratic procedures and serve the national interest rather than partisan objectives. At the same time, political leaders have argued that the current Constitution, adopted in 2006, no longer adequately addresses the country's evolving governance challenges, security threats and development priorities. The discussion remains politically sensitive. President Félix Tshisekedi has previously suggested that parts of the Constitution may require updating, while opposition parties have warned against reforms they believe could alter the political balance ahead of future elections. Supporters insist that any revision must emerge through a broad national consensus and remain consistent with democratic principles.

DR Congo assumes rotating presidency of the UN Security Council

The Democratic Republic of the Congo has assumed the rotating presidency of the United Nations Security Council for one month, placing Kinshasa at the centre of international discussions on global peace and security. The presidency gives the DRC responsibility for setting the Council's agenda, chairing meetings and facilitating negotiations among its members. Although the role rotates monthly, it provides an opportunity for the country to highlight issues of particular importance, including peacekeeping, conflict prevention, humanitarian crises and security challenges affecting Africa. The appointment comes as the DRC continues to confront armed conflict in the east, humanitarian pressures and regional diplomatic efforts involving the Great Lakes region. Holding the presidency also offers Kinshasa an opportunity to draw greater international attention to instability caused by armed groups, including the M23 rebellion and broader regional security concerns.

Government orders maximum Ebola surveillance in Ituri

Authorities have intensified Ebola prevention measures after the Military Governor of Ituri Province ordered maximum surveillance in the towns of Mongbwalu and Niania, following concerns over a possible resurgence of the virus. The directive includes strengthened health monitoring, increased screening, rapid reporting of suspected cases and closer coordination between provincial authorities and health agencies. Officials are seeking to prevent any spread by ensuring local health facilities remain prepared to identify and isolate potential infections quickly. The renewed alert reflects the DRC's long experience managing Ebola outbreaks. Health authorities continue to rely on surveillance, laboratory testing, contact tracing and community engagement to minimise transmission risks, particularly in eastern provinces where insecurity often complicates public health responses.

South Africa's Ramaphosa visits Kinshasa in solidarity during Ebola response

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa travelled to Kinshasa in a show of solidarity as the Democratic Republic of the Congo responds to renewed Ebola concerns. The visit underscores growing regional cooperation on public health emergencies, recognising that infectious disease outbreaks can quickly become cross-border challenges. Ramaphosa's presence also reflects South Africa's support for regional coordination through the African Union and other continental institutions. Beyond health, the visit highlights the close political and diplomatic relationship between Pretoria and Kinshasa, with both governments continuing to cooperate on peace, security and regional integration in Central and Southern Africa.

Government strengthens security and trade agenda

Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Jacquemain Shabani arrived in Kisangani to chair an interprovincial security meeting and launch the recruitment of 1,600 new police officers, part of efforts to strengthen public security in the country's eastern provinces. Separately, Trade Minister Julien Paluku used a meeting in Abuja, Nigeria, to urge member states to finalise outstanding tariff concessions under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). He argued that completing the tariff negotiations is essential to unlocking greater intra-African trade and ensuring businesses across the continent benefit from the agreement. Together, the initiatives demonstrate Kinshasa's twin priorities of improving domestic security while advancing regional economic integration. As the DRC confronts armed conflict, public health threats and economic challenges simultaneously, officials argue that stronger institutions and deeper continental cooperation will be critical to the country's long-term stability and development.

Deborah Wanda, whose daughter was among those abducted, said she had expected her child to return home shortly after the examination.

"She said she'll return home early," Wanda said. "I later got news she was abducted by terrorists. I and others went in pursuit in the bush." One of the rescued students, Wayem Bitrus, said she and another student managed to escape after the attackers fled when they heard security forces approaching.

"They heard gunshots. It scared them, and they left us. That was how we were rescued by security agents," Bitrus recalled. "I was so afraid. I don't want to go back to school again. I saw many of my friends on the motorbikes taken away. I want the government to please rescue them," she added.

Parents of those still missing urged the authorities to intensify efforts to secure the release of the abducted students.

The court's decision closes every outstanding civil and criminal matter linked to the case after negotiations between the parties resulted in an agreement.

Speaking after the proceedings, counsel to the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Godson Ugochukwu, said the settlement had been formally accepted by the court.

"The terms of settlement were filed this morning after protracted negotiations <...> They have been adopted as a judgement of the Honourable Court, and it resolves all the issues, both civil and criminal," he said.

Ugochukwu explained that the court's ruling makes the agreement part of the public record and available to anyone who wishes to obtain it.

"The court really has nothing to write beyond what is involved in those terms," he added. "They are public documents now. Anybody can apply to the court to get those terms."

The dispute centred on allegations that Saipem Contracting Nigeria Limited failed to deduct and remit statutory taxes between 2014 and 2019. Nigerian authorities said the alleged failure cost the government more than 49 million USD (43 million EUR).

As part of the settlement, the company reportedly agreed to pay a financial package, including an additional 938,080 USD (823,418 EUR), to resolve its historical tax obligations.

The case formed part of Nigeria's broader push to improve tax compliance and accountability across the oil and gas sector.

“Please, we are begging the government, we want our children back, alive,” pleads Aduke Balogun, a roadside soft drinks and bread seller and the mother of kidnapped eight-year-old Kausarat. “Every day, I pray and hope for their safe return,” she tells Reuters.

The Oyo State incident adds to the ever-growing list of similar cases. In another attack of November 2025, heavily armed gunmen stormed St Mary’s, a Catholic school in Niger state, in the country’s North-Central region, dragging off over 250 students and staff. Although state intervention led to the victims’ rescue, the emotional toll on their parents and the wider public deepened the sense of insecurity and fear.

Weeks earlier, the worsening violence and surging kidnappings had attracted the attention of US President Donald Trump, who called Nigeria “a disgrace”, threatened to halt all aid to Africa’s most populous nation, and to “go into that now disgraced country, guns-a-blazing” if the government didn’t arrest the situation quickly.

Earlier, in March 2024, armed elements kidnapped over 300 students from LEA Primary and Secondary School in Kuriga village, located in Kaduna State. 

Yet, these heart-rending kidnap-for-ransom and armed raids are merely a microcosm of the complex nightmare that Nigeria’s abductions have become – initially prevalent in the country’s northern region but gradually spreading to the south.

The crisis has not only disintegrated social order; scores have lost lives, communities have been displaced and the affected regions’ economies shattered, sowing uncertainty and a cycle of trauma.

Dr Joseph Ochogwu, the Director General for the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution attributes these challenges to structural gaps which manifest in weak rural governments and focusing on capitals while neglecting peripheral areas, which creates a vacuum readily exploited by criminals and terrorists.

The scale of the insecurity points to failures at different levels and suggests that the brutal actors’ capacity and level of sophistication should not be underestimated. The government must address the various dimensions of the problem, particularly the aspects of community engagement. Community policing, as a counterterrorism strategy, has shown great potential in some African countries, such as Uganda and Kenya.

Thus, there is a need for a more robust and coordinated response by Nigeria’s state apparatus, focused on strengthening civil-military cooperation, as this creates opportunities for rebuilding trust and improving the population’s vigilance, which are key ingredients to the success of any anti-terrorism effort.

These measures must be coupled with the government’s renewed commitment to safeguard all its citizens and their property, and to address the deep-seated problems, like social injustice and inequality, across the board.

The article solely represents the views of Simpson Muhwezi, a Ugandan freelance writer and development practitioner.

Residents and volunteer fighters described an escalating security crisis, saying bandits and insurgents have been crossing in from neighbouring areas to launch raids on rural communities.

Dayabu Qulu Wamba, head of a local vigilante group, said residents were forced to organise after repeated attacks left people dead and prevented farmers from accessing their lands.

“We have a security challenge I consider a test. We couldn’t watch our people continue to die and be denied access to their lands by these bandits, and that was the motivation for us,” he said.

“We started confronting bandits with locally made guns. Many fighters have died, including my brother.” He said Wamba’s location near areas affected by banditry has made it vulnerable to incursions by armed groups. Vigilantes said they have repeatedly clashed with attackers despite limited resources.

“We heard that bandits were coming and we went to stop them,” said Ahmadu Ibrahim, a local fighter who showed wounds he said were sustained during a confrontation. “We lost three men and I was shot in my hands. It took me 12 months to heal the bullet wound, and there was no help from the government . But our commander was always by our side.”

Residents say years of violence have displaced hundreds of households and caused major economic losses.

“More than 500 households were displaced,” said local resident Sani Umar. “Many people lost millions. We then organised our own self-defence and set up a committee to support local vigilantes. Now we’re able to carry on with normal activities, even when we hear bandits may attack.”

The violence comes amid a broader wave of insecurity across Nigeria. Last week, at least 29 people were killed in an attack in Adamawa State, with the Islamic State group claiming responsibility.

Speaking at the event, Adedolapo Fasawe, Mandate Secretary for Health and Environment in the Federal Capital Territory, explained that the drug is strictly for prevention.

“Lenacapavir is long-acting and is for the prevention of HIV/AIDS,” she said, stressing the importance of testing negative before receiving the injection. “If you're positive, the medicine doesn't work… and may even be injurious to your health.”

Fela Kuti, meanwhile, is receiving the Early Influence Award, a distinction reserved for pioneers whose sound and ideas laid the groundwork for entire genres and movements.

In short, Sade is recognised for her body of work as a recording artist, while Fela is honoured for creating a musical blueprint (Afrobeats) that others have built on.

The induction ceremony will take place on November 14, 2026, at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles, with global broadcasts on ABC and Disney+.

Alongside names like Phil Collins, Oasis, Wu-Tang Clan, and Luther Vandross, the inclusion of Sade and Fela signals a shift in perspective.

Sade Adu

Born Helen Folasade Adu in Ibadan, Nigeria, in 1959, Sade’s life has always sat between worlds. She moved to the UK as a child, grew up in Essex, and later immersed herself in London’s creative scene. Fashion student, model, backup singer, but none of it quite fit until she formed Sade, the band that would carry her name and define a sound.

What sets her apart is control. Her voice doesn’t reach for drama; it pulls you in quietly. That restraint became her signature.

Her debut album, Diamond Life (1984), introduced a new kind of pop sophistication. Smooth Operator and Your Love Is King weren’t loud statements but were precise, polished, and emotionally contained. Follow-up projects like Promise , Stronger Than Pride and The Sweetest Taboo doubled down on that formula, blending jazz, soul, and minimalism into her own touch.

As a Grammy-winning artist with global sales in the tens of millions, Sade’s influence runs deep.

Her induction in the Performer Category recognises a career built not on volume, but precision, by refining how emotion is delivered in sound.

Fela Kuti

Where Sade is measured, Fela Kuti was uncompromising.

Born in 1938 in Abeokuta, Nigeria, into a politically active family, Fela inherited a strong sense of resistance early on. His mother was a leading anti-colonial activist, and that spirit carried directly into his work.

After studying music in London and later encountering the Black Power movement in the US, Fela returned to Nigeria with a clear direction. The result was Afrobeat, a genre he didn’t just pioneer, but fully engineered.

Afrobeat fused jazz, funk, highlife, and traditional West African rhythms into long, groove-driven compositions layered with horns, percussion, and politically charged lyrics. Songs like Zombie and Sorrow , Tears and Blood weren’t just records, but confrontations with authority.

He built the Kalakuta Republic , a commune that doubled as a creative and political base. The Nigerian government responded with force. Raids, arrests, violence, yet Fela absorbed it all and kept recording.

His music wasn’t escapism. It was resistance.

Receiving the Early Influence Award, Fela’s impact is now formally acknowledged at a global level. His legacy runs through modern African stars like Wizkid and Burna Boy.

KADA president Nkeki Mutah said more than half of the area’s towns and villages had been destroyed, with many displaced residents unable to return to their farmland.

Mutah said the attacks appeared to deliberately target the Chibok community and called for special protection from authorities at all levels. He also urged the government to support humanitarian access to Kibaku and increase military deployments to the area.

The appeal follows recent attacks on Christian communities in Chibok that local media blamed on Boko Haram. The town remains globally associated with the 2014 abduction of 276 schoolgirls by the militant group, with dozens still missing.

In Nigeria, fuel prices have climbed by about 65%, one of the sharpest increases among major African economies, despite the start-up of the Dangote refinery. The surge has raised transport fares, driven up food prices and squeezed businesses that rely on petrol and diesel generators because of unstable electricity supply.

The Nigerian government has not restored fuel subsidies, choosing instead to stick with market reforms and limited relief measures. That means businesses and households could face more strain if oil prices remain elevated and the regional conflict drags on.

Nigeria’s banking sector has received a major boost after 33 banks raised a combined ₦4.65 trillion (about $3 billion) under the Central Bank of Nigeria’s recapitalisation programme. The CBN said the funds, sourced from both local and international investors, will strengthen the financial system and improve its ability to support economic growth. Governor Olayemi Cardoso said the exercise “has strengthened the capital base of Nigerian banks,” ensuring resilience against domestic and external shocks, while a few institutions remain under regulatory processes. “The recapitalisation programme has strengthened the capital base of Nigerian banks, reinforcing the resilience of the financial system and ensuring it is well-positioned to support economic growth and withstand domestic and external shocks,” the Punch quotes Cardoso.

Nigerian arrested in India over $330,000 drug network

A Nigerian national has been arrested in Bengaluru, India, for allegedly running a drug distribution network involving substances worth an estimated $330,000. Police said Samuel Ikkena operated the network under the cover of a clothing business, procuring and distributing MDMA and other drugs. Authorities recovered large quantities of narcotics, including cannabis and heroin, with the total street value estimated at over $650,000. The arrest forms part of a crackdown that led to multiple arrests across the city.

$960bn revenue as port modernisation begins

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) says it is set to begin modernisation of the Apapa and Tin Can Island ports to improve efficiency and competitiveness. The agency is targeting ₦1.489 trillion (about $960 billion) in revenue for 2026, slightly higher than the previous year’s target. Managing Director Abubakar Dantsoho said the upgrades will help redistribute cargo traffic to other ports during construction and boost overall activity. “Apapa and Tin Can Island ports are very old and small for the required global competitors in the ports business. Apapa Port is about 100 years old, while Tin Can is over 50 years old, with inadequate capacities in size and vessel containments for modernized operations. Groundbreaking of projects on their modernization will commence in two or three weeks," he said. A significant portion of the projected revenue is earmarked for capital projects and operational expenses.

Oil reserves dip as gas reserves grow

Nigeria’s crude oil and condensate reserves have declined marginally by 0.74 percent to 37.01 billion barrels as of January 2026. However, gas reserves rose by 2.21 percent to 215.19 trillion cubic feet, reflecting new discoveries and improved reservoir studies. The regulator said the changes were largely due to production levels and updated technical evaluations, noting that the country still maintains long-term reserve life projections.

Tourism sector gets boost after regulatory suspension lifted

Nigeria’s hospitality and tourism sector are set for revitalisation following the federal government’s decision to lift a suspension on regulatory activities. The Director-General of NIHOTOUR, Abisoye Fagade, described the move as a “forward-thinking strategy” aimed at strengthening industry participation, improving standards, and driving economic diversification. Stakeholders say the policy shift could unlock new investments and position tourism as a key contributor to national development.

But World Reframed is made of sterner stuff so we decided to enter the Jollof Wars.

What is Jollof rice?

At its core, Jollof rice is a one-pot dish made with rice, tomatoes, peppers, onions, and a blend of spices. Simple on paper.

In reality, it is anything but.

Across West Africa , Jollof is a symbol. It sits at the centre of celebrations, gatherings, and everyday life. In countries like Ghana and Nigeria, no event feels complete without it. It is not just a dish - it is a statement.

Where did Jollof come from?

Historically, Senegal is widely credited as the origin of Jollof rice, linked to the Wollof people of Senegal and The Gambia.

Interestingly, in Senegal it is not even called Jollof. The dish is known as Thieboudienne, pronounced Chee-boo-Jen, and is typically made with fish and vegetables in a more stew-like style.

But while Senegal may have started the story, the loudest voices in the modern debate belong to Ghana and Nigeria.

When the debate went global

For years, the Jollof debate lived online. Then in 2017, it spilled into the real world.

Festivals and competitions were held in cities like Accra, Lagos, and even Washington DC, turning a cultural rivalry into an international spectacle.

The results only added fuel to the fire:

Yes, no tomatoes. Chaos.

And Ghana? No wins that year. A detail quietly left in the past.

Fast forward to 2025, and Nigeria secured another major victory - this time in Accra itself. For Ghanaians, that one stung.

So what is the difference?

Despite the arguments, each version of Jollof rice reflects its country’s culinary identity.

Ghana Jollof

Nigeria Jollof

Senegal (Thieboudienne)

Gambia Jollof

So yes - everyone is doing something different. And still arguing about who does it best.

The recipe: Ghana Jollof rice

If you want to understand the debate, you have to try it yourself.

Step 1 - The base

Blend tomatoes, onions, peppers, garlic, and ginger into a smooth mixture.

Step 2 - The stew

Fry tomato paste with onions, then add the blended mixture. Let it cook down until thick, rich, and deeply flavoured.

Step 3 - Seasoning

Add spices such as curry powder, thyme, and bay leaves. Pour in your protein stock for depth.

Step 4 - The rice

Add washed rice directly into the stew, allowing it to absorb all the flavour.

Step 5 - The magic

Cook on low heat with a tight cover. Let it steam, not boil.

The secret is patience and balance. Ghana Jollof is not aggressive - it is confident.

More than food

Jollof rice has moved beyond the plate. It appears in music, pop culture, and everyday language. Entire songs have been written about it, sometimes as humour, sometimes as rivalry, sometimes even as metaphor.

It is food, but it is also storytelling.

So who actually has the best Jollof?

Ask a Ghanaian, and the answer is obvious. Ask a Nigerian, and you will get the same certainty.

Ask anyone else, and you may get a diplomatic response.

Perhaps that is the real point.

The Jollof Wars are not about winning. They are about pride, identity, and the joy of sharing something deeply rooted in culture . There are no casualties - only full stomachs and bruised egos.

And if even the King of England and the King of YouTube refuse to choose a side, perhaps you do not need to either.

World Reframed episode 34

World Reframed is produced in London by Global South World, part of the Impactum Group. Its editors are Duncan Hooper and Ismail Akwei.

ISSN 2978-4891

“I can report to you… at a lengthy discussion with Emmanuel Macron, their collaboration with us for equipment and support,” Tinubu said. “I’m making frantic efforts to contact other nations. If we have to spend our goodwill and line of credit, we have those who are willing to support us with equipment and training.”

The president described insecurity as a major challenge facing his government , saying it threatens development and prosperity. He told the governors that equipment acquisition was also one of the key issues raised during his UK trip.

Tinubu also warned that the ongoing Middle East crisis could worsen inflation and hit Nigerians’ purchasing power through higher fuel and transport costs, which often feed into food prices.

The push for external support comes as Nigeria battles multiple security threats, including insurgency in the North-East, banditry in the North-West and North-Central regions, separatist tensions in the South-East and widespread kidnapping.

It also follows recent bombings in Maiduguri , after which Tinubu ordered security chiefs to relocate to the city and approved additional equipment and operational support to boost counterterrorism efforts.

The occasion was a state banquet held in honour of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, marking the first visit by a Nigerian leader to Britain in nearly four decades. Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu were received with full ceremony on March 17, complete with a guard of honour — a fitting welcome for the head of Africa’s most populous nation.

That evening, around 160 guests gathered in St. George’s Hall, including Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the Prince and Princess of Wales, Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales. The long tables were set with elaborate displays from the Royal Collection.

Opening his speech with the greeting “Ramadan Mubarak,” the King nodded to Nigeria’s religious diversity before recalling his 2018 visit to the country. He then turned, lightly, to a subject that is anything but trivial in West African circles: jollof rice.

“I was delighted to host a rather lively group for a ‘Jollof and Tea’ party,” he said, referring to a recent reception at St. James’s Palace. “I was firmly assured that the jollof was only the best: Nigerian, of course… or perhaps Ghanaian or Senegalese.”

“Diplomatically, I cannot remember,” the King quipped, drawing laughter.

For decades, the so-called “jollof wars” have pitted countries against one another in a spirited contest over whose recipe reigns supreme. 

For decades, the so-called “ jollof wars ” have pitted countries against one another in a spirited contest over whose recipe reigns supreme.

Nigerians champion a smoky, party-style version; Ghanaians argue for a richer flavour; Senegal, widely considered the dish’s originator, traces it to thieboudienne.

What may seem like a playful rivalry has also helped push West African cuisine into the global spotlight. Social media has amplified the debate, turning it into a wider conversation that travels well beyond the region.

Research suggests that the rivalry does more than entertain. The study describes the “jollof war” as an “occasionally fierce online debate” that has spread widely on social media, particularly between Nigerians and Ghanaians.

Far from being purely divisive, it argues that these exchanges are “harnessing West African culinary soft power” — effectively turning everyday arguments about food into a form of cultural promotion.

As for the King, his answer was carefully balanced. In the jollof debate, even a monarch appears to know better than to take sides.

The trip also includes a bilateral meeting with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street, expected to culminate in the signing of memoranda of understanding and agreements covering trade, investment, defence, immigration and cultural cooperation, the presidency noted in a statement.

A key commercial highlight is Tinubu witnessing the signing of a £746 million financing deal between UK Export Finance (UKEF) and Nigeria’s Ports Authority (NPA) and the Federal Ministry of Finance. The agreement is aimed at supporting the refurbishment of two major maritime facilities, the Lagos Port Complex (Apapa Quays) and the Tin Can Island Port Complex.

During the visit, the royal household is expected to show Tinubu a special exhibition of Nigeria-related items from the Royal Collection. Tinubu is also expected to attend the Nigerian Modernism exhibition and meet Nigerian and British business leaders, as well as members of the diaspora.

Members of Tinubu’s entourage include Senate President Godswill Akpabio, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Attorney-General Lateef Fagbemi, and several ministers, including Wale Edun (Finance), Jumoke Oduwole (Trade and Investment), and Bosun Tijani (Communications and Digital Economy).

This big figure strains resources, as Nigeria battles economic hardship and rising inflation, threatening the survival of many, especially the poor and unemployed, according to  a recent study .

The displacement crisis in Africa’s most populous country is fuelled by persistent conflict, harsh climatic events, unfavourable environmental circumstances and the desperate search for economic opportunity.

Dimanche Sharon, IOM’s Chief of Mission in the West African nation, highlights their efforts to provide basics like water, shelter and protection to help the displaced cope and safely return to their homes.

However, she notes the need to address the underlying causes of internal displacement, such as building resilient communities and fostering collaborations across government institutions and development partners, for sustainability.

“When they return home, for instance, when communities receive these displaced populations... they need economic opportunities and support so they can move forward in dignity,” she adds, revealing that over 9,000 migrants from Edo State have been helped to return to their homes and that the organisation has supported approximately 8,000 to rebuild their lives.

Meanwhile, the IOM’s strategic priorities include saving lives by providing immediate humanitarian assistance, offering protection services and facilitating processes that enable displaced people to recover and reconstruct.

Internal displacement is not unique to Nigeria. According to the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC), about 35 million people in Africa were considered internally displaced by the end of 2023, with conflict and violence accounting for 32.5 million, including Sudan’s approximately 10.1 million .

This is deeply concerning, especially as the African Union seeks to achieve a “conflict-free continent with harmony among communities at the grassroots level and inter–state and intra-state wars eliminated and mechanisms put in place to prevent and resolve conflicts”.

Nigeria’s humanitarian situation demonstrates the need to fill gaps in the country’s response capability and strategy to address conflict-inducing factors like non-state armed violence, weak state presence, limited access to justice and exposure to harsh environmental and climatic events.

The Nigerian government must work with relevant stakeholders to strengthen inclusiveness and shield vulnerable groups like women and girls, “who face heightened exposure to violence, neglect, discrimination, abuse and exploitation” when there are protection gaps .

This aligns with the legal framework for the protection of internally displaced persons, which demands that IDPs enjoy, equally and without discrimination, the same rights and freedoms under international and national law, just like other persons in their country.

The opinions and thoughts expressed in this article reflect only the author's views.

Under diplomatic practice, a host country must issue an agrément, formal consent, before an ambassador can take up the post. Nigeria’s officials told The Punch the hesitation is tied to timing rather than the nominee, with some countries viewing the Tinubu administration as nearing the end of its current term.

The report notes that Nigeria is trying to persuade India to make an exception, arguing that bilateral ties could help “scale through” the hurdle.

Tinubu approved postings for 65 ambassadors-designate and high commissioners on March 6, but the foreign ministry has so far received agrément only from the United Kingdom and France , leaving most deployments pending.

High-ranking military officials responsible for counterterrorism operations from both countries met in Cotonou on 27 February to discuss future collaboration. 

The proposed plan includes coordinated border patrols, joint military operations, intelligence sharing and increased monitoring of cross-border movement. Further discussions on the measures are expected later in March.

According to Héni Nsaibia, senior West Africa analyst at the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data group (ACLED), the border area linking Benin, Niger and Nigeria has emerged as a new focus of jihadist activity since 2025.

“Due to very weak border security and coordination between concerned states, seeing Benin and Nigeria reinforcing their cooperation is particularly relevant,” he told RFI .

According to his research for ACLED, incidents involving jihadist groups in Benin’s Alibori and Borgou departments, Dosso in Niger, and Nigeria’s Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger and Kwara states increased by 86% between 2024 and 2025. Deaths linked to these incidents rose by 262% during the same period.

Jihadist groups Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) and the Islamic State in the Sahel have historically operated mainly in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger. However, their activities are increasingly spreading into West Africa’s coastal states.

Founded in Mali in 2017, JNIM has become the main jihadist group in the central Sahel. Since 2019, the al-Qaeda affiliate has also carried out attacks in countries along the Gulf of Guinea, including Côte d’Ivoire, Benin and Togo.

Nsaibia noted that last year, JNIM also claimed responsibility for an attack on Nigerian territory for the first time.

He said the increase in violence can be attributed to “limited state presence” and weakened regional cooperation after Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger withdrew from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) following military coups in the three countries.

Security officials say cross-border cooperation will be essential to address the threat.

Senior advisor to Nigeria's President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Sunday Dare, said, because of "the porosity of the borders, we've had armed trafficking, we've had criminal gangs, we've had Boko Haram, we've had ISIS and other groups."

Dare said the Nigerian president is committed to strengthening relations with Benin and other neighbouring countries to support both security and economic cooperation.

“Just last month, he opened the borders to not just Benin, but also Niger, and that has improved relations,” Dare said.

Another meeting is scheduled to take place in Benin before the end of March to advance the draft military memorandum.

Nsaibia added that other countries in the region are also strengthening security cooperation.

“We have also seen in the past weeks that Ghana and Burkina Faso have taken similar steps. From a regional perspective, these borders are most exposed to jihadist violence, and I think it makes sense for these countries to have these types of rapprochement between each other.”

In South Africa, markets have already shifted as traders are now pricing no chance of a rate cut at the central bank’s March 26 meeting, after a cut was still being seen as possible just days earlier.

“Until the outlook in the Iran war becomes clearer, significant policy rate decisions by African central banks may be deferred,” said Hasnain Malik, a strategist at research firm Tellimer. He said countries such as Egypt, Kenya and Morocco could be more exposed to disruption than commodity producers like Ghana, Nigeria and South Africa.

Oil has jumped as traders worry about supply and shipping risks linked to Iran and the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global energy flows. Higher fuel costs could quickly feed into transport and food prices across the continent.

African markets have also been unsettled by investors pulling money from riskier assets and moving into the US dollar, weakening local currencies . “Borrowing and raising capital just got harder,” said Charlie Robertson, author of The Time Travelling Economist. Chatham House’s Tighisti Amare warned African economies “simply do not have the buffers for another prolonged global shock.”

Tems has been especially prolific in 2026, racking up three Hot 100 entries this year alone, a pace no other African artist has matched so far.

Tems has been especially prolific in 2026, racking up three Hot 100 entries this year alone, a pace no other African artist has matched so far.

The entries include "Raindance", her collaboration with British rapper Dave, which charted on the Hot 100 early in the year and "What You Need", her solo single.

Burna Boy, on the other hand, became the first African artist to chart a Hot 100 song in six consecutive years from 2021 through 2026.

Who else has charted?

Billboard Hot 100 entries for African artists aren’t just a recent thing. Over the past few years, several track appearances have punched through, with a show of growing global influence:

These milestones reflect a shift in how global audiences consume music. Afrobeats and related genres no longer register only as niche or regional sounds; they enter mainstream conversation and sometimes dominate it.

A health expert has said the rising figure shows persistent demand for treatment abroad, driven by weak confidence in local care, recurring disruptions, and limited capacity for specialised services . Former Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria president Olumide Akintayo said the system has deteriorated, pointing to prolonged industrial action and its knock-on effects.

“What the statistics and data… confirm authoritatively is that the health system has only gotten worse,” Akintayo said, adding, “We have just witnessed the longest-ever strike of health workers… 84 days.”

Nigerian Medical Association president Prof. Bala Audu said many Nigerians seeking FX for medical travel are likely pursuing treatment for serious, long-term illnesses. “Without that information, it would be very difficult to proffer a solution. But most likely it will be for chronic debilitating diseases such as different types of advanced cancers,” he said.

Audu added that Nigeria has skilled clinicians but lacks critical infrastructure. “For most treatments that are not available, the competent people to give those treatments are available. But what about the equipment?” he asked, citing gaps ranging from specialised machines to reagents and tests sometimes sent abroad.

The response was uniform: "No vacant bed available". By 12:50 am GMT, Charles Amissah was dead —not for lack of medical expertise or a responding ambulance, but for lack of a piece of furniture.

His tragic death has reignited fury over Ghana’s "no bed syndrome," a systemic failure where emergency care is routinely denied based on physical space. 

However, a look into healthcare systems across sub-Saharan Africa reveals that Amissah’s death is not an isolated incident; it is a symptom of a continental crisis where hospital beds have become a tool of lethal exclusion.

The Ghana context

In Ghana, the "no bed syndrome" is a chronic ailment. In 2024, the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH), the nation’s largest medical facility, had to suspend referrals to its Surgical Medical Emergency unit because it was housing 60 patients in a 36-bed unit. Photos on social media captured the dehumanising reality: patients receiving treatment in plastic chairs, wheelchairs, and on the bare floor.

The Ministry of Health, on February 18, announced that it had constituted a three-member committee to probe Amissah’s death , examining decision-making processes and contributing factors. Yet, local experts argue the problem is structural. Beyond the physical shortage, the system suffers from abandoned facilities, a lack of medicines, and a severe brain drain as medical professionals flee for better opportunities abroad. 

Despite a national health insurance scheme, the cost of emergency care remains prohibitively high for many, and the referral chain is often broken by a lack of coordinated communication between ambulances and receiving wards.

The Nigerian mirror

Nigeria faces a nearly identical "no bed" crisis, often overshadowed by the "Japa syndrome"—the mass exodus of healthcare workers. The story of Ifelola Abiona last year, a 42-year-old mother of two, mirrors that of Charles Amissah. 

Despite doctors being physically present and ready to operate at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), she was left to "languish" and eventually die because no bed could be found. Her husband recounted a harrowing ordeal of being referred between facilities, paying nearly a million naira (about $745) for redundant tests, only to be told again: "No bed".

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) blamed this on a dysfunctional referral system and a weak primary healthcare foundation.

Chairman of the NMA in Lagos, Dr Saheed Babajide, revealed that in Lagos, only 57 out of 300 primary health centres are comprehensive enough to have doctors, forcing patients to swarm tertiary hospitals for minor ailments. This over-subscription, according to reports, means that many hospitals consistently operate at over 90% occupancy.

Furthermore, the lack of space extends to the families. Informal caregivers—relatives who perform the roles of nurses due to staffing shortages—are forced to sleep on staircases , wooden benches, or bare concrete. They report being bitten by mosquitoes, shivering in the rain, and eventually falling ill themselves, creating a secondary public health risk.

The ICU crisis in South Africa

In South Africa, the crisis shifts from general ward beds to the even more critical shortage of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds. Reports reveal that South Africa has a mere five ICU beds per 100,000 people . In some provinces, the ratio drops to one bed per 100,000.

The consequences are visceral. In Gauteng, South Africa's economically dominant province, which houses its financial capital, Johannesburg, a 29-year-old man died after a one-hour wait for medical attention; his family attributed the delay to "corruption led by the political elite" and a lack of available ICU space. Another patient waited six weeks for an ICU bed for a bypass surgery; during that time, gangrene spread, resulting in a double amputation.

The shortage is not just about infrastructure but specialised human capital. Only 25% of ICU nurses in the country are actually trained in critical care. This deficit, combined with crumbling utilities and water/power shortages, means that even when a physical bed is available, there may be no one qualified to man it. 

There have also been reports of financial mismanagement where security budgets outweigh clinical budgets, leaving hospitals under-equipped while funds are siphoned away.

Liberia and Kenya: Crumbling walls and digital deadlocks

In Liberia, the "no bed" crisis is exacerbated by the scars of civil war and the 2014 Ebola epidemic. At Phebe Hospital, the second-largest in the country, reports from 2024 indicated that a lone surgeon had been forced to carry out operations by the light of storm lanterns because of frequent electricity cuts. 

The hospital, burdened by $300,000 in debt to vendors, often lacks basic drugs, forcing doctors to watch patients die while relatives run to local pharmacies to buy supplies. At the James Jenkins Dossen (JJ Dossen) Hospital in Harper, the coastal capital of Maryland County in southeastern Liberia, the influx of patients was so high that pregnant women and their newborn babies were forced to sleep on the floor.

Kenya offers a more modern, albeit equally frustrating, version of the crisis. Recent transitions to the Social Health Authority (SHA) portal resulted in chaotic situations where hospitals with physical beds were shown as having "zero occupancy" in the digital system. Hospital owners reported being forced to turn away women in need of maternity services because the digital dashboard "locked," preventing admissions and reimbursements. 

Officials claim this was a deliberate downgrade to protect patient safety in facilities lacking essential equipment, but providers allege it is a cost-containment strategy by a state grappling with billions in unpaid claims.

A continental death trap

The collective data across these nations paints a grim picture:

Why the bed is just the symptom

The "no bed syndrome" is rarely just about furniture. It is the end result of the "Three Delays" model, according to researchers :

Many governments in Africa still view Emergency Medical Services (EMS) as a luxury rather than an essential component of Universal Health Coverage (UHC). 

In Nigeria, for instance, only 9% of the population is covered by a formal EMS system. Governments struggle to maintain ambulance fleets, and most response is left to expensive, private hospital-owned vehicles that can cost more than a month’s wages to hire.

The path forward: Essential, not optional

The African Critical Illness Outcomes Study , which investigated about 20,000 patients from 180 hospitals in 22 countries across the continent, suggests that thousands of lives could be saved through simple, low-cost interventions that can be provided in general wards, such as ensuring oxygen availability and training staff in basic life support.

Case studies in Sierra Leone and Malawi show promise. Sierra Leone utilised ambulances from its Ebola response to create a national EMS system that now achieves national coverage with 80 ambulances and over 400 paramedics. Malawi is piloting a coordinated "118" emergency number and trauma registry along its deadliest road corridor.

Halima Aliko Dangote has been named Group Executive Director in charge of the Dangote Family Office and International Offices in Dubai and London. She will oversee governance and development of the family office while continuing her broader executive responsibilities within the group. Halima previously led the turnaround of Dangote Flour Mills and has held senior roles at NASCON and Dangote Industries.

Fatima Aliko Dangote has been appointed Group Executive Director, Commercial Operations - Oil & Gas. She will oversee the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals, fertiliser operations and upstream energy businesses, alongside key corporate functions such as communications and procurement. Fatima is a trained lawyer and has previously held commercial and strategy roles within the group.

Mariya Aliko Dangote becomes Group Executive Director, Commercial Operations - Cement & Foods. She will lead commercial strategy for the group’s cement and food businesses, focusing on expansion and operational efficiency. She currently serves as Executive Director of Operations at Dangote Sugar Refinery and sits on several group boards.

The leadership appointments come as the Dangote Group pushes forward with major expansion plans, including scaling up its refinery capacity and pursuing its Vision 2030 goal of building a $100 billion enterprise.

“For too long, excessive deductions, overlapping funds , and structural distortions in the oil and gas sector have weakened remittances to the Federation Account,” the president wrote. “When revenues meant for federal, state, and local governments are trapped in layers of charges and retention mechanisms, development suffers. That must end, he added.”

The directive, officially titled Order 9 of 2026 (Presidential Executive Order to Safeguard Federation Oil and Gas Revenues and Provide Regulatory Clarity, 2026), has now been gazetted.

Under the new order, all Royalty Oil, Tax Oil, Profit Oil, Profit Gas and other government entitlements under production sharing and related contracts will be paid directly into the Federation Account. The administration has also scrapped the additional 30 percent management fee and the 30 percent Frontier Exploration deduction that previously reduced remittances.

Tinubu said the objective of the reform is to improve transparency, accountability and constitutional compliance in the management of oil revenues.

“Oil and gas revenues must serve the Nigerian people first and this reform is about fairness and fiscal responsibility,” he said.

The president added that NNPC Limited will now operate strictly as a commercial enterprise, as provided for under the Petroleum Industry Act, ending what he called “duplicative deductions and fragmented oversight.”

Tinubu also announced a comprehensive review of the Petroleum Industry Act to address structural and fiscal weaknesses in the sector. An implementation committee has been set up to oversee and coordinate the rollout of the new order.

According to Gauteng police spokesperson Colonel Mavela Masondo, preliminary investigations indicate that the driver was attacked by a man and a woman during the trip. His hijacked vehicle and body were later discovered in Atteridgeville on the same day.

Arrest and investigation

Gauteng police have arrested a woman in connection with the case. She is expected to appear before the Atteridgeville Magistrate’s Court on February 16, 2026, facing charges of murder and carjacking.

Police say investigations are ongoing and more arrests are expected.

Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni has assigned a senior detective to confirm details of the incident and ensure those responsible are brought to justice .

Video circulation

A dash cam video circulating on social media appears to show the assault inside the vehicle. The South African Police Service (SAPS) has strongly condemned the sharing of the footage.

“The police strongly condemn the circulation of the video that depicts what appears to be a gruesome murder of the victim,” said Masondo.

Authorities have urged the public not to share, forward or repost the video.

Satlat was reportedly preparing to graduate next month and had plans to relocate to Canada for further studies.

His death has sparked outrage, particularly among Nigerians, and revived concerns about the safety of foreign nationals working in South Africa’s gig economy .

The men were among 792 suspected internet fraud suspects arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in December 2024.

Prosecutors said the pair recruited Nigerian youths to impersonate foreign nationals online for financial gain and laundered funds through crypto wallets and local bank accounts.

“I humbly pray your lordship to impose the maximum sentence… to serve as a deterrent,” EFCC prosecutor Bilkisu Bala-Buhari told the court.

In his ruling, Justice Osiagor sentenced each man to a cumulative 46 years, saying the punishment reflected the seriousness of the offences.

Authorities also ordered the forfeiture of assets recovered during the investigation, including hundreds of phones, computers, and other equipment allegedly used in the fraud operation.

In a statement, ActionSA said a “Nigerian suspect identified as being involved in drug trafficking” was shot during the operation. The party said drug syndicates had terrorised communities and vowed to continue supporting “decisive and lawful measures” to combat crime.

However, the Consulate General of Nigeria in Johannesburg strongly condemned the killing, describing it as deeply troubling and calling for justice .

“The unfortunate incident has raised questions over the safety of Nigerians and other foreigners in South Africa,” the consulate said in a statement. It also warned against what it described as attempts to label Nigerians as criminals.

The consulate stressed that no one should take the law into their own hands and called for due process. “No matter what the allegations are, there are processes and steps to justice. All should be presumed innocent and granted a fair hearing in a court of law,” it said.

South African authorities have launched investigations into the incident. Nigerian officials said they had held meetings with local authorities and had been assured that those responsible would be brought to justice.

The shooting has revived painful memories of past xenophobic violence in South Africa, where foreign nationals, particularly from other African countries, have at times been targeted during unrest linked to crime, unemployment and social tensions.

Civil society groups have long warned that political rhetoric linking foreign nationals to crime can inflame tensions and deepen divisions in communities already struggling with poverty and insecurity.

ActionSA has defended its anti-crime stance, saying safety and law enforcement are central to its 10-point plan for Ekurhuleni, which includes targeting drug syndicates and strengthening policing efforts.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian consulate has urged its nationals to remain calm and law-abiding as investigations continue. It also extended condolences to Uzor’s family.

The group referenced Nigeria’s decision to ban sachet alcohol, which was driven by data from a national survey revealing that nearly one in ten children under the age of 13 drinks alcohol daily.

VAST-Ghana raised concerns about the design and marketing of sachet alcohol. Typically containing alcohol levels of 43% or more, the small and low-cost packaging makes it easily accessible and concealable by school children. The group stated, “This situation leads to alcohol abuse, addiction, physiological damage such as liver damage, even from small amounts, and long-term health problems, as early exposure is particularly harmful to developing bodies.”

The organisation described the normalisation of sachet alcohol near schools and transport terminals as “a threat to our national security and future human capital”. VAST-Ghana also cited a May 2025 study published in BMC Public Health, which found alcohol to be the most commonly used substance among Ghanaian students, with some beginning consumption as early as age 10.

Alcohol consumption is linked to the development of noncommunicable diseases such as liver and heart diseases, several types of cancer, and mental and behavioural health issues, including depression and alcohol use disorders, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). Global data from 2019 showed that approximately 400 million people, or 7% of the world’s population aged 15 and older, had alcohol use disorders. Among these, 209 million individuals were living with alcohol dependence.

The push for policy change in Ghana follows Nigeria’s ban on sachet and small-sized alcohol bottles under 200ml, implemented by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). The ban specifically targets the affordability and accessibility of small alcohol packs to minors.

A survey conducted by NAFDAC across Nigeria’s six geo-political zones revealed that 54% of minors purchase alcohol themselves, with a preference for sachets and small bottles due to their discreet size. The same data showed that nearly one in ten children under 13 consumes alcohol daily.

Defending the ban, NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, said : “Access to alcohol by children can be limited if pack sizes that can be easily concealed are not available. A ban on small pack sizes... can reduce the menace of underage drinking.”

Speaking at the Nigerian International Energy Summit held from February 2 to 5 in Abuja, the Chief Executive Officer of Ghana’s National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Godwin Kudzo Tameklo, stated that Ghana’s two main refineries are too small to meet local fuel demand. 

Tameklo explained that Ghana has already initiated discussions with the Dangote Petroleum Refinery to develop a commercial relationship. 

“In Ghana, what we have tried to do as a country is to operate two major refineries and a modular refinery of about 5,000 to 6,000 barrels per day, which is quite small,” he said. “When you talk about 6,000 barrels per day in the Nigerian context, it is insignificant, but in Ghana it is considered a sizeable refinery. We have always relied on imports, both crude oil and refined products . Ghana therefore represents a strong offtake market for the Dangote Refinery.”

“We have had extensive engagements with Alhaji Aliko Dangote to position Ghana to take refined products from Nigeria. Given the proximity between Ghana and Nigeria, increased reliance on Nigeria’s refined petroleum products will help us reduce the cost of fuel delivered to Ghana,” he added.

Devakumar Edwin, Group Vice President (Oil and Gas) of the Dangote Group, confirmed that the refinery has the capacity to serve both domestic and export needs.

“The refinery has an installed capacity of 650,000 barrels per day and is currently operating at about 85%, with steady progress toward full utilisation,” he told local publication Vanguard . 

“Nigeria needs only about 50% of our production capacity to meet its petrol and diesel requirements. This leaves significant volumes available for export, and with planned expansions, export volumes will increase further,” he added.

In 2024, Ghana’s oil regulator had indicated the country could purchase refined petroleum from the Dangote Refinery once it reached full operation, potentially replacing monthly European imports valued at $400 million.

Two years earlier, during the Africa CEO Forum Annual Summit in Kigali, Rwanda, Aliko Dangote had criticised the continent’s reliance on fuel imports from outside Africa, stating: “Our capacity is too big for Nigeria, but it would also supply West Africa, Central Africa and South Africa.”

“They were shooting everyone in sight,” said Ibrahim Farouk, a farmer who survived after being shot in the thigh. “Those who ran were chased into the bush and killed. Those who hid in their houses were burnt inside. They wanted no one alive.”

Farouk said the attackers also threw explosives into homes and shops, torching large parts of the village. Several victims were shot at close range, while others were burned alive. By Friday, at least 35 additional bodies had been recovered from nearby forests, according to residents.

Another survivor, Joshua Deme, said some of the attackers appeared to be teenagers. “The one who shot me was not even 15,” he said. “The younger ones were shooting, while the older ones burned houses.”

A third survivor, miner Usman Bangoro, said the gunmen wore military-style uniforms, initially confusing residents. “You would think they were soldiers,” he said. “But they shot at anything that moved.”

Residents said the attackers abducted about 75 people, including women and children , and used a village vehicle to transport some of the captives. A bomb planted along the Kaiama road later exploded, burning a truck carrying agricultural produce.

The injured were taken to hospitals in Ilorin and Kainji, with local authorities providing ambulances. Survivors say blood shortages have delayed surgeries for some victims.

Community members claim the attackers had earlier sent a message saying they wanted to “preach,” but local leaders rejected the request and alerted security agencies. Troops were reportedly deployed briefly but left days before the attack.

The massacre is the latest in a series of mass killings linked to armed groups operating across central and northwestern Nigeria.

According to the Toxinological Society of Nigeria, nearly 1,900 people die from snakebites annually. However, the real figure could be higher due to underreporting, especially in remote areas where victims rely on traditional remedies.

Antivenom is expensive, with a single dose costing between ₦180,000 and ₦250,000 (approximately $120 - $170), more than four months’ income for Nigerians earning the minimum wage. Many patients require multiple doses, pushing treatment far beyond what most families can afford.

Studies show that about half of Nigeria’s health facilities lack the capacity to treat snakebite cases, either because they do not stock antivenom or because health workers are not trained to administer it. “Nigeria records thousands of snakebites every year, yet even specialised hospitals often do not have antivenom in stock,” said Dr Nicholas Amani of the Snakebite Hospital and Research Centre in Gombe State.

Further, a Professor of Medical Microbiology at the University of Jos, Plateau State, Patricia Lar added that; “The anti-snake venom problem is that in our country, we’re not committed to the production of the anti-snake venom. We have the science, we have people who are knowledgeable about it, but there is the general problem of a lack of commitment, concerted efforts to develop and produce on a large scale the anti-snake venom. So Nigeria imports, and there are wide varieties from India, China, and from the UK, and that is the reason the cost is exorbitant, and you don’t find it in every hospital or in primary healthcare centres where people should easily access it.”

Adding; “We need expertise and a general awareness of the first line of action, which is primary health care. There is a need for this anti-snake venom to be readily available and to be administered in the event of a bite by a poisonous snake.”

Following recent high-profile deaths linked to snakebites, medical professionals and lawmakers have renewed calls for the government to subsidise antivenom, expand local production and make the treatment freely available nationwide.

Kwara State’s governor condemned the violence as a “cowardly” attack on civilians, while President Bola Tinubu labelled it “beastly” and ordered the deployment of an army battalion to the Kaiama district to support security forces. The killings come amid ongoing insecurity in Nigeria, where jihadist insurgency in the north-east and bandit attacks across central and northern regions continue to challenge authorities, despite recent military operations claimed to have weakened armed groups.

At the hearing, Representative Chris Smith, who chairs the House Foreign Affairs Africa Subcommittee, defended the US decision to designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) under the International Religious Freedom Act. He said the designation was “long overdue” given years of deadly attacks on Christian communities.

Smith said he was troubled by reports that Nigeria had hired DCI Group under a contract worth $9 million, or $750,000 a month, to influence US policymakers. He also cited a separate $120,000-a-month contract involving a Nigerian billionaire and another Washington-based firm.

“They come with well-written talking points to say there’s nothing to see here,” Smith said , arguing that the lobbying efforts risk minimising the scale of religious violence in Nigeria.

Other lawmakers cautioned against oversimplifying Nigeria’s crisis. Representative Sara Jacobs, the ranking member of the subcommittee, said the violence affects both Christians and Muslims and is driven by multiple factors, including terrorism, banditry and farmer-herder conflicts.

Jacobs also criticised recent US military strikes in Nigeria, questioning their effectiveness and warning that they could worsen instability rather than protect civilians.

Former US Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback told the hearing that CPC designations mean little without consequences, urging the US to back them with sanctions and other concrete measures.

Another witness, Dr Stephen Schneck, a former chair of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom, said military responses could be counterproductive and noted that the cost of recent airstrikes may have exceeded funding previously used for peacebuilding and interfaith programmes.

Nigeria’s government has rejected claims that Christians are facing genocide, saying the country’s security crisis is complex and not driven solely by religion .

Investigators say Amandi was allegedly recruited by the coup suspects to act as a propagandist, helping promote or support the plot, which reportedly involved plans to assassinate senior government officials.

Sources briefed on the matter said President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas were among those allegedly marked for elimination.

Military confirms coup investigation

Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters confirmed that officers had been investigated for attempting to remove the government illegally. In a statement, the military said the inquiry was “comprehensive” and had been forwarded to the appropriate authorities in line with existing regulations.

It said the findings identified “a number of officers with allegations of plotting to overthrow the government,” calling such actions inconsistent with the professional ethics of the armed forces.

The accused officers are expected to be arraigned before military judicial panels.

Premium Times first reported in October that at least 16 officers were being investigated, although the army initially described the case as involving “indiscipline and breach of service regulations.”

Since then, more officers and civilians have reportedly been arrested as investigators expanded the probe.

Military suspects are expected to face court-martial proceedings first, while civilians implicated, including Amandi, would be tried in civil courts.

Background to the alleged plot

Sources cited by Premium Times said the plot was allegedly masterminded by a colonel identified as Alhassan Ma’aji. The coup was initially planned for May 29, 2023, during Tinubu’s inauguration, but was reportedly postponed due to funding and logistical challenges. Investigators say the plan was revived in 2025, with claims that former Bayelsa State governor Timipre Sylva helped bankroll the effort through nearly N1 billion transferred in multiple tranches. Sylva was later declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and his home was reportedly raided during investigations.

Stanley Amandi is known in Nollywood as an actor, director and production manager. His works include The Album, Tiger King (2008), Cornerstone (2019), and Once Upon a Dream (2024).

According to recent data, Nigeria records around 7.5 million live births annually, while Europe, together with Russia, see roughly 6.3 million births per year.

Nigeria’s high fertility rate, which averages around 4.6 births per woman, plays a big role in these figures. That rate is well above global averages and far higher than most of Europe, where fertility rates commonly fall below replacement level (about 1.4 to 1.6 children per woman).

By contrast, much of Europe has a deeply aged population and decades of low birth rates. Countries such as Italy, Spain and Germany have fertility well under replacement level, contributing to slower natural population growth and, in some cases, declining native population totals.

Russia in particular illustrates this trend as its fertility rate is among the lowest in the world at roughly 1.4 births per woman, and official statistics show persistent declines in the number of births as the population ages.

Low fertility rates in Europe are already prompting incentives for families, reforms in parental support, and debates about immigration policy as governments seek ways to stabilise future population size and workforce strength.

Nigeria’s youth-heavy population and higher birth rates, on the other hand, have helped it become a demographic powerhouse , even as many European countries confront ageing populations, shrinking workforces and fiscal pressures linked to elder care.

Nigeria’s demographic trends also carry implications. Rapid population growth can fuel economic expansion if accompanied by investment in education , health and employment.

The World Economic Forum suggests that "A population projected to reach 400 million by 2050 needs jobs aligned with a fast-digitising economy. But youth unemployment remains among the highest globally, with 23% of young Nigerians actively looking for work, while another 32% are out of employment altogether. Employers also report persistent shortages in technical and digital skills, underscoring the need for coordinated investment."

According to IMF projections cited and analysed by The African Exponent , Africa’s ten largest economies in 2026 reflect a mix of resource strength, population size, industrial capacity, and policy direction.

South Africa is projected to remain Africa’s largest economy in 2026, with a nominal GDP of about $401.6 billion. Despite slow growth in recent years, the country continues to benefit from its diversified economy, strong financial sector, and advanced industrial base.

Close behind is Egypt, with an estimated $399.5 billion GDP. Egypt’s rise has been driven by large-scale infrastructure investment, expansion in energy production, and aggressive economic reforms.

As The African Exponent has noted in previous coverage, Egypt’s strategic positioning as a trade and logistics hub linking Africa, the Middle East , and Europe continues to strengthen its economic weight.

Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, is projected to rank third with a GDP of roughly $334.3 billion. Oil and gas still play a central role, but growth in telecommunications, fintech, agriculture, and entertainment has diversified parts of the economy.

However, the African Exponent has consistently pointed out that currency instability, inflation, and policy uncertainty remain key constraints on Nigeria’s full economic potential.

Algeria is expected to rank fourth at $285.0 billion, buoyed largely by hydrocarbons and higher global energy demand. While diversification remains a challenge, state spending and energy exports continue to anchor the economy.

Morocco, at $196.1 billion, rounds out the top five. Its strength lies in manufacturing, agriculture, tourism, and the growing automotive and aerospace industries. The African Exponent frequently highlights Morocco as one of Africa’s most strategically diversified economies.

Kenya and Ethiopia signal East Africa’s growing economic relevance. Kenya has approximately $140.9 billion, driven by services, finance, ICT, and regional trade. Ethiopia is also around $125.7 billion, supported by manufacturing, agriculture, and state-led industrialisation.

Despite debt pressures and foreign exchange shortages, Ethiopia’s long-term growth fundamentals continue to attract attention across African economic commentary.

Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, and Angola finalise the list as Ghana sits at $113.5 billion, supported by gold, cocoa, and oil, though fiscal pressures persist. Côte d’Ivoire comes in with $111.5 billion, as one of West Africa’s fastest-growing economies, driven by agriculture and infrastructure. Angola, with $109.9 billion, is heavily dependent on oil but showing gradual signs of reform.

The African Exponent has noted that Côte d’Ivoire’s steady growth contrasts sharply with more volatile commodity-dependent economies, making it one of the continent’s most closely watched performers.

These rankings are based on nominal GDP, not purchasing power or living standards. What this really tells us is where capital, infrastructure, and policy focus are currently concentrated. It also highlights Africa’s continued reliance on a handful of large economies to drive continental growth.

Nigeria is undertaking sweeping reforms to improve its business environment, attract foreign capital and reduce long-standing economic pressures such as high inflation, unemployment and weak industrial output.

Officials say securing new partnerships is critical because Nigeria needs more investment, technology transfer and trade opportunities to make these reforms deliver real benefits for ordinary citizens.

Tinubu said Nigeria is determined to build “an economy that works for everyone,” including the most vulnerable.

A major goal of the discussions with Türkiye is to increase trade volumes. Tinubu said both countries are working toward a target of $5 billion in annual trade, and agreed to remove barriers limiting business growth.

To drive these efforts, Nigeria and Türkiye have established a Joint Economy and Trade Committee, which Tinubu said will unlock new flows of capital and support industrial expansion. The committee is expected to focus on investment attraction, private-sector participation and economic cooperation in areas such as infrastructure and manufacturing.

Nigeria’s government has also been implementing reforms in the energy sector, which it sees as central to economic recovery. Tinubu welcomed Türkiye’s recognition of Nigeria’s “reform momentum,” saying it reflects growing international confidence in the country’s direction.

Energy investment is seen as especially important for Nigeria, which continues to face power shortages and needs stronger infrastructure to support growth.

Beyond economics, Tinubu said defence cooperation with Türkiye will strengthen Nigeria’s ability to tackle insecurity, including terrorism and other threats that discourage investment.