The Week Ahead

On November 21, Simon Ekpa, a dual citizen of Nigeria and Finland and self-proclaimed IPOB leader, was arrested in Finland on terrorism-related charges. Accused of using social media to incite violence in Nigeria, his arrest highlights the impact of online rhetoric. How will this affect separatist activities in southeastern Nigeria? Meanwhile, Nigeria’s National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu visite...

We start with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to Nigeria, the first by an Indian PM in 17 years. With over $27 billion in Indian investments in Nigeria, what is the potential to expand trade and cooperation? Will this historic visit deepen Nigeria-India ties? Next, Nigeria’s economic woes are mounting. Manufacturers report ₦1.24 trillion in unsold inventory, a 357.6% spike fro...

We begin in Southern Africa, where Botswana is undergoing a historic political shift. After 58 years of Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) rule, the country has elected opposition candidate Duma Boko of the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) as its new president. What are the implications of his victory for Botswana's future? What are the broader political impact of the UDC's parliamentar...

We begin in Ghana, where Islamist militants from Burkina Faso are allegedly using northern Ghana for supplies and medical support, despite denials from Ghanaian authorities. Is Ghana at risk of becoming a safe haven for insurgents? How might this impact regional security? In Nigeria, terrorists have reportedly overtaken the Nagwamase Military Cantonment in Niger State, displacing over 20 communiti...

Nigeria's government has proposed a 5% excise duty on telecom services, gaming, and betting as part of a new tax reform bill. How will this new tax burden affect consumers and businesses, and what could it mean for Nigeria’s digital economy? Next, the Dangote Refinery missed its petrol supply targets, delivering only 148 million litres instead of 575 million litres between mid-September and e...

We begin in Northern Nigeria,  where less than a month after Defence Minister Bello Matawalle faced accusations of sponsoring banditry, Bauchi South Senatorial District lawmaker Shehu Umar Buba is facing similar allegations. Though the Muslim Rights Concern has refuted these allegations, how will these accusations affect the lawmaker’s political standing, and what does this mean for regional secur...

First, we head over to Kenya, where Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua faces impeachment over serious allegations, including self-enrichment and inciting ethnic hatred. Is a feud with President Ruto now out in the open? How will this reshape the future of leadership in the country? What will be the effect on the region? Then, we come to Nigeria to discuss last weekend's local elections in Rive...

In today’s episode, we discuss SBM's Health Preparedness Index for 2024—a yearly report that looks at the state of the healthcare infrastructure across Nigeria. Next, we explore the alarming findings from the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, which reveals that as of June 2024, the federal government is owed a staggering $6.071 billion in unpaid oil and gas revenues. Then...

First we turn our attention to the Central Bank of Nigeria, which has made headlines by raising its Monetary Policy Rate for the fifth time this year.  Next, we’ll discuss Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited and its bottler, Nigeria Bottling Company, which has unveiled a plan to inject $1 billion into the Nigerian economy over the next five years. And finally, we’ll take a closer look at the geopolitical te...

This week, we look first at the NNPC's revelation that petrol prices will vary across the country—ranging from ₦950 ($0.57) in Lagos to as high as ₦1,019 ($0.62) in Borno—depending on logistics costs.  Then, the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) has alerted Nigerians about potential flooding from the regulated water releases at Cameroon’s Lagdo Dam. This happens almost yearly. Why...

Today we discuss the arrest of Joe Ajaero, the leader of the Nigeria Labour Congress. What are the implications of Mr Ajaero's detention for the country's unions and the broader political terrain of the country? Next, a notorious terrorist leader, Bello Turji, has issued a chilling warning to the Hausa people of Northern Nigeria, necessitating a deep dive into the escalating tensions bet...

In today's episode, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation has hiked the fuel pump price—from ₦617 to ₦897 per litre. This price surge comes just days after the NNPC admitted to owing suppliers over $6 billion. How will this affect Nigerians' daily lives, and is the country any closer to solving its fuel crisis? Next, we look at the health sector, where tensions are high between the...

Before diving into this week’s topics, we will take a quick look at SBM’s report on kidnap in Nigeria.  Then, we'll examine the sudden resignation of Ahmed Abubakar, the Nigeria Intelligence Agency’s Director General. What's behind this surprising move, and what does it mean for national security? After that, we discuss the latest confrontation between the police and members of the Islam...

In our first story, we dive into Nigeria’s oil sector, where the Nigerian National Petroleum Company has declared a net profit of ₦3.297 trillion for 2023, its largest ever Naira profit. Is this a cause for celebration?  Next, we explore a development involving the Nigerian government as a French court authorises the seizure of three presidential jets. This move follows a legal battle with a Chine...

The MTN Group is facing a financial storm as it predicts a half-year loss due to the devaluation of the Nigerian naira and operational hurdles in Sudan. With earnings per share plummeting and business activity in Nigeria hitting an eight-month low, we'll explore how these economic shifts reshape the region. Then political drama is unfolding in Nigeria's Edo State. After a contentious imp...

Today we explore the Nigerian National Petroleum Company’s ambitious move to secure a $2 billion loan in Europe. With soaring petrol prices and liquidity issues at Dangote Industries, what does this mean for Nigeria's economy? Next, we examine the controversial increase in the Ways and Means advances okayed by Nigeria's House of Representatives. What are the arguments and fallout from th...

First, apologies for the less than 100% quality of this recording. Nigeria has been experiencing poor network connectivity for some days now, allegedly to prevent protestors from communicating and organising, and it is to the protests we turn to first. Nigeria is currently engulfed in waves of protests, causing unrest and deaths. What are the roots of these protests?  Next, despite President Tinub...

Uganda is on edge as security forces clamp down on opposition protests even as President Yoweri Museveni faces mounting discontent. We’ll unpack the latest developments. Next, West African criminal networks are feeling the heat. Interpol’s Operation Jackal III has dealt a significant blow to these syndicates involved in financial fraud, human trafficking, and more. What is the scale of the problem...

Today we discuss the recent landmark rulings of the ECOWAS Court of Justice against Nigeria and Ghana and the significance of both rulings for human rights in the region.  Then, both Ghana and Nigeria are facing a cost-of-living crisis which continues to bite hard. Nigeria recently ranked among the worst-hit countries in Africa, while in Ghana, a report claimed that in a few years, malnutrition wi...

First, we consider Nigeria's debt burden, which has ballooned to a staggering ₦121 trillion, raising concerns about the country's ability to service its loans and invest in vital areas.  Next, we look at a potential source of conflict in West Africa. Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have left ECOWAS and formed the AES. Alliance of Sahelian States.  Finally, is climate change dealing with Nig...

Governors from Nigeria's southern region are advocating for state-by-state negotiations for the new minimum wage based on individual financial capabilities. What are the implications of this move on the ongoing debate surrounding worker compensation. Next, we examine the cost of a healthy diet, which has surged by 32% in just a few months, making it increasingly challenging for families to af...

Nigeria's oil production has declined by 30,000 barrels per day. What factors are driving this reduction, and how might it affect the country's economy and its standing in the global oil market? Next, Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, is seeking an out-of-court settlement in his ongoing legal battle. How could this influence political and social tensions in Nige...

Nigeria has just sealed a groundbreaking $3.5 billion agreement with Afreximbank. What does this mean for Nigeria's textile industry and the adoption of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicles?  Next, clashes between supporters of Rivers's Governor Sim Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, have escalated. What's fueling these tensions?  Finally, in Ghana power outages have hit hard...

In today's episode, Nigeria's state governors are sounding the alarm over a proposed ₦60,000 minimum wage, calling it unsustainable. We'll examine why these governors believe the wage hike is economically untenable. Next, we'll focus on the controversy surrounding Nigeria's "cost-of-collection" approach to funding government-owned enterprises. The Federal Inland...

In this week's episode, we turn our attention to Sudan's forgotten conflict.  Next, we examine a troubling report from Nigeria's Southeast region, where the Eastern Security Network (ESN) is said to have launched an attack on soldiers. Who is the ESN, and what are the ideological splits within the group? How does this internal conflict exacerbate the already volatile security situat...