Jigawa’s ₦3.5bn Hajj Loan Raises an Uncomfortable Question About Government Priorities

Jigawa State has approved a ₦3.5 billion interest-free loan for its Pilgrims Welfare Board to secure early deposits for 466 intending pilgrims ahead of the 2027 Hajj. The state government says the decision is necessary to meet deadlines set by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria and Saudi authorities, allowing Jigawa to secure its allocated…

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Obi, Kwankwaso and Dickson Meeting Tests Whether the NDC Can Stay United Ahead of 2027

Peter Obi, Rabiu Kwankwaso and Senator Seriake Dickson have held another high-level meeting in Abuja, with discussions reportedly focused on Nigeria’s challenges, the concerns of citizens and preparations for the 2027 elections. The meeting is significant because the three men now sit at the centre of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), the platform that has…

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Nigeria-South Africa Tensions Are No Longer Just Diplomatic. Now They Are Hitting Culture

The worsening relationship between Nigeria and South Africa is beginning to affect something that has historically brought the two countries closer: entertainment. South African pop star Tyla has removed Lagos from her A*POP World Tour itinerary after days of intense backlash from Nigerians over renewed xenophobic attacks against Nigerians and other African migrants in South…

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Sokoto Attack Shows Nigeria’s Security Challenge Is Bigger Than More Soldiers

The latest attack in Sokoto has exposed the difficult reality facing Nigeria’s security strategy: even as the government increases military pay and tightens its response to criminal activity in schools, communities are still being left vulnerable to heavily armed attacks. At least 21 people are feared dead and 37 others were abducted after gunmen attacked…

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VeryDarkMan Wins Police Uniform Case, But His Next Battle With the Force Is Just Beginning

VeryDarkMan has emerged from a two-year legal battle with the Nigeria Police Force after an Abuja court struck out the criminal case against him over alleged police impersonation. The case began in October 2024 after Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, appeared in a viral video dressed in an outfit the police said resembled…

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Peter Obi’s Latest Attack on Tinubu Sets Up a Bigger 2027 Battle Over Competence

Peter Obi has accused President Bola Tinubu of relying on tribal and religious sentiments because, in his view, the administration lacks the competence to win Nigerians over on performance. The former Anambra governor’s comments have quickly reopened one of the most sensitive arguments surrounding Nigeria’s 2027 presidential race: whether the next election can be fought…

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Nigeria’s 5,091 Security Deaths Raise a Bigger Question: Can State Police Actually Change the Picture?

Nigeria recorded 5,091 deaths linked to violent incidents between April and June 2026, according to a new SBM Intelligence report cited by The Guardian. That is a 17.7% increase from the 4,326 deaths recorded in the first quarter, meaning the country lost an average of roughly 56 people every day to violence during the three-month…

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Japan’s New Defense Doctrine Shows the Indo-Pacific Is Entering a More Dangerous Phase

Japan’s latest defense white paper sends a message that goes well beyond Tokyo’s immediate security concerns: the country increasingly sees the Indo-Pacific as a connected military theatre where China, Russia and North Korea can reinforce one another. The 598-page assessment again identifies China as Japan’s greatest strategic challenge, while warning about growing Chinese military activity…

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