Nigeria
Nigeria is a country in West Africa and the most populous nation on the African continent. The capital is Abuja, whilst Lagos serves as the commercial hub and largest city. With a population exceeding 200-million people, Nigeria operates a federal presidential republic system of government. The economy is the largest in Africa by nominal GDP, historically driven by oil and gas exports, which account for the majority of government revenue and foreign exchange earnings. The currency is the naira. Key economic sectors include petroleum, agriculture, telecommunications, financial services and manufacturing. Nigeria is a member of the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas), the African Union, the Commonwealth and the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). The country faces significant infrastructure challenges, including persistent electricity supply deficits and loadshedding. Nigeria gained independence from British colonial rule in 1960 and has since experienced periods of military rule interspersed with democratic governance, transitioning to sustained civilian rule from 1999.
Nigeria Updates
Gunmen in northwestern Nigeria kill 20 people
By: Reuters 12th October 2026 Gunmen ambushed a convoy of traders travelling to a market under military escort and killed at least 20 people in Nigeria's northwestern Zamfara... →
Moody's turns positive on sub-Saharan African countries
By: Reuters 7th October 2026 Moody's raised its outlook for sub-Saharan African countries to positive on Wednesday, saying reforms had helped them weather inflationary... →
Fact-checking 2026 Independence Day claims by Nigerian president Bola Tinubu
By: Africa Check 7th October 2026 With Nigeria’s presidential election set for 16 January 2027, president Bola Tinubu used the country’s 66th Independence Day on 1 October to make... →
Military coups promise change – 4 ways they can leave African countries worse off
6th October 2026 A military coup d’état is the ouster of an elected president or head of state, usually through the use or threat of force. Putschists (those who... →
World Bank raises Africa's 2026 growth forecast, urges AI investments
By: Reuters 6th October 2026 The World Bank has raised Africa's 2026 economic growth forecast to 4.3%, citing stronger performance across the region, and urged governments to... →
Ecowas Court and women’s rights in west Africa: what’s working – and what isn’t
2nd October 2026 The Ecowas Court is a west African regional body located in Abuja, Nigeria, serving the now 12-nation Economic Community of West African States... →
Dangote and Musk: Africa needs both industrialists and tech innovators
By: ISS, Institute for Security Studies 1st October 2026 The two entrepreneurs represent distinct forms of business leadership, and governments must create the conditions for both to thrive. Africa’s... →
Middle Eastern maritime chokepoints: no windfall for Southern Africa
By: ISS, Institute for Security Studies 28th September 2026 Disruptions are making Southern Africa more important to global shipping and energy markets without making the region more prosperous.... →
Nigerian court orders regulator to keep issuing fuel import licences to marketers
By: Reuters 28th September 2026 A Nigerian court ordered the country's downstream petroleum regulator to continue issuing fuel import licences and related permits to three oil... →
Rising fuel prices revive cost-of-living pressure in Nigeria ahead of 2027 election
By: Reuters 21st September 2026 Nigeria's fuel prices have climbed to record highs as tensions in the Middle East push up global oil prices, piling fresh cost-of-living pressure... →
