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
How can governments tackle poverty when climate change, conflict and economic shocks hit all at once?
Updated 2 hours 9 minutes ago Multiple and often overlapping crises such as floods or drought due to climate change, violent conflict and economic instability are creating new... →
Africans migrate for jobs mostly within the continent: why regional skills partnerships are needed
Updated 2 hours 16 minutes ago In 2024, 25.1-million Africans were living in other countries on the continent. Labour migration has long been a defining feature of Africa’s... →
Nigeria’s border closure failed to stop smuggling. Here’s why
Updated 2 hours 20 minutes ago Border closures don’t always produce the intended objectives. The idea is usually to control illegal movements and prohibited goods, lessen... →
SADC’s 2026 summit must tackle migration head-on
By: ISS, Institute for Security Studies 4th August 2026 The 17 August meeting in Durban should turn shared history and economic interdependence into coordinated action against xenophobia. South Africa’s... →
Climate change set to redraw Africa’s malaria map, study finds
By: Bloomberg 4th August 2026 Climate change is poised to expose more people to malaria in cooler parts of Africa by the end of the century, with cases potentially rising as... →
Boko Haram’s Cameroonian commanders are extending the group’s reach
By: ISS, Institute for Security Studies 3rd August 2026 Boko Haram’s growing reliance on its Cameroonian leaders is fuelling attacks in the country and strengthening the group’s resilience. Boko Haram is... →
US government map of Africa mislabels every country at global conference
By: Reuters 30th July 2026 A US government map of Africa mislabelled every country during a State Department presentation at a global conference taking place in Brazil this... →
Daily Podcast – July 28, 2026
By: Thabi Shomolekae 28th July 2026 Making headlines: Nigeria and South Africa seek to ease tensions over xenophobic attacks; DA lodges human rights complaint against Ekurhuleni over... →
Nigeria and South Africa seek to ease tensions over xenophobic attacks
By: Reuters 28th July 2026 Nigeria said South Africa had agreed to bring to justice those responsible for attacks on foreign nationals, while Abuja was compiling compensation... →
On Satellites, South Africa and Starlink
28th July 2026 In 2019, Elon Musk launched the first 60 Starlink satellites. This was the start of a new satellite internet network. Starlink uses low-earth-orbit... →
