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Nigeria

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Nigeria. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Abuja

Head of State

President Bola Tinubu

Head of Government

President Bola Tinubu

The historic salinas, or salt flats, of Pedra de Lume, Cabo Verde. Photo: Troy Nahumko

Trip Inspiration

Cabo Verde’s sun-soaked Sal sees a revival through a generation of returnees

Cabo Verde has won over many hearts with its brave showing at the Fifa World Cup, but there’s a lot more to this West African archipelago and former Portuguese colony.

5 Jul 2026 - 9:20AM

Scams and swindles

Fake Dubai prince scam: how AI deepfakes love-bomb victims to steal hearts and money

3 Jul 2026 - 1:36PM

China's military weapons

Should China worry more about keeping defence customers than winning new deals?

30 Jun 2026 - 5:55PMvideocam

Africa

Switzerland returns 18 historic Benin Bronzes to Nigeria

The repatriation marks the latest victory in Africa’s push to reclaim priceless artefacts looted by British colonial forces.

30 Jun 2026 - 10:59AM

Statues returned by the Ethnographic Museum of the University of Zurich and Museum Rietberg. Photo: EPA

Donald Trump

New poll shows eroding global trust in Trump and America

Pew survey across 36 nations found just 23 per cent of respondents had confidence in Trump to do the right thing in world affairs.

24 Jun 2026 - 2:00PMvideocam

Fifa World Cup 2026

Meet Nigeria’s goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, dubbed the world’s sexiest footballer

Nigeria may not have qualified for the 2026 World Cup, but there’s a reason the team is still attracting a lot of attention: Maduka Okoye.

23 Jun 2026 - 6:09PM

China-Africa relations

China and Africa’s evolving partnership

From funding vital infrastructure and industrial growth to a growing wave of cultural exchange, ties between Beijing and Africa are entering a new phase. In this ongoing series, we explore the deepening economic, cultural and diplomatic relations between China and African countries.

27 Jun 2026 - 9:04AM

Workers collect cotton in a field in Soclogbo, Benin, on January 13, 2025. Photo: AFP

China-Africa relations

More and more Africans want to learn Chinese. But who will teach them?

African nations are adding Chinese to their national curricula, but the roll-out is hampered by a lack of qualified teachers.

19 Jun 2026 - 4:56PMvideocam

The Philippines

How drowning of 2 athletes exposes gaps in Philippine collegiate sports safety

The tragedy shows how young players could be pushed into risky training situations as universities compete for prestige, sports experts say.

14 Jun 2026 - 2:30PM

United States

US to slash number of embassies in Africa that process visas

US State Department consolidation will force applicants across the continent to travel to 20 central hubs.

2 Jun 2026 - 10:32AM

US President Donald Trump and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Photo: EPA

Africa

Nigeria’s opposition divided, incumbent Tinubu eyes second term

Despite economic pains and an Islamist insurgency, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu is viewed as the front runner in January’s elections.

31 May 2026 - 7:02PM

Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (centre) displays his certificate of return as the flag bearer of his party after emerging victorious during the All Progressive Congress (APC) presidential primary election at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre on May 24. Photo: AFP

Africa

Joint Nigeria-US strikes kill 175 Isis fighters

Following the death of a regional deputy, joint operations claim another top strategist responsible for planning and logistics.

20 May 2026 - 2:34PM

United States

20 dead as US, Nigeria carry out more strikes on Islamic State

The air strikes came the day after a joint mission killed Abu Bakr al-Mainuki, described as the group’s global second in command.

18 May 2026 - 7:43PM

United States

Trump says Isis second in command Abu-Bilal ‘eliminated from battlefield’

American and Nigerian forces had assassinated Abu-Bilal al-Minuki in a ‘flawlessly executed mission’, the US president said on social media.

16 May 2026 - 4:31PM

US President Donald Trump speaks to the press aboard Air Force One en route to the US following his official visit with President Xi Jinping in China on Friday. Photo: Reuters

China-Africa relations

Ni hao, new hire: Africa’s growing Mandarin job boom

While Chinese firms have long brought their own translators to the continent, they are now often hiring local linguists.

5 May 2026 - 4:00PMvideocam

A Chinese language class underway at the Confucius Institute of the University of Lagos in Nigeria. Recent job posts on a leading social media networking site reveal continent-wide demand for Mandarin skills in sectors including real estate, mining, hospitality, healthcare and manufacturing. Photo: Xinhua

Africa

Vigilantes in Nigeria kill herders amid jihadist tensions, kidnapping gangs

Central and northwestern Nigeria have for years been terrorised by cattle rustling and kidnapping-for-ransom gangs working with local jihadists.

3 May 2026 - 9:06PM

US, Israel war on Iran

Crisis surge or lasting shift? China’s solar exports double in a month

Countries respond to massive economic pain with accelerating demand for Chinese PV products but will they maintain the pace?

30 Apr 2026 - 4:20PMvideocam

Asia travel

Lack of fuel reserves forces Southeast Asian flight cuts amid Hormuz crisis

Airlines are cutting flights, as dependence on Middle Eastern fuel hits operators from Pakistan to New Zealand.

14 Apr 2026 - 12:10PMvideocam

A Vietjet Airline airplane in front of a Vietnam Airlines airplane, at Noi Bai International Airport, in Hanoi, Vietnam, on May 28, 2025. Photo: Reuters

Africa

At least 200 feared dead after Nigerian air strike hits busy village market

Nigerian Air Force launches investigation into civilian casualties at Jilli Market as it targeted jihadists.

13 Apr 2026 - 3:19PM

Africa

Opinion | Beijing’s supply-chain hedging strategy can help African food security

While governments must avoid swapping one dependency for another, Beijing’s inroads could help enhance food security efforts.

8 Apr 2026 - 9:55PMvideocam

China-Africa relations

Chinese surveillance rolled out in Africa: ZTE, Hikvision, Huawei at the helm

China’s ‘safe city’ project can counter terrorism and curb crime but critics worry it may repress political opposition and peaceful protests.

4 Apr 2026 - 10:30PMvideocam

Africa

Mob retaliates after gunmen kill 12 in Nigeria bar

27 people in total were killed between the shooting and the retaliatory violence.

30 Mar 2026 - 4:43PM

A person rides a bicycle in Jos, Plateau State in Nigeria. Jos has seen bouts of sectarian violence in the past, but deadly, mass casualty attacks in the crowded city have been rare in recent years. Photo: Reuters

Mainland China

China’s looted heritage campaign: assertive, ambitious – and complicated

As the United States steps back from cultural governance, China aims to reshape how the world reclaims looted heritage – with Japan its biggest test.

29 Mar 2026 - 6:17AM

US, Israel war on Iran

African producers may have energy edge in Iran war, if they can overcome hurdles

Analysts say oil from Africa may be lower-risk alternative, coinciding with a fresh push for infrastructure to supply Europe.

25 Mar 2026 - 7:00PMvideocam

Banking & finance

Open Dialogue | Gary Liu and Liu Xiaochun on the US and China’s divergent paths for stablecoins

As investors await Hong Kong’s first stablecoin licences, two experts discuss the assets’ integration with the city’s economy – and the world’s.

25 Mar 2026 - 10:02AMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran war delivers new stress to African economies emerging from older shocks

Afreximbank is implementing measures to give financial help to African countries dependent on fuel imports, bank president says.

23 Mar 2026 - 5:17PMvideocam

In Africa, the squeeze on fertiliser imports because of the US-Israel war on Iran comes at a crucial time, at the start of the rains and the planting season. Photo: AP

100 Top Tables: Cities of Gastronomy

Young chefs are turning food traditions into tools for global change

Flora Igoe of the Youth Culture Programme is mobilising young chefs to safeguard food heritage and drive agrifood systems transformation.

Supported by

Macau Government Tourism Office

Africa

Suicide attacks in Nigeria kill 23, wound more than 100

Attacks in Maiduguri are among the deadliest in the conflict-battered city in recent history.

17 Mar 2026 - 3:12PM

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Nigeria

Cabo Verde’s sun-soaked Sal sees a revival through a generation of returnees

Cabo Verde has won over many hearts with its brave showing at the Fifa World Cup, but there’s a lot more to this West African archipelago and former Portuguese colony.

Fake Dubai prince scam: how AI deepfakes love-bomb victims to steal hearts and money

Should China worry more about keeping defence customers than winning new deals?

Switzerland returns 18 historic Benin Bronzes to Nigeria

The repatriation marks the latest victory in Africa’s push to reclaim priceless artefacts looted by British colonial forces.

New poll shows eroding global trust in Trump and America

Pew survey across 36 nations found just 23 per cent of respondents had confidence in Trump to do the right thing in world affairs.

Meet Nigeria’s goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, dubbed the world’s sexiest footballer

Nigeria may not have qualified for the 2026 World Cup, but there’s a reason the team is still attracting a lot of attention: Maduka Okoye.

China and Africa’s evolving partnership

From funding vital infrastructure and industrial growth to a growing wave of cultural exchange, ties between Beijing and Africa are entering a new phase. In this ongoing series, we explore the deepening economic, cultural and diplomatic relations between China and African countries.

More and more Africans want to learn Chinese. But who will teach them?

African nations are adding Chinese to their national curricula, but the roll-out is hampered by a lack of qualified teachers.

How drowning of 2 athletes exposes gaps in Philippine collegiate sports safety

The tragedy shows how young players could be pushed into risky training situations as universities compete for prestige, sports experts say.

US to slash number of embassies in Africa that process visas

US State Department consolidation will force applicants across the continent to travel to 20 central hubs.

Nigeria’s opposition divided, incumbent Tinubu eyes second term

Despite economic pains and an Islamist insurgency, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu is viewed as the front runner in January’s elections.

Joint Nigeria-US strikes kill 175 Isis fighters

Following the death of a regional deputy, joint operations claim another top strategist responsible for planning and logistics.

20 dead as US, Nigeria carry out more strikes on Islamic State

The air strikes came the day after a joint mission killed Abu Bakr al-Mainuki, described as the group’s global second in command.

Trump says Isis second in command Abu-Bilal ‘eliminated from battlefield’

American and Nigerian forces had assassinated Abu-Bilal al-Minuki in a ‘flawlessly executed mission’, the US president said on social media.

Ni hao, new hire: Africa’s growing Mandarin job boom

While Chinese firms have long brought their own translators to the continent, they are now often hiring local linguists.

Vigilantes in Nigeria kill herders amid jihadist tensions, kidnapping gangs

Central and northwestern Nigeria have for years been terrorised by cattle rustling and kidnapping-for-ransom gangs working with local jihadists.

Crisis surge or lasting shift? China’s solar exports double in a month

Countries respond to massive economic pain with accelerating demand for Chinese PV products but will they maintain the pace?

Lack of fuel reserves forces Southeast Asian flight cuts amid Hormuz crisis

Airlines are cutting flights, as dependence on Middle Eastern fuel hits operators from Pakistan to New Zealand.

At least 200 feared dead after Nigerian air strike hits busy village market

Nigerian Air Force launches investigation into civilian casualties at Jilli Market as it targeted jihadists.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | Beijing’s supply-chain hedging strategy can help African food security

While governments must avoid swapping one dependency for another, Beijing’s inroads could help enhance food security efforts.

Chinese surveillance rolled out in Africa: ZTE, Hikvision, Huawei at the helm

China’s ‘safe city’ project can counter terrorism and curb crime but critics worry it may repress political opposition and peaceful protests.

Mob retaliates after gunmen kill 12 in Nigeria bar

27 people in total were killed between the shooting and the retaliatory violence.

China’s looted heritage campaign: assertive, ambitious – and complicated

As the United States steps back from cultural governance, China aims to reshape how the world reclaims looted heritage – with Japan its biggest test.

African producers may have energy edge in Iran war, if they can overcome hurdles

Analysts say oil from Africa may be lower-risk alternative, coinciding with a fresh push for infrastructure to supply Europe.

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}Open Dialogue | Gary Liu and Liu Xiaochun on the US and China’s divergent paths for stablecoins

As investors await Hong Kong’s first stablecoin licences, two experts discuss the assets’ integration with the city’s economy – and the world’s.

Iran war delivers new stress to African economies emerging from older shocks

Afreximbank is implementing measures to give financial help to African countries dependent on fuel imports, bank president says.

.css-12ooj4n{font-family:Roboto Condensed,Roboto Condensed fallback,sans-serif;}Young chefs are turning food traditions into tools for global change

Flora Igoe of the Youth Culture Programme is mobilising young chefs to safeguard food heritage and drive agrifood systems transformation.

Suicide attacks in Nigeria kill 23, wound more than 100

Attacks in Maiduguri are among the deadliest in the conflict-battered city in recent history.

Opinion | Beijing’s supply-chain hedging strategy can help African food security

Open Dialogue | Gary Liu and Liu Xiaochun on the US and China’s divergent paths for stablecoins

Young chefs are turning food traditions into tools for global change