Vol 65 No 8 | NIGERIA Abacha consigliere in storm over $11 billion superhighway linking Lagos and Calabar 5th April 2024 Minister confirms upfront payments to Hitech Construction on a no-bid contract for 'Africa's biggest road' The international rehabilitation of billionaire businessman Gilbert Chagoury had seemed complete. Convicted in Geneva for laundering money stolen by military leader Sani Abacha and in the United States...
DISPATCHES Vol 65 No 7 | NIGERIA Tinubu demands swift justice following soldier slaying 20th March 2024 The president has vowed to punish the 'cowardly offenders' A spate of murderous attacks and kidnappings is vying for President Bola Tinubu's attention alongside the continuing cost-of-living crisis. Over the last month in Kaduna state alone, over... READ FOR FREE
Vol 65 No 6 | NIGERIA Cost-of-living crisis forces government rethink 14th March 2024 Armed attacks and kidnappings, combined with food riots and looting, are putting President Tinubu and his inner circle under pressure The cost-of-living crisis is becoming the most serious political challenge facing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's government a year after it was elected. Whether it is maladministration and corruption...
Vol 65 No 5 | NIGERIA Spiralling prices imperil Tinubu’s reforms 29th February 2024 Facing political pushback and food riots, the government is rethinking its devaluation and subsidy cuts There was no hiding the desperation when Central Bank of Nigeria Governor Olayemi Cardoso announced on 27 February that interest rates would be hiked from 18.75% to 22.75%,...
DISPATCHES Vol 65 No 5 | NIGERIA Slumping naira adds to pressure on Tinubu to change tack 21st February 2024 Government responds to critics with command economy tactics On 18 February, armed state security agents surrounded a foreign currency trader in Abuja accusing him of sabotage. For many Nigerians, it was a throwback to the military... READ FOR FREE
Vol 65 No 4 | NIGERIA How the poor help the rich 15th February 2024 Top officials are accused of raiding a state-funded programme meant to offer desperately needed relief for struggling communities The detention of former Humanitarian Affairs Minister Sadiya Umar Farouq on 2 January on charges related to alleged fraud over US$38 million of public funds has led to...
Vol 65 No 4 | NIGERIA UN breaks with scandal-hit pollution agency 12th February 2024 Theft of oil spill clean-up funds in Ogoniland is set to continue as the UN Environment Programme cuts ties with HYPREP Activists and environmentalists looking for a policy change on the troubled US$1 billion clean-up project in the Niger Delta by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's government have been disappointed....
Vol 65 No 4 | NIGERIAUNITED STATESISRAEL Kanu's lobbyists for Biafra step up campaign 9th February 2024 The separatist leader refused to appear in court in Abuja on 8 February but has more wealthy supporters in Washington DC The campaign for a 'Jewish Autonomous Region in Biafra' is trying to boost its profile after hiring new lobbyists in the United States. Its backers hope to rekindle...
DISPATCHES Vol 65 No 4 | NIGERIAECONOMYAFRICA US helicopter crash robs Africa of one of its most ambitious bank chiefs 14th February 2024 Access Bank restructures after the death of its founder who had been establishing a pan-African financial network Following the death of the founder and chief executive of Access Bank Herbert Wigwe in a helicopter crash on 9 February, its directors moved quickly to appoint Bolaji... READ FOR FREE
Vol 65 No 3 | NIGERIA Shock therapy keeps the people waiting 1st February 2024 Dollar-rich investors have reacted to President Tinubu's radical reforms by rushing to the door President Bola Tinubu's great gamble that shock therapy – ending subsidies and devaluing the naira – would bring back foreign capital and stabilise state finances isn't working. Instead,...