This week, it was reported that the Trump administration plans to slash $555 million in funding for the African Development Bank’s main development fund as part of sweeping cuts to foreign aid. What does the future hold for the AfDB? 

Renaissance Energy halted oil shipments through the Okordia-Rumuekpe pipeline in Rivers State due to a suspected sabotage-induced spill. What are the long-term implications of oil spills and major investments on Nigeria’s environmental and energy future?

MTN Nigeria reported a 134% profit surge in Q1 2025, thanks to tariff hikes. Simultaneously, Nigerian banks raised SMS alert fees by 50%, as the country's retail sector is shrinking, shown by the rise of neighbourhood malls at the expense of the larger ones. Will the rising costs push more Nigerians towards ever more informal means of survival?

Support the show

Ghana has temporarily agreed with Gold Fields to continue mining while awaiting parliamentary approval. At the same time, Atlantic Lithium is pleading for tax relief amid falling global prices. Meanwhile, the country’s oil production continues to drop, with output declining for the fifth year. What steps can Ghana take to manage its natural resources better and attract sustainable investment? 

In Nigeria, the ECWA Church is currently negotiating the release of 50 more captives and has expressed concern over increasing violence targeting Christian communities, having spent hundreds of millions of naira on ransoms. How can religious communities and the government work together to address rising insecurity and targeted violence?

And finally, a Nigerian court has upheld the three-year jail sentence of Professor Peter Ogban, the Ákwá Ibom State returning officer, for rigging election results in favour of politician Godswill Akpabio during the 2019 elections by adding 5,000 fake votes to Mr Akpabio's count. What happens to the beneficiary of the fraud? 

Support the show

A leaked memo from the U.S. State Department indicates that the Trump administration is weighing reducing America's diplomatic presence in Africa as part of its broader effort to slash government spending. How could a smaller U.S. presence affect diplomatic ties and development efforts across Africa? 

Nigeria has taken a significant step toward regional economic integration by submitting its tariff schedule to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Why is this coming now, five years after the country ratified the AfCFTA?

SBM Intelligence’s latest Jollof Rice Index, titled “Staple Under Stress,” reveals a sharp rise in food costs. In Nigeria, the price of cooking one pot of jollof rice surged from ₦21,300 in September 2024 to ₦25,486 by March 2025—an increase of nearly 20%, while in Ghana it went up 79% in the same six-month period. With staple foods becoming less affordable, how will families and policymakers respond to the growing pressure of food inflation?

Support the show

France and Algeria have restored ties after months of tension over France’s support for Morocco’s Western Sahara plan. Meanwhile, Algeria banned Mali flights after shooting down a drone. Could Algeria’s renewed friendship with France worsen its relations with Sahel neighbours?

At least 52 people were killed in recent attacks on six villages in Nigeria's Plateau State. In Kebbi State, 16 vigilantes were killed by terrorists. In Borno State, Governor Zulum raised concerns over a surge in Boko Haram attacks. Can Nigeria effectively contain the growing insecurity across multiple regions?

Finally, the Edo Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has dismissed the PDP’s challenge against the APC’s victory in the September 2024 election, ruling that the PDP failed to prove claims of over-voting and legal violations. Do the repeated dismissals of petitions signal stronger confidence in the electoral process or highlight challenges in proving election irregularities?

Support the show

President Bola Tinubu has appointed a new board for the NNPC, intending to increase oil sector investments and raise production to 2 million barrels. How effective will the new board be in achieving these ambitious targets?

Meanwhile, seven opposition states are suing President Tinubu over his suspension of elected officials in Rivers State, claiming it violates the Nigerian Constitution. What impact could this legal challenge have on Tinubu’s governance?

In geopolitics, Niger’s junta has quit a regional force fighting armed Islamist groups in West Africa’s Sahel area. Will the departure of the Nigeriens hinder the fight against militant jihadism in the Lake Chad basin?

Support the show

Some Nigerian leaders have argued that Western-style democracy does not work well in Africa. Former President Obasanjo called for a new system. How can Nigeria create a democratic system that aligns with its cultural and political realities?

Fulani herder-farmer violence in Nigeria has escalated into a nationwide security threat. A new report by SBM Intelligence examines this conflict and highlights the need for urgent action to prevent catastrophic consequences for national stability, food security, and democracy.  

Nigeria’s debt is set to exceed ₦155 trillion by 2025. UNCTAD warns that rising debt limits spending on key sectors like education and healthcare, urging reforms for sustainable growth. How can Nigeria manage its debt without sacrificing essential public services?

Support the show

The US expelled South Africa’s ambassador, Ebrahim Rasool. This rare diplomatic action intensified tensions between the two nations. How might this expulsion impact US-South Africa relations moving forward?

Rwanda has severed diplomatic ties with Belgium, accusing it of undermining the country amid the conflict between the DRC and the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels. How could this diplomatic rift affect Rwanda’s international standing?

In Nigeria, President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the oil-rich Rivers State and suspended the state governor, Sim Fubara. What are the possible legal and political ramifications of Tinubu's action?

Support the show

NNPC first announced that had stopped supplying crude to local refineries, including Dangote, then announced that it was renegotiating with Dangote. How will this affect fuel prices and Nigeria’s economy in the coming months?

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria opposes a new law that significantly increases financial charges on businesses. What impact will this law have on Nigeria’s business environment?

Ghana’s President John Mahama is working to ease trade barriers with Mali and strengthen Burkina Faso ties. How will these efforts improve economic growth in West Africa?

Support the show

According to our report "Price of Everything", despite rising food prices and living costs, Nigerians continue to spend on streaming and cable TV. Internet use is also increasing despite a 50% hike in data prices. Without action to stabilise the economy and boost food production, inflation will keep hurting households. How can both food and digital services become more affordable?  

Ousted Speaker Mudashiru Obasa has been reinstated at the Lagos State House of Assembly. What does this turmoil mean for governance in Lagos?  

President Tinubu signed a ₦54.99 trillion budget for 2025—nearly double the previous year’s. How will this budget affect Nigeria’s economy?

Support the show

Thousands of Nigerians who fled to Chad due to the Boko Haram insurgency have started returning to Maiduguri, Borno State. What challenges might these returnees face as they reintegrate into their communities?  

Nigeria is preparing to conduct its first national population and housing census since 2006, incorporating biometric and digital technology. How can Nigeria ensure the credibility and accuracy of its upcoming census?

A South African court dismissed claims of a "white genocide," saying they are false and not backed by crime data, contradicting statements by Donald Trump and Elon Musk. What's next?

Support the show