Today is Biafra Memorial Day, which for a lot of Igbo people is a day that remembers the brutality of Nigeria's civil war that ended 55 years ago. Earlier in the week, SBM Intel published a report on the impact of secessionist sit-at-home protests that have been affecting Southeast Nigeria since 2021. Our study found that the protest action has cost the region at least $4.8 billion in lost revenue. How has it come to this? 

Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has requested that the National Assembly approve over $21.5 billion in foreign loans for Nigeria’s 2025–2026 budget. These loans will cover approximately 60% of the 2025 budget and are intended to create jobs, address budget gaps, and drive reforms. Is borrowing this much a good idea for Nigeria’s future?

Niger has expelled some Chinese oil workers over rule violations and is pushing for greater control of its resources, while in Guinea, the military government cancelled 129 unused mineral permits, claiming it wants to attract new investors. Meanwhile, the EU is investing €40 million to upgrade the Douala–N’Djamena trade route for better regional trade, and Togo launched a $1.6 million credit line for women entrepreneurs. Experts say deeper reforms are still needed. Are these moves signs of stronger governance or just short-term fixes in West and Central Africa?

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France-Algeria relations have worsened following mutual diplomatic expulsions. At the same time, al-Qaeda affiliate JNIM claimed to have killed 200 soldiers in a major attack on a military base in northern Burkina Faso. What steps can be taken to restore diplomatic ties and improve regional security?

Nigeria's Senate is considering a bill to create a single agency for managing assets recovered from crime, replacing the current system involving 18 agencies. How might a centralised asset management agency impact the fight against corruption in Nigeria?

According to the National Bureau of Statistics, food inflation in Benue State spiked to 51.8% year-on-year in April 2025, more than doubling from 23.3% in March. What factors are driving the sharp rise in food inflation in Benue, and what policy responses are needed to address it?

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More than 52 million people in West and Central Africa are projected to face food insecurity during the June–August season, driven by conflict, climate shocks, and rising food inflation. The World Food Programme warns that nearly 3 million people could face emergency hunger. How can governments and multilaterals prepare for escalating food crises in fragile regions?

Nigeria's Labour Party has indefinitely suspended Abia State Governor Dr. Alex Otti and five others for alleged anti-party behaviour. What impact could these suspensions have on the Labour Party’s reputation and internal unity?

Islamist militants attacked the Nigerian Army in Marte, Borno State, killing at least five soldiers. The fallen were mostly junior soldiers, mourned by colleagues. What additional measures can be taken to enhance defence and intelligence in vulnerable regions like Borno?

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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?

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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? 

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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?

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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?

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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?

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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?

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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?

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