We begin in Northern Nigeria,  where less than a month after Defence Minister Bello Matawalle faced accusations of sponsoring banditry, Bauchi South Senatorial District lawmaker Shehu Umar Buba is facing similar allegations. Though the Muslim Rights Concern has refuted these allegations, how will these accusations affect the lawmaker’s political standing, and what does this mean for regional security?

In the Horn of Africa, the Presidents of Egypt, Eritrea, and Somalia have joined the Somali Army in its anti-terror fight, leaving Ethiopia further isolated. With regional dynamics shifting, how will Ethiopia navigate this growing isolation, and what will it mean for regional stability?

Finally, in Nigeria, the headline inflation rate for September 2024 rose to 32.70%, up from 32.15% in August. Food inflation reached 37.77% year-on-year, and core inflation hit 27.43%. How will this sharp rise in inflation affect everyday Nigerians, and what can the government do to stem the tide?

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First, we head over to Kenya, where Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua faces impeachment over serious allegations, including self-enrichment and inciting ethnic hatred. Is a feud with President Ruto now out in the open? How will this reshape the future of leadership in the country? What will be the effect on the region?

Then, we come to Nigeria to discuss last weekend's local elections in Rivers state and the violent aftermath which has seen multiple fatalities and the burning of local government offices. The political landscape in that state is becoming increasingly turbulent. Given the problems between Governor Sim Fubara and his predecessor Nyesom Wike, what does all this mean for governance in the state?

Finally, the NNPC’s decision to end its exclusive purchase agreement with Dangote Refinery. This move opens the floodgates for marketers to negotiate directly with the refinery, setting the stage for changes in pricing and the potential end of subsidies. What does this mean for Nigerians? 

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In today’s episode, we discuss SBM's Health Preparedness Index for 2024—a yearly report that looks at the state of the healthcare infrastructure across Nigeria.

Next, we explore the alarming findings from the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, which reveals that as of June 2024, the federal government is owed a staggering $6.071 billion in unpaid oil and gas revenues.

Then, we turn our attention to Benin, where a former sports minister and a prominent businessman have been detained amid allegations of plotting a coup. What are the prospects of further coup contagion in West Africa? 

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First we turn our attention to the Central Bank of Nigeria, which has made headlines by raising its Monetary Policy Rate for the fifth time this year. 

Next, we’ll discuss Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited and its bottler, Nigeria Bottling Company, which has unveiled a plan to inject $1 billion into the Nigerian economy over the next five years.

And finally, we’ll take a closer look at the geopolitical tensions rising in East Africa, where an Egyptian warship has delivered a significant arms shipment to Somalia.

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This week, we look first at the NNPC's revelation that petrol prices will vary across the country—ranging from ₦950 ($0.57) in Lagos to as high as ₦1,019 ($0.62) in Borno—depending on logistics costs. 

Then, the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) has alerted Nigerians about potential flooding from the regulated water releases at Cameroon’s Lagdo Dam. This happens almost yearly. Why has it not changed?

And in international news, the US military has officially withdrawn from Niger after being ordered out by the West African country's ruling junta. What are the implications?

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Today we discuss the arrest of Joe Ajaero, the leader of the Nigeria Labour Congress. What are the implications of Mr Ajaero's detention for the country's unions and the broader political terrain of the country?

Next, a notorious terrorist leader, Bello Turji, has issued a chilling warning to the Hausa people of Northern Nigeria, necessitating a deep dive into the escalating tensions between the Hausa and Fulani communities in northwestern Nigeria. 

Finally, we'll turn our attention to the devastating floods that have ravaged parts of West Africa. What is the impact of these floods on the region's overall stability?

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In today's episode, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation has hiked the fuel pump price—from ₦617 to ₦897 per litre. This price surge comes just days after the NNPC admitted to owing suppliers over $6 billion. How will this affect Nigerians' daily lives, and is the country any closer to solving its fuel crisis?

Next, we look at the health sector, where tensions are high between the Federal Ministry of Health and the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors. The doctors’ warning strike has evoked a controversial “no-work-no-pay” rule from the government. What does this mean for the future of healthcare in Nigeria?

Then, we turn our attention to a humanitarian crisis on the rise. The International Committee of the Red Cross has reported a 75% increase in missing persons cases across Africa in the last five years. Can anything be done to curb this problem?

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Before diving into this week’s topics, we will take a quick look at SBM’s report on kidnap in Nigeria. 

Then, we'll examine the sudden resignation of Ahmed Abubakar, the Nigeria Intelligence Agency’s Director General. What's behind this surprising move, and what does it mean for national security?

After that, we discuss the latest confrontation between the police and members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria in Abuja, which has turned deadly. We'll bring you the latest on this tragic incident and explore its wider implications.

Finally, we'll also touch on Niger's return to the oil export scene after a brief hiatus. What does this mean for regional politics and the global oil market?

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In our first story, we dive into Nigeria’s oil sector, where the Nigerian National Petroleum Company has declared a net profit of ₦3.297 trillion for 2023, its largest ever Naira profit. Is this a cause for celebration? 

Next, we explore a development involving the Nigerian government as a French court authorises the seizure of three presidential jets. This move follows a legal battle with a Chinese company over a revoked contract and an unpaid compensation award. What happened?

Finally, we look at the growing tensions in Kenya as the government considers reintroducing tax measures that were previously scrapped after deadly protests. With the country's fiscal problems running deep and the Supreme Court temporarily suspending a key ruling, the risk of further unrest looms large. 

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The MTN Group is facing a financial storm as it predicts a half-year loss due to the devaluation of the Nigerian naira and operational hurdles in Sudan. With earnings per share plummeting and business activity in Nigeria hitting an eight-month low, we'll explore how these economic shifts reshape the region.

Then political drama is unfolding in Nigeria's Edo State. After a contentious impeachment of Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu and his controversial return, the state government is accusing him of impersonation. We’ll break down the legal and political ramifications of this unfolding saga.

Finally, we head to Guinea, where a draft constitution has been unveiled, signalling potential changes on the horizon. With provisions for a bicameral system, bans on the death penalty, and a presidential term limit, we’ll examine what this means for the country’s journey toward democratic stability.

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