First, apologies for the less than 100% quality of this recording. Nigeria has been experiencing poor network connectivity for some days now, allegedly to prevent protestors from communicating and organising, and it is to the protests we turn to first. Nigeria is currently engulfed in waves of protests, causing unrest and deaths. What are the roots of these protests? 

Next, despite President Tinubu's directive for the NNPCL to sell crude oil locally to the Dangote refinery, the future of the oil industry is still fraught with challenges. What is the problem?

Finally, in Ghana, a landmark legal decision criminalising same-sex relations has sent shockwaves through the country, especially the global LGBTQ+ community. We explore the implication of this colonial-era law on human rights in the West African country.

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Uganda is on edge as security forces clamp down on opposition protests even as President Yoweri Museveni faces mounting discontent. We’ll unpack the latest developments.

Next, West African criminal networks are feeling the heat. Interpol’s Operation Jackal III has dealt a significant blow to these syndicates involved in financial fraud, human trafficking, and more. What is the scale of the problem?

Finally, the fate of Nigeria's largest oil refinery hangs in the balance. Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man, is considering handing over his multi-billion-dollar project to the Nigerian government. Wow!

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Today we discuss the recent landmark rulings of the ECOWAS Court of Justice against Nigeria and Ghana and the significance of both rulings for human rights in the region. 

Then, both Ghana and Nigeria are facing a cost-of-living crisis which continues to bite hard. Nigeria recently ranked among the worst-hit countries in Africa, while in Ghana, a report claimed that in a few years, malnutrition will be commonplace. What are the everyday struggles of Nigerian and Ghanaian households?

Finally, we shift gears to the situation in Kenya. President Ruto has dissolved cabinet. Is there a risk of copycat protests in West Africa? 

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First, we consider Nigeria's debt burden, which has ballooned to a staggering ₦121 trillion, raising concerns about the country's ability to service its loans and invest in vital areas. 

Next, we look at a potential source of conflict in West Africa. Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have left ECOWAS and formed the AES. Alliance of Sahelian States. 

Finally, is climate change dealing with Nigeria? Heavy rains have caused flooding across several states, displacing residents and disrupting businesses. The government warns that even more areas could be impacted, raising fears of a wider crisis.

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Governors from Nigeria's southern region are advocating for state-by-state negotiations for the new minimum wage based on individual financial capabilities. What are the implications of this move on the ongoing debate surrounding worker compensation.

Next, we examine the cost of a healthy diet, which has surged by 32% in just a few months, making it increasingly challenging for families to afford nutritious food.

Lastly, ECOWAS is contemplating a substantial investment of up to $2.6 billion annually to establish a 5,000-strong security force to combat terrorism. Will this solve the insecurity issues in the region?

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Nigeria's oil production has declined by 30,000 barrels per day. What factors are driving this reduction, and how might it affect the country's economy and its standing in the global oil market?

Next, Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, is seeking an out-of-court settlement in his ongoing legal battle. How could this influence political and social tensions in Nigeria?

Finally, Kenya is facing significant controversy over its finance bill. How will the bill's rejection impact Kenya's economy, public services, citizens and Africa in general?

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Nigeria has just sealed a groundbreaking $3.5 billion agreement with Afreximbank. What does this mean for Nigeria's textile industry and the adoption of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicles? 

Next, clashes between supporters of Rivers's Governor Sim Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, have escalated. What's fueling these tensions? 

Finally, in Ghana power outages have hit hard. The West African Gas Pipeline Company Limited plays a crucial role in supplying natural gas to Ghana, Togo, and Benin. But why the disruption from Nigeria? 

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In today's episode, Nigeria's state governors are sounding the alarm over a proposed ₦60,000 minimum wage, calling it unsustainable. We'll examine why these governors believe the wage hike is economically untenable.

Next, we'll focus on the controversy surrounding Nigeria's "cost-of-collection" approach to funding government-owned enterprises. The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and Customs are receiving higher allocations than many states, sparking criticism and calls for reform. 

Finally, we delve into the escalating conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Eastern DRC is once again a battleground, with multiple rebel groups, including the ADF, clashing with government forces. 

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In this week's episode, we turn our attention to Sudan's forgotten conflict. 

Next, we examine a troubling report from Nigeria's Southeast region, where the Eastern Security Network (ESN) is said to have launched an attack on soldiers. Who is the ESN, and what are the ideological splits within the group? How does this internal conflict exacerbate the already volatile security situation? 

Lastly, we shift our focus to Nigeria's economy. The country's Senate has recently halted the public hearing on the proposed amendments to the Central Bank of Nigeria Act. We'll explore the key concerns raised by the public and experts, including a contentious proposal to create a "Coordinating Committee for Monetary and Fiscal Policies."

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In a week where we got an old-new anthem, Nigeria’s GDP has taken a hit. Despite showing higher growth than the same period last year, Nigeria's GDP growth has dipped compared to the previous quarter. What’s behind this fluctuation? We’ll also explore the factors that could influence Nigeria's economic performance in the coming months and pinpoint where the government might need to focus its economic policies to stabilise and boost growth.

Next, we turn to Nigeria's film industry. Nollywood’s box office revenue soared by 46% year-on-year in Q1 of 2024. What’s driving this impressive growth? While revenues are up, admissions have dipped—what challenges could this pose for Nollywood's long-term sustainability? And with local Nollywood productions capturing a larger market share than Hollywood, what does this say about Nigerian audiences' preferences?

Finally, we look at the early results of the pivotal South African elections. What are the critical economic challenges, such as high unemployment and frequent blackouts, that the country faces? With the election on the horizon, what are the key issues at stake, and how could the results shape South Africa’s future domestically and internationally?

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