Nigeria

By Wathrayel Bassi Amos‎‎‎

Social media was once celebrated as a force for empowerment, creativity, and free expression. Yet beneath that promise lies a sophisticated system—the algorithm—engineered to keep users endlessly engaged. This unseen mechanism values attention over awareness, pushing content that evokes the strongest emotions: anger, envy, or desire. In today’s digital landscape, shock value has become the new form of currency. The more sensational the content, the greater its reach.‎‎

The algorithm, devoid of moral judgment, amplifies whatever sustains attention the longest—even when it undermines social values. From sexually suggestive dance trends to prank videos glorifying deceit, the boundary between entertainment and immorality grows increasingly faint.

Traditional moral guides—parents, teachers, and religious leaders—now struggle to rival platforms that reward sensationalism over substance. Never has indecency been so readily available, flooding timelines without consent. Some entertainers even release explicit material intentionally, using controversy as a marketing tool. In this new age, modesty has lost its worth, while moral decay is repackaged as strategy.

‎‎Cultural and religious voices continue to warn against this decline. They decry how virtues like humility, discipline, and community spirit are being replaced by an obsession with digital recognition. Success is now measured not by integrity but by influence—the size of one’s following. This transformation goes beyond behavior; it is reshaping the psyche of the youth, cutting them off from the moral and cultural foundations that once defined Nigerian identity.‎‎

The dominance of globalized online content represents a quieter form of cultural colonization. Though Nigeria is politically free, its digital life remains governed by algorithms designed abroad—systems detached from local values. These digital gatekeepers decide what trends, what sells, and what the public sees. Some nations, like China, have moved to restrict foreign platforms to safeguard their moral and cultural integrity.‎‎

Nigeria’s youth—the nation’s largest population segment—now grow up in virtual spaces where moral responsibility is optional and validation is everything. Many define themselves not by character, empathy, or contribution, but by the currency of likes, followers, and views. Digital popularity has replaced moral virtue as the new standard of worth.

‎‎To secure its future, Nigeria must reshape its digital culture around responsibility rather than recklessness. Social media should serve as a platform for enlightenment, not erosion—a space that uplifts intellect instead of promoting indecency. The internet must return to its true purpose: a marketplace of ideas, not a stage for moral decline.‎‎

Wathrayel Bassi Amos wrote from the Department of Mass Communication, University of Maiduguri. ‎

By Wathrayel Bassi Amos

‎The recent altercation between Minister Nyesom Wike and a young Naval officer exposes the deeper structural flaws troubling Nigeria’s democracy. This was not an isolated incident, but a symptom of a long-standing decay—marked by the misuse of law enforcement agencies and the erosion of democratic principles.

Nigerians have watched security operatives act in ways that raise doubts about where their true loyalty lies: to the nation, the law, or to those in positions of power.‎‎In present-day Nigeria, it often takes only a minor disagreement for an influential figure to unleash security agents to pursue personal interests.

From Lagos to Kogi, Rivers, and Abuja, we have witnessed operatives carrying out unlawful instructions for political or private gain. This impunity thrives on the weakening of democratic institutions and the deepening divisions within the political system.‎‎

Regardless of the situation, Minister Wike had no justification for personally confronting military officers executing a lawful directive from their command. As a senior government official, he was expected to act with restraint and pursue the proper channels.

If he believed that the land in question was unlawfully acquired by a former Naval Chief, the appropriate step would have been to compile evidence and submit it to relevant authorities or the courts.‎‎

Ideally, Wike could have written formally to the Minister of Defence to request an investigation, or sought redress through legal means—if the matter was not already under litigation. However, by storming the site with armed escorts and verbally abusing a commissioned officer, even calling him a “fool,” the Minister displayed poor judgment and conduct unbecoming of his office.‎‎

This episode underscores the fragility of Nigeria’s democracy and the rising public resentment toward the political class. While the government has a legitimate duty to demolish illegal structures in the Federal Capital Territory and beyond, such actions must always respect due process and human rights.

‎‎Beyond Wike’s behavior, the incident also exposes the equally troubling misuse of state resources by powerful figures. It was wrong for a former Chief of Naval Staff to deploy serving officers—funded by taxpayers—to secure a private property under dispute. Such acts represent the growing trend of elites using national security assets for personal protection and gain.‎‎

No serious nation should condone the disgraceful scene that unfolded between Wike and the Naval officer. It tarnishes Nigeria’s image and erodes public trust in governance. The President must act decisively to end this culture of impunity.

True leadership demands composure, adherence to due process, and respect for democratic values. When public officials behave as masters rather than servants of the people, the very foundations of governance begin to collapse.

‎‎Wathrayel Bassi Amos wrote from the Department of Mass Communication, University of Maiduguri. ‎

By Muhammad Sulaiman

A group of prominent Nigerian citizens has condemned recent threats by U.S. President Donald Trump to relist Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern (CPC)” and possibly take military action to protect Christians, describing the move as an affront to Nigeria’s sovereignty.

In a statement issued in Kaduna, the group — comprising Dr Bilkisu Oniyangi, Professor Usman Yusuf, Dr Ahmed Shehu, Dr Aliyu Tilde, Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, and Barrister Kalli Ghazali — warned that such rhetoric from Washington could inflame religious tensions and “turn Nigeria into a pawn in global geopolitics.”

The signatories emphasised that while the concerns of friendly nations such as the U.S., China, the U.K., and Russia are welcome, threats and external pressure are counterproductive. “This is our problem as Nigerians, and it will be solved by us,” the statement read.

The group urged President Bola Tinubu to directly address Nigerians, prioritise national security, and suspend foreign travels until the crisis is resolved. They also called on the U.S. to withdraw its threats and instead assist Nigeria through strategic cooperation and capacity building against terrorism and banditry.

They further appealed for unity among Nigerians, noting that “every life taken, every kidnapping or assault anywhere in Nigeria matters equally.”

Reaffirming faith in Nigeria’s resilience, the statement concluded: “Our independence and unity have been tested many times, and this too shall pass — but only if we act together as one people.”

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Nigeria’s long struggle with disease outbreaks has repeatedly shown how weak communication systems can worsen health emergencies.

In recent years, states have battled diphtheria, malaria, meningitis, Lassa fever, cholera and measles, often without clear public guidance at the peak of outbreaks.

In many cases, rumors travelled faster than official updates. Fear spread before facts reached the public. Misinformation filled the gaps left by delayed or poorly coordinated communication.

With memories of these challenges still fresh, the Kano State Centre for Disease Control (KNCDC) has launched a major step meant to strengthen outbreak communication.

This comes through a three-day workshop in Zaria, supported by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Lafiya Programme.

The initiative seeks to unite health agencies, media professionals, risk communication experts and government institutions to create a stronger, faster and more reliable information system ahead of future outbreaks.

Officials say the programme will help states avoid the costly lessons of the past. During Nigeria’s diphtheria crisis, many communities were unaware of symptoms before outbreaks escalated.

During meningitis outbreaks, myths overshadowed medical guidance in some states. During the COVID-19 pandemic, conflicting messages damaged public trust.

These experiences, experts say, prove that communication failures can be as deadly as the diseases themselves.

The Director-General of KNCDC, Prof. Muhammad Adamu Abbas, declared the workshop open. He said the goal is no longer just to respond to outbreaks, but to communicate with clarity, speed and authority.

“This workshop is about building a united front — where health officials, journalists, and communication experts speak with one voice, guided by facts and science,” Prof. Abbas stated.

He described the partnership with FCDO-Lafiya as strategic, timely and necessary. He commended the organisation for sustained support in improving Nigeria’s health emergency systems.

He added that communication must stand alongside testing, vaccination and treatment in outbreak control.

Participants were drawn from health institutions, media organisations, government agencies and civil society groups.

They are expected to co-design a communication framework that prioritises rapid information flow, public engagement, rumor control and stakeholder alignment.

Facilitators will lead sessions on crisis media handling, digital risk communication, misinformation control, emergency coordination and broadcast-ready public messaging for disease outbreaks.

The workshop will also include group simulations, panel discussions and field scenarios aimed at turning knowledge into practice.

Public health analysts have strongly welcomed the initiative. They say outbreak preparedness in Nigeria must go beyond medical response. They argue that a well-informed public remains one of the strongest defenses during a health emergency.

Observers say Kano is taking a rare but necessary lead. Many states, they note, still lack structured outbreak information systems. Some states depend solely on federal communication during epidemics, leaving gaps in local response messaging.

Some wait until outbreaks are full-blown before launching public awareness efforts. Health experts warn that this delay has repeatedly cost lives.

By moving toward a structured communication plan, Kano is now positioning itself as one of the best prepared subnational systems in outbreak information management.

The workshop continues throughout the week, with officials stating that the final outcome will be a deployable outbreak communication model meant to guide real-time response within Kano and potentially across other Nigerian states.

By Anwar Usman

The Senate on Wednesday, has approved President Bola Tinubu’s request to collect N1.15 trillion from the domestic debt market to cover part of the 2025 budget deficit.

The approval followed the adoption of a report by the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debt during plenary.

The committee noted that the 2025 Appropriation Act provides for a total expenditure of N59.99 trillion, an increase of N5.25 trillion over the initial N54.74 trillion proposed by the Executive.

This expansion created a total budget deficit of N14.10 trillion, of which N12.95 trillion had already been approved for borrowing, leaving an unfunded deficit of approximately N1.15 trillion.

Recall that, on November 4, Tinubu formally requested the fresh N1.15 trillion borrowing.

He stated that it would bridge the funding gap and ensure full implementation of government programs and projects under the 2025 fiscal plan.

In a related development, a motion by Senator Abdul Ningi was adopted, directing the Senate Committee on Appropriations to intensify oversight to ensure that the borrowed funds are properly implemented and used strictly for their intended purposes.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

A brazen car thief infiltrated the Kano State Government House in the early hours of Monday, successfully stealing a Toyota Hilux from the deputy governor’s convoy.

According to security sources, the suspect entered the secure compound through Gate 4 and later exited unchallenged through the main gate.

The audacious theft went completely unnoticed by security personnel at the time.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the major security lapse.

It was confirmed that CCTV footage from the area is being scrutinized and the official driver assigned to the vehicle has been taken in for questioning.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Former Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, has condemned the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, for his public confrontation with a soldier, calling it a threat to national security that requires an apology.

Buratai’s statement comes after videos circulated online showing Wike in a heated argument with military personnel over a disputed plot of land in Abuja on Tuesday.

He described the minister’s “verbal assault on a uniformed officer” as a profound act of indiscipline that undermines the nation’s command structure and disrespects the authority of President Bola Tinubu as Commander-in-Chief.

“The integrity of our Armed Forces demands nothing less,” Buratai stated, insisting Wike must immediately apologise to both the President and the officer involved.

By Rabi Ummi Umar

The 2025 Batch C1 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) registration for prospective corps members was a real eye-opener for me. I finally understood why my friends and family had urged me to take a breather after my final exams. I was itching to do something—anything—after completing my university studies.

As humans, we are wired to anticipate the next phase, and for me, that next thing was NYSC. Yet I wrestled with how to keep myself busy before the time came.

As someone who is always on the go, I began to feel the weight of post-school reality just a few days after returning home. There was suddenly little or nothing to occupy me. Then came the thought of continuing my internship with Image Merchant Promotion Limited (IMPR), a firm where I had already gained considerable experience.

That decision helped tremendously in keeping me engaged until NYSC registration was announced. There were mixed emotions as I waited for the process to begin—excitement, nervousness, and a bit of anxiety all at once.

Finally, when the registration portal opened, I felt a huge weight lift off my shoulders. I whispered to myself, “Alhamdulillah, I’ve finally got something to do. The next phase is here.”

On the scheduled day, Tuesday, November 4th, 2025, I set my alarm for midnight, determined to register as soon as possible. However, the portal had its own plans. It wasn’t yet open for Batch C, so I had to wait until 4:00 a.m. to try again. Luckily, it worked—I put in my email and waited… and waited… and waited some more.

Restlessness set in. I thought my email had issues. I created a new Yahoo account, called friends and co-workers for help, and tried again and again. Nothing worked, even by 6 a.m. Eventually, I decided to head to the cybercafé.

Just as I left the house around 8 a.m., an email notification popped up—it was the long-awaited link to the registration portal. Overwhelmed with relief, I whispered “Alhamdulillah” and screamed in excitement without realising it.

When I arrived at the café, the network started misbehaving. The portal kept crashing and refreshing. Still, I managed to register and fill out the manual form provided. Everything necessary was done, and I finally left around 11 a.m. Reflecting on the experience, I thought, “What a stressful but fulfilling process.”

I was among the fortunate ones. Many of my friends and schoolmates faced serious challenges—some never received their registration links, while others couldn’t access the portal at all. Our group chat was flooded with frustration. By the second day, the site had begun to crash, and by the third, it was completely down.

Over a thousand prospective corps members were unable to register, a far cry from the seamless experience promised. The ordeal was overwhelming, and I couldn’t help but empathise with those who weren’t as lucky, wondering how they coped with the stress and disappointment.

The situation grew so dire that NYSC had to extend the registration deadline by two days—from Sunday, November 9th, to Tuesday, November 11th, midnight. Yet, problems persisted. The payment system for call-up numbers malfunctioned, leaving many stranded. While the extension was a relief, it also exposed the urgent need for improved infrastructure and coordination.

NYSC must do better. The registration process should be seamless, not frustrating. If this national scheme must endure, it must also evolve. People shouldn’t have to suffer this much—just to get started.

Rabi Ummi Umar is an intern at Image Merchant Promotion Limited (IMPR). She can be reached via: rabiumar058@gmail.com.

By Abba Hikima

It is clear to even the most daft Nigerian that Nyesom Wike, a serving member of President Tinubu’s Federal Executive Council, is only in the PDP to sabotage it and clear the path for his benefactor, the President, come the 2027 elections. What may not, however, be clear is the extent to which Wike’s tactics and antics can undermine Nigeria’s democracy.

Whether you are APC, PDP, ADC or even politically indifferent, Wike’s actions should bother you, as long as you dream of a truly democratic Nigeria where institutions transcend whimsical meddling of the few.

From any angle, one sees a deliberate pattern that systematically seeks to dismantle the country’s main opposition party and tilts the political landscape dangerously toward one-party dominance.

The recent Federal High Court injunction, restraining the PDP from holding its planned November 15 National Convention, issued by Justice J. Omotosho, only reinforces this pattern. It aligns with a string of judicial outcomes and political manoeuvres that have consistently favoured Wike’s factional interests, all at the expense of Nigeria’s fragile democratic balance.

Between 2023 and 2025, Wike’s loyalists seized the PDP’s national secretariat at Wadata Plaza, installed their own acting chairman, and plunged the party into even deeper crisis. Earlier, he had been linked to moves to demolish the PDP headquarters in Port Harcourt and to lawsuits that derailed planned conventions.

These deliberate acts of sabotage are calculated to dismantle opposition structures and weaken the political alternatives that every democracy relies on. In Nigeria today, prominent political opposition actors are crosscarpeting from their political parties to the ruling APC, not because the APC is doing better, but to salvage their seats and realise their aspirations, which appear rather vivid with the APC.

In saner climes, inclusion of opposition figures within ruling governments is a laudable means of promoting national unity and bridging gaps. But in Nigeria’s case, Wike’s dual role, serving as a federal minister while wielding extraordinary control over an opposition party, is clearly a means of manipulation.

It blurs ethical boundaries and deprives citizens of genuine democratic alternatives.

Even more disturbing is Wike’s perceived closeness to certain segments of the judiciary- what Professor Chidi Anselm Odinkalu aptly described as a “pathological fixation.”

From 2019 to 2025, at least five major cases tied directly or indirectly to Wike’s interests have been heard before the same judge, fueling concerns of judicial clientelism —a scenario where powerful litigants can select their forums by proxy.

The danger goes far beyond politics.

If political elites can manipulate opposition parties while simultaneously bending judicial processes to their favour, then democracy becomes mere theatre. A performance that preserves power and erodes accountability.

Having said this, the National Judicial Council should randomise the assignment of politically sensitive cases and ensure that no single judge repeatedly handles matters involving the same litigants. A stronger ethical firewall must also be built between judicial officers and politically exposed persons.

Politically, Nigeria must introduce conflict-of-interest rules that bar sitting ministers or presidential appointees from exerting control over opposition parties. Democracy cannot thrive when the same hand both governs and manipulates its opposition.

Coming this far, we must accept that reform is not optional; it is existential.

Abba Hikima, Esq. wrote from Kano, Nigeria.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

A former Nigerian presidential aide has raised a stark alarm, claiming that terrorist groups are actively attempting to seize a vast swath of territory across four nations to establish a new global headquarters for terrorism.

Hakeem Baba Ahmed, who previously served as a Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu, made the declaration in a televised interview.

He asserted that intelligence circles are aware of the threat to carve out a large territory encompassing parts of Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon, and Niger.

“There are attempts by interests to take over huge territory… and turn it into the global headquarters of terror,” Baba Ahmed stated.

“Those in intelligence circles know this. I’m saying this publicly now. A lot of people know this.”

He emphasized the dire consequences of such a takeover, stating, “We must never allow that kind of thing to happen. We don’t want to live under ISWAP. We don’t want to live under Boko Haram.”

While his warning included a critique of US policy, Baba Ahmed also stressed the importance of the Nigeria-US relationship.

He called for more constructive American support, suggesting targeted sanctions on corrupt leaders instead of broad policies that negatively impact citizens.

He described actions that sow division among Nigerians as the “worst possible approach” to tackling the nation’s challenges.