January 2023

31 January
AP
Nigeria sees cash shortage amid push for redesigned currency
Nigeria’s push to replace its paper money with newly designed currency notes has created a shortage of cash, leaving people unable to buy what they need and forcing businesses to close across the West African nation, experts and business groups said…

30 January 2023
Al Jazeera
Can Bola Tinubu, Nigeria’s ailing kingmaker, win the presidency?
Even before independence in 1960, Nigeria’s deeply embedded culture of political patronage was apparent. To date, kingmakers often jockey to become kings and kings morph into kingmakers, but no political godfather has ever become the number one citizen…

BBC
Nigeria cost-of-living crisis sparks exodus of doctors
Africa’s largest economy, Nigeria, is in the process of introducing new banknotes for the first time in more than 20 years. The move is an attempt to reignite confidence in the currency, the naira, which is under severe pressure…

The Nation
Nigeria’s eroded humanity
It is important not to trivialise the magnitude of Nigeria’s problems today, just because crises are an integral part of human society down the ages…

29 January 2023
Punch
152 clerics attacked in 13 months
No fewer than 152 Christian clergies have been attacked by non-state actors in 39 incidents between January 2022 and January 2023. Out of those attacked, 33 were kidnapped, while six were killed. Also, a total number of 17 churches were attacked during the period under review…

28 January 2023
Leadership
Catholic Priests As Endangered Specie
Reports available in the public space indicate that no fewer than 39 Catholic priests in Nigeria were killed by gunmen in 2022 alone while 30 others were abducted by criminals, some for ransom, others as part of an alleged plot to hurt the Christian faith with the aim of attenuating its spread and influence…

Premium Times
22 States at high risk of election manipulation – Report
As preparations for next month’s elections reach an advanced stage, a coalition of 10 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have said 22 Nigerian states are at high risk of election manipulation…

27 January 2023
Daily Trust
2023 Polls: Yiaga Africa, Others Identify 22 High-Risk States
A coalition of 10 civil society organisations (CSOs) has identified 22 high risk states that must be properly monitored as part of measures to ensure the success of the February and March general elections in Nigeria…

Punch
22 states at risk of election malpractice – CSOs
With about 28 days to the general elections, findings by a coalition of ten civil society organisations have identified 22 states with high risks of manipulation and malpractices…

Vanguard
Election Manipulation: Imo, Lagos, Kano, 19 others tagged ‘high risk states’
Ahead of the February/March general election, 22 states have been classified as “high risk” in terms of election manipulation. The states include Imo, Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi, Abia, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Lagos, Oyo, and Osun. Others are Ekiti, Kwara, Niger, Plateau, Taraba, Kaduna, Bauchi, Adamawa, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto and Jigawa states…

26 January 2023
BusinessDay
Nigerians at risk of deportation in UK’s Braverman push for visa change
International students studying in the United Kingdom (UK) including Nigerians may face deportation after completion of their studies. According to The Daily Mail, Suella Braverman, UK’s home secretary is pushing for a visa change that would force foreign students out of the UK if they fail to secure a ‘skilled job’ six months after graduation…

Punch
Targeted killing of clerics condemnable
The January 15 murder of a Catholic priest, Isaac Achi, in Paikoro, Niger State, after terrorists burnt him to death by setting fire to the parish rectory, is the latest tragic incident in a series of killings of Christian clerics by Islamic jihadists across the country…

RFI
Nigeria: les nouveaux billets de banque seront-ils disponibles à temps?
Le Nigeria et ses plus de deux cents millions d’habitants sont en route vers la présidentielle et les législatives prévues le 23 février, mais avant cela, voilà une autre date butoir : au 31 janvier, soit mardi prochain, officiellement, seule la nouvelle version des billets de 200, 500 et 1 000 nairas sera valuable…

25 January 2023
AP
Witnesses: Drone strike kills 21 civilians in north Nigeria
A weapon fired from the air in Nigeria killed at least 21 members of a civilian defense group as they responded to an attack by gunmen in the country’s volatile north, witnesses said Wednesday…

Fides
The Nigerian Bishops’ Conference: ‘Published figures of priests killed or abducted are incorrect’
“According to the information we have, the data is not entirely correct”. Thus Father Zacharia Nyantiso Aya Samjumi, secretary general of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), when questioned by Fides, denies what was incorrectly reported by a publication (“Sahara Reports”) according to which 145 Catholic priests were killed in Nigeria in 2022…

KNewz
‘A Killing Field’: Nigerian Archbishop Condemns Murder Of 39 Catholic Priests In 2022
The numbers are hard to fathom. According a report released this week by Nigerian geopolitical intelligence platform SBM Intel, there were 339 attacks on Catholic priests in the country in 2022. That’s close to one a day…

News Central TV
Security Trends Ahead of February Elections
Today makes it 30 days before voters in Nigeria head to their polling units to make a choice about the leaders for the next 4 years. Today the focus is on security. There have been several security trends that we should take note of as the elections are literally knocking on the door. We discussed further on this episode of #ElectionCentral…

Punch
Nigerian students in UK, others risk deportation
Nigerians and other immigrant students in the United Kingdom currently face a high-risk of deportation after completion of their studies following a row between UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman and the Department of Education…

24 January 2023
AP
Nigeria bets on Chinese-funded port to drive economic growth
Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has marked the opening of a $1.5 billion, Chinese-funded deep seaport in the commercial hub of Lagos that authorities hope will help grow the West African nation’s ailing economy…

Bloomberg
Africa’s Largest Economy to Slow Rate Hikes Before Elections
Nigeria’s central bank is poised to temper the pace of interest-rate increases after inflation unexpectedly slowed from a 17-year high in December, a sign that it may have peaked…

The Sun Nigeria
Unknown gunmen and the elections
Last October, the campaign team of the Lagos State PDP candidates including the governorship candidate, Dr. Olajide Adediran (Jandor) and his running mate Ms Funke Akindele, was attacked by political thugs or unknown gunmen…

23 January 2023
The Cable
39 Catholic priests killed, 30 abducted in 2022 — north-central worst hit
At least 39 Catholic priests were killed by gunmen and 30 others abducted in the year 2022, says a new report by SBM Intelligence. In the report titled “Attacks on Priests” released by the research outfit on Monday, 145 attacks on Catholic priests were recorded last year…

Economic Confidential
Report Reveals Companies Pay ₦11.5trn Tax Under Buhari
The Federal Government has raked in ₦11.5tn from taxes paid by business organisations under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari…

ICIR Nigeria
Martyred Christians: CAN urges US to include Nigeria on violators watch list
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has reiterated its call on the United States (US) Department of State to re-enlist Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC), “for extreme violence against Christians”. CAN was reacting to a report by the 2023 Open Doors World Watch List which said Nigeria accounts for 89 per cent of martyred Christians worldwide…

Punch
Afenifere warns politicians against attacks
The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has warned politicians across political lines over the increasing verbal and physical attacks that are characterising election campaigns in various parts of the country…

Companies pay ₦11.5tn tax under Buhari
The Federal Government has raked in ₦11.5tn from taxes paid by business organisations under the administration of Major Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd), findings by The PUNCH have revealed…

22 January 2023
ThisDay
Afenifere to Political Parties: Stop Verbal Attacks, Focus on Issues
Yoruba’s foremost socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has expressed concern over the increasing verbal and physical attacks that have characterised election campaigns in various parts of the country, urging political parties to focus on issues instead…

21 January 2023
Punch
Voters turnout may increase
A survey by SBM Intelligence has revealed that voters turnout is likely to rise in the 2023 general elections. This is despite the security concerns being raised in some quarters. The survey captured views of 6,588 citizens across Abuja, Niger, Adamawa, Bauchi, Kaduna, Kano, Anambra, Ebonyi, Imo, Cross River, Edo, Rivers, Lagos, Ogun, Osun and Oyo states…

20 January 2023
DW
Why kidnappers in West Africa now target women
Dozens of women and children in two localities, north and west of the town of Arbinda, in Burkina Faso’s northern region, were kidnapped by jihadis last week. On Friday, 66 women and children were freed, national broadcaster Radiodiffusion Television du Burkina and the government said…

Semafor
Nigeria’s third party candidate increases chances of a run-off
Nigerian presidential candidate Peter Obi has disrupted the country’s political duopoly to such an extent that he could force a run-off for the first time since the return to civilian rule in 1999 and help to anoint the eventual winner…

18 January 2023
New Telegraph
Anxiety As Osun Tops List Of Politically Violent States
A civil society group, Peoples’ Advocates, has expressed its displeasure over the SBM Intelligence report ranking Osun as the state with the highest number of cases of election-related violence in 2022. The group lamented that Osun, which was rated the third most peaceful state, should be on the top of the ladder of states associated with political violence…

17 January 2023
Daily Post
Worries as Osun tops list of politically violent States
A civil society group, Peoples’ Advocates has expressed worry over the SBM Intelligence report ranking Osun as top State with highest political violence in Nigeria. This was contained in a statement signed by its Chairman, Bayo Alade while assessing some new policies of Governor Ademola Adeleke-led government…

Ripples Nigeria
Gbajabiamila decries attacks on political actors, harps on politics of brotherhood
Speaker of House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila on Tuesday condemned consistent attacks on political actors across the country ahead of the polls…

16 January 2023
Joy News
Nigeria is dealing with multiple security issues
SBM Intelligence’s Head of Research, Ikemesit Effiong discusses the security challenges impacting the conduct of Nigeria’s general elections…

Nigeria lawmakers have increasingly become critical of executive’s track record
SBM Intelligence’s Head of Research, Ikemesit Effiong highlights how Nigeria’s security challenges have led to growing criticism of the ruling administration and its political implications…

Peter Obi’s party are in the best position than any party
SBM Intelligence’s Head of Research, Ikemesit Effiong discusses the electoral and political prospects of the prime third-party challenger candidate in the current election cycle…

The opinion polls shows that Atiku Abubakar is the second favoured candidate
SBM Intelligence’s Head of Research, Ikemesit Effiong discusses the issues and electoral chances of the main opposition candidate in the 2023 elections…

We will record the highest number of total votes in the country’s history
SBM Intelligence’s Head of Research, Ikemesit Effiong discusses how prevailing socioeconomic conditions, record registrations and high voter interest means a record number of Nigerians are set to vote in this year’s elections…

15 January 2023
ThisDay
Insecurity and the rail lines
Barely 10 months after some bandits attacked the Abuja-Kaduna train, resulting in the death of about eight passengers and abduction of 65 others, the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) last Sunday announced the closure of Ekehen Station in Edo State…

14 January 2023
Nairametrics
2023 Elections: Top ten states with highest voters registrations
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) earlier this week presented a soft copy of the updated voter register to the 18 political parties in the country…

New Telegraph
2023 Elections: Avoid Spreading Fake News On Digital Space, Group Cautions Nigerians
In order to achieve credible, free and fair process in this year’s general elections, a non-governmental organisation: “Food Basket Foundation International” (FBFI), has emphasised the significance of digital civic space in disseminating information, cautioning Nigerians against dishing out misinformation, and fake news which could thwart the laudable objective…

Osun Defender
2022: Osun Recorded Highest Political Violence Cases In Nigeria
Election related violence cases that occurred in the State of Osun in 2022 have negatively positioned her as the state with the highest political violence rate in Nigeria…

13 January 2023
BluePrint
42 days to polls: Parties in last alliance talks as campaigns hot up
With exactly 42 days to the 2023 presidential election, candidates of the 18 political parties have stepped up campaigns and engagements with Nigerians, even as some push last alliance talks amidst claims and counterclaims…

BusinessDay
Analysis: Nigeria yet to learn from past train attacks
The growing number of attacks on Nigeria’s rail stations is heightening concerns about a breakdown of the security network in Africa’s biggest economy, BusinessDay has learnt…

National Insight
2023: NGO Set To Safeguard Digital Space, Wants Media To Combat Voters Misinformation And Disinformation
As part of activities in safeguarding digital civic space for electoral integrity of the 2023 elections, a Non Governmental Organization, Food Basket Foundation International (FBFI), a part of the Safeguarding Online Civic Space (SOCS) group has called on the media to join efforts in combating voters misinformation and disinformation…

Punch
Elections will determine future of Nigeria —USAID, others
The United States Agency for International Development, alongside Food Basket Foundation International, Palladium and other development partners have stated that the integrity of the 2023 general elections will determine the future of Nigeria as an indivisible nation…

The Sun Nigeria
2023: USAID, Palladium, FBFI, others move to safeguard Nigeria’s digital civic space
In a bid to safeguard the online civic space against misinformation and disinformation that can compromise the integrity of the 2023 general elections in Nigeria, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), in collaboration with Palladium, Food Basket Foundation International (FBFI), as well as other development partners have activated plans to prevent and curb the menace of fake news…

12 January 2023
CNBC Africa
How voter registration will shape Nigeria’s 2023 elections
Data by Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission shows that 93.5 million voters have been registered for the forthcoming 2023 general election…

Sahara Reporters
Over 2200 Persons Killed By Herdsmen, Boko Haram, Other Terrorists In Last Quarter Of 2022
No fewer than 2,200 persons were killed by armed herdsmen, abductors, Boko Haram and other criminals across Nigeria between October and December, 2022, a report by a research firm, SB Morgen has stated…

The Sun Nigeria
Insecurity: 2,293 deaths recorded in Q4 2022
Not less than 2,293 people were killed in Nigeria between September and December of 2022 during violent incidents involving attacks from Boko Haram, militia herdsmen, abductions, gang clashes and bandits…

ThisDay
Why I’m Voting for the First Time!
I was a panellist at the #YVote Festival last year, and everyone in attendance agreed that something different about this election season is evident in Nigerians’ intense interest in and readiness for it…

11 January 2023
Punch
Report predicts violent elections, minister allays fears
A report prepared by SBM Intelligence has revealed that there are early signs that the forthcoming general elections will be characterised by violence. The report came at a time when the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, assured stakeholders that the elections will hold as planned…

10 January 2023
The Economist
After eight dismal years, Nigeria prepares to replace President Buhari
“Buhari has given us very big wahala (trouble),” says Usama Sani, a student in Kano, the biggest city in northern Nigeria. “There is insecurity and unemployment,” he complains, before shouting: “We are going to kick Buhari aside!”…

PassBlue
The Sahel Region in West Africa, a Top-10 Conflict Spot to Watch in 2023, Says Crisis Group
The International Crisis Group has listed the jihadist violence in the Sahel region in West Africa as one of the 10 violent flash points to watch in 2023. The conflict area covers Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali but is also bordered by the Boko Haram-induced mayhem in the Lake Chad region overlapping the Sahel…

Punch
Edo train attack shows security system’s failure
Having been repeatedly exposed as weak, Nigeria’s security system failed woefully again at the weekend after scores of persons were kidnapped at the Igueben train station in Edo State in an attack linked to Fulani herdsmen…

Sahara Reporters
27 Nigerians Killed In 57 Politically-Motivated Attacks In 2022, Violence To Likely Mar 2023 Elections
27 Nigerians were killed in 57 politically-motivated violent incidents between January and December 2022. This is contained in a report the firm released on Tuesday titled: “Insecurity and the 2023 Elections,” adding that elections in Nigeria are a hotly-contested affair, with vested interests from the politicking to the aspirants…

9 January 2023
Nairametrics
2023 Elections: 43% of voters are first-time voters
43% of Nigerians eligible to vote in the 2023 general elections would be first-time voters. This was disclosed in a report by socioeconomic research firm, SBM Intelligence, on Monday titled ‘2023 Elections: Voter Turnout Will Rise’…

5 January 2023
BusinessDay
79% of registered voters have collected PVCs – Survey
There is a high degree of interest in voting in the 2023 general elections as 79 percent of registered voters in Nigeria have successfully picked up their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) as of Dec. 22, according to a new survey by SBM Intelligence…

4 January 2023
ICIR Nigeria
Only 30% of registrants collect PVCs at first try
Geopolitical research consultancy firm SBM Intelligence has said only 30 per cent of registrants collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) at first attempt. SBM disclosed this in a report published following a survey it carried out in December 2022 on over 6000 registrants across 16 states…

1 January 2023
Foreign Policy
Elections to Watch in 2023
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is being inaugurated on Jan. 1 as president of Brazil, capping off an exhausting political cycle in a country whose elections had been among the most closely followed of 2022. The showdown between Lula and incumbent President Jair Bolsonaro last October captured global attention not only because Brazil is Latin America’s largest country and the steward of the Amazon rainforest but also because the contest followed a well-trodden electoral format: a far-right leader pit against a political opposition intent on taking him down…