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Female inmates in Nigeria struggle with menstrual hygiene amid neglect

Nanji Nandang VENLEY
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Female inmates in Nigeria struggle with menstrual hygiene amid neglect

AISHA* sat quietly in the crowded hall, her colourful hijab neatly around her face as a health expert spoke about the dangers of using unsafe materials during menstruation.

It was May 28, 2025, Menstrual Hygiene Day, and a coalition of civil society groups had visited the Suleja Correctional Facility in Niger State to educate inmates about safe menstrual practices.

The hall, a simple structure with bare concrete floors and iron rods holding up a rusting roof, was filled with murmurs as Aisha raised her hand when the health expert paused to catch her breath.

“Please, how can I safely use cotton wool as a pad?” Aisha asked softly.

At this point, the room went silent. The expert explained that cotton wool is not designed for menstruation and could cause infections or irritation.

“I used cotton wool and tissue paper to pad myself the first month I was brought here because there was no provision for menstrual pads,” Aisha later told The ICIR reporter, who was in the hall during the session.

In her mid-twenties, Aisha said, “I’ve been here three months now, and I’ve never been given any pads.”

Aisha’s experience reflects the sad reality faced by the 58 female inmates in the Suleja correctional facility at the time and hundreds more across Nigeria’s correctional centres, where menstruation is often treated as an afterthought.

A systemic gap

Like in many parts of the world, Nigerian prisons are plagued by severe overcrowding, resulting in poor health and deplorable living conditions for inmates.

Female prisoners make up about two per cent of the inmate population in Nigeria. However, the number of female inmates has risen in recent years.

Detailed infographics of the current number of female inmates in the 354 correctional facilities in the country 
Detailed infographics of the current number of female inmates in the 354 correctional facilities in the country

In 2022, Nigeria had 1,296 female inmates out of 70,797 prisoners. By January 2025, that number had risen to 1,688, including 34 pregnant women and 51 children under 18 months living with their mothers in custody.

However, the needs of these women are often overshadowed by the remaining 98 per cent, comprised of male inmates, the Centre for Gender Economics in Africa (CGE Africa) reported.

Advocates have raised concerns that women behind bars are forced to manage their periods without dignity, leaving them vulnerable to infections, humiliation, and systemic neglect.

A report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) revealed that many female inmates in prisons across Nigeria have limited access to basic hygiene and health care products.

A cross-sectional study in Kano prisons found that 85.6 per cent of female inmates bathed only once during menstruation, while 81.4 per cent changed their absorbents just twice per day.

At Suleja, at least 10 female inmates who spoke to The ICIR confirmed that they depend entirely on donations from religious and charity groups to stay clean during their periods.

Mariam*, who had been in the facility for months, recalled borrowing pads when she arrived. “I gave money to one of the prison staff who went home after work to help me buy a pack of menstrual pads and brought it when resuming the next day,” Mariam recalled.

“I am grateful for programmes like this and for Sisters from the Convent who come here monthly to distribute pads.

Jane*, another inmate, added, “I borrow from inmates, or call family to bring it when visiting, especially in the months when we don’t receive any donations.”

Other facilities included

In Lagos, a 2024 campaign by the Blossom Flow Foundation at the Kirikiri Female Custodial Centre found that some inmates used newspapers, nylons, and rags during menstruation.

Joan Faluyi, who led the initiative, said it served as a platform to advocate against period poverty, shedding light on the challenges faced by women in accessing sanitary pads.

Faluyi noted that this struggle is exacerbated for female inmates who lack the means to procure them. “While period poverty is a significant issue for women living with their families, it presents an even more daunting challenge for incarcerated women who are unable to work,” she said.

Felicia, a former Plateau State Correctional Facility inmate, recalled the same ordeal.

The mother of three said when she was wrongfully accused and detained at the correctional facility in 2021, she and other inmates depended on occasional pad donations.

“We depended on kind Nigerians who donated pads. Without them, we used whatever we could find,” she said.

A correctional officer who requested anonymity confirmed this. “There’s no official provision for menstrual pads,” the source admitted, adding: “The women depend entirely on donations.”

Millions in budgets, nothing for pads

The Nigerian government allocates billions of naira to correctional facilities each year, yet female inmates remain excluded from the benefits.

In the 2020/2021 capital budget, over N1 billion in budget provision was allocated for Prison Biometrics, Arms, and Ammunition to enable facilities to detect, prevent, or respond effectively to internal and external threats.

The House of Representatives in 2022 resolved to investigate the deteriorating conditions of correctional service staff and inmates despite the over N165 billion budgetary allocations to the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) in 2020 and 2021.

The NCoS budget was not explicitly defined under the N287 billion allocated to the Ministry of Interior in 2022. Meanwhile, the federal government spent N22.44 billion to feed prison inmates in 2023.

In 2024, the government allocated approximately N120 billion to the NCoS, with breakdowns for different expenditures. The key allocations included N24.4 billion for feeding inmates, N4.2 billion for constructing fixed assets like prisons, and N1.8 billion for building new maximum security custodial centres.

The 2025 national budget earmarked N38.03 billion for feeding inmates, part of a total N45.2 billion correctional services allocation. The daily feeding allowance per inmate was also increased from ₦750 to ₦1,150.

Detailed infographics of the 2025 budget allocation.
Detailed infographics of the 2025 budget allocation.

However, nowhere in the budget is there a mention of sanitary pads or menstrual hygiene products.

Instead, such items are hidden under general provisions like “catering materials” or “healthcare supplies,” making tracking specific spending on women’s needs impossible.

To verify this, repeated attempts were made to reach the spokesperson of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Abubakar Umar, via WhatsApp, direct message, and call, but they were unsuccessful.

The ICIR submitted a Freedom of Information (FOI) request on 14 May 2025, demanding records of procurement or contracts for sanitary pad supplies to correctional facilities nationwide.

Acknowledgement copy of FOI request. Photo credit: Nanji Nandang/ICIR  
Acknowledgement copy of FOI request. Photo credit: Nanji Nandang/ICIR

Months later, no response was received — a violation of Section 4 (7) of the FOI Act, which requires institutions to respond within seven working days or explain their reason for withholding information.

Meanwhile, the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (Nelson Mandela Rules) affirm that “the provision of health care for prisoners is a State responsibility.” However, the reality in Nigeria tells a different story.

Many women behind bars are denied access to even basic health care, including menstrual hygiene supplies, a direct contradiction of those international standards.

In 2019, the late President Muhammadu Buhari signed the Nigerian Correctional Service Bill into law, mandating that all inmates must be treated humanely as part of their rehabilitation.

More than five years later, implementation remains inconsistent, and the needs of female inmates continue to be overlooked.

Rights violations and health implications

The Plateau State Coordinator and Director Legal, National Human Rights Commission, Kiyenpiya Mafuyai, said the Nigerian government, through the prison authorities, is primarily responsible for ensuring the menstrual care of female inmates.

“The accommodation of women prisoners shall have facilities and materials required to meet women’s specific hygiene needs, including sanitary towels provided free of charge and a regular supply of water to be made available for the personal care of children and women, in particular women involved in cooking and those who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or menstruating”  Mafuyai said, quoting Rule 5 of the UN Bangkok Rules.

She explained that, based on the available rules and laws, denying adequate menstrual care can be seen as a violation of the female inmates’ right to dignity and the neglect of hygiene needs, which may affect health.

“Obviously, menstrual hygiene is an integral part of this for women. Neglect of this indicates a lack of gender representation in governance and leadership of Correctional Services. The neglect of menstrual hygiene could increase the vulnerability of female inmates,” she added.

The human rights lawyer noted the specific inclusion of the needs of inmates, such as medication and sanitary pads, in the prison authorities’ budget as one of the policy and administrative changes that can be made to improve menstrual care of inmates.

“Deliberate attention should be paid to hygiene facilities to ensure clean spaces, sufficient water, and proper disposal practices to prevent infection and promote good health. Inclusion of reusable pad making as a vocational skill in the correctional facility for the benefit of female inmates,” she said.

A resident obstetrics and gynaecologist, Usman Isah, told The ICIR that the potential health risks of using unclean or damp cloths or infrequently changing pads during menstruation increase the risk of infection.

Isah said the kind of infections or skin conditions that can arise from prolonged use of unhygienic menstrual materials include reproductive tract infection, urinary tract infection, increased risk of Human Papillomavirus Infection, and subsequently cervical cancer.

“When pads are unavailable, and women use damp or dirty materials, they create a breeding ground for bacteria,” he explained.

Aisha told The ICIR that she would use the pack she had received from the group that led the menstrual health lecture judiciously.

“I don’t change regularly because I don’t want to lack when I need it next month,” Aisha said.

For women like Aisha, the scarcity of pads means rationing even when they have them.

“I try not to change often,” she said quietly, clutching the small pack of pads she received from visiting NGOs. “I don’t know when I’ll get another one.”

Names with asterisks have been changed to protect the identities of the inmates interviewed for this report.

This reporting was completed with the support of the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID)

Wike gives land use defaulters 14-day grace to pay N5m fine

Nanji Nandang VENLEY
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Wike gives land use defaulters 14-day grace to pay N5m fine

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has given property owners in Asokoro, Maitama, Garki, and Wuse districts a final 14-day ultimatum, effective from Tuesday, November 11, 2025, to regularise their properties and comply with the approved land use and conversion terms.

In a statement on Monday, the Minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, said the decision followed the expiration of an initial 30-day compliance deadline.

“Failure to comply within the stated 14 calendar days grace period will result in enforcement actions by the FCT Administration,” Olayinka warned.

He noted that the FCTA had issued public notices on September 8, 9, and 10, 2025, through several national newspapers and online platforms, informing the public about the reviewed Land Use and Purpose Clauses for properties within the Federal Capital City (FCC).

“However, the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), His Excellency, Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON, has magnanimously approved a final grace period of 14 calendar days from Tuesday, November 11, 2025, for all affected allottees or title holders to comply with the terms and conditions of the approval for land use change/conversion,” he added.

Olayinka noted that the affected streets and locations included Gana Street and Usuma Street in Maitama District; Yakubu Gowon Crescent in Asokoro; Aminu Kano Crescent and Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent in Wuse II; Ladoke Akintola Boulevard, Gimbiya Street, and Onitsha Street in Garki II.

Others are Ogbomosho Street, Lafia Close, Yola Street, Abriba Close, Danbatta Street, Ringim Close, and Ilorin Street in Garki I District, and Ogbomosho Street, Lafia Close, Yola Street, District, Abriba Close, Danbatta Street, Ringim Close and Ilorin Street in Garki I District.

“All affected allottees/holders of properties who, without approval, converted the land use of their properties on the above listed streets/locations, having violated the terms and conditions of grant of the Right of Occupancy, are hereby (given) 30 days from Wednesday, 10th of September, 2025, to pay a penalty/violation fee (of) N5 million.

“The allottees/title holders should visit the FCTA Department of Land Administration with their original title documents and valid means of identification, for collection of their respective letters of Conveyance of Approval for the land use change/conversion containing details of the new land use and the applicable fees,” he paid.

He added that under this exercise, the minister has, approved the issuance of new title documents titled “Statutory Right of Occupancy and Certificate of Occupancy” in favour of the affected property owners, reflecting the updated land use of the properties for a fresh term of 99 years, upon fulfilling all necessary conditions.

“However, consideration for issuance of new title documents (Statutory Right of Occupancy and Certificate of Occupancy) under this exercise does not cover land and property titles earlier withdrawn/revoked due to non-development, non-payment of ground rent, and/or other reasons,” the notice stated.

EFCC declares former minister Timipre Sylva wanted

Mustapha USMAN
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EFCC declares former minister Timipre Sylva wanted

THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and ex-Governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva, wanted over alleged involvement in a $14.8 million fraud.

According to a statement by the Commission on Monday, November 10, Sylva is wanted in connection with a case of conspiracy and dishonest conversion of $14,859,257.

The funds, according to the anti-graft agency, were injected by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) into Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited for the construction of a refinery.

The EFCC said it secured a warrant for his arrest on November 6, 2025, at the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos.

The warrant, said to have been issued by Justice D.I. Dipeolu, directed that “an order is made issuing a warrant to the Applicant or any Officer of the Commission, Police or any law enforcement officer for the arrest of the Respondent for the purpose of bringing him before the Commission to answer to the criminal offence  he is alleged to have committed.”

The anti-graft agency urged anyone with useful information about Sylva’s whereabouts to contact any of its zonal offices, the nearest police station, or other security agencies.

This development came month after the House of Representatives launched an investigation into the alleged mismanagement of $35 million invested by the NCDMB in the same Atlantic International Refinery project in Bayelsa State.

The refinery project, meant to boost local refining capacity, has been stalled for years despite the huge financial commitment.

While raising the motion Billy Osawaru recalled that in 2020, the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) invested $35 million, in the establishment of Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited.

The move, he said, was part of efforts to enhance local refining capacity and curb Nigeria’s heavy reliance on imported fuel.

He explained that the investment aimed to promote the development of modular refineries across the Niger Delta, in line with the government’s policy at the time to broaden the nation’s revenue base, ease pressure on foreign exchange, and cut down public debt through increased domestic refining.

Sylva, who served as Bayelsa governor from 2008 to 2012 and as Minister of State for Petroleum Resources from 2019 to 2023, is yet to respond to the EFCC’s declaration.

Dapsy… a rascal who shapes Nigerian journalism and continues to keep power in check

Editorial
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Dapsy… a rascal who shapes Nigerian journalism and continues to keep power in check

By Ajibola AMZAT

I had been trying for months to interview Dapsy (Dapo Olorunyomi), and he had been “running away” from me, as he later admitted when he finally agreed to a one-on-one interview at his office on Mabolo Street, Abuja.

It is easy to look past that shortcoming. Dapsy himself is a gracious man: always noble and generous in overlooking the mistakes of others. I got that impression from many people who had encountered him.

In a book of tributes titled Testimony to Courage, published when he turned 62, many of his friends, colleagues, siblings, mentees, and mentors painted a picture of a complex man.

To his teachers, he is a brilliant but confused student; to his siblings, a generous but enigmatic brother; to his friends, a bookish and bohemian spirit, yet loyal and affable; to his mentees, a warm and supportive man who puts people at ease in his company, but at the same time, too playful to offer critical opinions about character flaws; and to his staff, a compassionate and inspirational boss whose laissez-faire leadership style sometimes gets in the way of effective management.

He is Andrew Ames, the fictional character in Complex Man, who constantly seeks reconciliation with contradicting realities rather than escape. Observing him closely and from afar, and through the lens of those who work with him, I often see an individual who truly embodies the contradictions of modern man, seeking meaning in a fragmented and complex world. Testimony to Courage indeed bears testimony to the complexity of the man named at birth Adeniran Oyekunle Oyedapo Olorunyomi.

Dapo Olorunyomi, Seye Kehinde, Bayo Onanuga and Akin Adesokan at Ikoyi Prison Lagos.
Dapo Olorunyomi, Seye Kehinde, Bayo Onanuga and Akin Adesokan at Ikoyi Prison Lagos.

Surprisingly, Dapsy, a bookworm, told me he has yet to read the book. “I’m afraid. It’s too gushing in some places,” he said in his usual playful manner. Had he read the book, he probably would have discovered that his siblings think he is a rebel and sometimes a reckless daredevil, labels, I believe, he may not contest.

During the interview, I narrated to him the account of his brother, Sola Olorunyomi, a professor at the University of Ibadan. Dapsy, his brother said, was always missing at the dinner table when other family members were seated. If he ever appeared, he would show up without a bib, unlike the others. And when they asked him why, his response was usually, “Do I look like a kid?” He was also the one often missing during morning devotion prayers. His parents were devout Christians. His grandfather, in fact, was a reverend who brought the Baptist Church to a community now known as Ijumu Local Government Area in Kogi State.

So, while one might expect him to follow in the footsteps of his forbears, observing Christian traditions and immersing himself in the Holy Books, he preferred reading dense and “godless” philosophers such as Theodor Adorno, Walter Benjamin, and Louis Althusser.“I am just curious about knowledge,” he said. Little wonder he ended up in the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Ife, where Professor Wole Soyinka and Professor Biodun Jeyifo, former ASUU president, ruled the roost. Jeyifo would eventually supervise his master’s thesis.

“Without question, I always gravitate to the whole tradition of liberty and freedom, and of a just society,” he said. Unlike his schoolmate and friend Femi Falana, a human rights advocate who studied law at Ife, Dapsy found expression for these noble ideals through investigative journalism.

When he got the chance to work at The Guardian, a newspaper commonly regarded as the flagship of Nigerian journalism, Dapsy made a dent that cost him his freedom and that of others. As the assistant editor of African Concord, he wrote a cover story that landed some of his colleagues in jail. The military junta would brook no dissent from rabble-rousers, as journalists were often perceived. And when he founded The NEWS alongside other irreverent pen-pushers like Kunle Ajibade and Bayo Onanuga, they took adversarial journalism a notch higher.

When the regime of Abacha went rogue, journalists like Dapsy became targets. His friend Ajibade was jailed for life; Bagauda Kaltho went missing and has never been found. But Dapsy was lucky. He got a tip-off that helped him escape into exile through the NADECO route, where he spent years planning with other June Twelfthists to truncate Abacha’s tyranny.

Dapo Olorunyomi, Publisher Premium Times.
Dapo Olorunyomi, Publisher Premium Times.

Dapsy told me that he actually wanted to escape to South Africa, not the US. But the South African embassy then was directly opposite the Police Headquarters, and walking there would have meant walking into a trap with eyes wide open.

In the US, he worked for Freedom House, where he spent a lot of time advocating for freedom of expression, the rule of law, and human rights. He returned to Nigeria only after Abacha’s death and later took the job of Chief of Staff to the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nuhu Ribadu.

It was a tough job. He survived a couple of assassination attempts. When their tenure ended, and Ribadu himself became a hunted man, Dapsy decided to return to the US. It was around the same time that Dele Olojede, the first African to win a Pulitzer Prize, was setting up the NEXT 234 newspaper. Olojede heard that Dapsy was relocating and called him.

It was an offer to serve as the Enterprise Editor of a newly avant-garde newspaper. Olojede shared his vision, and Dapsy accepted, but not without a warning: “This business will bite you,” he said. His prophecy came true. NEXT became a gadfly to the Nigerian power elite, and they did everything within reach to kill it. Short story: NEXT folded up, and Olojede returned to his refuge in Stellenbosch, South Africa.

But it was not over for Dapsy. He founded Premium Times with Musikilu Mojeed, his trusted ally at NEXT. Learning from NEXT’s mistakes, they decided early on that PT would be a digital newspaper. They diversified PT’s revenue stream to include grant-seeking, a successful strategy.

Today, Premium Times has become a trailblazer in enterprise journalism, raising many hard-nosed journalists who keep Nigeria’s power elite in check. It is a paper that espouses the vision of one man who, very early in life, rose above the fears and unbridled greed of the plebeians who have now joined the Nigerian elite class.

Happy birthday, Dapsy.

Ajibola Amzat is the Africa Editor for the Centre for Collaborative Investigative Journalism (CCIJ) and co-publisher of WikkiTimes.

Police to arraign journalist detained without trial for six weeks

Mustapha USMAN
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Police to arraign journalist detained without trial for six weeks

THE Nigeria Police Force is set to arraign Friday Alefia, a journalist detained for more than six weeks without trial, on alleged cybercrime charges.

Alefia is expected to appear before Obiora Egwuatu, a judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday, November 12. 

According to a report by Premium Times, Alefia, publisher of the online newspaper Naija News Today (formerly Asiwaju Media), was arrested on September 23 in Lagos after police operatives traced a phone linked to his house caretaker to his residence in Ikorodu. 

He was subsequently transferred to Abuja and has since been held at the defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) facility despite repeated pleas from his family and lawyers for his release or arraignment.

The ICIR reports that under Nigerian Constitution, the police are not permitted to detain any suspect for more than 48 hours without charging them to court. This provision is enshrined in Section 35(4) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which states that any person arrested or detained in connection with an alleged offence “shall be brought before a court of law within a reasonable time,” defined as 24 hours where a court is within a 40-kilometre radius, and 48 hours or such longer as in the circumstances may be considered by the court to be reasonable.”

Family members said Alefia’s health had deteriorated during detention, forcing the police to take him to the hospital twice at the family’s expense.

A relative, Chijioke Alefia, alleged that the journalist was being victimised for publishing reports critical of a federal lawmaker, Chinedu Ogah, who represents the Ezza South/Ikwo Federal Constituency of Ebonyi State.

“Friday is a journalist and also a constituent. He voted and has the right to question his representation,” Alefia said.

A five-count charge filed by the police at the Federal High Court Abuja (Charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/53/2025) against Alefia and Asiwaju Media Company Ltd, accused them of using online platforms, including Facebook, to publish what the police describe as false and damaging reports against the lawmaker.

The charges include several reports about the lawmaker. One of the reports was titled, “How Federal Lawmaker Ogah Snatches Village Land in Ebonyi,” which the police described as false. Another count accuses Alefia of posting a statement on Facebook quoting Mr Ogah as saying, “I rigged senatorial poll against Emmanuel Onwe.”

All charges, according to the prosecution, violate Section 24(2)(a) of the Cybercrimes Amendment Act and are punishable under Section 24(2)(c)(i).

In Nigeria, concerns over press freedom have escalated in recent years. Journalists have faced arrests, physical assaults, and threats while carrying out their constitutional duty, particularly on issues involving security agencies, corruption, and human rights violations.

Laws such as the Cybercrimes Act have been used to clamp down on dissenting voices, including journalists.

The 2024 data by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) placed Nigeria as one of West Africa’s most dangerous and difficult countries for journalists.

Anambrarians set agenda for Soludo after re-election victory

Harrison EDEH
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Anambrarians set agenda for Soludo after re-election victory

THE people of Anambra State have set an agenda for Governor Charles Soludo following his re-election.

Soludo, of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA)won the poll conducted on Saturday, November 8, with 422,664 votes, defeating his closest rival, Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who garnered 99,445 votes.

In his acceptance speech on Sunday, November 9, after he was declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the election winner, Soludo told the people of the state that he was humbled by the support he enjoyed from the electorate.

He assured the state that it would see more positive dividends of democracy from his administration.

He appreciated everyone in the state and assured them that they would not regret voting for him.

The ICIR reports that the governor won all 21 local government areas, while defeating his major rivals – George Moghalu of the Labour Party (LP) and Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All ProgressiveS Congress (APC), who are both from Nnewi North and South, respectively, in their strongholds.

“You spoke loudly. This election is not just a victory, it is history made and a big history in terms of percentage of votes,” Soludo said.

Meanwhile, the state’s people, including many of its leaders, have hailed the governor’s victory and demanded that he spreads developmental projects across the state during his new term.

Ngozi Okoli, a beneficiary of agri-business policy of the state government, urged the sustenance of agri-business related policies that will create more wealth for the state.

“I want him to continue the work he has done in the agricultural sector, and with that, more people will be out of poverty,” she suggested.

An Onitsha-based businessman, Solomon Akachukwu, recalled the ravaging impact of unknown gunmen in the state and urged the governor to intensify efforts on security.

“Governor Soudo has done well in the eight LGAs once occupied by gunmen, and the newly launched ‘Agunechemba’ security offensive has driven kidnappers, ritual dealers, and cultists out of town. Onitsha’s touts are now ghosts, with traders thriving,” he said.

Also, an entrepreneur, Ike Chibueze, who spoke with The ICIR in Awka, requested more investment in the education sector. He said the governor employed hundreds of teachers in his first tenure and made public schools free.

Speaking further on Soludo’s re-election victory, a Keke driver, Obinna Anyalebe, told The ICIR that the governor should intensify his work on urban renewal and spread it across the states.

“I drive my Keke in Awka, and at times I go into the neighbouring villages for work. Awka is currently wearing a new look, but he needs to expand more road access to other parts of the state, which he had already started,” he said.

Another resident, Anna Onwudiwe, who spoke with The ICIR, said the governor needed to win back the confidence of the business community with an efficient tax system.

“We don’t want officials to be harassing and stopping people by the roadside for taxation. The governor, with his team and the State Internal Revenue Service, should enforce a digital form of tax collection,” she said.

Another resident, Lotanna Agwuncha, urged the governor to tackle insecurity, which has become a huge problem in the state.

“Please remember the Ihiala Local government axis in your second tenure, which has been ravaged by insecurity in your first tenure,” Agwuncha said.

Again, ICIR-funded report wins Ray Ekpu Investigative Journalism Prize

Nanji Nandang VENLEY
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Again, ICIR-funded report wins Ray Ekpu Investigative Journalism Prize

AN investigative report titled “Gas Flaring: Niger Delta Communities Suffer as oil giants fail to pay Nearly N500 billion in penalties” by Ekemini Simon has emerged winner of the 5th Ray Ekpu Investigative Journalism Prize.

The report, supported by the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR) is one of the organisation’s contributions to accountability journalism in Nigeria since its founding over a decade ago.

The first ICIR-supported investigation to claim the top honour was at the Ray Ekpu Investigative Journalism Prize maiden edition in 2021 with the story, “Akwa Ibom Governor, SSG in Multi-Billion Naira Scandal,” jointly reported by Simon and Abasifreke Effiong.

The recurring recognition underscores The ICIR’s role in nurturing investigative journalism that holds power to account, amplifies community voices, and strengthens public interest reporting in Nigeria.

The announcement was made during the Inoyo Toro Foundation’s 18th Teachers’ Awards and 5th Ray Ekpu Award for Investigative Journalism, held on Friday, November 7, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

The chairperson of the screening committee, Nsikak Essien, said that the committee received 27 entries for the award within and outside Akwa Ibom.

“The issues handled were more diverse and rich. They were more competitive,” Essien said, noting that the entries recorded a significant rise in quality and numbers from other editions.

The winning entry, “Gas Flaring: Niger Delta Communities Suffer as Oil Giants Fail to Pay Nearly N500 Billion in Penalties, published in December 2024, is a two-part investigation that exposed multi-billion-naira shortfalls in gas flare penalty payments by oil companies operating in the Niger Delta. 

Simon’s plaque award at the event

It revealed how the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) failed to enforce the collection of penalties mandated under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) funds intended for environmental remediation and community relief projects.

Simon’s report further highlighted the devastating environmental and economic impacts of gas flaring on local communities and how government inaction continues to exacerbate poverty and pollution across oil-producing areas.

For his outstanding work, Simon received a cash prize of N500,000.

The second prize went to Saviour Imukudo of Premium Times, who received N300,000, while Enwongabasi Elisha of The Crest Newspaper took third place, earning N200,000.

The Ray Ekpu Investigative Journalism Prize, established in 2021 by the Inoyo Toro Foundation, honours the legacy of Ray Ekpu, veteran journalist and co-founder of Newswatch magazine. 

The foundation also promotes quality education and media excellence in Akwa Ibom State.

The ICIR reports that this year’s victory marks Simon’s fourth time winning the prestigious award, having previously won in 2021, 2022, and 2023, and finishing runner-up in 2024.

Super Eagles face Gabon Thursday in do-or-die World Cup qualifier

Mustapha USMAN
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Super Eagles face Gabon Thursday in do-or-die World Cup qualifier

THE Super Eagles of Nigeria will on Thursday, November 13, face Gabon in a crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup playoff match in Rabat, Morocco.

The match is a do-or-die encounter for Nigeria as it will determine their progress to the next stage of the World Cup qualification series.

The Super Eagles’ camp officially opened on Sunday in Rabat with the arrival of 10 players, ahead of the final preparations for the playoff this international break.

According to the team’s media officer, Promise Efoghe, the early arrivals include Calvin Bassey, Alex Iwobi, Samuel Chukwueze, Tolu Arokodare, and Olakunle Olusegun. They were later joined by Wilfred Ndidi, Moses Simon, William Troost-Ekong, Benjamin Fredericks, and Chidozie Awaziem.

“Later, on Sunday, three more players – Wilfred Ndidi, Moses Simon, and William Troost-Ekong—joined up with the squad, bringing the number of players in camp to eight.

“By nightfall, Benjamin Fredericks and Chidozie Awaziem also checked in, raising the total number of players in camp to 10 as preparations gathered pace,” he was quoted to have said.

Coach Eric Chelle, who finalised his 24-man squad at the weekend, named a mix of Europe-based stars and local talents for the decisive fixtures. The squad features the return of Maduka Okoye in goal, Chidozie Awaziem in defence, and Raphael Onyedika in midfield.

Nigeria will qualify for the African playoff final if they defeat Gabon on Thursday. The winner will then face either Cameroon or the Democratic Republic of Congo on November 16, also in Rabat.

The playoff round gives second-placed teams from the African group stage qualifiers an additional chance to reach the 2026 FIFA World Cup. However, the winner of this round must still compete in an intercontinental playoff in March 2026 to secure a World Cup slot.

The Super Eagles earned their playoff place after defeating Benin Republic 4–0 in Uyo last month, finishing as one of the four best runners-up in the African qualifiers.

Nigeria missed out on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar after losing to Ghana in the playoff stage and are keen to avoid another disappointment.

Below is Nigeria’s full squad for the 2026 World Cup playoffs:

Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali, Amas Obasogie, Maduka Okoye
 Defenders: Chidozie Awaziem, Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, Benjamin Fredericks, Bruno Onyemaechi, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Zaidu Sanusi, William Troost-Ekong
 Midfielders: Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, Raphael Onyedika, Frank Onyeka, Alhassan Yusuf
 Forwards: Victor Osimhen, Samuel Chukwueze, Ademola Lookman, Moses Simon, Akor Adams, Tolu Arokodare, Olakunle Olusegun, Chidera Ejuke.

Chaos, contradictions mark Nigeria’s response to Trump’s CPC declaration

Nurudeen AKEWUSHOLA
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Chaos, contradictions mark Nigeria’s response to Trump’s CPC declaration

SINCE President Donald Trump threatened to “invade Nigeria” over alleged persecution of Christians, the Nigerian government has struggled to mount a coherent response. 

The government’s response has been marked by hurried diplomatic statements, contradictory political comments, and conflicting stances as it tries to mount an information offensive to counter the accusation, which it describes as “inconsistent” with realities in Nigeria.

Trump, in a Truth Social post later shared on the official White House X handle, announced that he had designated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC), citing what he described as “an existential threat to Christianity.”

“Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter. I am hereby making Nigeria a ‘Country of Particular Concern’ — but that is the least of it,” Trump wrote.

Citing alarming figures, he added: “When Christians, or any such group, are slaughtered like is happening in Nigeria (3,100 versus 4,476 worldwide), something must be done. I am asking Congressman Riley Moore, together with Chairman Tom Cole and the House Appropriations Committee, to immediately look into this matter and report back to me. The United States cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening in Nigeria and numerous other countries.”

The post immediately stirred fear and confusion in Nigeria, prompting an uncoordinated string of official responses. Ministries, lawmakers, and presidential aides issued conflicting statements, each taking a different tone. Below are some disjointed responses which exposed the absence of a central communications strategy by the Nigerian Government.

Foreign Affairs Ministry’s confusing press releases

Even before the Presidency reacted, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was the first to issue a statement. On Saturday, the ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, rejected Trump’s claims, saying they did not accurately reflect Nigeria’s realities.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria notes the recent remarks by US President Donald Trump alleging large-scale killings of Christians in Nigeria and calling for the country’s designation as a ‘Country of Particular Concern.

“These claims do not reflect the situation on the ground. Nigerians of all faiths have long lived, worked, and worshipped together peacefully,” said the ministry.

The government said that while it appreciated global concern for human rights and religious freedom, the allegations were inaccurate and misrepresented the country’s realities.

However, the statement was swiftly deleted even after being widely reported and shared by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga and replaced with a toned-down version. 

The revised release removed Trump’s name, avoided the term “genocide,” and took on a conciliatory tone centred on “shared values” and “partnership” with the United States.

The change signalled internal confusion over how aggressively Nigeria should respond. The initial statement was assertive and diplomatic, defending the country’s image. The replacement, however, appeared designed to de-escalate tensions and project a calmer posture, suggesting that higher political consultations had overruled the ministry’s earlier defiance.

Akpabio and Barau differ on Senate’s response

The discord was also evident in the National Assembly. On Tuesday, a mild drama played out on the Senate floor as Senate President Godswill Akpabio and his deputy, Jibrin Barau, took opposing stances on Trump’s remarks.

Akpabio, reacting to a viral report by the social media platform RANT HQ that misquoted him as rebuffing Trump’s statement, clarified that he had not attacked the former U.S. president. “Who am I to answer Trump?” he said, stressing that he only spoke based on the Senate’s collective position.

Barau, however, struck a defiant tone. “I’m not scared of Trump. I will say my mind. I’m a Nigerian, and Nigeria is a sovereign nation,” he interjected. “Don’t be scared of Trump. You can say your mind about him — we are a sovereign nation.”

While both leaders defended Nigeria’s sovereignty, Akpabio’s cautious diplomacy clashed with Barau’s confrontational style, leaving the Senate’s official stance unclear at a time the nation needed a structured response and resolution.

Lawmaker dragged for “blind loyalty”

In the midst of the controversy, a Nigerian lawmaker drew public backlash after posting on X: “Tinubu leads… we follow.” Many citizens accused him of blind loyalty rather than offering critical oversight.

One user, Onyi Vincent Obiannu, wrote: “A Nigerian senator, ladies and gentlemen. Those that should be checking the president have become the president’s puppet.” 

Another user, Habeeb, added: “This isn’t even about Tinubu, yet you’re still doing this? BAT is your party member — you’re supposed to hold him accountable, not cheerlead him in the middle of a diplomatic crisis.”

Old tweet backfires against Tinubu

As the Christian genocide narrative gained traction, an old 2014 tweet from President Bola Tinubu resurfaced  and quickly became ammunition for critics. In the post, then-opposition leader Tinubu had slammed former President Goodluck Jonathan for failing to protect Christian worshippers in Borno and Adamawa States.

screenshot of Tinubu old tweet

“The slaughtering of Christian worshippers is strongly condemnable. It calls into question the competence of Jonathan to protect Nigerians,” Tinubu wrote at the time.

Eleven years later, the statement has returned to haunt him. Many Nigerians are now juxtaposing his past criticism with the current U.S. allegations, accusing the Tinubu administration of hypocrisy and inconsistency in handling issues of religious violence.

 The resurfaced tweet has become a significant public relations setback for the government’s effort to control the narrative.

Confusion over meeting with Trump

The controversy also showed when reports emerged that President Tinubu was scheduled to travel to the United States for a high-level diplomatic meeting with Trump. Sahara Reporters claimed that Trump had delegated Vice President James David Vance to meet Tinubu during the visit.

However, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, dismissed the report as “false and misleading,” accusing the media of fuelling unnecessary speculation. 

Similarly, Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, later confirmed that Tinubu would meet Trump “in the coming days” but declined to specify when or where.

Hasty appointment of ambassadors

Amid the diplomatic turbulence, the Presidency has reportedly fast-tracked the appointment of ambassadors to Nigeria’s foreign missions a process that had stalled for over a year.

Sources say the urgency stems from Nigeria’s diplomatic vulnerability at a time when Washington and other Western allies are scrutinizing its human rights record.

The vacuum dates back to September 2023, when Tinubu recalled all 109 ambassadors. Since then, most missions have been run by chargés d’affaires, leaving Nigeria without ambassador-level representation in key countries, including the United States. Analysts argue that this absence hampered Nigeria’s capacity for high-level engagement and made its diplomatic responses sluggish during the crisis.

State officials describe the ongoing appointments as a “damage-control” move — aimed at restoring Nigeria’s global posture and ensuring that the country has authoritative voices to defend its image abroad. But critics warn that rushing the process under external pressure could lead to politically motivated appointments rather than merit-based selections.

As one foreign policy analyst put it: “There is no authoritative figure to speak for Nigeria in Washington. Without an ambassador, even the most serious diplomatic outreach becomes bureaucratic and slow. It weakens Nigeria’s ability to defend itself.”

Nigeria government’s official response 

Officially responding to the allegation, President Tinubu declared that Nigeria will remain firm as a democracy governed by a Constitution that guarantees religious liberty.

The President, writing on his X handle, in apparent reference to President Donald Trump’s declaration of Nigeria as ” Country of particular Concern”, said his administration has remained open to both Christians and Muslims.

The President noted that his administration is addressing issues around insecurity, which has continued to affect citizens across faiths and religions.

“Since 2023, our administration has maintained an open and active engagement with Christian and Muslim leaders alike and continues to address security challenges which affect citizens across faiths and regions,” Tinubu said on X.

“Religious freedom and tolerance have been a core tenet of our collective identity and shall always remain so. Nigeria opposes religious persecution and does not encourage it.

“Nigeria is a country with constitutional guarantees to protect citizens of all faiths.

“Our administration is committed to working with the United States government and the international community to deepen understanding and cooperation on protection of communities of all faiths.”

This report is republished from The FactCheckHub

ADC faults Anambra poll, accuses INEC, security agencies of failing Nigerians

Mustapha USMAN
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ADC faults Anambra poll, accuses INEC, security agencies of failing Nigerians

THE African Democratic Congress (ADC) has expressed deep concern over the conduct of the just-concluded Anambra State governorship election, describing the exercise as a “cash-drenched spectacle” that undermined Nigeria’s democracy.

In a statement on Sunday, November 9, the party said what transpired across the state was “more of a bazaar than an election,” alleging widespread vote-buying and institutional failure during the process.

“What unfolded in Anambra was, regrettably, a cash-drenched spectacle that was more of a bazaar than an election. This undermines the very essence of democracy,” the statement read in part.

The ADC accused the incumbent Governor Charles Soludo and his party of engaging in open cash-for-votes, claiming that bundles of naira notes exchanged hands in the presence of voters and security agents.

“As has been widely reported and clearly shown to Nigerians and the international community, this election was highly monetised, with the incumbent and his party seen to have participated in several forms and styles of cash-for-votes. At polling units across the state, bundles of naira notes changed hands in full view. This was a brazen violation of the Electoral Act,” the party said.

The ADC also criticised security agencies and electoral officials for allegedly turning a blind eye to violations of the Electoral Act, saying their failure to act emboldened offenders and eroded public trust in the system.

“Even more troubling was the apparent silence – and in some instances, visible inaction – of institutions mandated to enforce electoral integrity. Security operatives stood by as voters were harassed and compromised, while electoral officials, overwhelmed or indifferent, failed to uphold even the most basic standards,” the statement noted.

The party warned that the events in Anambra raised serious doubts about the integrity of future elections, especially as Nigeria moves towards the 2027 general polls.

“If this is the manner in which INEC intends to conduct the 2027 general election, then Nigerians have every reason to be worried about the future of our democracy, especially at a time when the state of our nation is under the microscope of the international community,” the ADC said.

While condemning the alleged monetisation of the electoral process, the ADC reaffirmed its commitment to promoting integrity and accountability in Nigeria’s leadership recruitment system.

The INEC had on Sunday declared Soludo, candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), as the winner of the poll, with 422,664 votes, ahead of his closest rival, Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who scored 99,445 votes.

Paul Chukwuma of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) finished third with 37,753 votes, while John Nwosu of the ADC secured 8,208 votes.

George Moghalu of the Labour Party (LP) and Jude Ezenwafor of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) followed with 10,576 and 1,401 votes, respectively.

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