OXFORD International Centre for Publishing (OICP) is seeking a fellow for the David McClure Public Interest Journalism Fellowship.
Presented by the OICP at Oxford Brookes University, the public interest journalism fellowship supports one writing fellow with an award of £15,000.
The Fellowship will support the publication of a piece of long-form journalism that is of significant contemporary resonance.
Organiser says, “The OICP is one of the leading institutes for media education in the world, with a reputation for innovation and excellence in teaching and research.
“The Centre offers a range of postgraduate and undergraduate awards in journalism and publishing, and carries out academic research, professional development programmes and consultancy”.
The deadline for applications is May 31, 2026. Interested applicants can apply here.
AFRICA Uncensored and DW Akademie are inviting applications for their AI in the Newsroom Fellowship, a six-month intensive programme designed to bridge the gap between journalism and emerging technologies.
From June to December 2026, selected fellows will work on building products for adoption in their newsrooms and work environments, as well as the development of AI workflows for editorial processes.
Organisers says, “We are looking for journalists, editors and news content creators with an interest in AI-supported journalism, and who are able to define a clear use case stating how they plan to use AI tools to solve a challenge they have identified, and who are able to use AI tools to advance their work”.
Fellows will be required to identify a concrete problem within their newsroom and demonstrate how their proposed AI prototype will help solve it. Additionally, applicants will be expected to submit a letter of commitment from their newsroom, or if a freelancer, a personal letter of commitment for the proposed project.
What the fellowship offers
The programme offers technical upskilling, which include deep dives into AI tools for data journalism, AI literacy trainings, and pairing with experts in the AI space.
Others are project mentorship, collaborative network and hands-on experience with a dedicated sandbox of tools, and the frameworks needed to address emerging and existing challenges.
Application deadline is April 30, 2026. Interested applicants can apply here.
BOKO Haram factions have attacked at least eight Nigerian military bases eight times since the beginning of 2026, with the latest assault on a brigade headquarters in Benisheikh, Borno State.
The attack on Thursday, April 9, led to the death of several soldiers, including a high-ranking officer. Although the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), in a statement confirming the attack, failed to provide the exact number of the affected soldiers, it stated that “a few brave and gallant soldiers” paid the supreme price in the line of duty.
However, Daily Trust reported that Oseni Omoh Braimah, a brigadier general and 17 soldiers were killed in coordinated attacks by suspected members of the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP)
The military said the attackers stormed the base at about 12:30 a.m. in a coordinated attempt to breach the defensive perimeter of the formation, but were met with “exceptional courage, professionalism, and superior firepower” from troops led by the late brigade commander, Braimah.
According to the DHQ, the insurgents were forced to retreat in disarray after a fierce exchange.
Meanwhile, the Benisheikh attack adds to a growing list of assaults recorded across the North-East in 2026, with data showing a sustained pattern of strikes on military formations, mostly in Borno State.
Timeline of attacks
The ICIR reports that since the start of 2026, Nigeria’s counterinsurgency front in the North-East has come under renewed strain, with insurgent groups, particularly the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), launching at least eight coordinated attacks on military formations across Borno and parts of Yobe State.
A data analysis of confirmed incidents between January and early April shows these attacks are part of ISWAP’s so-called “Burning of the Camps” campaign, an ongoing offensive that began in February 2025 and has focused on military bases across the Lake Chad Basin.
Since its launch, the campaign has reportedly extended beyond Nigeria, with military formations in Niger and Cameroon also coming under attack. The pattern suggests a deliberate effort to weaken fixed military positions, which insurgent planners often see as both symbolic representations and key logistical hubs of state control in contested areas.
Attacks reported since January
On January 23, insurgents attacked Malam-Fatori in Mobbar Local Government Area, where about 20 soldiers were reportedly killed in a prolonged gun battle. On the same day, a separate ambush in Damasak led to the death of a Nigerian Army major, underscoring the coordinated nature of early-year operations by the insurgents.
Days later on January 29, in Kawuri, Bama Local Government Area, another military position was attacked, leaving a forest guard dead and a lieutenant missing. The attackers were also reported to have set fire to parts of the military base before retreating into the surrounding hills under the cover of darkness.
The tempo of attacks increased in March, beginning with an assault on a Forward Operating Base in Mayanti, Bama, where a base commander and three soldiers were killed alongside a local hunter.
Between March 5 and 6, insurgents launched at least simultaneous attacks on military bases in Konduga, Mainok, Jakana and Marte on the same nights. A lieutenant colonel commanding 222 Battalion was killed in the coordinated raids, alongside several other soldiers, before troops repelled the attackers.
Reports also indicated that over 53 vehicles were either destroyed or seized during the operations, along with 84 motorcycles that were captured or set ablaze. The group also said it recovered a significant stockpile of arms, including 54 rifles, 20 machine guns, and eight heavy weapons such as rocket-propelled grenade launchers and mortars.
The ICIRreported that insurgents, in claims circulated through Amaq News Agency and affiliated social media channels, said they killed at least 16 soldiers and officers during the attacks. They also reported that a suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (SVBIED) exploded near Njimya village in the Sambisa Forest the following day, allegedly causing about 20 more casualties and forcing troops to withdraw from the base.
On March 9, another senior officer, Umar Farouq, Lieutenant Colonel, was killed in Kukawa after sustaining injuries during an attack on a military formation. On the same day, insurgents struck Goniri in Yobe State, destroying military vehicles before withdrawing after a gunfight with troops.
On March 18, troops said its repelled another major assault in Mallam-Fatori, killing at least 80 insurgents, according to military accounts, in one of the fiercest encounters of the year so far.
Across all recorded incidents, Borno State accounts for seven of the eight attacks, with Yobe recording one.
While the Nigeria authorities have continued to maintain that troops remain in control of the situation, many Nigerians have questioned their proactiveness in foiling attacks on military bases and local communities.
Recall that The ICIRdocumented at least seven attacks on Nigerian military bases in 2025, carried out by Boko Haram and its splinter faction, ISWAP, across the North-East theatre of operations.
The sustained attacks on the North-East are part of wider escalation of insecurity across Nigeria, where terrorism, killings, kidnappings, among others, appear to be perennial crises.
THE 176 women and children who were kidnapped in Kwara State in February have again begged the state and federal government to rescue them from their captors’ hands.
The abductees were whisked away by terrorists during attacks on Woro and Kososo communities in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State on February 3.
They made the appeal for their release in a viral video published by Sahara Reporters on Thursday, April 9, two months after they were abducted by armed attackers suspected to be linked to a Boko Haram faction operating in the region.
The violent raid that led to their abduction left over 100 residents dead, including traditional and religious leaders in the affected communities.
In the latest footage, the victims, mostly women and children, appeared visibly exhausted and distressed. Many were seen wearing soiled clothes as they stood closely together under tense conditions while being addressed by armed men.
In the video, several of the abducted persons were seen responding to questions from the armed group as they begged for their safety.
“This is our last opportunity”
One of the victims, a young woman, who spoke in English, appealed to government authorities and religious leaders for their immediate intervention.
“Dear Muslim sisters and brothers, we are here today. We are the people who were kidnapped from Woro, Kaiama Local Government Area on February 3. Today is April 8. Please, we are begging you, this is the last opportunity they gave us,” she said.
She pleaded for urgent rescue, noting the presence of vulnerable individuals among the captives.
“We have small children with us and we have some people with pregnancies. Please, assist us. Those who are here, some people with anaemia, please, help us.
“We are begging you. This is the last opportunity that we have, and they teach us the things that we do not know at home, like Tawheedi (the oneness of Allah). We lacked Tawheedi at home even though those people at home know that we lacked Tawheedi. But we are here, they teach us everything, and we understand everything.
Another female victim, speaking in Yoruba, also appealed for help, directing her message to both Kwara and Oyo State governments.
“They are feeding us and teaching us religion. All the things we don’t know, all the gaps in our religion were being filled. But we need help because this is the last chance they gave us,” she said.
Other captives, speaking in Nupe language, echoed similar pleas, all urging authorities to intervene and ensure their release.
“We have indoctrinated them”
Speaking in Hausa in the background of the video, one of the terrorists confirmed responsibility for the abduction, claiming the captives had been ‘indoctrinated’ and exposed to teachings since their capture.
“We are the ones who kidnapped the people of Woro and Kososo,” the terrorist said. “We have indoctrinated them and changed their way of life from what they knew before their abduction.”
He added that the victims were allowed to speak as part of what he described as a final opportunity to reach authorities.
Not the first plea
However, this was not the first time the women would be begging for freedom.
On April 2, the 176 women and children were also seen in a viral video begging for their freedom after the government failed to rescue them.
According to a report by Sahara Reporters, which quoted a community source, the bandits are demanding over N3 billion for the release of the victims.
THE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has debunked rumours suggesting that Polaris Bank is undergoing liquidation, while affirming that the bank is safe and secure for its customers, investors and depositors.
The apex bank disclosed this in a post on X, assuring the public that the country’s banking system remained stable and secure.
The clarification followed a viral post, claiming that Polaris Bank was facing liquidation for failing to meet the bank’s recapitalisation requirements, and could soon lose its operating licence, with the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation set to take over the process.
It further alleged that the founder of the Eleganza Group, Razaq Okoya, had made a bid to acquire and revive the bank, pending approval from regulators and shareholders.
Sharing a screenshot of a viral claim, however, the apex bank flagged it as “fake content.”
It clarified that the claims did not reflect the current state of the Nigerian banking sector.
“This content is fake. Let the public be guided. The Nigerian banking system is safe and secure,” the bank said.
On April 1, the CBN confirmed that 33 banks successfully met the revised minimum capital requirements under its recapitalisation programme, marking a significant milestone in strengthening the financial system.
A total of N4.65 trillion was raised during the 24-month exercise, pushing capital adequacy ratios across the sector above global Basel benchmarks and enhancing banks’ resilience, according to the apex bank.
However, it noted that “a limited number of institutions remain subject to ongoing regulatory and judicial processes, which are being addressed through established supervisory and legal frameworks.”
As part of efforts to reinforce oversight and stability in the sector, in January 2024, the CBN dissolved the boards and management of Polaris Bank, alongside Union Bank and Keystone Bank.
In 2022, the bank was also at the centre of controversy following claims that a higher bid was submitted during its sale process than the one eventually accepted.
At the time, reports indicated that the House of Representatives directed the apex bank to suspend the sale.
Again, a Federal High Court in Lagos reportedly reversed the sack of the board and management of Union Bank of Nigeria on March 25.
Responding, while maintaining that the bank’s regulatory status remained unchanged, the CBN stated that it would review the judgment.
An earlier report by The ICIR disclosed that although the March 31st deadline for their recapitalisation was not met, the CBN advised depositors with Union, Keystone, and Polaris banks not to panic about their funds.
The apex bank said the banks were still undergoing judicial and regulatory procedures, while assuring depositors about the safety of their funds.
THE Vice Chancellor of the university of Jos, Tanko Ishaya, a professor, has confirmed the death of two students of the institution during the recent unrest in Jos North Local government area of Plateau State.
Ishaya made this known during a news conference in Jos on April 9.
THE ICIRreported that the violence began on March 29 when gunmen attacked the Angwan Rukuba community, an area where many students and staff of the university reside.
The attack led to several deaths and injuries and forced the state government to impose a 48-hour curfew. Although the curfew was later lifted on April 1, reports indicate that the violence spread to other nearby communities.
According to the vice chancellor, aside from the two fatalities, several others linked to the institution were harmed, including students and a staff member who are currently undergoing medical care.
He said the deceased were identified as Abel Gershon, a third-year student studying Building, and Adeyemo Temitope, a final-year student studying Quantity Surveying.
“Abel Gershon was shot in the stomach on March 29 and admitted to the intensive care unit of the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH). Unfortunately, he died on Sunday, April 5,” Ishaya said,
Temitope left the campus alone on April 1 and encountered violence along Bauchi Road. He was shot and macheted to death by hoodlums.
“We have a total of five members of the university community affected by this incident: four students and one staff member,” the vice chancellor stated.
He extended his sympathies to the bereaved families and noted that those hospitalised were showing signs of recovery. Despite the situation, he assured that the institution remained secure, and that its campuses had not been directly targeted since the conflict in the state began.
He further explained that academic activities would proceed as planned, with students expected to return on April 13.
While appealing to parents and guardians to allow their children to resume their studies and continue their examinations, he assured that additional safety measures had been put in place within the school and nearby areas.
The ICIR reports that many students at the university were quickly evacuated by their state governments, while others left the school environment on their own.
A SERIES of remarks and policy signals attributed to the United States in recent months have drawn attention to Nigeria’s international image, with critics warning of potential diplomatic and economic implications as the federal government intensifies efforts to attract foreign investment.
Since late 2025, statements linked to the administration of the US President Donald Trump have increasingly portrayed Nigeria in a negative light, ranging from security concerns to questions about governance and public health systems.
While some of these characterisations remain contested, they have nonetheless circulated widely in diplomatic and media spaces.
Below is a timeline of the US key comments on Nigeria within the period.
Trump listed Nigeria as CPC
In October 2025, Trump designated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC), a label used by the US for countries accused of alleged violations of religious freedom.
The US president first triggered controversy when he claimed that Christians in Nigeria were under severe threat. Posting on Truth Social, Trump said Christianity was facing an “existential threat” in Nigeria, alleging that thousands of Christians were being killed by “radical Islamists.”
The move placed Nigeria in the same conversation as countries like China and North Korea under US watchlists.
‘Now a disgraced country’
In a follow-up statement in November 2025, Trump escalated his rhetoric, threatening punitive measures against Nigeria.
He further dubbed the country as “now a disgraced country,” adding that US attack on Nigeria would be “fast, vicious, and sweet.”
“If the Nigerian government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the U.S.A. will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria and may very well go into that now disgraced country, ‘guns-a-blazing,’ to completely wipe out the Islamic terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities.
“I am hereby instructing our Department of War to prepare for possible action. If we attack, it will be fast, vicious, and sweet, just like the terrorist thugs attack our CHERISHED Christians! WARNING: THE NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT BETTER MOVE FAST!” he threatened.
The phrase has since gained traction among Nigerians opposition leaders, with some noting that such language from a US president could shape diplomatic and investors perceptions.
Trump links Nigeria to ‘fake news’
Months later, reacting to a report by CNN on a US-Iran ceasefire, Trump on April 8, 2026, claimed the report relied on a “false statement” originating from a Nigerian source.
“The false statement was linked to a Fake News site (from Nigeria),” he said, describing it as a “new, trouble-making site.”
Trump, however, did not name the platform or provide evidence to back the claim.
Nigeria described as insecure, parading weak health system
Hours after accusing Nigeria of peddling fake news, the Trump’s administration described Africa’s most populous country as an “insecure nation with a very poor health system.”
In a detailed travel advisory, the US, through the Department of States, urged its citizens to reconsider visiting Nigeria due to rising concerns over crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, and unreliable healthcare services.
It also directed all its non-emergency employees and its employees’ families at its Abuja Embassy to quit over insecurity.
The US labelled all regions in Nigeria as unsafe except the South-West. It listed 23 of Nigeria’s 36 states as unsafe for its citizens.
The advisory placed Nigeria at Level 3, meaning travellers are advised to reconsider their plans because of serious dangers that exist across the country.
“Reconsider travel to Nigeria due to crime, terrorism, unrest, kidnapping, andinconsistent availability of health care services.Some areas have increased risk.” part of the advisory read.
The US pointed to widespread violent crime as a major concern and listed armed robbery, assault, carjacking, and kidnapping for ransom as common across states in the North-West, North-West, North-Central, South-South, and South-East.
It argued that the incidents occurred in both urban and rural areas, and affected both foreigners and locals, sometimes along major roads or in residential neighborhoods.
The advsory also highlighted the persistent threat of terrorism that happens with little warning, particularly in parts of the country where extremist groups remain active. These groups are said to be capable of carrying out attacks in public spaces. The risk is heightened by the presence of armed gangs and criminal networks, especially in regions where government control is limited.
The US stance on Nigeria’s health systems is more concerning as it said they could not match those of the US and other advanced nations.
“Americans should not expect the same level of health care to be available in Nigeria as they do in the United States. Nigerian medical facilities are generally not equipped to US or European standards. Many medicines are not available. This includes common medications for diabetes or asthma,” the advisory stated.
The US urged its citizens coming to Nigeria to bring enough over the counter and prescription medicines to last their entire stay.
Nigeria’s push for foreign investors
The remarks came at a time when the administration of President Bola Tinubu is actively seeking foreign investors to boost the economy.
The federal government has embarked on multiple investment drives, policy reforms, and international engagements aimed at improving the business environment and attracting capital inflows.
However, analysts and critics warned that persistent negative narratives from influential global figures like Trump could affect investor confidence, particularly in areas tied to security, governance, and stability.
Is Trump administration saying the obvious?
The ICIR reports that as contestable as the claims are, some of them speak eloquently to the true state of affairs in the country.
Insecurity is rife across Nigeria, as terrorists, bandits and other criminals snuff out the lives of citizens at will daily. As news of one terrorist attack on a community breaks, another will likely follow in matter of hours in different parts of the nation.
Currently, hundreds of citizens are in kidnappers’ custody as billions have been paid to rescue others.
Dozens of rank and file and senior officers of Nigerian security forces have been killed by the criminals in their attempts to contain the menace.
Besides, millions of citizens have been displaced by the crisis and other conflicts across the country..
Similarly, Nigeria’s health sector is currently under several strain. Nigeria, with a population nearing 250 million, continues to face deep structural challenges in healthcare delivery.
Out-of-pocket spending accounts for about 74.68 per cent of total health financing, placing a heavy burden on households and limiting access to essential services. Neonatal mortality remains high at 41 deaths per 1,000 live births as of 2023, while the maternal mortality rate of 576 deaths per 100,000 live births ranks among the worst globally.
The system is also critically understaffed, with about 55,000 licensed doctors serving the population as of March 2024.
The ICIR reports that inequitable distribution of services, weak infrastructure, persistent brain drain and widening socioeconomic inequalities, particularly in rural and underserved communities, have continued to deepen health disparities.
Many facilities lack basic equipment, medicines and essential amenities, while poor remuneration and working conditions drive the continued emigration of skilled health professionals, further weakening service delivery.
In this report The ICIR dives into the windstorm damage on the newly built Kugbo Bus Terminal in Nyanya, Abuja, which occurred in the late afternoon of Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
Blessing, a Point of Sale (POS) agent near the terminal, said a resident who tried to escape the strong wind got his arm slashed. She also noted that their business was disrupted when aluminium sheets and roofing materials were blown onto their wares during the windstorm.
Blessing, the POS agent. credit: ICIR
“It was around 3:30 pm when we heard the breeze, as we started packing our chairs and canopy, that was when we saw the zinc and roofs flew to our stalls. No one died, but the man who stopped near us due to the breeze got his arm slashed and lots of blood gushed out from it.
“Even the vulcaniser’s machine fell inside the gutter because the zinc from the roof flew to his direction and damaged a car that was parked beside him.”
Thomas, the vulcaniser in front of the terminal. credit: ICIR
The vulcaniser, Thomas, corroborated her account as he narrated the ordeal to The ICIR.
“i was working when the breeze started. I started packing my machines because I thought it would be just rain, then suddenly we heard a noise, and by the time we knew what was going on, we saw the roof of the terminal flying around. Before I could finish packing, the zinc fell my machine into the gutter. A car that was parked beside me got damaged, and a man who was riding a bicycle got his arm slashed too.”
When asked if the damages affected their sales and business inflow, he said, “Market and sales aren’t constant, but my sales have reduced since yesterday.” he noted.
The ICIR reports that a statement released by Lere Olayinka, spokesperson for the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesome Wike, stated that no casualties or property losses were recorded.
“From preliminary reports, no one was injured, and no vehicle was damaged,” the statement claimed.
However, eyewitnesses spoken to by The ICIR contradict the statement. Several traders at the terminal said that a vehicle was damaged, their businesses disrupted and someone’s arm was slashed when the windstorm tore the facility apart.
Backstory
On Tuesday, April 7, a windstorm, accompanied by rainfall, damaged a multi-billion bus terminal, a project by the Federal Capital Territory Development Agency under the Ministry of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, which was commissioned in June 2025.
Before this incident, residents and commuters had complained about delays in the take off of the terminal. The transportation difficulties and the increment in fuel price added to this.
This incident has left residents worried as they had believed that once operational, their movements will be seamless but are now left with uncertainty as they don’t know when the project will be utilised now that it’s damaged.
Prior to this rainstorm, a video by Premium Times circulated earlier this year showing leaks in the roof of the recently completed terminal. This raised concerns about the structure and quality of the building.
The ICIR also observed that the multi-billion-naira terminal, which was expected to be filled with buses and other facilities to aid transportation, was largely empty. There was no furniture, not even a plastic chair, despite the building having been commissioned since last year
Security operatives obstruct journalists and residents
Officials of the Federal Capital Development Authority, FCDA, harassed journalists for documenting and taking images of the scene.
Altercation between the FCDA officials and journalists. credit: ICIR
The situation escalated when officials attempted to confiscate equipment, including drones and cameras, from TVC and News Central correspondents.
A policewoman threatened to send Juliet, a food seller with a stall in front of the terminal, away for responding to The ICIR reporter’s question.
The policewoman. credit: ICIR
The officer’s name couldn’t be identified but her image was captured.
The incident raised further questions among residents as no houses in the area were affected except the bus terminal.
Juliet, who was stopped from answering The ICIR. credit: ICIR
One of Juliet’s customers stated: “My house that’s incomplete, nothing happened to it, but this one that the government constructed got ruined. How?”
His development raises concerns about the execution and quality of construction and whether the facility met required standards as other uncompleted buildings nearby were untouched.
Residents said it was a terrible incident, aside from the fact that they couldn’t move freely when the incident happened due to debris blocking the roads, they expressed concern about their safety.
Citizens call for Wike’s arrest
Meanwhile, citizens have asked for the arrest of the minister after the collapse of the Kugbo bus terminal in their reactions to the FCT Minister’s earlier directive on the arrest of collapsed building owner in Jikwoyi.
The ICIR reports that earlier on April 7, 2026, Wike ordered the arrest of the owner of a building that collapsed on Good Friday, April 3, in Jikwoyi area of the FCT and directed that the land be revoked.
According to the statement issued by his office, the building was under construction without approval, despite stop-work notices from the Development Control Department, which were ignored by the developer.
Wike emphasised the need for strict compliance with building regulations, stating that any structure without approval would be demolished, while defaulters would be arrested and prosecuted.
“I have always said this, go to the Development Control to get approval, let them know what you are building, the quality of materials, and they will supervise it from one stage to another… Anywhere you see a building going on without approval, report to the government and we shall prosecute those who refuse to get approvals”, he said.
However, the development raises questions about consistency in enforcement and accountability, especially in light of the damage to the government-constructed Kugbo Bus Terminal.
The incident has also raised concerns about the safety of the other two bus terminals awaiting commissioning by the Minister.
The questions are about whether similar standards of construction and oversight are being applied, especially as the three terminals together cost ₦51 billion and one of them got damaged after just a single windstorm.
Civil engineer weighs in
The ICIR reached out to a civil engineer, Oladapo Idowu, to comment on the damage at the Kugbo Bus Terminal.
“A standard, properly installed metal roof of a commercial building like the Kugbo Bus Terminal should be able to withstand winds of at least 90 to 140 mph, roughly 145 to 225 kilometres per hour, before sustaining major damage as observed. Ordinary rain or a breeze would not be able to rip off large sections of the roof,” she said.
On whether the damage could be due to poor construction materials, design flaws, or installation issues rather than just the weather, he explained, “Structurally, metal roofing systems, particularly the trusses, are designed to resist uplift, which is the suction force created when high-speed air passes over a roof. If a roof fails at lower speeds, it usually points to poor installation or poor material quality.
“This could include insufficient or low-quality fasteners, such as screws, welds, or clips; improper anchoring of the roof to the main structural frame; or poorly secured edges or ridges where the wind can get hold of the metal and rip it off,” he stressed.
On the measures authorities should take to ensure that other government-owned terminals are safe before commissioning, he said, “Authorities must implement strict safety and quality control measures for other government-owned terminals. Independent structural audits should be conducted by certified engineers to verify the structural integrity of newly constructed terminals, particularly the roof structures. Material testing and verification are also critical to ensure that steelwork and roofing meet approved quality standards and are not substandard.”
He concluded that environmental stress tests should be performed to ensure structural stability against weather conditions, especially in light of the Kugbo terminal being damaged by a windstorm shortly after rainfall.
Domestic manufacturing is largely concentrated in lower-end medicines that require relatively simple production processes. The more complex and higher-value pharmaceutical products continue to be imported.
This pattern has persisted for decades. It reflects two things. First is the limited impact of policies aimed at reducing import dependence. The other is the entrenched interests across pharmaceutical companies. An incentive structure that favours imports over local production.
I recently completed my doctorate studies focusing on the political economy of pharmaceutical manufacturing in Nigeria, with comparisons to Uganda, Bangladesh and India. My research looked at how the industry had evolved and analysed how the distribution of organisational power and manufacturing capabilities has made it difficult for reforms to work.
I found that policy interventions have largely failed because weak institutions cannot influence manufacturers to expand their production capabilties.
The biggest obstacles stem from how power and benefits are distributed across political, bureaucratic and pharmaceutical actors.
Any policy that does not fully take this into account will likely be resisted.
Factors militating against Nigerian manufacturers
Nigerian manufacturers face:
a lack of protection and incentives to produce certain medicines
high levels of imports of finished medicines
pressure to import as well as manufacture
low manufacturing capabilities.
Weak incentive structure:
The first policy to specifically support domestic manufacturers of medicines was introduced in 2005, when the Nigerian government restricted the importation of 17 lower-end medicines. The prohibited medicines included paracetamol, aspirin and metronidazole (antibiotic) tablets.
The protectionist policy has not been expanded since then. So manufacturers have no incentive to invest in technological upgrading to make more complex medicines.
Importation of finished medicines:
At least 100 manufacturers also import medicines – including some that are produced locally. In some cases, manufacturers both produce and import the same medicine, marketing them under different brand names.
Two medicines illustrate this. The antibiotic ciprofloxacin (tablet form) is currently imported by at least 93 registered pharmaceutical companies, even though 21 domestic producers make it too.
A similar pattern is evident for artemether-lumefantrine, a widely used antimalarial medicine. Fewer than 30 pharmaceutical companies produce it locally. More than 200 import it – including some established manufacturers.
Manufacturers as producers and importers:
Many companies combine local manufacturing with importing finished medicines as a way of managing risk.
This creates commercially attractive, lower-risk revenue streams for manufacturers. They are likely to resist policy or reforms that would limit imports in favour of expanded local production.
Low manufacturing capacities:
Nigerian pharmaceutical companies have low manufacturing capacities. And the learning process involved in complex manufacturing is time consuming, costly and risky.
It is also difficult to compel a company to do something where governance is weak.
In the absence of adequate and sustained policy support, many manufacturers rely on political networks to protect their interests or challenge policies that threaten them.
An example is the modification of a regional tariff in 2016 because it threatened locally manufactured medicines. The regional trade policy had imposed zero duty on essential finished medicines and up to 20% on the raw materials used in medicine manufacturing. This was to increase the availability and affordability of essential medicines across the region. Nigerian manufacturers exerted pressure on government to reject it.
In the absence of credible policy support for upgrading into technologically sophisticated medicines, manufacturers continue to rely on imports. Similarly, they continue to influence policy decisions that could disrupt existing revenue streams.
Why the problem persists
When some pharmaceutical companies manufacture medicines locally while others import the same products, it weakens collective action. It’s harder to mobilise around shared policy demands.
The Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, an influential trade association, illustrates this challenge. One of its objectives is to lobby for increased market protection for locally produced medicines. But member firms have differing commercial interests in locally manufactured and imported medicines. This often works against policy objectives.
It impedes how member firms form alliances to support or oppose policies. It also affects influence over them.
Nigeria’s reliance on imported medicines has less to do with the commonly cited capability constraints. It is the outcome of a policy vacuum that has made it more attractive to import products.
This dynamic is also evident in some other African countries, such as Ghana, Kenya, and Uganda. Manufacturers similarly import more complex medicines and produce simple medicines locally. There is limited support for domestic manufacturing of more complex medicines.
Moving forward
High levels of imports limit the rewards for expanding manufacturing capabilities and any credible path to competitiveness. The significant revenues generated from imports also weaken incentives to invest in learning how to produce more complex medicines.
Recognising this matters for policymakers and international development organisations.
The challenge is not simply increasing financial support or political commitment. It is designing policies that reconfigure current benefits. They need to make it worthwhile to invest in more complex pharmaceutical manufacturing.
A REGIONAL network of human rights and media lawyers, the West Africa Network of Activists and Media Defense Lawyers (WANAMDEL), has condemned the alleged assault on one of its members, Paul Kamara, by police officers in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
In a statement on April 7, WANAMDEL said the incident occurred on April 4 at the Adonkia Police Station, where Kamara, also a journalist, had gone to follow up on investigations into the death of his colleague, Augustine Sensie Bangura.
According to the group, Kamara was at the station’s Criminal Investigations Department and later joined sympathisers consoling the bereaved family when he witnessed a confrontation between a police officer and a civilian.
The statement said Kamara attempted to de-escalate the situation but was instead assaulted by the officers.
“He was physically assaulted, restrained, and pepper sprayed by another officer, despite identifying himself as a lawyer and journalist,” WANAMDEL said, describing the officers’ actions as a violation of professional standards and the rule of law.
The group also criticised the response Kamara received when he tried to file a complaint at the station.
It said officers at the Complaints Desk treated him with indifference and ridicule, only allowing him to lodge a formal complaint after intervention from concerned individuals who contacted the Local Unit Commander.
WANAMDEL called for an immediate, independent, and transparent investigation into the incident, as well as sanctions against all officers involved.
It also urged the Sierra Leone Police to take concrete steps to prevent similar occurrences and to uphold the rights and dignity of citizens.
The incident came amid growing concerns over press freedom violations across West Africa and the broader continent. Reports document increasing cases of harassment, arbitrary arrests, and assaults on journalists by security forces.
Recent reports by the Media Foundation for West Africa show that press freedom in the region remains precarious, with multiple cases of repression recorded in countries including Sierra Leone and Ghana. Similarly, the International Press Institute documented at least 149 threats to press freedom across 30 sub-Saharan African countries within a three-month period in 2025.
Data compiled by media monitoring groups also indicate that West Africa recorded over 100 press freedom violations in 2024 alone.
Global watchdog Reporters Without Borders has repeatedly warned of declining press freedom rankings in parts of Africa, linking the trend to political instability, weak institutions, and the growing role of security agencies in suppressing dissents.
In several cases, journalists covering elections, protests, and governance issues have been assaulted or arbitrarily detained.
