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The Republic: A Journal of Nigerian Affairs
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The Next Pandemic: Lessons from Ebola and Covid-19.

Call for Submissions – Vol. 4, No. 4 The Next Pandemic: Lessons from Ebola and COVID-19

July 8, 2020

V4, N2 The Nigerian Dream

May 1, 2020

Introducing ‘First Draft’: Our New Column Authors and Prominent Figures on Books, Reading and Writing

February 4, 2020
Look Inside Subscribe

Vol. 4, No. 2

The Nigerian Dream
IN THIS ISSUE
⎈Big Dreams and Grand Ambitions: Nigeria's Vision 2020 by Onyenekenwa Cyprian Eneh; ⎈ Nigeria's Missing Multipliers: Women, Vision 2020 and Nigeria's Legal Blindspots by Cynthia Igodo; ⎈ The 'Lion of Africa' with Cat Claws: Nigeria's Image Problem by Fife Ogunde; and ⎈ Pseudo Hope: A Discourse — On Nigeria's Vision 2020 and Future Development by Bibiana Ossai x John Babalola. Read the entire issue.  

Editors' Picks: This Eid

Selected Reading on Culture, Religion & Islam

    • COVID-19, Pandemics and Reconciling Religious Faith With Science

      God the Master Scientist COVID-19, Pandemics and Reconciling Religious Faith With Science

      Abdulbasit KassimJuly 17, 2020
    • Nigerian Muslim Women

      Muslim Feminism Is Here to Stay The Mutual Inclusivity of Feminism and Islam

      Wardah AbbasApril 24, 2020
    • This image is for our piece on Zata Iya: A History of Hausa Feminist Writings

      Zata Iya A History of Hausa Feminist Writings

      Sada MalumfashiDecember 13, 2019
    • The God of Colonization And Africa’s Post-Colonial Redemption

      Alhassan Pereira IbrahimApril 13, 2018
    • This image is for our piece on Hijabs, Respectability and What it Actually Means To Be Free

      When We Talk of Freedom Hijabs, Respectability and What it Actually Means to be Free

      Hauwa Shaffii NuhuOctober 14, 2019
    • History Keeps Me Awake at Night

      Africa Will Always Have History Art and Literature in My Sleepless Pursuit of African Pasts

      Adams AdeosunJuly 10, 2020
    • Muzz Muhammad

      ‘Sometimes, Less Can Be More.’ Muzz Muhammad’s First Draft

      Muzz MuhammadJuly 29, 2020
    • COVID-19 and the Palliative Force of Religion

      ‘Where is God in All of This?’ COVID-19 and the Palliative Force of Religion

      Abdulbasit KassimJune 19, 2020
    • ‘Only Science Can Save Mankind’ Coronavirus, the Death of Religion and the Resurrection of Science

      Abdulbasit KassimJuly 3, 2020
    • This image is for our piece on Queerness, Colonialism, and the Power of Trust in Accra, Ghana

      Looking for Solace Queerness, Colonialism, and the Power of Trust in Accra, Ghana

      Muzz MuhammadOctober 18, 2019
    • Habiba Ahut Daggash

      ‘Question Every Assumption.’ Habiba Ahut Daggash's First Draft

      Habiba DaggashJune 3, 2020
    • This photo is for our piece on Between Feminism and Islam

      Between Feminism and Islam My Personal Journey from ‘Muslim Feminist’ to ‘Muslimah’

      Khadija Yusra SanusiFebruary 7, 2020

Special Focus: COVID-19

Expert Roundtable

  • Two Windows COVID-19 and the World Bank’s Pandemic Emergency Financing Facility

    Gbolahan BadmusNovember 23, 2020
  • This photo is for our essay on Southern Africa's Persistent Dilemma

    Southern Africa’s Persistent Dilemma Coronavirus and the Lost Legacy of the AIDS Epidemic

    Liam James KingsleyNovember 2, 2020
  • COVID 19 Pandemic Africans used to test drugs

    Echoes of History COVID Vaccine Tests in Africa

    Muzz MuhammadJune 5, 2020
  • Shadow Pandemic COVID-19, Women and Girls in Nigeria

    Cynthia IgodoNovember 8, 2021
  • This photo is for our essay

    (Purse) Strings Attached From Dependency to Decolonization in Global Health

    Paula AkugizibweAugust 14, 2020
  • Children and COVID-19 What Happens When a Child Gets COVID?

    Todah OpeyemiMarch 8, 2022
  • How COVID 19 affects the environment

    The Vengeful Outdoors? The Environmental Drivers of COVID-19

    Amirah YusufMay 8, 2020
  • For the Community, By the Community COVID-19, Design and Handwashing Infrastructure in Nigeria

    Nifemi Marcus-Bello and Mambidzeni MadzivireJanuary 25, 2021
  • covid 19 nigeria

    Weathering the Storm COVID-19 and the Case for Universal Basic Income in Nigeria

    Oluwaseyi SomefunJune 12, 2020
  • COVID-19, Pandemics and Reconciling Religious Faith With Science

    God the Master Scientist COVID-19, Pandemics and Reconciling Religious Faith With Science

    Abdulbasit KassimJuly 17, 2020
  • ‘Only Science Can Save Mankind’ Coronavirus, the Death of Religion and the Resurrection of Science

    Abdulbasit KassimJuly 3, 2020
  • This photo is for our essay on A monstrous Overlap

    A Monstrous Overlap COVID-19 and the New Climate Change Imperative

    Oluwaseun OguntuaseOctober 16, 2020

The Latest Online

    • Soulé-Kohndou

      ‘Writing Is a Journey’ Folashadé Soulé-Kohndou’s First Draft

      Folashadé Soulé-KohndouJuly 1, 2022
    • adjaye

      ‘Architecture Is About Ideas’ David Adjaye’s First Draft

      David AdjayeJune 17, 2022
    • kuku

      ‘I’m Working on Myself’ Damilare Kuku’s First Draft

      Damilare KukuJune 10, 2022
    • adegoke

      ‘The Most Important Thing Is the Idea’ Yinka Adegoke’s First Draft

      Yinka AdegokeJune 3, 2022
    • ‘Our People Are Our Greatest Asset’ Lucy Quist’s First Draft

      Lucy QuistMay 27, 2022
    • ‘A Novel Is an Endurance Sport’ Zainab Omaki’s First Draft

      Zainab OmakiMay 20, 2022

From Our Latest Issue

  • Big Dreams and Grand Ambitions

    Big Dreams and Grand Ambitions Nigeria’s Vision 2020—How far?

    Onyenekenwa EnehMarch 23, 2020

Nigeria’s Missing Multipliers Women, Vision 2020 and Nigeria’s Legal Blindspot

Cynthia IgodoApril 6, 2020

Pseudo Hope: A Discourse On Nigeria's Vision 2020 and Future Development

Bibiana Ossai and John BabalolaApril 3, 2020

The ‘Lion of Africa’ with Cat Claws Nigeria’s Image Problem

Fife OgundeMarch 20, 2020
This photo is for our piece on Nigeria's Border Closure

Closed for Business Lessons from Nigeria's Border Closure

Abdulrasheed IsahFebruary 10, 2020
This photo is for our piece on Moving Beyond the Semantics, The Biafran Genocide Claim

Moving Beyond Semantics Examining the ‘Biafran Genocide’ Claim

Amarachi IhekeFebruary 21, 2020
This photo is for our piece on Nigeria and the US visa ban

A Wake-Up Call? The Recent Travel Restrictions on Nigerians

Zainab UsmanMarch 9, 2020
Nation Forgotten - Nigeria’s Neglected Pensioners

Nation Forgotten Nigeria’s Neglected Pensioners

Wole OlayinkaMarch 13, 2020

Introducing 'First Draft'

Our New Column Featuring Authors on Books, Reading & Writing

    • Introducing ‘First Draft’: Our New Column Authors and Prominent Figures on Books, Reading and Writing

      The RepublicFebruary 4, 2020
    • ‘Writer, Write.’ Moyosore Orimoloye's First Draft

      Moyosore OrimoloyeFebruary 5, 2020
    • This photo is for our piece on Ore Ogunbiyi's First Draft

      ‘Editing Feels Like Taking Vitamins.’ Ore Ogunbiyi’s First Draft

      Ore OgunbiyiFebruary 12, 2020
    • This photo is for our piece on 'The Lesson is in the Design' Merlin Uwlaka Interview

      ‘The Lesson is in Design’ Merlin Uwalaka’s First Draft

      Merlin UwalakaFebruary 19, 2020
    • This photo is for our piece on ‘The Story Comes With Its Own Style’ Sada Malumfashi's First Draft

      ‘The Story Comes With Its Own Style’ Sada Malumfashi’s First Draft

      Sada MalumfashiFebruary 26, 2020
    • This photo is for our piece on Political theorist Ẹniọlá Ànúolúwapọ́ Ṣóyẹmí’s First Draft

      ‘Finish the Damned Thing’ Ẹniọlá Ànúolúwapọ́ Ṣóyẹmí’s First Draft

      Ẹniọlá Ànúolúwapọ́ ṢóyẹmíMarch 4, 2020
    • This photo is for our piece on Dominique Otigbah's First Draft

      ‘Who has time for undecided authors?’   Dominique Otigbah’s First Draft

      Dominique OtigbahMarch 11, 2020
    • Joshua Segun-Lean's First Draft

      ‘Every Time You Decide to Write, What Is at Stake for You?’ Joshua Segun-Lean’s First Draft

      Joshua Segun-LeanMarch 18, 2020
    • Moyosore Orekoya First Draft

      ‘Talent not nurtured is useless.’ Moyosore Orekoya’s First Draft

      Moyosore OrekoyaMarch 25, 2020
    • Kọ́lá Túbọ̀sún

      ‘Language is resilient’ Kọ́lá Túbọ̀sún’s First Draft

      Kọ́lá Túbọ̀súnApril 1, 2020
    • Saratu Abiola

      ‘Are the people in this story I’m telling recognizably human?’ Saratu Abiola’s First Draft

      Saratu AbiolaApril 8, 2020
    • Oreva Olakpe

      ‘Write Something Every Day’ Oreva Olakpe’s First Draft

      Oreva OlakpeApril 15, 2020

Economic Issues

  • This is the feature image for our piece on the Internet in Nigeria

    Connection Timed Out Nigeria's Internet Problem

    Osaye AjariSeptember 6, 2019
  • Big Dreams and Grand Ambitions

    Big Dreams and Grand Ambitions Nigeria’s Vision 2020—How far?

    Onyenekenwa EnehMarch 23, 2020
  • This photo is for our peice on Gendering Social Protection

    Gendering Social Protection The Lessons for Africa

    Chimezie AnajamaFebruary 14, 2020
  • Two Windows COVID-19 and the World Bank’s Pandemic Emergency Financing Facility

    Gbolahan BadmusNovember 23, 2020
  • This photo is for our essay on Growth is not enough

    Growth is not Enough Why Africa Needs Wellbeing Economies

    Ebele MọgọSeptember 30, 2020
  • This photo is for our piece on If You No Get Money, Hide Your Face

    If You No Get Money, Hide Your Face The Toxic Underbelly of Nigeria’s Employment System

    Jerry ChiemekeNovember 16, 2019
  • This photo is for our essay on A monstrous Overlap

    A Monstrous Overlap COVID-19 and the New Climate Change Imperative

    Oluwaseun OguntuaseOctober 16, 2020
  • Teetering on the Edge of a Cliff Safeguarding Nigeria's Future Workforce

    Misan RewaneSeptember 6, 2019
  • Naira Struggles Nigeria's Response to the Crude Oil Price Shock of 2014

    Nonso ObikiliApril 30, 2017
 

International Issues

  • Paul Kagame at an African Union summit

    Pan-Africanism in Foreign Policy African Organizations as Pan-African Agents in the ‘New Scramble’

    Chinweizu OkekeMarch 8, 2021
  • This photo is for our piece on Moving Beyond the Semantics, The Biafran Genocide Claim

    Moving Beyond Semantics Examining the ‘Biafran Genocide’ Claim

    Amarachi IhekeFebruary 21, 2020
  • Democracy Questioned How Democracy Can Fail Us, and What to do About It

    Moyosore OrekoyaMay 9, 2019
  • Africa in Perspective Migration, Mobility and Modern Slavery in Africa

    Prince Fater AuduJune 7, 2021
  • This photo is for our piece on fieldwork in DRC

    Where is ‘The Field’? Centring the Periphery in Kinshasa

    Rachel StrohmDecember 9, 2019
  • russia

    A New Global Struggle? The Long-Term Implications of the War in Ukraine for Africa

    Ejeviome Eloho OtoboJune 6, 2022
  • This image is for our piece on Queerness, Colonialism, and the Power of Trust in Accra, Ghana

    Looking for Solace Queerness, Colonialism, and the Power of Trust in Accra, Ghana

    Muzz MuhammadOctober 18, 2019
  • Nigerian Military Leadership Obasanjo 1977

    Nigeria’s Arrested Development A History of Accidental Presidents

    Chukwudi UkonneApril 17, 2020
  • Lessons of Discord The Repressive Dimensions of Pan-African Nationalism

    Brooks MarmonNovember 11, 2021
 

Historical Issues

  • Dele Giwa The Journalist that Death Could Not Silence

    Farida Funmi AkanjiMarch 16, 2022
  • olowu

    Elizabeth Olowu: Nigeria’s First Female Bronze Caster

    Tomisin AwosikaJanuary 13, 2022
  • On the National Red Line Negotiating Nigeria’s ‘Non-Negotiable’ Unity

    Chukwudi UkonneJanuary 27, 2021
 

Political Issues

  • A Dutch Court Has Acquitted Shell in the Ogoni Nine Trial

    Tomisin AwosikaMarch 24, 2022
  • After Zimbabwe’s Diet Coup A New Dawn for Zimbabweans?

    Itai Michael Preston ChotoDecember 21, 2017
  • kenya

    Students in the Struggle for Kenyan Democracy A Brief History of University Student Activism in Kenya

    Kasajja ByakikaDecember 1, 2021
  • Religion Reinvented The Cult of Mao and Societal Change in China's Cultural Revolution

    Kenddrick ChanApril 1, 2018
  • Lagos State Judicial Panel Updates Summary and Highlights of Lagos State Judicial Panel Sessions

    The RepublicNovember 2, 2020
  • This photo is for our piece on Moving Beyond the Semantics, The Biafran Genocide Claim

    Moving Beyond Semantics Examining the ‘Biafran Genocide’ Claim

    Amarachi IhekeFebruary 21, 2020
  • Under the Radar Descent-based Slavery as a Form of Contemporary Slavery

    Marie Rodet, Bakary Camara, Marie-Christine Deleigne and Lotte PelckmansJune 7, 2021
  • “Siasa ni Mchezo Mchafu” The Good, the Bad and the Ugly of Kenyan Politics

    Edwin ChegeFebruary 3, 2018
  • This photo is for our essay on Rethinking African Progress | African Development and the Significance of Sacrificial Generations

    Rethinking African Progress African Development and the Significance of Sacrificial Generations

    Abel GaiyaSeptember 7, 2020
 

Social Issues

  • The ‘Lion of Africa’ With Cat Claws

    The ‘Lion of Africa’ with Cat Claws Nigeria’s Image Problem

    Fife OgundeMarch 20, 2020
  • Kọ́lá Túbọ̀sún

    ‘Language is resilient’ Kọ́lá Túbọ̀sún’s First Draft

    Kọ́lá Túbọ̀súnApril 1, 2020
  • This image is for our piece on Media and the Globalisation of Misinformation

    Our Post-Truth Era Media and the Globalization of Misinformation

    Nnaemeka IjiomaNovember 1, 2019
  • This is for our piece on Deceptions of Innovations Investigating the Claims of Big Tech

    Deceptions of Innovations Investigating the Claims of Big Tech

    Aarshin KarandeMarch 6, 2020
  • White Extinction: Who Gives a Damn? The Case for a Common-Sense Rainbow

    Jeff PearceMarch 1, 2019
  • This photo is for our essay on the politics of poor taste

    ‘Na Money Be Fine Bobo’ The Politics of Poor Taste

    C. S. LozieJanuary 24, 2020
  • This photo is for our piece on Between Feminism and Islam

    Between Feminism and Islam My Personal Journey from ‘Muslim Feminist’ to ‘Muslimah’

    Khadija Yusra SanusiFebruary 7, 2020
  • This image is for our piece on Who is the African Writer?

    We Need New Names Who is the African Writer?

    Ibrahim AnifowosheJanuary 17, 2020
  • Colouring inside the Politically Personal Nanjala Nyabola's Digital Democracy, Analogue Politics

    Stella NjogoMay 9, 2019
 

Technological Issues

  • presidency

    Detty December in Nigeria: ‘People are Tired of COVID-19 Protocols’

    Todah OpeyemiDecember 24, 2021
  • This image is for our piece on Media and the Globalisation of Misinformation

    Our Post-Truth Era Media and the Globalization of Misinformation

    Nnaemeka IjiomaNovember 1, 2019
  • This photo is for our post on Ebola, COVID-19 and other unprofitable diseases.

    Unprofitable Diseases Ebola, COVID-19 and the Return of Industrial Policy in Africa?

    Francisco PerezNovember 17, 2020
  • This photo is for our interview with Dennis Osadebe

    Dennis Osadebe’s Near Future Art in The Republic V3 N3

    The RepublicSeptember 9, 2019
  • This image is for our piece on Nigeria and the Digital Divide.

    Uneven Playing Fields Nigeria and the Digital Divide

    Osivue ItseumahNovember 29, 2019
  • How COVID 19 affects the environment

    The Vengeful Outdoors? The Environmental Drivers of COVID-19

    Amirah YusufMay 8, 2020
  • This photo is for our essay on A monstrous Overlap

    A Monstrous Overlap COVID-19 and the New Climate Change Imperative

    Oluwaseun OguntuaseOctober 16, 2020
  • AI

    Deep Unlearning? AI and Africa’s Struggling Public Institutions

    Victor FamubodeMay 29, 2020
  • Electricity Line and Sunset at Dopemu, Lagos, Nigeria

    Electrons Are Free but Not Electricity Finding the Right Price for Electricity in Nigeria

    Tam AlexNovember 18, 2020

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The Bellwether State What Ekiti State Can Tell Us About the 2023 Election

July 6, 2022

‘A Symbol of Hope’ 120 Years After It Was Stolen, Germany Is Returning Ngonnso’ to Cameroon

July 5, 2022

The Road to 2023 2023 Election Updates

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The Republic
Does what happens in Ekiti stay in Ekiti? #OnSite⚡

Ekiti State is the first of two states in Nigeria that conduct governorship elections before the federal elections but how well do elections in Ekiti influence or predict presidential voting results?

On June 18, residents of Ekiti State pulled up at various polling units to vote for a new governor. Former governor Peter Fayose of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and incumbent governor Kayode Fayemi of the All Progressives Congress (APC) backed two governorship candidates: Biodun Oyebanji (APC) and Bisi Kolawole (PDP). Former PDP governor Segun Oni also entered the race as a candidate for the Social Democratic Party (SDP), heightening the rivalry between the longtime political adversaries. APC's Biodun Oyebanji, who was Governor Fayemi's immediate past secretary to the state government, won the election, making it the first time Ekiti’s voters have elected an APC candidate as their state governor twice in a row.

In our latest online essay, political analyst, Kunle Adewumi argues that the timing of the Ekiti election makes it an important indicator of how the general election cycle unfolds. He also asks whether Ekiti’s election can predict with certainty how Nigerians will vote in 2023.

What do you think? Let us know in our comments. Read the full essay by clicking the link in our bio.
____________
📝: Kunle Adewumi
📷: Governor-Elect Biodun Oyebanji [centre] waves in Ado-Ekiti, after the Independent National Electoral Commission confirms his victory at the Ekiti State governorship election. 22 June 2022. BiodunOyebanji / Twitter.
Today in 1967, the Nigerian federal military advan Today in 1967, the Nigerian federal military advanced into Biafra, igniting the Biafran War. #RxHistory⏳

In the early hours of 06 July 1967, the Nigerian Civil War, also called the Biafran War, began with the invasion of the secessionist state of Biafra by Nigerian troops.

The civil war came on the heels of a series of coups and countercoups, which resulted from the corruption and social distress in the First Republic of Nigeria. On 15 January 1966, Major Emmanuel Ifeajuna led a coup which saw the death of important northern leaders including the prime minister and premier of the Northern Region.

A successful countercoup that put General Yakubu Gowon in power later in the year brought about an anti-Igbo pogrom in which 80,000–100,000 Igbo people were killed in five months, forcing almost two million Igbos living in the North at the time to escape back to the Eastern Region.

The Eastern Region governor, Colonel Odumegwu Ojukwu, declared the independence of the Republic of Biafra on 30 May 1967 to protect Igbo people from victimization by the Northerner-dominated Nigerian government.

Nigeria’s invasion of Biafra today in 1967 lasted till the surrender of Biafra on 15 January 1970 and had casualties in the millions.

To learn more about the Biafran war, click the link in our bio.
____________
📝: Adams Adeosun and Ugonna Eronini
📷: 1) Ojukwu, as military governor of Biafra, inspecting some of his troops in 1968. Trinity Mirror / Mirrorpix /Alamy

2) Nigerian federal troops during an operation against Biafran forces near the town of Ore, Nigeria, in 1967. Unknown Photographer.

3) Locals in south east Nigeria in 1968 during the peak of the Biafra war. AP-PHOTO/RJS/STF/KURT STRUMPF

4) Biafra Leader, Lt. Col. Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, at his desk, circa 1967-1970. GETTY IMAGES
Germany is returning Ngonnso’ to Cameroon 120 ye Germany is returning Ngonnso’ to Cameroon 120 years after it was stolen. #RxNews📡

The Ngonnso’ statue is a female goddess statue that was stolen from the ancient Nso’ Kingdom in northwestern Cameroon. It was brought to Germany in 1903 and donated to the Ethnological Museum in Berlin by German colonial officer, Kurt von Pavel.

On 27 June, the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation (Stiftung Preußischer Kulturbesitz ((SPK))—a German government organization that manages 27 German museums and cultural organizations—announced that it will return the statue to Cameroon as calls for the restitution of stolen artefacts in the possession of former colonial forces continue to gain momentum.

Cameroon was a colony of Germany from 1884 to 1916. In a statement by SPK, the president of the foundation, Hermann Parzinger, said: ‘The decision makes it clear that the question of returning collection items from colonial contexts is not just a question of a context of injustice. The special – especially spiritual – significance of an object for its society of origin can justify its return.’

Read more about the return by clicking the link in our bio.
____________
📝: Tomisin Awosika, Junior Editor
📷: 1) The Ngonnso’ statue. LEGIDEON NEWS

2) Cameroonian cultural activist, Sylvie Njobati, at the Humboldt Forum in Berlin, Germany, where the Ngonnso’ statue is housed. Marc Sebastian Eils.

3) The Ngonnso’ statue at the Humboldt Forum in Berlin, Germany. Bring Back Ngonnso / Twitter.
Today in 1962, Algeria declared independence from Today in 1962, Algeria declared independence from France. #RxHistory⏳

On 5 July 1962, Algeria achieved independence from France after a seven-year-long war—one of the longest and most brutal independence wars in Africa. More than 100,000 Algerian and 10,000 French soldiers were killed, along with thousands of Algerian and European civilians.

The war was fought between France and the Algerian National Liberation Front. It started in November 1954 and was characterized by guerrilla warfare, sexual abuse, and the use of torture. The war ended more than 130 years of French colonial rule in Algeria.

During the war, Algerian women played a significant role. More than 10,000 women actively participated in the war. Although a large portion of these women served in non-military roles as nurses, cooks, and laundresses, around 2% of them served as soldiers.

Did you know that revolutionary philosopher, Frantz Fanon, fought in the Algerian war of independence? During the war, Fanon worked as a psychiatrist at a French hospital in Algeria. He later quit his job and joined Algeria’s anti-colonial struggle. He published a series of essays and books on decolonization and the Algerian revolution.

Read more about Algeria’s independence by clicking the link in our bio.
____________
📝: Ibukun Olokode and Ugonna Eronini
📷: A man waves the Algerian flag along with other demonstrators during a protest in Algeria’s capital, Algiers. 25 October 2019. Ramzi Boudina / REUTERS
Today in 1975, Cape Verde declared independence fr Today in 1975, Cape Verde declared independence from Portugal. #RxHistory⏳

On 5 July 1975, Cape Verde achieved full independence, and Aristides Pereira became its first president with Pedro Pires as prime minister.

Until 1879, when they were split into different territories, Cape Verde was administrated jointly with Guinea-Bissau by Portugal. The island nation, alongside Guinea-Bissau, was recognized as an ‘overseas province’ during the African decolonization movements of the 1950s and its people were granted full Portuguese citizenship in 1961.

Unsatisfied by their new status, Cape Verdeans and Bissau-Guineans united to demand for complete independence and a joint nationalist movement, led by Amílcar Cabral, was born.

Read more about the Cape Verde’s independence in today’s newsletter which goes out at 6 p.m. (WAT). Sign up at the link in our bio.
____________
📝: Adams Adeosun and Ugonna Eronini
📷: Amilcar Cabral. Unknown Photographer
Did Nigeria gain anything from Obasanjo’s foreig Did Nigeria gain anything from Obasanjo’s foreign policies? #OnSite⚡

Olusegun Matthew Obasanjo served as Nigeria’s head of state from 1976 to 1979. And later, he served as the country’s democratically elected president from 1999 to 2007.

In this online essay, researcher and associate editor of The Republic, Afolabi Adekaiyaoja, examines Obasanjo’s time in office, and how his administrations’ foreign policies affected Nigerians. Adekaiyaoja writes that, ‘Olusegun Obasanjo is one of the most polarizing personalities in Nigeria’s history. To some, he remains the gold standard against which his successors in the Fourth Republic (1999-present) are judged and found wanting. Many others argue that his poor institutional management, domestic policy and attempts to maintain influence post-presidency have greatly damaged his image. Yet, one area that deserves to be studied is his work on Nigeria’s foreign policy.’

But, in what ways did Obasanjo’s foreign policy work benefit Nigeria? Adekaiyaoja highlights, for instance: ‘During his first term as democratic president, Obasanjo carried out 113 foreign trips, aiming to re-establish ties with allies and international organizations and to gain support for the new republic. His diplomatic engagement, and increased investment as a show of faith and support towards this democratic era, contributed to the growth of Nigeria’s GDP from an estimated $36 billion in 1999 to $166.4 billion at the end of his term in 2007. A crowning achievement of Obasanjo’s term was combining diplomatic efforts and economic negotiations, with his economic reform team, led by then-finance minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala in securing a cancellation of $18 billion of the country’s foreign debt. (Okonjo-Iweala is the present director-general of the World Trade Organization).
Despite the domestic challenges, the Obasanjo administration maintained a clear commitment to returning Nigeria to its place among the continent’s hegemons.’

Read the full essay by clicking the link in our bio.
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📝: Afolabi Adekaiyaoja
📷: President Olusegun Obasanjo at the River Entrance of the Pentagon, Washington, D.C. May 10, 2001. Helene C. Stikkel. / Wikimedia Commons
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