Nigeria’s corruption challenge goes beyond individual theft: it damages the systems that deliver services, discourages investment and leaves citizens bearing the cost of poor governance.bti-project+1
Every naira diverted from public funds reduces the resources available for hospitals, medicines, vaccines, schools, water systems and roads. The result is a cycle in which citizens are forced to pay privately for services that government spending should provide, while already weak public infrastructure continues to deteriorate.bti-project+1
Graft also reduces public trust in institutions and creates incentives for officials to prioritise private gain over the public interest. The BTI 2026 Nigeria report says the country’s political system remains affected by rent-seeking and diversion of public resources, while weak services and inadequate infrastructure persist.bti-project
The economic effects are equally severe. Slow non-oil growth, high consumer prices, insecurity and weak foreign direct investment constrain businesses and jobs, while a lack of transparent, accountable systems makes reforms harder to sustain. Tackling the problem requires stronger enforcement, transparent procurement, protection for whistle-blowers and institutions that can investigate and prosecute wrongdoing without political interference.
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2026–27 Champions League: All confirmed league-phase schedules and fixtures
The league phase will run from September 2026 to January 2027, with 36 clubs each playing eight matches before the knockout rounds begin in February.uefa+2 Key dates and matchdays League-phase draw: August 27, 2026 (Monaco)uefa+1 Matchday 1: September 8–10, 2026uefa+1 Matchday 2: October 13–14, 2026uefa+1 Matchday 3: October 20–21, 2026uefa+1 Matchday 4: November 3–4, 2026uefa+1 Matchday 5: November 24–25, 2026uefa+1 Matchday 6: December 8–9, 2026uefa+1 Matchday 7: January 19–20, 2027uefa+1 Matchday 8: January 27, 2027uefa+1 Knockout phase schedule Knockout play-offs: February 16–17 and 23–24, 2027 Round of 16: March 9–10 and 16–17, 2027wikipedia+1 Quarter-finals: April 6–7 and 13–14, 2027wikipedia+1 Semi-finals: April 27–28 and May 4–5, 2027wikipedia+1 Final: June 5, 2027 at Estadio Metropolitano, Madridwikipedia+1 Confirmed league-phase teams (so far) Clubs already confirmed for the league phase include England: Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea, Manchester United, Aston Villa Spain: Barcelona, Real […]
Missing persons in Nepal, China floods soar to nearly 3,000
Rescuers in Nepal and Tibet are racing against time to find survivors after a tsunami-like surge of water, ice and debris engulfed communities in the Himalayas, with the threat of further flooding hampering operations.euronews+1 Nepal reported 626 deaths and 2,426 people out of contact, including 517 foreign trekkers and pilgrims, after officials added 933 missing hydropower workers to the toll. Across the border in Tibet, Chinese authorities reported seven deaths and 554 missing people, bringing the combined missing figure close to 3,000.france24+3 The floods struck on Wednesday after what the US Geological Survey said was a glacial collapse that unleashed a huge torrent of icy debris downstream. Entire riverside settlements were swept away, while some bodies may have been carried as far as India, according to reports.dawn+2 Rescue teams have faced severe challenges, including widespread destruction, dwindling food and water […]
Gunfire heard near military base in Niger capital
The shooting began overnight and continued into the morning, with the cause initially unclear and authorities urging residents to remain calm as security forces mobilised.reuters+2 Residents reported sustained gunfire and explosions around Base 101, a military installation located within the Diori Hamani International Airport complex, as well as in the administrative district near the presidential palace and national broadcaster. Videos posted online showed armoured vehicles being deployed around the airport area.reuters+3 A Reuters report later cited four sources who described the assault as an attack by mutinous soldiers, rather than immediately confirming a jihadist attack. A security source said attackers targeted the airport and tried to breach security around the presidency, while another said some attackers had been neutralised and others fled during ensuing search operations.reuters+1 Base 101 is a sensitive site that houses the headquarters of Niger’s Russian Africa […]
Broken Systems: How graft sabotages Nigeria’s growth, governance
Nigeria’s corruption challenge goes beyond individual theft: it damages the systems that deliver services, discourages investment and leaves citizens bearing the cost of poor governance.bti-project+1 Every naira diverted from public funds reduces the resources available for hospitals, medicines, vaccines, schools, water systems and roads. The result is a cycle in which citizens are forced to pay privately for services that government spending should provide, while already weak public infrastructure continues to deteriorate.bti-project+1 Graft also reduces public trust in institutions and creates incentives for officials to prioritise private gain over the public interest. The BTI 2026 Nigeria report says the country’s political system remains affected by rent-seeking and diversion of public resources, while weak services and inadequate infrastructure persist.bti-project The economic effects are equally severe. Slow non-oil growth, high consumer prices, insecurity and weak foreign direct investment constrain businesses and jobs, […]
Cholera: NCDC warns of fresh surge as 65,000 cases hit 35 states
The warning comes as Nigeria’s rainy season heightens the risk of outbreaks, especially in communities affected by flooding, poor sanitation and limited access to safe drinking water.ncdc+1 Cholera is a bacterial disease spread mainly through contaminated food and water, and it can cause severe watery diarrhoea and dehydration if treatment is delayed. The NCDC has urged Nigerians to promptly visit a health facility if they or someone around them develops sudden watery diarrhoea, rather than relying on self-medication.ncdc The agency advised people to drink safe water, boil and store water in clean covered containers, wash hands frequently with soap and running water, and ensure food is thoroughly cooked. It also warned against open defecation, indiscriminate waste disposal and unsafe handling of food, all of which can fuel transmission.ncdc Health authorities are strengthening surveillance and response capacity nationwide, including through rapid-response […]
Police challenge VDM to provide evidence of officers aiding kidnappers
The police said the allegation is serious and will be thoroughly investigated if VDM submits credible evidence to support it. VDM made the allegation at the Nigerian Bar Association conference in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, claiming that some officers at checkpoints identify wealthy travellers and share details of their movements with criminal groups to facilitate kidnappings for ransom. Reacting in a statement, Force Public Relations Officer CSP Ani Iniedu invited VDM to produce the evidence behind the claims without delay. The police specifically requested information indicating that officers identify affluent travellers at checkpoints and relay their identities or travel details to kidnappers. The Force said it treats complaints of misconduct by personnel seriously but cautioned against broad accusations that are not backed by evidence. It maintained that officers deployed at checkpoints are assigned to prevent crime, detect criminal activities and […]
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Residents count losses as torrential rain floods Lagos communities
Residents in several Lagos communities are counting their losses after torrential rainfall flooded homes, roads, and businesses across the state. The heavy downpour turned major streets into temporary waterways, leaving commuters stranded and traffic brought to a standstill in many parts of the city. In some areas, floodwater entered houses and shops, damaging household items and goods worth millions of naira. The flooding affected communities including Oshodi, Mushin, Surulere, Egbeda, Gbagada, Ilupeju, and other low-lying parts of Lagos. Residents said the water rose quickly after the rain began and made movement almost impossible. Many business owners were forced to close early as customers and workers could not access affected areas. Motorists also struggled to move through submerged roads, with several vehicles stalled or damaged by floodwater. Some residents blamed blocked drainage channels and poor waste disposal for worsening the situation. […]
NANS seeks probe of alleged crisis at Osun Poly
The National Association of Nigerian Students has called for an independent investigation into the alleged administrative crisis at Osun State Polytechnic, Iree. The student body said the situation at the institution is affecting academic performance and student welfare. NANS claimed there have been concerns over poor governance, weak academic delivery, financial mismanagement, and administrative inefficiency at the polytechnic. It also alleged that students have faced repeated disruptions, poor examination arrangements, and other challenges that have affected learning. The association gave relevant authorities a seven day ultimatum to begin a full probe into the matter. It urged agencies such as the National Board for Technical Education, the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, the Department of State Services, and TETFund to look into the allegations. NANS warned that if no action is taken, it may begin peaceful protests to press home its demands.
UK officers investigated over dying teen’s arrest
Two police officers in the UK are under investigation for possible gross misconduct following the death of 18-year-old Henry Nowak, who was handcuffed and arrested while suffering from fatal stab wounds. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) announced the investigation after reviewing the officers' actions at the scene. Henry Nowak was stabbed to death in December 2025 by Vickrum Digwa, who used a large blade he claimed to carry because of his Sikh faith. After the attack, Digwa falsely told police that he had been the victim of a racist assault. He was convicted of murder and sentenced in June 2026 to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 21 years. According to the IOPC, the investigation will examine whether the first two officers who arrived at the scene failed to recognize that Nowak required urgent medical treatment. Investigators […]
Ghana pushes for concrete slavery reparations after UN slavery vote
Ghana is ramping up its push for concrete slavery reparations after successfully spearheading a landmark United Nations resolution recognising the transatlantic slave trade as one of history’s gravest crimes against humanity. In March 2026, Ghana led 123 UN member states to adopt a resolution that declared the transatlantic slave trade the gravest crime against humanity and described calls for reparations as a “concrete step towards remedy” for historical wrongs. The resolution urges formal apologies from states and institutions that profited from slavery, as well as discussions on reparations that could include direct financial compensation, development support and the return of looted African cultural property. Building on the UN vote, Ghana will host a major global conference on reparatory justice in Accra from June 17 to 19, aimed at “charting the next phase of the global reparations agenda” and turning broad […]
Le Togo teste sa réponse aux catastrophes majeures
Le Togo intensifie ses efforts en matière de gestion des catastrophes et de protection civile face à la montée des risques climatiques, sanitaires et technologiques. Dans cette dynamique, le gouvernement a lancé à Afagnan, dans la préfecture du Bas-Mono, l'exercice national de simulation multirisque baptisé « Mia Dzrado 2026 », sous la coordination de l'Agence nationale de la protection civile (ANPC). Prévu du 8 au 18 juin 2026, cet exercice grandeur nature a pour objectif d'évaluer les capacités opérationnelles du dispositif national de gestion des urgences et de renforcer la coordination entre les différentes structures impliquées dans la réponse aux catastrophes. Plusieurs scénarios de crise sont simulés au cours de l'opération. Il s'agit notamment d'inondations, de mouvements de populations, d'épidémies de choléra, d'accidents de la circulation, de chavirements d'embarcations, d'incendies, de déversements de produits chimiques ainsi que d'incidents liés à […]
Lomé accueille un atelier sur la libre circulation
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