Tag: Africa

Nigeria’s population hits 242.4m, remains most populous in Africa 

Aminu Imam
Nigeria's population

Nigeria has maintained its status as Africa’s most populous country, with an estimated population of 242.4 million in 2026. Worldometer population estimates reviewed yesterday place Nigeria ahead of Ethiopia and Egypt, which occupy the second and third positions respectively among the continent’s ten most populous countries. Nigeria’s latest population estimate is based on projections, as the country’s last national population census was conducted in 2006, when its population was officially recorded at 140.4 million. Africa continues to record the fastest population growth globally, with the continent’s population projected to surpass…

Read More

‘Nigeria supplied 52% of Africa’s oil to U.S in 2025’’  – Report

Aminu Imam
Nigeria supplied Africa’s oil2

Nigeria accounted for about 52 percent of Africa’s crude oil exports to the United States (U.S) in 2025, latest data from the US Census Bureau have shown. Figures from the US International Trade in Goods and Services report indicate that total American crude imports from Africa stood at 89.371 million barrels in 2025, down from 103.7 million barrels in 2024. This represents a decline of 14.26 million barrels or 13.8 percent. Of the 89.371 million barrels imported from Africa in 2025, Nigeria supplied 46.618 million barrels, compared to 50.793 million…

Read More

TICAD9: Africa deserves 2 permanent seats at UN Security Council – Tinubu

Aminu Imam
Tinubu on TICAD9

President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday called for reforms at the United Nations (UN) to give Africa permanent representation on the Security Council. Speaking at the plenary session on peace and stability during the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) in Yokohama, Japan, Tinubu argued that Africa deserves two permanent seats with full privileges. The President said the continent also deserves additional non-permanent seats in line with the Ezulwini consensus and Sirte declaration. “It is the view of Nigeria that Africa’s quest for fair and equitable representation in the…

Read More

Greed, Praise-singing, Bane of Africa’s Underdevelopment

Aminu Imam
IMG 20250618 WA0032

Dr. Jumai Ahmadu Africa is not poor it is poorly led. This leadership crisis, driven by greed and sustained by collaborators and praise singers, continues to rob the continent of its promise. Africa is a continent of vast potential. From its abundant natural resources to its vibrant, youthful population, the ingredients for progress and prosperity are all present. Yet, many African nations continue to struggle with poverty, inequality, weak institutions, and a lack of basic infrastructure. While colonial history and global economic systems have contributed to these challenges, the more…

Read More

China announces duty-free trade to all African countries

Aminu Imam
China on trade

…Says ‘It’s now zero tariff’ In a sweeping policy change, China has unveiled plans to scrap tariffs on all imports from African nations, with which it maintains diplomatic ties, broadening a previous trade arrangement that only applied to the continent’s least-developed countries. Chinese President, Xi Jinping announced the expansion in a letter addressed to African foreign ministers, declaring that “all 53 African countries with formal ties to Beijing will now receive ‘zero-tariff treatment for 100% of tariff lines”. This new measure marks a significant step in China’s on-going efforts to…

Read More

‘Nigeria remains Africa’s largest economy’ – World Bank

Aminu Imam
World Bank on 9ja

World Bank’s Country Director for Nigeria, Dr. Ndiame Diop, has confirmed that Nigeria remains Africa’s largest economy by Gross Domestic Product (GDP), despite the challenges faced by its private sector. Speaking at the Country Private Sector Diagnostic (CPSD) and Stakeholder Engagement in Abuja on Thursday, Dr. Diop stated that while Nigeria receives far less Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) than its potential warrants – especially in comparison to countries such as Indonesia and South Africa – it continues to hold its position as Africa’s biggest economy. He stated that the CPSD…

Read More

Nigeria tops Africa’s oil production, with 1.28m bpd in April

Aminu Imam
Nigeria oil production

The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has said Nigeria’s average daily crude oil production increased to 1.28 million barrels per day (bpd) in April. This was contained in its latest monthly oil market report, released on Tuesday. OPEC gathers data on crude oil production from two sources: direct communication from member countries and secondary communication, such as energy intelligence platforms. The report indicates that Nigeria’s current output marks a 4.07 percent increase from the 1.23 million bpd recorded in March, representing the first month-on-month production growth in the year.…

Read More

Structural reform: Nigeria, 11 countries seek adequate, affordable financing

Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir
structured trade finance

Nigeria and 11 other members of the African Consultative Group (ACG) have called for adequate and affordable financing to ensure that structural reform agendas produce the desired result. The members made this known at the end of their meeting with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Washington D.C. The ACG comprises the Fund Governors of a subset of 12 African countries belonging to the African Caucus (African finance ministers and central bank governors) and Fund management. In a joint statement issued on Friday, at the end of the meeting by the…

Read More

Resurgence of coup d’états in Africa worrisome – stakeholders

Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

The Nigerian Military, politicians and members of the academia have described the resurgence of military takeover of power in Africa as worrisome and a negative development. They made the observations on Tuesday at a Roundtable Seminar on “Resurgence of Coup D’états in Africa: Implications for Regional Security, Political Stability and Good Governance”, organised by the National Defence College (NDC), in Abuja. The Chairman, Senate Committee on Navy, Senator Gbenga Daniel, said that whereas democracy might not be the best type of government, it had been adjudged to be the best…

Read More

Russia writes-off $23bn debt for Africa – Putin

Aminu Imam

Russian President, Vladimir Putin, says the Russian Government has written off the $23 billion debt burden of African countries. Putin disclosed this at the plenary session of the ongoing second Russia–Africa Summit 2023 holding from July 27 to July 28. He said Moscow would allocate an additional $90 million for these purposes. The Russian President said Russia was advocating expansion of representation of African countries in the UN Security Council and other UN structures. According to him, the reopening of embassies in Burkina Faso and Equatorial Guinea is going as…

Read More