Mind, Body and Country by Njideka Maduka

By Njideka Maduka Journalist On Tuesday, September 24th, Nigeria’s oil sector found itself in the eye of the storm, the consequences of which will be revealed in the days to come. Oil unions- the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), led by Festus Osifo and Williams Akporeha respectively, strongly rejected the Federal Government’s alleged plan to sell off 30–35% of its stakes in Joint Venture (JV) oil assets. (FG currently holds between 55% and 60% of such assets through NNPCL.) They argue this move would: - Weaken NNPCL financially   - Put Nigeria’s oil sector in foreign hands   - Undermine national budget contributions   - Strip the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) of its stability   They’re also resisting proposed amendments to the PIA, warning that frequent changes will scare away investors and destabilize the sector. But here’s something I’ve...

As Nigeria steadily approaches another critical election season, political realignments and power plays are beginning to take center stage. Among the most talked-about developments is the formation of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition — a bloc of political heavyweights and parties positioning themselves as a formidable opposition ahead of the 2027 presidential election. With names like Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and Nasir El-Rufai associated with it, the coalition has sparked widespread debate about its prospects, its internal dynamics, and what it could mean for the nation’s political future. Biggest Political News The biggest political headline at the beginning of July this year was the emergence of a coalition that is ready to battle it out with the incumbent president, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in the 2027 election. It was a notable moment given the uncertainty that had trailed its emergence. Early Rumours and First Confirmation First off, some of its members, in...

Si nce 2009, Nigeria has seen a steady descent into violence — from Boko Haram’s insurgency to the herdsmen crisis, banditry, kidnappings, and regional unrest. This long-form essay draws from personal experience, historical events, and current realities to examine what has gone wrong with Nigeria’s security architecture and why. It’s not just about bad policy; it’s about leadership, ideology, silence, and systemic failure. The Genesis Nigeria’s security situation took a nosedive beginning in 2009. It was the period Boko Haram began to rear its ugly head. I remember that year vividly — I was a youth corps member serving in one of the northern states. There was slight tension in our area on one of those days. Information would later trickle in that some people were propagating a variant form of Islam, contrary to what was the norm. We would later see some soldiers at night around our lodges. To be honest, I was totally ignorant of what all of that meant or the possible future impact. E...

As President Bola Tinubu marked two years in office, his administration highlighted the gains of reform. But do the numbers on paper reflect reality in the markets and homes of everyday Nigerians? This piece breaks down the president's claims and what the evidence shows . Understanding the Thematic Focus of Tinubu's Speeches As expected, May 29 marked two years of President Bola Tinubu in office, and we were treated to an anniversary speech. I personally like to look into the speeches of our leaders because, as the saying goes, "Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks." It gives me the opportunity to know what is going on in their minds and how they perceive things. To start with, I have come to appreciate the thematic structure President Tinubu's speeches have taken because it helps us to deal with one particular issue at a given time. This is different from the time of his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari, when issues were lumped together in his speeche...

  Atiku Abubakar’s reported offer of the vice presidential ticket to Peter Obi has stirred political debates ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 elections. What does this mean for Obi’s supporters, the opposition coalition, and Nigeria’s political landscape? I break it down. Atiku's Alleged VP Offer to Obi When I read the news about this offer as reported by The Punch Newspaper on May 19th, 2025, the first thing that came to my mind was: "The Obidients are not going to like this." And true to fact, a number of Obi’s supporters on social media, especially X (formerly Twitter)—are already writing open letters to him, warning against accepting any offer short of a presidential ticket, or else they’ll withdraw their support for him in 2027. Why the Obidients Are Unhappy Their reasons are not far-fetched: Obi, in their estimation, is the only one who can rescue Nigeria . They are already reminding him of how hard they laboured to campaign and vote for him in 2023. Now, there is ...