General News

Election Tensions Raise Fear of Nigeria’s of Break-Up

Published

12 years ago

January 22, 2015

Kindly share this post

As Nigeria approaches its most divisive and closely fought election since the end of military rule in 1999, its leaders are having to reassure voters that Africa’s most populous nation will remain in one piece, according to Reuters.

The Feb. 14 vote pitting President Goodluck Jonathan, a Christian popular in his southern oil-producing Niger Delta region and in the east, against former military ruler Muhammadu Buhari, a Muslim favored in the north and religiously mixed southwest, is already proving violent, with the electorate in Africa’s biggest economy more polarized than for decades.

“Despite the much-vaunted fear that our nation may not survive the elections … I remain optimistic that we have … the maturity to rise above the challenges,” Senate President David Mark told parliament last week.

“Our nation will not disintegrate after the elections.”

Ever since 1914, when Britain carved Nigeria out of a swathe of West Africa that was home to diverse peoples speaking more than 500 languages, it has been dogged by the question of how viable it is as a unified nation state.

Reuters said that, most analysts say that even if serious bloodshed follows the election, as many expect, the worst-case scenario of a break-up of a country of 180 million people remains unlikely.

“Nigeria has an enormous capacity to absorb risk,” the International Crisis Group’s Africa director Comfort Ero said. “While there are significant concerns about the elections, we are not predicting break-up.”

However, she added that the republic was “in deep trouble, probably more than at any time since the end of military rule … or even the civil war.”

The last time a bit of Nigeria tried to secede, it triggered the 1960s Biafra civil war in which more than a million people died. After that it seemed Nigerians were better off together.

But as the election cycle has hotted up, some have floated the idea of division, and Boko Haram insurgents controlling territory the size of Belgium in the northeast are waging an increasingly bloody campaign for a breakaway Islamic state.

Separately, dozens of people die every month in ethnic violence in the Middle Belt, where the largely Christian south and mostly Muslim north meet across a patchwork of minority groups that are likely to be split between the two candidates.

“Nigeria is bursting at the seams with ethno-religious … problems waiting to explode,” columnist Bayo Oluwasanmi wrote in the African Herald Express, a local daily, last month.

“Competition in the coming 2015 presidential election could break the already tattered ties that keep Nigeria whole.”

That is probably hyperbole but there are signs the elections could trigger violence that may not be as easy to quell as in 2011, when Buhari’s loss to Jonathan triggered three days of riots in the north that killed 800 and displaced 65,000.

Besides regional and ethnic differences, Buhari is also a protest vote for many who say Jonathan has failed to tackle insecurity and corruption, Nigerians’ two biggest complaints, and who was seen as tough on both when he ruled in the 1980s.

The pair hugged as they signed a peace pact last week, but clashes between thugs from the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Buhari’s opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) have marred campaign rallies, and the rhetoric remains poisonous and sometimes tinged with religion.

Last year the PDP accused the APC of a “devilish plot” to impose an “Islamic agenda” on Nigeria, a dangerous appeal to religious sentiment, while Jonathan has played up his Christian identity, forging ties with hardline evangelical pastors.

PDP state governor Ibrahim Shema had to retract a speech in November in which he described APC supporters as “cockroaches” and urged the crowd to “crush them”, a chilling echo of Hutu militia radio broadcasts during the 1994 Rwandan genocide.

On the other side, APC governor Rotimi Amaechi said this month that if the poll was not fair, the opposition would set up a “parallel government”, as happened after a disputed election in Ivory Coast in 2010.

“If they deny Buhari victory, it could mean civil war because both sides are so dug in,” prominent northern opposition politician Mohammed Junaidu told Reuters.

The 2010 Ivory Coast election did spark a civil war but the country was already militarily divided, which Nigeria is not.

In Kenya in 2007, a disputed election triggered three weeks of ethnic bloodshed that killed 1,200, a toll that would be far higher in Nigeria where there are many more people and weapons.

Ultimately what makes these polls so dicey is that they are a genuine contest, said John Campbell, a former U.S. ambassador to Nigeria and fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations.

By running in 2011 Jonathan broke an agreement with northern elites, in their minds at least, that it was the north’s ‘turn’ to field a president. Now such regional deals are in tatters.

“In the past there has been a kind of consensus among the people who run Nigeria … Elections at the presidential level were largely predetermined,” Campbell said. “What we are talking about now are real elections, with a polarized electorate.”

Kindly share this post

Up Next

Dasuki, NSA Under Attack over Call for Elections Shift

Don't Miss

FG Targets $68.1Bn Fresh Foreign Direct Investment

Comms Week

Nigeria CommunicationsWeek believes that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. So since 2007, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and how they affect lives.

Comments

General News

Anambra Govt Bans Graduation Ceremonies in Anambra Schools

Published

1 day ago

July 25, 2026

Ebere Melum-Nwogbo

Kindly share this post

Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, governor, Anambra State, has approved an indefinite ban on graduation ceremonies in kindergarten, primary and secondary schools across the state as part of efforts to reduce the financial burden on parents.

Anambra Govt Bans Graduation Ceremonies in Anambra Schools

Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, governor, Anambra State,

The directive was confirmed by Dr. Law Mefor, commissioner for Information and Value Reformation, in a statement issued on Friday.

According to the commissioner, the government deemed it necessary to clarify the policy following public inquiries and concerns over the scope of the ban.

Mefor explained that the directive applies to all graduation-related ceremonies in both public and private schools across the state.

He said the ban covers events described as graduation, passing-out, crossover or any other ceremony organised to mark the completion of kindergarten, primary or secondary school levels.

The government said the decision was taken to discourage unnecessary financial obligations often imposed on parents through elaborate school celebrations.

The commissioner clarified that students completing Senior Secondary School (SS3) are exempt from the directive.

However, he stressed that graduation ceremonies for SS3 students are not compulsory and may only be held without imposing any financial burden on students or their parents.

According to him, schools choosing to organise such ceremonies must ensure that no levies, compulsory contributions or hidden charges are demanded from parents.

Mefor warned that the state government would not hesitate to sanction any school that violates the directive.

He said schools found organising prohibited graduation ceremonies or imposing illegal charges on parents risk severe penalties, including possible closure.

The commissioner urged school proprietors and administrators to comply fully with the directive in the interest of parents and the education sector.

The state government said the policy is part of broader efforts to make education more affordable and eliminate unnecessary expenses associated with school activities.

Many parents have previously complained about the increasing costs of graduation ceremonies, including compulsory levies for gowns, entertainment, souvenirs and other related expenses.

The government expressed optimism that the directive would ease the financial pressure on families while encouraging schools to focus more on academic excellence than ceremonial activities.

Kindly share this post

General News

Universities, Polytechnics Submit 169 Entries for NASENI Research Commercialisation Grants

Published

1 day ago

July 25, 2026

Ugo Onwuaso

Kindly share this post

About 169 proposals from Nigerian institutions including universities, polytechnics, and research institutes spread across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones have entered for the NASENI Research Commercialization Grant Programme (NRCGP).

NASENI

The programme, an initiative of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), aimed at bridging the gap between research and industry, is designed to identify innovative research with strong commercial potential and support its transition from laboratories to the marketplace.

Speaking on the latest episode of the NASENI Window Podcast, recorded on yesterday at NASENI Studio, NASENI headquarters, Abuja, the Team Lead of the NRCGP and Deputy Director, Monitoring and Evaluation, Ms. Joy Elugbe, said the team received 169 proposals from eligible institutions across the country, including Universities, polytechnics and other research institutions.

Following the close of applications, and to ensure transparency and a rigorous selection process, NASENI engaged 21 professors with expertise across the Agency’s approved thematic areas to evaluate the originality and technical quality of the shortlisted proposals.

According to her, a rigorous preliminary screening reduced the number to 49 proposals after removing duplicate entries and submissions that failed to meet eligibility requirements while the Agency’s Innovation Hub assessed their commercial viability to determine their potential for market adoption.

“12 proposals, two from each geopolitical zone, have progressed to the due diligence stage before the final selection of six grant beneficiaries will be done. The objective is not simply to fund research but to invest in innovations that can successfully reach the market and deliver real impact,” Elugbe explained.

The NRCGP was conceived to address one of Nigeria’s longstanding innovation challenges which is the research breakthroughs that remain on the shelves due to inadequate funding.

She said the initiative, championed by the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NASENI, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, targets promising research proposals with the capacity to generate economic value, create jobs and contribute to Nigeria’s industrial development.

“The idea behind the programme is to identify innovative and commercially viable research outputs that have remained on the shelves because of lack of funding, and provide the support needed to transform them into products that can impact the economy,” she said.

Explaining the concept of commercialization, Elugbe described it as the process of transforming an invention, research outcome or service into a profitable product that meets market needs. The NRCGP aligns with NASENI’s strategic focus on Collaboration, Creation and Commercialization (3Cs), stressing that innovation only achieves its full value when it reaches end-users.

She disclosed that following the launch of the application portal, the Proposal Evaluation Team went on nationwide sensitization campaigns across the six geopolitical zones to educate prospective applicants on the programme requirements and application process.

The sensitization exercise, complemented by radio awareness campaigns, significantly improved participation and the quality of submissions.

She further revealed that NASENI’s support would extend beyond grant disbursement, noting that successful innovators would be linked with the Agency’s Innovation Hub for continuous technical guidance, market advisory services and commercialization support to ensure their products achieve sustainable market success.

The NASENI Research Commercialization Grant Programme was inaugurated in March 2025 to promote innovation, technological advancement and the commercialization of research outcomes in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.

Kindly share this post

General News

NITRA Conference: Stakeholders Seek Policy Reforms, Grassroots Innovation to Bridge Nigeria’s Digital

Published

1 day ago

July 25, 2026

Ugo Onwuaso

Kindly share this post

Stakeholders in Nigeria’s information and communications technology (ICT) sector have called for comprehensive policy reforms, stronger infrastructure investment and grassroots innovation to bridge the country’s digital divide and improve global competitiveness.

NITRA Conference

The stakeholders made the call on Thursday during the Nigeria Information Technology Reporters Association (NITRA) Innovative and Scientific Conference held at Citi Height Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.

The conference, themed “Bridging Nigeria’s Digital Divide With Scientific Innovation,” brought together government agencies, technology experts, regulators, telecom operators, private sector players, academics and policymakers to examine strategies for accelerating digital inclusion through science and innovation.

A panel session titled “The Place of Policy and Infrastructure in Nigeria’s Quest for Global Competitiveness through Scientific Innovation: Roles of Different Stakeholders in Grassroots Mobilisation” examined the policy, infrastructure and human capital requirements for driving Nigeria’s digital transformation.

Panelists identified multiple taxation, high right-of-way (RoW) charges, inconsistent state government policies, poor electricity supply, inadequate digital infrastructure and limited grassroots innovation support as major impediments to expanding broadband access and improving Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global digital economy.

One of the speakers noted that transporting internet bandwidth from Lagos to Canada is cheaper than extending connectivity to some parts of Nigeria because of infrastructure bottlenecks and multiple charges imposed by sub-national governments.

According to the panelist, although some state governments claim to have abolished right-of-way charges, operators are still subjected to numerous levies under different names.

“When we talk about right-of-way limitation, it affects the cost of providing services in some states.

“Some states say right of way is free, but when they grant free right of way, they introduce development charges, education levies and infrastructure fees, making the so-called free right of way meaningless,” the panelist said.

The speaker called for harmonised national policies that would eliminate multiple taxation and reduce the cost of deploying telecommunications infrastructure across the country.

Another panelist representing telecommunications operators stressed that government policies should encourage fair competition rather than favour dominant market players.

According to the representative, improved collaboration between regulators and industry operators is necessary to ensure that policies support innovation, cybersecurity and sustainable sector growth.

Speaking on innovation development, a representative of a private sector innovation fund said Nigeria must begin identifying and nurturing innovators from an early age.

The representative said the organisation supports young innovators through essay competitions, grants and educational programmes aimed at exposing students to science, technology and entrepreneurship.

“We believe innovation begins from childhood.

“By helping children in primary and secondary schools think creatively, they become better positioned to seize opportunities as they grow.

“Innovators exist everywhere, including rural communities. What many of them need is exposure and opportunity,” the speaker said.

On cybersecurity, another panelist advocated greater investment in developing indigenous cybersecurity professionals through structured internship and mentorship programmes.

The panelist also suggested that young people involved in cybercrime should, where appropriate, be rehabilitated and equipped with legitimate digital skills rather than relying solely on imprisonment.

“Part of what we are known for is developing local talent.

“We recruit interns from schools and train them in cybersecurity.

“We should find ways to harness the abilities of young cyber offenders instead of simply sending them to prison,” the speaker said.

A representative from the computer society sector emphasised that Nigeria’s digital transformation should begin with reforms in basic education.

According to the representative, pupils should be introduced to coding, robotics, artificial intelligence and innovation at the primary school level.

“If Nigeria wants to become globally competitive, we must start from primary school.

“Our schools should not merely prepare students for examinations; they should become innovation clubs where children learn robotics, coding and problem-solving,” the panelist said.

The speaker also referenced the recent launch of an artificial intelligence university portal in Lagos designed to create a talent pipeline from primary education through tertiary institutions.

Addressing regulation, a media analyst cautioned against excessive government control that could discourage technological innovation.

According to the analyst, regulatory frameworks should emerge through stakeholder engagement and strike a balance between consumer protection and innovation.

“Regulation must come with dialogue.

“If regulation becomes excessive, it will stifle innovation.

“As Nigeria develops policies on artificial intelligence, there is a need to strike the right balance,” the analyst said.

On infrastructure protection, another panelist called for stronger public awareness campaigns to discourage vandalism of telecommunications infrastructure.

The speaker said community ownership and public education are essential to safeguarding digital infrastructure.

“When telecommunications infrastructure is vandalised, everyone suffers, including regulators, operators and consumers.

“People need to understand that protecting infrastructure benefits the entire society,” the panelist said.

Participants also highlighted the affordability of digital services as a major challenge to digital inclusion.

One speaker urged the Federal Government to consider subsidy mechanisms that could reduce the cost of internet-enabled devices.

“Telecommunications companies are businesses, not charity organisations.

“If government introduces subsidy policies similar to what has been done in other sectors, device prices can become more affordable,” the speaker said.

Another panelist stressed that reliable electricity remains fundamental to Nigeria’s digital competitiveness.

“The child who enjoys uninterrupted electricity and internet access cannot be compared with one who has gone months without power.

“For Nigeria to compete globally, every child should have reliable electricity, internet access and opportunities to acquire digital skills,” the speaker added.

Earlier, NITRA Chairman, Mr Chike Onwuegbuchi, said the conference was organised to provide a platform for stakeholders to examine policy options capable of strengthening scientific innovation and promoting grassroots technological development.

He noted that the Federal Government had demonstrated increasing commitment to building an innovation-driven economy through various strategic initiatives.

Founded in 2013, NITRA is the umbrella body of journalists covering Nigeria’s information and communications technology sector.

Kindly share this post