Author: Christiana Alabi-Akande

Nigeria has launched the first Artificial Intelligence (AI) UniPod at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), marking the start of a national rollout of innovation hubs aimed at strengthening research, entrepreneurship, and technology development in tertiary institutions. The initiative, a collaboration between the Federal Government, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and UNILAG, is the first of seven hubs to be established across Nigeria under the UNDP’s Timbuktoo project, which seeks to catalyse innovation across Africa and translate it into tangible, homegrown solutions capable of driving sustainable development, economic growth, and job creation. Shift to innovation-led development Speaking at the launch,…

From Ibadan to remote communities, parents are routinely asked to pay for examination materials, development levies, security fees and even basic classroom supplies. Individually, the charges seem small; together, they are pushing some children out of school. Across Oyo State, school-age children are often seen hawking goods, running errands or engaged in other economic activities during class hours. For many families, the problem is not a lack of interest in education, but the growing burden of unofficial costs attached to a system meant to be free. The contradiction is striking. In June 2025, the Oyo State Executive Council approved ₦63.48…

The Oyo State chapter of the Civil Society Action Coalition on Education for All (CSACEFA), in collaboration with Educare Trust, has expressed concern over the delay in the enrolment of out-of-school children (OOSC) in the state, following a nationwide mop-up exercise conducted by the National Commission on Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education (NCAOOSCE). Addressing newsmen in Ibadan, the Programme Director of Educare Trust and Coordinator of the Civil Society Action Coalition on Education for All (CSACEFA) caretaker committee, Folorunsho Moshood, explained that the NCAOOSCE carried out a mop-up exercise nationwide, including Oyo State, between 22 June and 17 July 2025.…

Olalekan Fabilola is the creator and host of ‘Masoyinbo’, a popular Yoruba cultural game show that blends language, history and entertainment. Through the programme, he has carved a distinct space for indigenous knowledge in Nigeria’s contemporary media landscape, reaching audiences across generations. In this interview with DevReporting, Mr Fabilola speaks on the idea behind Masoyinbo, the power of indigenous language, and why culture remains a critical tool for development. Excerpt DR: Anywhere you appear today, many people recognise you by the programme you currently host, ‘Masoyinbo’. So, who is Masoyinbo? Masoyinbo: I am having mixed feelings about whether to speak…

In March 2023, while playing with his wife, Julius Oluwatomi, a resident of Lagos State, Southwest Nigeria, noticed that her left breast felt unusually hard “like stone”, including the nipple. What began as a moment of playful banter between him and his wife, whom he fondly calls “Layomi” quickly turned into fear. The discovery marked the start of a long and emotionally draining journey that tested their faith, finances and resilience. By 5.30 a.m. the following day, the couple were already at Ayinke House, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital to seek medical help. After an initial examination, they were referred…

Hundreds of residents and civil society activists under the banner of the Coalition Against Demolition, Eviction, Land Grabbers and Displacement in Lagos State, marched on Wednesday from the Ikeja under-bridge to the Lagos State House of Assembly, protesting ongoing demolitions across the waterfront and low-income communities in the state. The coalition, comprising affected communities and civil society organisations, includes residents of Makoko, Oworonshoki, Bariga, Owode Onirin, and other areas impacted by recent demolition exercises. However, the protest, scheduled to commence at 7 a.m., did not begin until after 9 a.m. as participants gradually assembled at the Ikeja under-bridge. Ahead of…

As rapidly growing African cities adopt safer ways to manage informal settlements without displacement, demolitions in the waterfront communities of Makoko and Oworonshoki, Lagos, have left thousands homeless. The demolitions, carried out by the Lagos State Government, are reportedly targeted at structures built close to high-tension power lines, power stations and restricted waterfront corridors, triggering public outrage and humanitarian concerns. While the government insists that its actions are necessary to prevent disasters, affected residents say the operations have deepened their vulnerability, leaving them without shelter, compensation, resettlement or clear relocation plans. This has reignited debate over whether safety in fast-growing…

Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, on Monday, formally introduced its new President and Vice-Chancellor, Afolarin Ojewole, a pastor and professor, who pledged a governance agenda anchored on mission fidelity, community rebuilding and institutional renewal. Succeeding Ademola Tayo, a professor, who led the institution for 10 years, Mr Ojewole assumes office as the university’s fourth substantive vice chancellor with a pledge to strengthen its Seventh-day Adventist identity, enhance people-centred governance, and modernise its operations. Delivering his inaugural address, the new helmsman outlined a broad vision, which according to him, will reposition the school for global relevance while deepening its spiritual identity.…

Since its establishment in 2000, ActionAid Nigeria (AAN) has been at the forefront of advocating for human rights and social justice, transforming the lives of the poor and marginalised by addressing the root causes of poverty rather than handing out short-term aid. As it marks its 25th anniversary this week, DevReporting’s Christiana Akande-Alabi shares insights into its journey and stories of vision, courage, and a steadfast belief in the power of people to change their own lives: Uduak Pius, 36, a mother of six, was yet to fully recover from the trauma of the death of her sister-in-law when she…

“Stop anything about the NLP – perish and burn it,” was all the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, had to say in discarding Nigeria’s National Language Policy (NLP) and Mother Tongue (MT) Education, a product of many years of agitation and intellectual works by erudite Nigerian scholars. His remarks, made without minding whose ox is gored, have provoked a wave of backlash. Stakeholders are now up in arms, describing the minister’s position as rash, ill-advised, imperialistic and unacceptable, and are demanding an immediate reconsideration. DevReporting writes: The 69th meeting of Nigeria’s National Council on Education (NCE) was significant for various…