Across four West African nations lies a century-old route from Nigeria to Côte d’Ivoire, crossed weekly by thousands in search of economic fortunes. Yoruba women from the Nigerian city of Ejigbo have turned this trail into a path for vast cultural exchange, heritage, and networking. Rakiya Muhammad, Bird Story Agency Every week, droves of Yoruba women from Nigeria journey through four countries to do business in the markets of Côte d’Ivoire. The 1,100-km road trip begins in the town of Ejigbo in southwestern Nigeria and takes them through Benin Republic, Togo, Ghana, and then finally, to the Ivorian capital of…
Author: Development Reporting
By Ajibola Amzat Two weeks ago, the founder of Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development, CJID and publisher of PREMIUM TIMES newspaper, Dapo Olorunyomi, was at Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo, where he delivered a paper titled Nigerian Journalism Under the Digital and Democratic Crossfire. The title paints a picture of a perilous future for journalism enterprise already overwhelmed by relentless attacks from both technological and democratic forces. Though the lecture in general also highlights great potential and opportunities for the media, the title offers no glimpse of optimism from the start. Olorunyomi probably chose a shocking headline to get his…
Africa is building a new vaccine future through strategic investments, skilled workforce development, and local manufacturing. From Kenya to Rwanda, deals for new facilities and skills development promise to reduce reliance on foreign pharma supply chains. Bonface Orucho, Bird Story Agency At a warehouse in Kilifi, Kenya, in June 2024, Roseline Oliwa watched as 10 UNICEF trucks, each loaded with 1.6 million auto-disable syringes, pulled out, bound for Zambia. “I feel so proud of it,” Oliwa remarked in a 2024 interview with the Gates Foundation. That pride emanates from the success of local efforts. The syringes had been manufactured at…
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has assured candidates who sat for the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) that their results will be released on or before Thursday, August 4. Coming amid social media rumours alleging a nationwide cancellation of the examination, the assurance of releasing results soon brings relief to about two million candidates across Nigeria awaiting their results for admission into tertiary institutions and other academic pursuits. Over 1.9 million candidates from 23,554 schools across Nigeria registered to sit the WASSCE, which held from 24 April to 20 June. WAEC debunks cancellation rumours In a statement…
As part of its commitment to advancing security sector reform through evidence-based research, strategic dialogue, and stakeholder engagement, Good Governance Africa-Nigeria (GGA-Nigeria) is set to host a critical hybrid panel event titled: “Reckoning with Resurgence: Rethinking Responses to ISWAP’s Evolving Threat.” The event, scheduled for 22 July, at BON Hotel Elvis, Abuja, will also mark the official launch of GGA-Nigeria’s latest research publication: “Unseen Advances, Quiet Offensives: ISWAP’s Strategic Resurgence and the Limits of Nigeria’s Military Response.” According to a statement by Dr. Ola Bello, Executive Director of GGA-Nigeria, the research draws attention to the growing influence of the Islamic…
By Malik Samuel A new infographic released by ISIS’s Amaq Agency over the weekend paints a revealing picture of the group’s global operations during the first half of the year. The data, drawn from across ISIS’s various wilayat (provinces), confirms a trend that has been developing over the past few years: the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) has become the most active and lethal of all ISIS affiliates. With 215 reported attacks and 734 casualties inflicted, ISWAP’s attacks in Nigeria alone accounted for nearly 35 percent of all ISIS operations globally, and approximately 23 percent of all deaths and…
Menstruation, sexually transmitted infections (STI), menopause, vagina cancer, among numerous others are reproductive health issues enveloped by misconceptions, and which have led to confusion among many girls and women. In this DevCheck report, we analyse some of the most common misconceptions, providing accurate information to empower our readers to take control of their health. Does soap cause vagina cancer? Multiple women who spoke with DevCheck said using soap to wash the vagina can cause cancer; hence, they avoid it. “Since I was young, my mum told me to be careful about my vagina hygiene, warning me not to use soap…
Nigerian journalism under the digital and democratic crossfire Mr. Vice Chancellor, sir, [and, by the way, a fellow Great Ife-ite], principal officers, staff and students at this august university, I should begin with a statement of gratitude for your kind invitation. In doing this, please also allow me to offer a very affectionate appreciation to my friend and professional brother, the dean of the faculty, Professor Muyiwa Popoola who made it impossible to say no when the idea of hosting this conversation was first broached. It is a privilege to stand before you today, and I’d like to share a…
Veteran journalist, publisher, and media advocate, Dapo Olorunyomi, OON, has called on the Nigerian media industry to embrace innovation, deepen its democratic role, and resist growing threats from political repression, economic pressures, and digital disruptions. Mr. Olorunyomi, who is also an advisor to DevReporting made these remarks during a public lecture he delivered at the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo, on Thursday. The lecture, titled “Nigerian Journalism Under the Digital and Democratic Crossfire,” drew a large audience of students, academics, journalists, and civic leaders, and sparked a lively conversation about the future of journalism in…
At least 500,000 people have been displaced by gunmen in the incessant attacks on Benue State, North-central Nigeria. According to a report by Amnesty International Nigeria, many of the displaced persons are languishing in squalid camps without access to sufficient water, poor sanitation, food and healthcare. Benue State has in the last few years faced bandit attacks and clashes between herders and farmers. In 2020, Amnesty International Nigeria investigated the authorities’ failure to protect rural communities from attacks, and in 2025, it investigated the mounting death toll and looming humanitarian crisis amid unchecked attacks by armed groups. Recently, DevReporting reported…