In Kenya’s busy carpentry workshops, informal training and hands-on skills are shaping new livelihoods, even in a male-dominated industry where women remain rare. In this space, Mercy Munyi, known as Shawry for Wood, is building her name through furniture-making, persistence, and a growing brand rooted in craftsmanship and visibility. By Deborah Kerubo, bird story agency In the workshop outside of Nairobi, wood cuttings are piled neatly along the walls and wood sanding operations are creating dust motes that hang in the air. At one end, a woman stands over a piece of wood using a blow torch to give the…
Author: Development Reporting
The Federal Government of Nigeria on Monday formalised the renegotiated 2009 agreement with the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU). The signing comes five months after a comparable accord was reached with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). SSANU President Mohammed Ibrahim and NASU General Secretary Peters Adeyemi signed the agreement, and representing the Federal Government was Yayale Ahmed, the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation. Mr. Ahmed serves as the Chairman of the Federal Government Tertiary Institution Expanded Negotiation Committee, which was reconstituted in…
The last time I travelled along the Ilesa-Ibadan Expressway, I was left dumbfounded by the alarming scale of unregulated mining taking place right beside the highway. The operations were so reckless that it was obvious they were being carried out with a sense of impunity. Unfortunately, I was unable to take photographs at the time. Thankfully, Senator Babafemi Ojudu captured images that vividly expose the environmental destruction being committed in the name of mining. Those photographs should serve as evidence to draw national and international attention to this unfolding disaster. It is deeply disturbing that the Ijesa community, the Osun…
Nigeria did not simply pass another identity law. It quietly laid the legal foundation for one of the most important strategic assets of the twenty-first century: trusted digital identity. At first glance, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act 2026 appears to be an administrative reform, replacing the outdated 2007 legislation. Its true significance, however, lies far beyond identity registration. The Act is not fundamentally about identity. It is about positioning Nigeria for a world where trusted digital identity is becoming a source of economic competitiveness, national security and diplomatic influence. To understand why this matters, we must first understand…
For decades, many narratives about Africa have been dominated by images of crisis. Conflict, poverty, disasters, political instability, and social challenges have headlined stories about the continent. While these realities remain important and deserve attention, a growing movement of African scholars, journalists, and communication practitioners is asking a different question: what happens when African stories also make visible resilience, innovation, community action, and pathways to change? This question was central to conversations at the Lagos Studies Association (LSA) 2026 Conference, one of Africa’s largest academic gatherings and arguably one of the most significant African studies conferences globally. Convened by Saheed…
The Alumni Association of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) has hailed the nomination of the institution’s immediate past Vice Chancellor, Abayomi Fasina, a professor of Soil Science, as a non-career ambassador by President Bola Tinubu. In accordance with Section 121(2), (3) and (4) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), Mr Tinubu forwarded Mr Fasina’s nomination as a non-career ambassador/high commissioner-designate to the Senate for confirmation. The request was contained in a letter read by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, during Wednesday’s plenary. In a statement, the President of the Alumni Association, Taye Ojo, described the nomination…
The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Climate Group, formally bringing the state into the Under2 Coalition, the world’s largest network of states and regions committed to achieving net-zero emissions and building climate-resilient economies. The signing took place on Monday in London during the London Climate Action Week 2026, marking Lagos State’s entry into a global platform of more than 180 states and regions representing over half of the world’s economy. Convened by Climate Group, the Under2 Coalition enables subnational governments to collaborate on climate action, share best practices and accelerate the transition…
The Lagos State Government has ordered an emergency waste evacuation operation across the state following the public attention generated by a Premium Times investigation into the worsening refuse management crisis in Nigeria’s commercial capital. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu directed relevant agencies to immediately intensify waste evacuation efforts and clear drainage channels across the city after the report highlighted growing concerns as major roads are overtaken by refuse in several communities. The intervention, according to a statement by Mr Sanwo-Olu on his official social media handles, on Thursday, aims to address environmental and public health risks associated with poor waste disposal and…
My attention has been drawn to the judgment of the Federal High Court delivered by Hon. Justice Lifu where the Court ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to deregister five political parties based on the Provision of section 225A of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended). Without necessarily reviewing or critiquing the judgment and other extant position of the Supreme Court on the subject, it is my considered view that the provision of section 225A is undemocratic and should be expunged from the Constitution. The said section 225A in highlight is to the effect that…
In Nigeria, where renewable energy is increasingly becoming a necessity rather than an alternative, women like Nkechi Okenwa are working to bridge both gaps at once, bringing clean energy solutions to underserved communities while creating pathways for more women to enter the sector. By Simpa Samson, bird story agency Nkechi Okenwa walked into her office, moving instinctively toward the window and pulled the blinds open. Outside, the city was already in motion: cars weaving through traffic, traders arranging their stalls, generators humming faintly in the distance. She paused for a moment and smiled quietly to herself. For her, energy had…