THE FRAME

Shin ka taɓa tsayawa ka yi wannan tambayar a zuciyarka da gaske? Ta yaya tsuntsuwa, wadda ƙwaƙwalwarta ba ta kai girman ƙwayar gyada ba, take tashi ta ketare hamada, teku, da duwatsu na dubban kilomita, sannan ta dawo daidai kan bishiyar da ta gina gidanta? Ba ta rikicewa. Ba ta ɓacewa. Alhali babu taswira, babu GPS, babu tauraron ɗan adam. Wannan tambaya kaɗai ta isa ta girgiza tunanin mai hankali. 1. Abin da Kimiyya Ta Fahimta, Amma Ba Ta Mallaka Ba Masana kimiyya sun yi bincike mai zurfi, sun gano wasu abubuwa masu ban mamaki: • Tsuntsaye suna iya jin filin maganadisu na duniya ta hanyar ƙwayoyin magnetite da cryptochromes a jikinsu, kamar wani compass na halitta. • Suna amfani da rana da taurari wajen daidaita matsayi. • Wasu tsuntsaye suna amfani da ƙamshi wajen gane hanya, musamman a cikin teku. Amma duk da wannan bayani, tambayar asali tana nan: Wa ya koya musu wannan tsari? A wace makaranta aka horar da su? Ta yaya aka dasa wannan ilimi a cikin halitta tun kafin ta ...

  The Dangerous Drift Toward a One-Party State Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999 was greeted with immense hope .  After years of military dictatorship, the promise of pluralism, accountability, and competitive politics seemed finally within reach. Yet, more than two decades later—particularly from 2023 to date—that promise appears to be steadily eroding. Corruption, elite capture of state institutions, and the systematic weakening of opposition parties are dragging Nigeria’s democracy backwards, perilously close to zero. Democracy Under Siege At the heart of democracy lies competition: the free contest of ideas, parties, and leadership visions. When opposition parties are strong, governments are compelled to perform, explain their actions, and respect the will of the people. However, Nigeria’s current political climate tells a troubling story. The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has, through a mix of inducements, defections, political pressure, and...

A Blog Script to the New Minister of Defence, General C.G. Musa Nigeria is at a turning point. Insecurity—whether insurgency in the Northeast, banditry in the Northwest, or kidnapping across the country—has tested the nation’s strength for years. Now that General C.G. Musa has been appointed the Minister of Defence, many Nigerians are hoping for a fresh start. This blog script offers clear, practical advice on how he can steer the Defence Ministry toward meaningful and lasting change. 1. Unite the Security Agencies One major weakness in Nigeria’s fight against insecurity has always been poor coordination among the Army, Air Force, Navy, Police, and other security bodies. For real progress: We need a joint strategy instead of isolated operations. Agencies should share intelligence, plan together, and execute missions as a team. A united front will close the loopholes that criminals exploit. 2. Build an Intelligence-Driven Defence System Modern conflict is not won by force a...

For nearly 50 years, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has been one of Africa’s most ambitious regional institutions. It was built on a simple idea: West African countries are stronger together than apart. Through open borders, shared markets, conflict mediation, and cultural ties, ECOWAS shaped the political landscape of the region. But in the last few years, that foundation has come under serious pressure. The exit of key member states, rising insecurity, economic shocks, and increasing global influence have created a crossroads with many possible outcomes. This extended article explores the challenges, the possibilities, and the future direction of ECOWAS. 1. The Crisis of Unity: Why Member Exits Matter The withdrawal of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso to form the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) changed the regional balance permanently. 1.1 A Blow to Collective Strength These countries are geographically large and strategically located. Their departure ...

These external powers appear determined  to destabilise the region, and Nigeria risks becoming complicit—whether knowingly or not. For years, Nigeria has seen itself as a “big brother” eager to defend democracy across Africa. But here is the uncomfortable reality: Russia is unlikely to relinquish any territory or influence it has gained. If Nigeria enters into a confrontation with Burkina Faso, it will not be facing a single nation. It would be confronting the entire Sahel alliance—Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali—each governed by military juntas and openly supported by Russia. This would not be a small conflict; it would be a major and potentially catastrophic war. And Russia, with its strategic interests at stake, would not easily back down. Unfortunately, France’s influence risks pushing Nigeria into a dangerous geopolitical trap. And the most painful part is that none of these foreign powers—whether France, Russia, or even the United States—is acting in the interest of...

This building, located in the Sarari quarters of Kano, Nigeria, houses Alhassan Dantata & Sons, one of the most notable historical businesses in West Africa. Founded by Alhassan Dantata, a legendary businessman and trader, the company became a symbol of entrepreneurial success in the region. By the 1940s, Dantata had established himself as the richest man in West Africa. The business was involved in diverse ventures, including groundnut buying, building contracting, and transportation. It was also a major supplier to British trading companies operating in Nigeria during the colonial era. One of Dantata’s most famous contributions to Nigeria’s economy was the construction of the Kano Groundnut Pyramids, enormous stacks that could hold approximately 15,000 bags of groundnuts each, representing the height of agricultural trade in Northern Nigeria. The legacy of Alhassan Dantata extends beyond his lifetime. His great-grandson, Aliko Dangote, has inherited the family’s entre...

INTRODUCTION   On December 2, 2025, Christopher Gwabin Musa was nominated by Bola Ahmed Tinubu as Nigeria’s new Minister of Defence. This comes at a critical moment: Nigeria is grappling with a severe security crisis marked by mass kidnappings, insurgency, banditry, and widespread violence across multiple states. The decision to place a former top military officer with direct counter-insurgency experience at the helm of the Defence Ministry has generated hope — but also skepticism. In this article, I examine whether the appointment of Musa gives the Tinubu government a credible chance to “get it right” this time in the war on terror and internal security. WHY MUSA'S APPOINTMENT MATTERS: BACKGROUND & TRACK RECORD  Strong operational credentials Musa served as the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), from 2023 until a military shake-up in October 2025.  Before becoming CDS, he was Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai — the flagship counter-insu...

  By Prof. Usman Yusuf Saturday 29 November 2025 I have seen, lived and benefited from a Nigeria led by patriotic and selfless leaders that cared deeply for the country and its citizens; they managed the country’s diversity and resources with the fear of God.   A few days ago, my friend and I were reminiscing about our good old days in Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria from 1976 to 1982. We remembered coming from all four corners of this beautiful land, from the edges of the Sahara in the north to the creeks of the Niger Delta in the south. Ours was a beautiful mosaic of humanity. Our parents sent us to ABU Zaria to mix with and learn from each other, an experience that has enriched our lives immeasurably.  Fast forward to today’s Nigeria, where there is mayhem and mistrust all across the land. Today, we are told we are enemies because we look, dress, eat, talk, and worship differently. But we that have lived through a better Nigeria know differently, f...

By Samuel Aruwan In the annals of a nation’s history, the spotlight rightly falls on those who have held its highest offices. Yet, to understand the true essence of a leader like General Christopher Gwabin Musa, one must journey back to the sacred soil from which he sprang. It was a soil fertilized by faith, service, and an unwavering commitment to God. His story is a profound testament to the legacy of two remarkable individuals: his parents, Musa Sukwai Gwabin and Asabe Mallam Sabanet, whose own lives were shaped by divine calling and clear destiny. Musa Gwabin was born in Masukwai village in the then Zangon Kataf District on 13th May 1939, just before the outbreak of the Second World War. Asabe Sabanet was born later, on 25th November 1945, in Samaru Atyap, also in Zangon Kataf District, two months after the war ended. Both were born during the reign of Emir Ja’afaru Dan Isyaku, the Emir of Zazzau, who reigned from 1937 to 1959. Their births also fell under the administr...

INTRODUCTION   Banditry has grown into one of Nigeria’s most persistent security challenges, especially across the North-West and parts of the North-Central region. What started as localised disputes over cattle rustling has transformed into a multi-layered criminal economy involving kidnapping for ransom, rural terrorism, illegal taxation, and territorial control. The central question many Nigerians ask is: “When will this end?” While no conflict ends overnight, Nigeria’s trajectory shows that banditry can be significantly reduced — and eventually defeated — when its root causes are addressed alongside effective military, economic, and governance reforms. This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the situation, timelines, solutions, and the realistic path toward ending banditry. 1. Understanding the Nature of Banditry in Nigeria Banditry in Nigeria today is not random crime — it has evolved into an organized system. Key features include: a. Fragment...

1 . The Incident: What Happened According to the Army On 14 November 2025, troops of the Nigerian Army’s 25 Task Force Brigade, led by Brigadier-General M. Uba, were returning from a patrol mission around Wajiroko in Damboa LGA, Borno State, having just conducted an operation near the fringes of the Sambisa Forest.  During the return, the convoy came under a heavy ambush by insurgents, reportedly ISWAP (Islamic State West Africa Province).  In that clash, at least two soldiers and two members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) died.  The Army says that under Brig-Gen. Uba’s leadership, the troops “fought through” the ambush using “superior firepower,” causing the insurgents to withdraw in disarray.  Importantly, the Army denies that Brig-Gen. Uba was ever abducted.  2. The Rumors and Viral Narrative Almost immediately after the incident, viral reports began circulating claiming that Brig-Gen. Uba had been captured by ISWAP.  Some versions o...