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...