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Introduction In Nigeria today, it has become painfully evident that education no longer pays. The irony is loud and clear: a person who has laboured through the grueling academic ladder – first degree, Master’s, and PhD – often finds themselves poorer than someone who sweeps office floors in other African countries. Across Africa and beyond, janitors and cleaners are treated with greater financial dignity than Nigerian scholars. This is not to smear the reputation of the janitors, or ridicule the honest cleaners; rather, it is to highlight the shameful undervaluing of academic excellence in Nigeria. When a PhD holder lives in debt, and a cleaner in South Africa, Kenya, or Ghana lives in dignity, something is tragically wrong with our system. It reveals, in the very depth, the misplacement of priorities in the country, and the endemic corruption that continues to perforate the socio-economic fabric of the Nigerian state.  Table  1 and 2 below reveal frighteningly the dispar...

  The air in Nigeria is thick with tension, a palpable sense of urgency that can no longer be ignored. The courage of the Nigerian youth, long suppressed by endemic corruption and systemic oppression, is now growing louder. As the suffering of the common man escalates, so too does the resolve of a generation determined to reclaim their nation from the hands of the corrupt elite.   A Democratic Revolution Betrayed   In   the recent elections that brought Tinubu to power, young voters faced a stark reality: their votes did not count. This betrayal could have been tolerated if  the status quo had remained merely precarious. However, the abject suffering,  rampant human rights violations, and the total collapse of democratic  institutions have become the last straw. The disillusionment felt by the youth  is not just a fleeting sentiment; it is a rallying cry for change. Reports  indicate that over 40% of  young voters felt disenfranchised...

In a chilling display of power and oppression, the Nigerian government has once again shown its intolerance for dissent, targeting one of its own – a young National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Ushie Rita Uguamaye, popularly known as Raye. Her crime? Speaking out against the harrowing economic reality suffocating the average Nigerian.   Raye’s viral TikTok video laid bare the hardships corps members face under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, exposing the skyrocketing cost of living and the meagre stipend given to NYSC members. From N800 to N6,500 for a crate of eggs, from 100% to 150% call and data hike (see THE CONSPIRACY AGAINST MOBILE NETWORK INTERLOCUTORS )from hope to despair – her lament resonated with millions. However, instead of addressing the concerns of a struggling populace, the government chose intimidation.   The NYSC authorities reportedly sent her threatening messages, compelling her to take down the video. A leaked conversation revealed an offic...

On January 30, 2025, a shocking video made its way onto social media, showing a scene that many Nigerians have sadly come to recognize. A junior soldier was seen beating a young man he accused of wearing an army uniform. As if that was not bad enough, the soldier forced the victim to roll in a pit filled with trash. This ugly display of jungle justice is unfortunately not a rare occurrence; it highlights the ongoing human rights violations that plague our country. You can watch the scene of dehumanization and flaggrant human rights violation below. Yes, the young man may have done something wrong by allegedly wearing military attire – an offence that is punishable under Nigerian law – but there is absolutely no excuse for such brutal violence. This raises an important question: why does the military, which is supposed to protect our nation’s borders and respond to security threats, feel it can treat civilians this way? Such brutality not only goes against the Constitution but also un...

Human rights violations in Nigeria are not confined to isolated incidents; they are often deeply ingrained in the everyday interactions between civilians and those in positions of authority. The abuse of power is frequently on display, especially when military personnel take the law into their own hands, exhibiting arbitrary authority over civilians without consequence. One such incident – witnessed during a journey from Obudu to Ikom in Cross River State – provides a chilling example of how the military, unchecked and emboldened, continues to violate the rights of ordinary citizens. The scene unfolded at a routine army checkpoint along the route. From the outset, it seemed like a simple encounter – one we all encounter as travellers passing through security checks. However, as we waited in the bus, it became evident that something far more disturbing was happening behind the scenes. The commercial driver, without any official order to stop, simply pulled the vehicle over. This, it s...

In the heart of Adamawa State, Nigeria, a harrowing legal saga has unfolded, capturing national and international attention. Sunday Jackson, a farmer and student, now faces the grim prospect of execution—a consequence of a self-defense act that has ignited debates about justice, self-preservation, and systemic biases. The Fateful Encounter In 2015, within the serene confines of Kodomti Community in Numan LGA, Adamawa State, Sunday Jackson was tending to his farm—a routine day that would soon turn perilous. Without warning, Buba Ardo Bawuro, a Fulani herdsman, encroached upon Jackson's land with his cattle plundering his crops, leading to a confrontation. The situation escalated rapidly when Bawuro, armed with a knife, attacked Jackson, inflicting stab wounds to his head and leg. In a desperate bid for survival, Jackson managed to wrest the knife from his assailant and, in the ensuing struggle, fatally wounded Bawuro.  independent.ng Legal Proceedings and Controversial Verdicts The ...