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WHEN A CLEANER EARNS MORE THAN A PHD HOLDER: THE NIGERIAN EDUCATION SCAM

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...

ECCE HOMO (BEHOLD THE MAN): THE MIGHTIEST OF THEM ALL

"I know my fate. One day my name will be associated with the memory of something tremendous." – Friedrich Nietzsche, Ecce Homo Behold, humanity—the apex predator of history, the cosmic artisan, the harbinger of both creation and annihilation. We are not the passive recipients of divine decrees, but the architects of fate itself. Homo sapiens—the species that tamed fire, split the atom and, now, plays God in laboratories of genetic engineering and artificial intelligence . The ancient sages whispered of mankind’s dominion over the earth, but even they could not fathom the scale of our conquest. We have rewritten the script of nature, bending the elements to our will, transforming deserts into metropolises, and summoning lightning at the flick of a switch. What were once the whispers of gods in myth are now the commands of mortals in computer code . From Bare Hands to Boundless Power For millennia, power was measured in sinew and steel. We carved homes from the wild...

THE AKPOTI THORN IN THE AKPABIO FLESH - ONE ACCUSATION TOO RARE

  Power, when unchecked, breeds impunity; but sometimes, all it takes is a single thorn to pierce the flesh of a seemingly untouchable force. In the hallowed chambers of Nigeria’s Senate, where power is often bartered in whispers and handshakes, a tempest erupted—one that neither tradition nor intimidation could silence. (It may interest you to read: The Mightiest of Them all , which depicts the boundless power of man, or, should we say woman, to do and undo.) Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, a woman whose name now echoes across continents, hurled an accusation that cut through the political theatre like a sharpened blade. Her target? None other than Senate President Godswill Akpabio, a master of political survival, a man whose influence is woven into the very fabric of Nigerian governance. What transpired behind the closed doors of Akpabio’s Uyo residence remains shrouded in allegations and counter-narratives, but Natasha’s claim of sexual harassment was more than a personal g...

NIGERIA’S SHACKLED USHIE RITA UGUAMAYE: THE PRICE OF FREE SPEECH IN THE TINUBU GOVERNMENT

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...

BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA: ATTEMPTING TO SILENCE THE AKPOTI VOICE

The Anatomy of Power and Rebellion Throughout history, power has sought obedience, and where it finds resistance, it seeks eradication. The clash between oppression and defiance is as ancient as governance itself. In the heart of Nigeria’s political theatre, this timeless struggle is playing out once more—a calculated attempt to erase the voice of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from the Senate, the political space, and ultimately, from the consciousness of the people she represents. But power, like the ocean, is both fluid and formidable. Those who seek to wield it often mistake momentary control for permanence. And yet, the defiant ones—those who refuse to kneel—are the ones history remembers. Today, the battleground is Kogi Central, where the tides of political intrigue are clashing violently, threatening to drown truth beneath waves of deception. The Art of Political Assassination Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is no stranger to controversy. Her journey in politics has bee...

THE UNCONSTITUTIONAL UNDERLINING OF THE EMERGENCY DECLARATION IN RIVERS STATE

In an unprecedented display of executive overreach, President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a State of Emergency in Rivers State has ignited a constitutional firestorm. The move, described by former House of Representatives member Dr. Fara Dagogo as a slap on the Constitution , has been met with national and international condemnation. From legal scholars to opposition governors, the outcry has been deafening, as the President’s actions flout the fundamental principles of democracy and the rule of law. The Constitutional Crisis at Hand At the heart of this controversy lies Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended ) , which explicitly outlines the circumstances under which a state of emergency may be declared. According to Dr. Dagogo ( as reported by The Guardian ), a state of emergency may only be declared if: -              the Governor, with a two-thirds majority of the State House of Assembly, request...

LAGOS, Armageddon

LAGOS, Armageddon The air was thick with humidity, the familiar Lagos haze settling over the street like an unwanted blanket. Then, it began – not with an explosion, but with noise. A deafening mix of honking horns, frustrated shouts, and the sharp screech of tires locked in a desperate battle for space on a road already bursting at the seams. In an instant, the scene unravelled into chaos. A motorcycle darted recklessly through a sea of pedestrians, narrowly missing a woman struggling to balance a basket overflowing with ripe tomatoes. A danfo bus, its brakes groaning in agony, jerked to a stop just inches from a sputtering roadside generator. Nearby, a street vendor’s cart, piled high with colourful fabrics, wobbled dangerously before tipping over – its vibrant contents spilling unceremoniously into a clogged, stinking gutter. Then came the fight. A clash of tempers and fists, fuelled by the suffocating heat and sheer frustration of the moment. Angry voices rose, bodies tensed, hand...

JUNGLE JUSTICE AND THE MILITARY: A CALL FOR ACCOUNTABILITY IN NIGERIA

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...

IS MARRIAGE ON ITS DEATHBED?

    Marriage, once the bedrock of human civilization, now faces an existential crisis. While it still holds significance for many, an increasing number of people question its relevance in today’s world. The rapid evolution of societal norms, economic hardships, and shifting cultural expectations has placed marriage under immense strain, leaving many to wonder whether the institution will survive in its traditional form. 1. The Shifting Sands of Gender Roles Traditional gender roles that once defined marriage have become increasingly fluid. While the rise of feminism and gender equality have empowered individuals, they have also disrupted long-standing marital expectations. The idea of a sole breadwinner and a stay-at-home spouse is largely outdated, yet many couples struggle to navigate this new landscape of shared responsibilities. When neither partner is willing to conform to old norms, and no clear framework replaces them, conflict arises. The struggle for balance and ...

A Growing Pattern of Abuse: Military Checkpoints and the Erosion of Human Rights in Nigeria

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...