General News
10 Challenges Facing Buhari
President Muhammdau Buhari faces a tough battle to diversify an economy reliant on oil and hampered by terrorism and endemic corruption. Buhari won the 2015 election as a self-described “converted democrat,”took over from Goodluck Jonathan.
However, it’s not the first time he has led the Nigeria—he ruled as dictator between 1983 and 1985, after taking power in a coup.
But below are some of the top challenges the new leader of Africa’s most populous nation faces:
1. Too much oil, not enough fuel
The crisis caused this week by fuel shortages will make this the topmost item in Gen Buhari’s in-tray, but the problems in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry are more fundamental.
Nigeria is among the top 10 oil producers in the world and Africa’s leader, pumping 2.5 million barrels of oil out of the ground every day.
It is also one of the leading importers of petroleum products because its four refineries have long been run down through corruption and mismanagement, leading to an inefficient and wasteful subsidy system behind the regular fuel shortages.
Gen Buhari must find ways to divert the wasteful fuel-import subsidies into refurbishment of Nigeria’s oil refineries and sell some government stakes to bring in foreign investment and technical know-how.
2. Powered by generators
The fuel shortages this week exposed another chronic energy security problem in Nigeria: the country is powered by generators. A regular soundtrack to the hum and din of Nigeria’s cities is the diesel symphony of millions of generators purring away, powering everything from lights to water pumps to air conditioning units.
A quick solution to more stable power supply is to set up heavy thermal power plants fed by the country’s oil, but the power grid is in need of refurbishment and investment.
Official figures show that Nigeria requires about 40,000 megawatts of electricity for its population of more than 100 million.
It only produces a little more than 3,000 megawatts and this dropped to less than 1,200 megawatts during the recent crisis as 18 out of the 23 power stations were forced to shut down for lack of fuel.
3. Boko Haram Inc.
The high level of insecurity since 2009 had become worrisome, starting with the menace of Niger Delta militant groups, but the Boko Haram insurgents in the north east have turned insecurity into a national crisis with terror attacks across the country.
As a Muslim leader from the north and with a military background, Gen Buhari has the credentials to get the Nigerian military back into fighting shape and seize the initiative against the insurgents, who have killed upwards of 10,000 people in a few years.
Rescuing the 200 girls captured from Chibok will be a psychological victory, but stamping out extremist views will take a lot more firepower and smarter anti-radicalisation policies.
4.Corruption
Many Nigerians complain about being stereotyped over corruption, and with some merit; you are more likely to be hacked by a Bulgarian or Russian gang.
However, Gen Buhari acknowledges that corruption is a big problem in Nigeria, as does Transparency International, which ranks only 39 countries out of 175 as being more corrupt than Nigeria.
Gen Buhari has promised a crackdown, but as a civilian leader, he is unlikely to resort to the executions he ordered against corrupt officials in his 20 months in office as a military dictator from 1983.
A good place to start is the $20 billion that former Nigeria Central Bank Governor Sanusi Lamido said was stolen from the country’s oil revenue account. The figure is contested; the extent of graft is not.
5. Education’s missing children
As with many African countries, Nigeria’s public education system is wobbling under large numbers, poor policies, poorly paid teachers, and poor facilities. Many move their children to the mushrooming and expensive private schools as soon as they can afford it. Most of the country’s 69 federal and state universities and institutions of higher learning are full.
Of the more than 1.4 million qualified candidates who write the matriculation examination yearly, fewer than 230,000, or less than two in 10, are placed.
6. No jobs
Thanks to the high drop-out rate, an education system that produces graduates ill-suited to the job market, and an economy growing without producing enough jobs, unemployment has been on the rise in Nigeria for many years.
This has been exacerbated by the lack of deliberate job-creation programmes; a high cost of doing business that has forced the relocation of industries, and non-payment of contractors.
The unemployment figure has been put at between 20 million and 24 million – about the entire combined population of Benin, Gambia, Gabon and Togo.
7. National debt
When the previous government took power, it inherited zero national debt. It leaves the country with more than $30 billion debt, according to Finance minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
This debt is likely to expand further as the government invests in energy and transport infrastructure, but Gen Buhari must make earlier investments work to provide the tax revenue the government needs to repay its creditors.
8. Big economy, small base
Gen Buhari needs to find a way to wean Nigeria off oil and gas which account for more than 90 per cent of the total export revenues and 70 per cent of the tax revenues.
The recent slump in world crude oil prices has hit Nigeria’s tax revenues, export earnings and national reserves hard, and contributed to the Naira sliding from N160 to N221 to the dollar since November 2014.
To cure Nigeria’s Dutch disease, Gen Buhari must force through reforms to attract investments in the agricultural, services and manufacturing sector. The new government must use oil as the means to, not the end of, economic growth.
9. Big country, bloated government
Gen Buhari must find ways to cut down the size and cost of public administration. A mismatch between revenues and expenditures has seen 28 out of the 36 states fail or struggle to pay salaries.
Some 70 per cent of the Nigeria’s budget is devoted to recurrent expenditure, most of it wages. Although the country presently has 42 ministers for its 22 ministries, these are swollen by large retinues of aides, assistants and other political appointees.
In a megalomaniac society such as Nigeria, it is hard to think of a lean and efficient government, yet that is precisely what the country needs to work its way out of its difficulties.
10. Sleeping African giant
Finally, the Gen Buhari administration must take Nigeria’s rightful place alongside South Africa at the head of the African table. The country has long punched below its weight on continental issues.
With South Africa showing signs of uncertainty and hamstrung by a xenophobic outlook by some of its people towards the rest of the continent, Nigeria has an opportunity to emerge as the leader among African nations.
With the right diplomatic outreach in Ecowas, SADC and the East African Community, Gen Buhari might find that his election as President of Nigeria gives him a platform to shape continental policy. Africa is watching him and his government.
Max Air is set for resumption of service, two months after suspending flight operations due to a tyre burst incident involving one of its aircraft at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano.
A statement by the airline’s management said that the carrier would resume flight services on March 21, 2025.
When the airline suspended operations in January, it said that it would close domestic operations for three months.
With this, the airline was expected to resume in April.
However, the airline in a statement on Monday, said that its resumption was due to a successful operational evaluation, adding that this strategic pause allowed it to reinforce its commitment to safety, compliance and operational excellence.
The statement added: ‘During this period, we worked closely with aviation authorities to ensure that all statutory requirements were met, while enhancing our service delivery standards.
“As we return to the skies, passengers can expect improved travel experiences, increased efficiency, and the unwavering hospitality that Max Air is known for. We sincerely appreciate the patience and support of our valued customers during the temporary suspension.”
Max Air, had in January, suspended its domestic flight operations, following a tyre burst incident involving one of its aircraft in Kano.
The affected Boeing 737-400 aircraft, with registration number 5N-MBD, suffered a tyre burst while landing at MAKIA at about 10:51 p.m. on 28 January 2025.
Although all 53 passengers on board were evacuated safely, the aircraft was temporarily grounded before the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), reopened the runway the next day.
During the suspension period, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) said that it would conduct a comprehensive safety and economic audit of the airline.
Mr. Michael Achimugu, director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, NCAA, in a statement released to the media, also stated that the regulatory body would support the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau’s (NSIB) probe while also conducting its own assessment of the airline.
He noted that the NCAA was already carrying out an organisational risk assessment for all scheduled airlines, including Max Air, before the latest incident.
“However, as a result of this incident, Max Air is suspending its domestic flight operations for three months, effective from midnight on 31 January 2025, to allow for an internal review of its operations.
“The safety audit will involve a re-inspection of Max Air’s organisation, procedures, personnel, and aircraft, as specified by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations,” Achimugu had said.
He added that the economic audit would assess the airline’s financial health to ensure it can sustain safe flight operations.
Africa’s gaming industry generated $1 billion in revenue in 2024, according to the 2025 Africa Games Industry report, published by KPMG in collaboration with Maliyo Games, highlighting efforts to digitize African culture through gaming.
The collaboration aims to improve the gaming industry in Nigeria by incorporating African culture into digital games.
Nigeria is Africa’s fastest-growing gaming market with revenue reaching $185 million in 2022. The country is positioned to play a central role in the continent’s gaming industry, and the report provides insights into the market’s evolution over the last 12 to 18 months.
Lawrence Amadi, partner, Tech Assurance, KPMG West Africa, speaking during the launch at the KPMG Tower in Lagos, recently, captured key developments in the industry and how gaming could be tailored to reflect African culture.
“Some of us may be familiar with Nintendo and Xbox, but what we are doing with this report is different. We are seeing the emergence of games that are custom-built for our culture. Games like WatKing and Downpour Drivers feature elements that people on the continent can relate to. This makes gaming more meaningful, and that is why this partnership is important,” he said.
Also emphasising the significance of the partnership, Amadi added, “The collaboration you see here brings KPMG and Maliyo Games together. Maliyo is a leading game development company in Africa, and we’ve chosen to partner with them because it is important to work with an industry front-runner.”
Hugo Obi, founder and CEO of Maliyo Games, highlighted the importance of developing games that resonate with African audiences.
“We are a mobile game development company based in Lagos, focused on creating African-inspired games. We take the games we play traditionally and digitize them. This is important because the games industry generates more revenue than the music and film industries combined,” Obi said.
He added that Africa generated $1 billion in gaming revenue in 2024. “That is how much money people are spending on games. And when I say games, I am not talking about gambling but the kind of games people play casually. The ability to create and develop games locally is important for economic growth,” he noted.
Obi also spoke about Maliyo’s collaboration with Disney to develop Watch Rising Chef, a cooking game centered around African cuisine. “Your family members abroad can now prepare jollof rice, fried chicken, and plantain on their mobile phones or tablets,” he said
He stressed the importance of building a gaming industry that is recognised and understood. “This industry is not mainstream yet. Many people play games, but very few understand how they are made or their economic impact. By partnering with KPMG, we aim to mainstream this knowledge and make it accessible,” he noted.
Beyond economic benefits, gaming also has positive social impacts. Obi pointed out that games enhance cognitive skills, problem-solving abilities, and social connections.
“Gaming is a form of entertainment that brings joy to players. In a world where people are constantly working and dealing with stress, gaming offers a form of escapism,” he added.
He also addressed misconceptions about gaming demographics. “Many assume that gaming is for children, but the data suggests otherwise. The average gamer is 18 years and 37 years old, male and female.
“This is because gaming devices are often registered under parents’ names. People of all ages engage in gaming, and there are different games for different age groups,” Obi said.
Jumia, pan-African e-commerce platform, has launched its highly anticipated annual ‘Tech Week’ campaign, bringing consumers amazing deals on the latest gadgets and smart devices.
Under the theme “Future is in Your Hands,” this year’s campaign is designed to inspire Nigerians to embrace cutting-edge technology and innovation. Running from March 17th to March 30th, 2025, the campaign offers millions of customers access to unbeatable discounts on a wide range of tech essentials, including smartphones, laptops, home appliances, and entertainment systems.
In partnership with leading global and local brands such as Xiaomi, Oraimo, Binatone, Itel, SilverCrest, Ecoflow, Tecno, Realme, Skyrun, Century Appliances, Hisense, PZ Cussons, Unilever and Nivea, Jumia is committed to ensuring a seamless shopping experience with the best deals on high-quality tech products.
“We’re excited to present Jumia Tech Week 2025, a platform to enable Nigerians to have access to high-quality devices. With the rapid growth in digital adoption across the country, this campaign is designed to put the latest innovations within reach, helping customers stay connected, productive, and entertained. Our strategic partnerships with top brands allow us to deliver premium products at the best prices, making tech upgrades accessible to all,” said Sunil Natraj, CEO, Jumia Nigeria.
Commenting on the partnership with Jumia for Tech Week, Sylvie Zeng, Head of E-Commerce, Xiaomi, said “Xiaomi is focused on bringing cutting-edge technology to everyone, and Jumia Tech Week 2025 is the ultimate opportunity to experience our diverse range of innovative products at unbeatable prices.
“From the high-performance Poco series to the reliable and stylish Redmi smartphones, and a wide selection of AIoT devices designed to enhance your smart home, Xiaomi offers powerful, beautifully crafted technology for every need. This Tech Week, don’t miss out on the best deals to upgrade your lifestyle with Xiaomi, exclusively on Jumia!”
With over 142 million active internet subscribers reported in January 2025, Nigeria continues to witness an accelerated digital transformation. Jumia Tech Week caters to this dynamic shift, offering consumers a trusted platform to explore and acquire the latest tech essentials conveniently.
Beyond amazing discounts, Jumia Tech Week 2025 features exclusive flash sales, brand days, exciting giveaways, and interactive games throughout the campaign. Consumers can enjoy a seamless online shopping experience with secure payment options and pay-on-delivery services, ensuring accessibility for all.
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