?Geopolitical Briefing: Nigeria
25 May 2025
- Boko Haram’s Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad faction massacres 57 civilians in Borno State; over 70 remain missing.
- Dangote Petrochemicals secures export deal with Vinmar Group, marking Nigeria’s entry into the global polypropylene market.
- President Tinubu receives APC endorsement for 2027 re-election amid economic reforms and rising domestic discontent.
- Nigeria designates telecom infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure, partnering with NSCDC for enhanced protection.
- International aid cuts threaten maternal healthcare services in northeast Nigeria, exacerbating humanitarian crisis.(AP News, Reuters, Reuters, Digital Watch Observatory, The Guardian)
On 19 May 2025, militants from Boko Haram’s Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad faction launched a brutal attack on the villages of Mallam Karamti and Kwatandashi in Borno State, resulting in at least 57 fatalities and over 70 individuals reported missing. Survivors recounted that the assailants accused locals of collaborating with rival group ISWAP before executing victims in the surrounding bushland. This incident underscores the persistent threat posed by insurgent groups in northeastern Nigeria, highlighting ongoing challenges to national security and the need for enhanced regional cooperation to restore stability. (AP News, The Times of India)
Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals announced on 22 May 2025 a strategic partnership with global distributor Vinmar Group to export polypropylene produced at its newly inaugurated $2 billion petrochemical plant in Lagos. With an annual production capacity of 830,000 metric tonnes, the facility positions Nigeria as a significant player in the global petrochemical industry. This development not only aims to meet domestic demand—currently reliant on imports—but also to establish Nigeria as a net exporter, enhancing economic diversification and reducing dependency on foreign goods. (Reuters)
The All Progressives Congress (APC) officially endorsed President Bola Tinubu for re-election in the 2027 presidential race during a summit held on 22 May 2025. The party lauded Tinubu’s economic reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidies and currency liberalization, citing them as catalysts for revitalizing Nigeria’s economy. However, these measures have also led to a significant cost-of-living crisis, drawing criticism from various sectors. Despite security challenges and economic hardships, the APC’s endorsement reflects a consolidation of political power, potentially impacting Nigeria’s political landscape and its approach to governance and reform. (Reuters)
In response to escalating vandalism and theft of telecommunications infrastructure, the Nigerian government declared telecom assets as Critical National Information Infrastructure on 25 May 2025. Subsequently, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between IHS Nigeria and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to bolster the protection of over 16,000 telecom towers and 15,000 kilometers of fiber optic cables. This initiative aims to safeguard the nation’s digital infrastructure, ensuring uninterrupted communication services vital for economic activities and national security. (Digital Watch Observatory)
Significant reductions in international aid are jeopardizing maternal healthcare services in northeast Nigeria, particularly in regions affected by Boko Haram insurgency. Clinics providing essential services such as antenatal care and support for sexual abuse victims are facing closures due to funding shortfalls. With Nigeria accounting for nearly a third of global maternal deaths in 2023, the withdrawal of aid exacerbates an already dire humanitarian situation, underscoring the need for sustainable healthcare solutions and increased domestic investment in public health infrastructure. (The Guardian)
