Tensions are rising between the U.S. and Nigeria after President Donald Trump accused the Nigerian government of failing to protect Christians from Islamist militant attacks and ordered the U.S. military to prepare for possible action. Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has rejected the claims, defending the country’s commitment to religious freedom and calling the accusations politically driven. Joining us to break this down is Dr. Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Media and Policy Communication, and he is also the official spokesperson for the president. We’ll unpack the facts behind the accusations, the government’s response, and what this could mean for democracy, security, and diplomacy across West Africa and beyond.
The United Nations Human Rights Office raised fresh alarms about mounting atrocities in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur. According to UN spokesperson Seif Magango, shocking new details are emerging following the Rapid Support Forces’ takeover of the city.
Survivors describe summary executions, mass killings, rape, looting, and attacks on aid workers—all committed in the aftermath of the RSF’s offensive. The UN estimates that hundreds of civilians and defenseless fighters may have been killed. Humanitarian responders, including doctors and volunteers, are also being targeted and detained. To shed light on this escalating humanitarian disaster, we’re joined by Ibrahim Aldama, a Sudanese analyst based in the United States, who has firsthand information and deep connections on the ground.
Hundreds of protesters have taken to the streets in Tanzania for a second straight day, following a disputed election that has plunged the nation into unrest. Amnesty International reports that at least two people have died as demonstrations spread across Dar es Salaam and other cities.
The government has responded by shutting down the internet, imposing a curfew, and deploying the military to restore order. Wednesday’s vote saw the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) — in power since independence in 1961 — move to extend its dominance. Joining me live is a seasoned journalist, Abdu Shakur Abudu, a veteran journalist and former colleague at the Voice of America, who is following these developments closely
Ballot counting is underway in the Ivory Coast after voters went to the polls Saturday in a tense and disputed presidential election. President Alassane Ouattara, 83, is seeking a controversial fourth term—despite widespread backlash, opposition disqualifications, and a muted turnout in key urban areas. To unpack what’s at stake, I’m joined by a returning guest and friend of this program, Dr. Gnaka Lagoke, an Associate Professor of History, Philosophy, and Religion at Lincoln University and a respected voice on Ivorian and African politics.
Dr. Lagoke has been sounding the alarm for years about what he calls “constitutional coups” and the erosion of democratic norms in West Africa.
Kenya is mourning the passing of former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga, who has died at the age of 80 while receiving treatment in India. For over four decades, Raila stood at the heart of Kenya’s political story — a freedom fighter, reformist, and one of the most consequential figures in the nation’s democratic journey. To help us reflect on Raila Odinga’s enduring legacy, his political journey, and what his death means for Kenya’s democracy and the region, I’m joined live from Nairobi by Professor Macharia Munene, a respected historian and scholar of international relations at the United States International University–Africa (USIU).
Nairobi, Kenya – Former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga, a towering and indefatigable figure in Kenya’s political landscape, has died at the age of 80, family sources told Ndiho Media.
Mr. Odinga passed away on Wednesday at Devamatha Hospital in India after suffering a cardiac arrest during a morning walk. Doctors said he was unresponsive to resuscitation efforts and was declared dead at 09:52 local time.
A master political strategist, Odinga was both admired and polarizing — a lifelong crusader for democracy, social justice, and national unity. Born in western Kenya, he was the son of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Kenya’s first vice president. His political life was defined by resilience and sacrifice, including years spent in detention under Daniel Arap Moi’s regime for opposing one-party rule.
Odinga ran for president five times, each race leaving a mark on the country’s democratic journey. His 2007 election dispute with Mwai Kibaki plunged Kenya into its worst post-independence crisis, which ended with a power-sharing deal that made him Prime Minister. His 2017 legal challenge led to the historic annulment of a presidential election — a first in Africa.
He was affectionately called “Baba,” “Agwambo,” and “Tinga” by his loyal supporters, revered as both a symbol of resistance and a father figure to Kenya’s pro-democracy movement.
President William Ruto and former President Uhuru Kenyatta led tributes, calling him a statesman whose death “leaves a silence that echoes across our nation.” Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed him as “a cherished friend of India.”
Raila Odinga is survived by his wife, Ida Odinga, and their children. His passing leaves a deep void in Kenya’s public life — a reminder of a man who embodied the country’s long, unfinished journey toward democracy.
When Australia’s government announced plans to ban smartphones for kids under 16, I couldn’t help but think about how different our reality is here in Africa. The news sparked heated debates across our continent about whether smartphones belong in our classrooms. Trust me, this isn’t just another policy discussion – it’s about the future of an entire generation.
I found myself speaking with journalist Sheila Ndikumana on SABC’s “African Diaries” radio show. I was miles away, but the studio felt charged with energy as we tackled the question that’s dividing parents, teachers, and policymakers: Should we ban smartphones in schools?
Here’s what I told Sheila and her global audience: Africa can’t afford to fall behind while the world moves forward. While critics worry about distractions and mental health – valid concerns, I admit – they’re missing a crucial point. For millions of African students, smartphones are more than just luxury gadgets or toys. They’re the only computers these kids will ever own.
Think about it. A teenager in rural Uganda or Ghana holding a smartphone has the same access to information as a student in New York or Tokyo. That’s not an exaggeration – it’s the reality that could transform our continent. Access to technology and smartphones has become an opportunity for employers.
The Digital Bridge
Let me paint you a picture. Across Africa, I’ve met young innovators who taught themselves coding on secondhand Android phones. In Lagos, I watched a 19-year-old create a mobile app that helps local farmers check market prices. In Nairobi, a group of students built a platform connecting tutors with struggling classmates. In Uganda, the SchoolPay platform has changed the way parents and students pay for their tuition. These aren’t isolated success stories – they’re glimpses of what’s possible when we embrace technology instead of fearing it.
The numbers back this up. Recent data shows that 65% of online learners in Sub-Saharan Africa access their courses through smartphones and tablets – the highest percentage globally. In Nigeria alone, 76% of learners use mobile devices for education. This isn’t just about convenience; it’s about necessity.
Critics often point to studies from countries like Norway and Finland showing improved academic performance after banning phones. But here’s what they’re missing: those countries already have computers in every classroom, reliable internet, and well-trained teachers. Their students aren’t relying on phones as their primary source of knowledge.
Africa’s Tech Leap
We’ve seen this story before. Africa skipped landlines and went straight to mobile phones. We pioneered mobile money while other continents were still writing checks. Now, we’re poised to leapfrog traditional education models, too.
The smartphone represents our chance to democratize learning. It can be a library for villages without books, a science lab for schools without equipment, and a creative studio for budding artists who can’t afford expensive software.
Of course, we need to address the real concerns. Cyberbullying, distraction, and mental health issues aren’t trivial. But banning phones? That’s like banning books because some people read inappropriate content. The solution isn’t prohibition – it’s education.
Teaching Digital Wisdom
What we need is digital discipline. Schools should establish clear guidelines for responsible phone use instead of imposing outright bans. Parents and teachers must work together to set boundaries. Most importantly, we need to teach digital ethics, media literacy, and online safety as core parts of our curriculum.
I shared a story with Sheila that still resonates with me. Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, once told students that if he had kids, he’d prioritize teaching them to code over multiple languages. That stuck with me. When I got home, I introduced my two daughters to technology early – not for endless scrolling, but for creation and learning. Today, they navigate digital tools confidently and even write simple code. They’re growing up in a world where tech fluency is as essential as reading or math.
The Stakes Are High
Here’s the truth: Africa cannot afford to lock away the tools that could shape our future. Smartphones connect young Africans to global conversations, provide access to online education, and equip them with skills for tomorrow’s job market. Removing them from schools would widen the digital divide, not close it.
As I told the SABC audience, our goal shouldn’t be controlling technology but empowering students to use it wisely. If we deny them access now, we risk raising a generation that’s digitally illiterate in a world run by code and connectivity.
Africa’s young people deserve the same opportunities to innovate, compete, and contribute globally. The future is already digital – and it’s already in their hands. The question isn’t whether we should take it away, but how we can help them use it to build the Africa we all want to see.
The future isn’t something that happens to us – it’s something we create. And right now, that future is sitting in our students’ pockets, waiting to be unlocked.
Ethiopia and Eritrea are once again walking a dangerous line between fragile peace and open conflict. In a letter to UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos accused Eritrea of “actively preparing to wage war” and collaborating with armed groups opposed to the government in Addis Ababa. Eritrea has not commented publicly, but the accusation marks the sharpest deterioration in relations between the two countries since their 2018 peace deal.
“No shots have been fired, at least not yet,” I said in a recent analysis. “But the rhetoric has hardened, the positions have deepened, and the specter of war is once again haunting a region that has already endured decades of bloodshed.”
The roots of this tension go deep. After a 30-year struggle, Eritrea gained independence from Ethiopia in 1993. The joy of liberation quickly gave way to border disputes, culminating in a brutal war from 1998 to 2000 that killed tens of thousands. The Algiers Agreement brought an end to fighting, but the border remained unsettled. For nearly two decades, both countries lived in a cold peace—neither allies nor enemies.
That changed in 2018 when Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed reached out to Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki. The two men signed a landmark peace agreement, reopening embassies and borders. “I remember people boarding Ethiopian flights and meeting loved ones on the tarmac,” I recalled. “For a moment, it felt like the region had finally turned a page.” Abiy went on to win the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts.
But peace in the Horn of Africa can be fleeting. Just a year later, Ethiopia was engulfed in civil war with the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). Eritrea, once an enemy, became Abiy’s ally. The conflict claimed hundreds of thousands of lives and left deep scars. Eritrean troops were accused of some of the worst atrocities, particularly in the ancient city of Aksum. Although a peace deal in 2022 halted major fighting, Eritrea was not a party to the agreement, and tensions soon resurfaced.
At the center of the current dispute is Ethiopia’s desire for access to the sea. Landlocked since Eritrea’s independence, Ethiopia relies on Djibouti for its trade. Abiy has argued that his country has a “right” to Red Sea access, calling it a matter of national survival. Eritrea, which controls the ports of Assab and Massawa, sees that language as a direct threat. “From Asmara’s point of view, Ethiopia’s talk of accessing the Red Sea is not diplomacy—it’s an existential threat,” I said.
If this fragile peace collapses, the consequences could be devastating. The Horn of Africa, already strained by wars in Sudan and Somalia, could face another wave of displacement and instability. The Red Sea, a vital global shipping route, could also become a new front line.
“The Red Sea doesn’t have to become a battlefield,” I said. “It could be a bridge—a shared artery of trade and connection. But that will only happen if both sides stop seeing each other as threats and start seeing themselves as neighbors with intertwined destinies.”
Paul Ndiho is a multimedia journalist and founder of Ndiho Media, covering African innovation, politics, and global affairs.
In a world where technology is redefining education, one Nigerian school is making waves. Glisten International Academy, based in Abuja, has established itself as a model for integrating STEM and robotics into everyday learning. Earlier this year, the school proudly represented Nigeria at the VEX Robotics World Championship in Dallas, Texas — the world’s largest robotics competition, featuring over 24,000 students from more than 60 countries.
For Abba Saidu, the Executive Director of Glisten International Academy, this journey has been about much more than building robots. “We’ve been running the school for 17 years, and technology has always been at the heart of what we do,” Saidu told Ndiho Media. “From the start, we wanted our students to have the skills and mindset for the future — to think, create, and solve problems.”
Saidu, who describes himself as a mentor and basketball enthusiast, says his motivation stems from a deep desire to see young Nigerians thrive in the technology sector. “When I see a four or five-year-old light up while building something, it melts my heart,” he said. “We’re not just teaching; we’re nurturing problem solvers.”
At the Dallas competition, Glisten’s students competed in multiple categories, representing Nigeria with three teams — from elementary to high school. “It was a life-changing experience,” Saidu recalled. “Imagine the Olympics, but for robots — countries from around the world, cheering, collaborating, and learning from one another. It showed our students that innovation has no borders.”
Saidu believes that robotics education is the key to unlocking Africa’s technological future. “We focus on robotics because we’ve seen its power,” he explained. “It teaches teamwork, coding, and creativity. These students are building robots today, but they’re really building confidence for tomorrow.”
Looking ahead, Saidu says the academy is investing heavily in makerspaces — hands-on innovation labs that let students design, test, and build. “We’ve changed the way students think,” he said. “From coding to AI to drones, they’re exploring technologies that will shape Nigeria’s future.”
For Glisten International Academy, it’s not just about winning medals — it’s about inspiring a generation. As Saidu put it, “Even if we take baby steps, every small effort helps close the gap between Africa and the rest of the world.”
Imagine spotting the next great African entrepreneur before the world takes notice. That’s precisely what 27-year-old Moroccan investor Aya Zaghnin is doing — channeling her capital, time, and passion into early-stage startups that are tackling some of Africa’s toughest challenges. In an exclusive conversation with Ndiho Media, she reflected on her path from founder to investor, and why she believes Africa’s future rests on the shoulders of its boldest innovators. Zaghnin’s journey into investing began with her own entrepreneurial leap. At just 18, she launched her first startup. It didn’t last, but instead of discouraging her, the experience lit a new fire. “The startup is no more because of some issues that I had with early-stage investors,” she explained. “But that encouraged me more to be on the investor side.” Determined to learn the ropes, she worked at a venture capital fund that focused on the Middle East and Africa before branching out independently. Today, she manages a personal portfolio of six companies, each carefully chosen not only for their financial benefits, but also for their ability to drive meaningful impact.
What often surprises people is how a woman in her twenties can finance investments that typically range from $10,000 to $50,000. For Aya, the answer is relentless determination. “Investment for me is a goal. It’s a financial goal. So, what I do is get a job whenever I want to invest. I work plus hours and I work on the weekends in order to finance my investments.” Her sweet spot is between $20,000 and $30,000, but she insists that money alone doesn’t drive her choices. She looks for real entrepreneurs with a genuine commitment to solving real problems at the bottom of the pyramid, focusing on sectors she knows best: fintech, agri-tech, health tech, and supply chain. One of her proudest investments is in Village Farms, a Nigerian agri-tech startup. After advising its founders for a year, she invested and helped them secure an additional $500,000 in funding. The impact has been tangible. Beyond growing its business, the company has also supported healthcare and education initiatives for smallholder farmers, demonstrating that the right investment can have a far-reaching impact that extends far beyond financial returns. For Zaghnin, angel investing is also about collaboration. She strongly believes in the power of African youth to pool their resources and make a greater impact together, especially as millennials and Gen Z increasingly seek ways to shape the continent’s future. “It takes a lot of commitment. It takes a lot of hard work, and it also requires a lot of patience, as you will be immersed in their problems. Whenever they’re happy, you’re happy. Whenever they’re really sad, a lot of problems would be your problems as well.” Her long-term vision is as ambitious as it is inspiring: to visit all 54 countries in Africa and invest in at least one startup in each of them. “I truly believe in the potential of all the 54 countries,” she said with conviction. It’s this belief — that Africa’s future lies in its innovators — that drives her every move. At just 27, Aya Zaghnin isn’t simply writing checks. She’s building a legacy of trust, mentorship, and belief in African talent, one startup at a time.
“Hello and welcome to Different Perspectives, where we explore bold ideas and the individuals behind them. I’m Paul Ndiho. In a world filled with constant headlines and quick takes, it’s easy to believe we have the complete picture. But what if we’re only seeing one side of the story?
Today, we are highlighting Aya Zaghnin, a 27-year-old Moroccan angel investor who is investing in Africa’s future by supporting startups before they attract global attention. From launching her own company at 18 to investing her time and money in emerging founders across the continent, Aya is part of a new generation transforming how innovation is funded in Africa. Her journey exemplifies grit, resilience, and vision—proof that you don’t have to wait until you’re wealthy or established to make a difference.”
Ndiho Media,LLC. 