DEMOCRACY Democracy is a liberal political order as well as a utopia and a far-reaching promise. Our projects promote conditions conducive to accountabilitiy, transparency and public participation with the aim of keeping democracy alive and developing it. Publications #EndSARS: How We Found and Lost Our Voices Comment Nigeria has rarely spoken with one voice, but the relentless police brutality has given this new generation the opportunity to find their voice, loud and determined. By Abubakar Adam Ibrahim Beyond #EndSARS: The Movement Toward Change Must Leave No One Behind Comment Sixty years from now, it may be said that the revolution in Nigeria finally happened via Twitter and Instagram in 2020. Dr. Temilade Sesan explores what it needs to get there. By Dr. Temilade Sesan #EndSARS: A Turning Point in Nigeria’s Politics? Interview Abiodun Baiyewu, Executive Director of Global Rights Nigeria, shares her thoughts and reflections on the #EndSARS protests and their meaning for Nigerian politics. The #EndSARS Protests Might Be the Birth of a New Nigeria Comment The recent protests under the #EndSARS movement may be an indication of a new political era as young people find their voices and the courage to demand better governance. By Mark Amaza How the Pandemic Kickstarted a Health Tech Renaissance in Nigeria Analysis Covid-19 has accelerated innovation in the Nigerian health tech sector, providing opportunities for growth in an industry that has typically lacked investment, government endorsement, and attention. By Ayodeji Rotinwa Tackling hate speech requires the protection of freedom of expression Analysis In a digitalized and increasingly polarised world, questions about how to protect freedom of expression online while curbing hate speech and online abuse, are at the centre of discussions about human rights protection. By Patricia Meléndez Cross River Superhighway Pushes Forth Despite Pushback The government of Cross River state has resumed clearing precious rainforest land as part of the construction of the superhighway. While some community members are losing their forest and properties, others are advocating for their right to their land. Individuals and members of civil society stand in solidarity with communities in the face of the continued works. By Rafeeat Aliyu Women in Nigerian Politics – Are female candidates facing cyber bullying? Social media report Compared to their male counterparts there are a limited amount of women vying for political positions in the 2019 Nigerian elections. In this article, the writer tries to analyse how these women are faring in the social media space as they take their campaign online. By Celine Isioma Uduh Moving Past Afrofuturism Interview The international blockbuster Black Panther created a global awareness for the Afrofuturistic. However, a growing number of African creatives are pushing back against the term that was coined in the United States, seeking a more distilled way to describe their speculative work. Speculative-fiction author Rafeeat Aliyu speaks to writer, photographer and activist Masiyaleti Mbewe about a vision of the African future that Mbewe draws from her life and experiences in various African countries, including Zambia, where she was born, and Namibia, where she is currently based. By Rafeeat Aliyu Oh Lord, Release My Visa: Religious Beliefs and Migration in Nigeria The world was horrified when the bodies of 26 Nigerian migrant women, aged between 14 and 18, were recovered from the Mediterranean Sea in November 2017, following their attempt to reach Europe in a rubber boat. Many Europeans probably wondered whether this incident would finally deter some migrants from braving the perilous journey across the sea in search of greener pastures in Europe. Nigerian Migrants in China: Changing the Narrative The Nigerian community in China is diverse and complex. Outside the gaze of Western media, much remains unknown about these people who have made China their home and the contribution they make to Nigeria’s development and SinoNigerian relations. All too often, academic journals and Nigerian newspapers focus their attention on illegal migration, drug trafficking, crime and imprisonment1, fuelling negative stereotypes and creating a simplistic understanding of the Nigerian diaspora in China. By looking beyond the headlines, this article seeks to contribute to a narrative closer to the lived experiences of Nigerian migrants in China.
#EndSARS: How We Found and Lost Our Voices Comment Nigeria has rarely spoken with one voice, but the relentless police brutality has given this new generation the opportunity to find their voice, loud and determined. By Abubakar Adam Ibrahim
Beyond #EndSARS: The Movement Toward Change Must Leave No One Behind Comment Sixty years from now, it may be said that the revolution in Nigeria finally happened via Twitter and Instagram in 2020. Dr. Temilade Sesan explores what it needs to get there. By Dr. Temilade Sesan
#EndSARS: A Turning Point in Nigeria’s Politics? Interview Abiodun Baiyewu, Executive Director of Global Rights Nigeria, shares her thoughts and reflections on the #EndSARS protests and their meaning for Nigerian politics.
The #EndSARS Protests Might Be the Birth of a New Nigeria Comment The recent protests under the #EndSARS movement may be an indication of a new political era as young people find their voices and the courage to demand better governance. By Mark Amaza
How the Pandemic Kickstarted a Health Tech Renaissance in Nigeria Analysis Covid-19 has accelerated innovation in the Nigerian health tech sector, providing opportunities for growth in an industry that has typically lacked investment, government endorsement, and attention. By Ayodeji Rotinwa
Tackling hate speech requires the protection of freedom of expression Analysis In a digitalized and increasingly polarised world, questions about how to protect freedom of expression online while curbing hate speech and online abuse, are at the centre of discussions about human rights protection. By Patricia Meléndez
Cross River Superhighway Pushes Forth Despite Pushback The government of Cross River state has resumed clearing precious rainforest land as part of the construction of the superhighway. While some community members are losing their forest and properties, others are advocating for their right to their land. Individuals and members of civil society stand in solidarity with communities in the face of the continued works. By Rafeeat Aliyu
Women in Nigerian Politics – Are female candidates facing cyber bullying? Social media report Compared to their male counterparts there are a limited amount of women vying for political positions in the 2019 Nigerian elections. In this article, the writer tries to analyse how these women are faring in the social media space as they take their campaign online. By Celine Isioma Uduh
Moving Past Afrofuturism Interview The international blockbuster Black Panther created a global awareness for the Afrofuturistic. However, a growing number of African creatives are pushing back against the term that was coined in the United States, seeking a more distilled way to describe their speculative work. Speculative-fiction author Rafeeat Aliyu speaks to writer, photographer and activist Masiyaleti Mbewe about a vision of the African future that Mbewe draws from her life and experiences in various African countries, including Zambia, where she was born, and Namibia, where she is currently based. By Rafeeat Aliyu
Oh Lord, Release My Visa: Religious Beliefs and Migration in Nigeria The world was horrified when the bodies of 26 Nigerian migrant women, aged between 14 and 18, were recovered from the Mediterranean Sea in November 2017, following their attempt to reach Europe in a rubber boat. Many Europeans probably wondered whether this incident would finally deter some migrants from braving the perilous journey across the sea in search of greener pastures in Europe.
Nigerian Migrants in China: Changing the Narrative The Nigerian community in China is diverse and complex. Outside the gaze of Western media, much remains unknown about these people who have made China their home and the contribution they make to Nigeria’s development and SinoNigerian relations. All too often, academic journals and Nigerian newspapers focus their attention on illegal migration, drug trafficking, crime and imprisonment1, fuelling negative stereotypes and creating a simplistic understanding of the Nigerian diaspora in China. By looking beyond the headlines, this article seeks to contribute to a narrative closer to the lived experiences of Nigerian migrants in China.
