As domestic unrest in Kenya grows, President William Ruto’s carefully crafted global image is unravelling. Internal discontent is eroding Ruto’s international standing, which can potentially damage Kenya’s position as a regional sanctuary.
OUR BEST WRITING OF 2023
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vol. 9, no. 1
DEMAS NWOKO’S NATURAL SYNTHESIS
Our latest issue, Demas Nwoko’s Natural Synthesis and the Rise of African Architecture, focuses on the evolution, state and aesthetics of African architecture and design.
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Every year, The Republic publishes the most ambitious writing focused on Africa, from news and analysis to long-form features.
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vol. 9, no. 1
DEMAS NWOKO’S NATURAL SYNTHESIS
Our latest issue, Demas Nwoko’s Natural Synthesis and the Rise of African Architecture, focuses on the evolution, state and aesthetics of African architecture and design.
Purchase an annual print + digital subscription, and get unlimited access to The Republic. We ship worldwide.
This Week’s Essentials
Our top analyses, debates, ideas and stories of the week.
THE MINISTRY OF ARTS / MUSIC DEPT.
Outside with the Homeless
The breakout star of 2024, Llona is leaning into the expression of heart in his brand, a soul bearer like Asa or 2Face, but with an aesthetic loyal to his own generation.
THE MINISTRY OF CLIMATE CHANGE X THE ENVIRONMENT
- IFEANYI NSOFOR
- MOLLY OGBODUM
- February 9, 2025
Climate change is heating up the globe, causing poverty, destroying livelihoods, and making life unbearable. Addressing this crisis in Africa requires democratizing climate action and simplifying its messaging to make it accessible to everyone.
THE MINISTRY OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS / FIRST DRAFT INTERVIEWS
‘Writers Have the Obligation of Imagining the Future That Must Be Achieved’ Ani Kayode Somtochukwu’s First Draft
Nigerian queer liberation activist and author of And Then He Sang a Lullaby, Ani Kayode Somtochukwu, describes his writing as an expression of love for the African people: ‘I like to think of my writing as an expression of love for the African people, a commitment to our capacity for justice and liberty, an insistence on dreaming our freedom as an inevitable eventuality. I want to be an incendiary bomb. And I know that stories have that power.’
THE MINISTRY OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS
The Curious Adventures of the Nigerian God
Six years ago, in Becoming Nigerian: A Guide, Elnathan John introduced readers to the Nigerian God. Since then, the Nigerian God has had many interesting adventures, some of which went viral in 2024. This essay recounts four.
THE MINISTRY OF POLITICAL AFFAIRS
Nigeria’s New BRICS Status Won’t Solve Its Economic Crisis—but It Signals a Foreign Policy Shift
Nigeria’s decision to join BRICS as a partner signals its desire to be at the forefront of an emerging geopolitical order. However, it must carefully navigate complex internal challenges while weighing both the opportunities and risks of this new alliance.
THE MINISTRY OF MEMORIES
The Yorubas of Ghana
The historic migration of the Yoruba people from Ile-Ife has shaped Ghana’s Yoruba community through trade, faith and family ties. At the heart of this connection is Chief Brimah, an Ilorin merchant, whose leadership and entrepreneurial spirit forged enduring bonds with the Ga people and deeply influenced Accra’s Zongo communities.
THE REPUBLIC RECOMMENDS
7 Books That Will Make You Think Twice Before Dating Men
In our latest book recommendation, we have compiled a list of seven books that will make you think twice before dating men. The books on this list will show different ways men can turn on women and hopefully prepare you for a romantic relationship with men.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
The Luxury Apartment Complex in Lagos
In recent years, Lagos has witnessed a surge in waterfront developments, mirroring the urban landscapes of cities like Miami and Los Angeles. Rather than fostering inclusive growth, these developments have intensified socio-spatial inequality while increasing climate vulnerabilities, such as rising sea levels and increased inner-city flooding.
ANNOUNCEMENT DESK
The Republic Has Just Won Funding From JournalismAI
The Republic is proud to announce that we’ve won $250,000 in grant funding from JournalismAI and the Google News Initiative!
#LIVINGLEGEND
The Necessity of Demas Nwoko’s Natural Synthesis
At 89, Demas Nwoko invites us to prioritize local community impact over international glamour and to rethink the trajectory of African art and architecture.
The Curious Adventures of the Nigerian God
Six years ago, in Becoming Nigerian: A Guide, Elnathan John introduced readers to the Nigerian God. Since then, the Nigerian God has had many interesting adventures, some of which went...
Outside with the Homeless
The breakout star of 2024, Llona is leaning into the expression of heart in his brand, a soul bearer like Asa or 2Face, but with an aesthetic loyal to his...
Nigeria’s New BRICS Status Won’t Solve Its Economic Crisis—but It Signals a Foreign Policy Shift
Nigeria’s decision to join BRICS as a partner signals its desire to be at the forefront of an emerging geopolitical order. However, it must carefully navigate complex internal challenges while...
‘Writers Have the Obligation of Imagining the Future That Must Be Achieved’ Ani Kayode Somtochukwu’s First Draft
Nigerian queer liberation activist and author of And Then He Sang a Lullaby, Ani Kayode Somtochukwu, describes his writing as an expression of love for the African people: ‘I like...
THE LATEST IN PRINT
VOL. 9, NO. 1
DEMAS NWOKO’S NATURAL SYNTHESIS
DEMAS NWOKO’S NATURAL SYNTHESIS
Now Available: Our February – April 2025 Print Issue
Featuring:
Republic editor, Wale Lawal, in conversation with celebrated artist and architectural designer, Demas Nwoko; Delela Ndlela on the future of African architecture; Kai Mora on the historical significance of the Great Mosque of Djenné; Dawn Chinagorom-Abiakalam on the climatic concerns of luxury apartment complexes in Lagos; and Tosin Oshinowo on architecture’s current and future imperatives. This issue also includes writing by Ukamaka Olisakwe on novelist, Flora Nwapa, Emmanuel Esomnofu on musician, Sonny Okosun; art, comics, quizzes and much more!
THE LATEST IN PRINT
VOL. 9, NO. 1
DEMAS NWOKO’S NATURAL SYNTHESIS
DEMAS NWOKO’S NATURAL SYNTHESIS
Now Available: Our February – April 2025 Print Issue
Featuring:
Republic editor, Wale Lawal, in conversation with celebrated artist and architectural designer, Demas Nwoko; Delela Ndlela on the future of African architecture; Kai Mora on the historical significance of the Great Mosque of Djenné; Dawn Chinagorom-Abiakalam on the climatic concerns of luxury apartment complexes in Lagos; and Tosin Oshinowo on architecture’s current and future imperatives. This issue also includes writing by Ukamaka Olisakwe on novelist, Flora Nwapa, Emmanuel Esomnofu on musician, Sonny Okosun; art, comics, quizzes and much more!
vol.8 no.1 / EDITOR'S FOREWORD
‘An African Feminist Manifesto’
For whom is the transformative potential of feminism new? Our latest issue, An African Feminist Manifesto, considers the imperatives for Black African feminism(s) in our uniquely uncertain times, plus more.
COVER ESSAY
On Being a ‘Feminist Human’ in an Anti-rights Era
In an era of accelerating anti-rights movements, our feminist liberation depends not on narrowing the gates of belonging, but on dismantling the very logic of exclusion that has been weaponized against all women.
THE MINISTRY OF ARTs / PHOTO DEPT.
The Disruptive Potential of Frida Orupabo’s Metamorphic Women
To encounter a body in collage is to momentarily believe the human form is physically and even gesturally incapable of coming up against its own limitations. Frida Orupabo’s collages do this so well. They haunt the viewer with fond, familiar and unexpected shapes.
THE MINISTRY OF MEMORIES
A Womanist Reading of African Women in Abrahamic Tradition
Though the presence of Abrahamic tradition within global Black consciousness often finds expression through male-dominated narratives, a closer examination uncovers Black women at the very centres of the most path-altering moments in the tradition, offering analogues with which Black women have interpreted, reimagined and reclaimed their past, present, and future.
THE MINISTRY OF ARTs / BOOKS DEPT.
50 Years of Buchi Emecheta’s Second-Class Citizen
In 1974, Buchi Emecheta’s novel, Second-Class Citizen, was published. While this novel has inspired a generation of African writers, the themes Emecheta explored—such as Black immigrant life in the UK and the ills of a patriarchal society—remain as relevant today as ever.
On Demas Nwoko
Our latest issue, Demas Nwoko’s Natural Synthesis, celebrates Nwoko’s artistic and architectural impact and the rise of African architecture.
continue reading
We get it. Sometimes the headline stories are just not enough.
ARTS & CULTURE
The Curious Adventures of the Nigerian God
Six years ago, in Becoming Nigerian: A Guide, Elnathan John introduced readers to the Nigerian God. Since then, the Nigerian God has had many interesting adventures, some of which went...
Outside with the Homeless
The breakout star of 2024, Llona is leaning into the expression of heart in his brand, a soul bearer like Asa or 2Face, but with an aesthetic loyal to his...
‘Writers Have the Obligation of Imagining the Future That Must Be Achieved’ Ani Kayode Somtochukwu’s First Draft
Nigerian queer liberation activist and author of And Then He Sang a Lullaby, Ani Kayode Somtochukwu, describes his writing as an expression of love for the African people: ‘I like...
7 Books That Will Make You Think Twice Before Dating Men
In our latest book recommendation, we have compiled a list of seven books that will make you think twice before dating men. The books on this list will show different...
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BUSINESS & THE ECONOMY
The Economic Cost of Debt Forgiveness on Nigeria
One of Nigeria’s woes is the soaring level of sovereign debt amidst persistent hardship and underdevelopment, raising questions about whether debt relief mechanisms can serve as a sustainable, effective solution.
Austerity, Inflation and the Plight of Ordinary Nigerians
As inflation persists, austerity measures are reshaping the lives of Nigerians caught in the squeeze, deepening inequality and social struggles.
Why Nigeria’s Financial Sector Needs Feminist Reforms
Despite visible strides in gender diversity within Nigeria’s financial sector, deep-rooted systemic inequalities persist, undermining genuine progress. Addressing these challenges requires moving beyond surface-level metrics to implement transformative policies that...
The Neo-Colonial Logic of Global Credit Ratings
The influence of credit rating giants, Moody’s Investor Service, Standard & Poor’s and Fitch, in Africa is deeply rooted in colonial legacies. Their systemic biases and harmful economic implications have...
HISTORY
From Kongo Kings to Cross-Congo Conflicts
The world’s closest capital cities—Kinshasa and Brazzaville—sit within two modern-day states, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of the Congo, that once reigned as a united Kongo...
10 Books That Belong on Your Reading List This Women’s History Month
To celebrate Women’s History Month, Nigerian writer and editor, Angel Nduka-Nwosu, compiles a list of books by Black women that belong on your reading list this month and beyond. These...
The Great Mosque of Djenné And the Social Utility of History
Africans are no strangers to conservationists, preservationists and all manner of experts who call into question Africa’s internal capabilities to safeguard sites and objects of historical value. The Great Mosque...
The Yorubas of Ghana
The historic migration of the Yoruba people from Ile-Ife has shaped Ghana’s Yoruba community through trade, faith and family ties. At the heart of this connection is Chief Brimah, an...
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POLITICS
Nigeria’s New BRICS Status Won’t Solve Its Economic Crisis—but It Signals a Foreign Policy Shift
Nigeria’s decision to join BRICS as a partner signals its desire to be at the forefront of an emerging geopolitical order. However, it must carefully navigate complex internal challenges while...
Does the Government’s Anti-Ransom Ban Make Sense?
While the Nigerian government continues to discourage payment of ransom to kidnappers, the failure of security operatives to tactically address the root cause means families of kidnapped victims are likely...
Babangida and the Politics of Memory
Wale Lawal unpacks ex-military ruler Ibrahim Babangida’s spin on history, A Journey in Service, the cracks in Nigerian activism and the silent collapse of intellectualism in Nigerian universities.
Can Nigeria’s Centre Hold?
With the establishment of regional commissions, is Nigeria inching close to true federalism or witnessing the failure of the current governance system?
RADIO REPUBLIC
The Republic: Season 1, Episode 1 Transcript IBB, the Evil Genius
We all grew up hearing about ‘June 12’, but how well do you know what really happened? Let’s find out together. The first episode of The Republic is now available...
The Republic: Season 1, Episode 2 Transcript MKO: The Man Nigeria Waited to See
This episode will establish M. K. O. Abiola as a major actor. It will examine his personal life; his initial foray into business and politics; and areas of his life...
The Republic: Season 1, Episode 3 Transcript Two Sides of the Same Coin
In this episode, we take a look at the key election candidates and what platforms they ran under. We compare their profiles and proposed agendas for Nigeria, highlighting what political...
The Republic: Season 1, Episode 4 Transcript June 12: Freest and Fairest of Them All
After eight years of anticipation, and eight years of promises from General Ibrahim Babangida’s junta, Nigerians were finally about to have their say at the ballot box. In this week’s...
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SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Who Pays When Africans Fall Sick?
Across Africa, millions in the informal sector remain uninsured—not from apathy, but due to the exclusionary nature of health systems. In Tanzania and beyond, digital innovations offer promising models for...
When Darkness Fell on UCH Ibadan
By 06 February 2025, the University College Hospital in Ibadan had been in a blackout for 97 days. ‘Surgeries are on hold. Patients are dying. And in the best teaching...
Cameroon’s Hi-Tech Illusion
Cameroon is currently led by the world’s oldest president, who, in recent years, has taken significant steps to ‘modernize’ the state through digital technology. With Paul Biya seeking re-election in...
A Medical Miracle in Cameroon
The rollout of the new malaria vaccine in Cameroon has made some Cameroonians hopeful, while others worry about its true purpose.
WORLD AFFAIRS
Is President William Ruto Facing a Global Publicity Crisis?
As domestic unrest in Kenya grows, President William Ruto’s carefully crafted global image is unravelling. Internal discontent is eroding Ruto’s international standing, which can potentially damage Kenya’s position as a...
Exploring Global Mobility with Alma Asinobi
Nigerian travel and lifestyle content creator, Alma Asinobi, is on a mission to redefine global exploration by making travel accessible to those with low mobility passports.
The Charged Politics of an African Passport
Africans remain constrained within and outside the continent due to their passports, which have hindered the exploration of global opportunities.
What the American Foreign Aid Freeze Means for Africa
In his second term as the president of the United States, Donald Trump has committed to cutting foreign aid, with a particular focus on the United States Agency for International...
