Our latest issue, Who Dey Fear Donald Trump?, assesses Africa’s global positioning in the new Trumpian era of multipolarity.
OUR BEST WRITING OF 2023
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Read our best writing of 2023.
vol. 8, no. 1
An African Feminist Manifesto
Our latest issue, An African Feminist Manifesto, considers the imperatives for Black African feminism(s) in our uniquely uncertain times, plus more.
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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. 8, no. 1
An African Feminist Manifesto
Our latest issue, An African Feminist Manifesto, considers the imperatives for Black African feminism(s) in our uniquely uncertain times, plus more.
Save up to 50% by purchasing 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 latest online / EDITOR’S FOREWORD: V8, N2
THE REPUBLIC INTERVIEWS
The Artist Who Terrified the Nigerian State
In 2015, when a steel bus Sokari Douglas Camp built to honour Ken Saro-Wiwa arrived in Nigeria, she didn’t expect the Nigerian state to arrest it. Ten years on with the bus still detained, the fearless sculptor reveals how one artwork shook the government and why memory, once forged in metal, can never be silenced.
THE MINISTRY OF ARTS / VISUAL ART DEPT.
Ndidi Dike’s Thesis on the Nigerian Condition
‘Nigeria Imaginary’, the theme of the Nigeria Pavilion at the 2024 Venice Biennale, is a daring call to not just imagine Nigeria as a restored entity but to also dream its future into reality. Through Ndidi Dike, viewers experience the distinctly Nigerian desire to connect what Nigeria once was, what it is now and what it might become.
the MINISTRY OF ARTS / VISUAL ART DEPT.
Toyin Ojih Odutola’s Theories of Place
The Nigeria Pavilion at the 2024 Venice Biennale brings together artists who are diverse in their styles, influences, affiliations with place, and interpretations of nationhood and history. Among them is Toyin Ojih Odutola, whose artistic instincts already bypass easy conceptions of place, belonging and history.
DISPATCH FROM UGANDA
How Charlie Muhumuza’s Voice is Impacting East African Fiction
Not only does Charlie Muhumuza’s writing bring a fresh perspective to East African fiction, his short stories also have the potential to redefine the region’s literary narrative.
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Wrappers of Rivers
In documenting and displaying the intricate cultures of wrapper tying and wrapper wearing in Rivers State, Aleruchi Kinika, the photographer behind the series, ‘Wrappers of Rivers’, says she ‘wanted to tell the story of the wrappers and Rivers people as one.’
the MINISTRY OF MEMORIES
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 of Djenné, its mud-brick walls annually restored by the community, poses a challenge to a Western approach to history which sees preservation as an end in itself, rather than a means to social cohesion.
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 REPUBLIC INTERVIEWS / FIRST DRAFT
Six African Writers Reveal the Last Great Book Recommendations They Received
In our latest First Draft interview, we asked six writers to share the last great book recommendations the received. Here’s what they told us.
REPUBLIC READING
7 Books That Will Make You Actually Care About Climate Change
From the memoir of a Ugandan climate activist, which emphasizes the importance of climate justice, to a dystopian novel that imagines a climate-ravaged South Africa, the books on this list will show you just how bad things can get if the world does not prioritize climate conservation.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
How To Wean Nigeria Off The ‘Feeding-Bottle’ Federalism
At the heart of Nigeria’s federalist gambit is the agitation by states for greater control over their local mineral resources. But in a fiscally federal Nigeria, who gets what, when and how?
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Why Nigerian Pop Music Needs Dwin, The Stoic
In Master of Ballads, Dwin, The Stoic crafts a poignant love story, masterfully blending balladry, indie folk, rock and Afropop. The album not only reaffirms his artistry but also advocates for a more expansive and inclusive mainstream sound.
Nigeria Was Once the World’s Largest Palm Oil Producer—What Happened?
Nigeria is the fifth largest producer of palm oil in the world although it used to be number one. Despite being a major producer, its population relies on imported palm...
Politics of Religion in Northern Nigeria
The failure of populist religious reforms has opened the door to radical religious groups who criticize the state for both poor governance and non-adherence to religious doctrines. This unresolved tension...
Akwaeke Emezi’s Love Letter to Eastern Nigeria
In their sophomore novel, The Death of Vivek Oji, published five years ago, Akwaeke Emezi upends conventions of plot, genre and place to tell a riveting story of how three...
Nigeria Is No Haven for People With Albinism
For Nigerians with albinism, the greatest burden isn’t their condition; it’s the ignorance and misinformation around it. Widespread education and public awareness is crucial to dismantling the stigma they face...
THE LATEST IN PRINT
VOL. 8, NO. 1
AN AFRICAN FEMINIST MANIFESTO
AN AFRICAN FEMINIST MANIFESTO
Now Available: Our February – April 2024 Print Issue
Featuring:Â
Ololade Faniyi on decolonial African feminism; Kéchi Nne Nnomu on Frida Orupabo; Kai Mora on African Women in Abrahamic history; Peace Onafuye on Buchi Emecheta; plus more.
THE LATEST IN PRINT
VOL. 8, NO. 1
AN AFRICAN FEMINIST MANIFESTO
AN AFRICAN FEMINIST MANIFESTO
Now Available: Our February – April 2024 Print Issue
Featuring:Â
Ololade Faniyi on decolonial African feminism; Kéchi Nne Nnomu on Frida Orupabo; Kai Mora on African Women in Abrahamic history; Peace Onafuye on Buchi Emecheta; plus 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
Queer People Today, You Tomorrow
Every Nigerian is one state decision away from becoming ‘unworthy’ subjects. Yet many Nigerians celebrate when the state punishes queer people not realizing that what is being witnessed is the state testing and perfecting its technologies of removal.
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.
Strange Departures
A 40-Year-Old Japa Story
From the ‘Checking Out’ of the 80s to today’s ‘Japa’ wave, Nigeria’s enduring struggle with brain drain has lasted far too long. Despite promises of change, the nation continues to grapple with familiar challenges that drive its citizens abroad in search of more; more opportunities, more peace of mind, and the ability to be more.
Why Nigerian Pop Music Needs Dwin, The Stoic
In Master of Ballads, Dwin, The Stoic crafts a poignant love story, masterfully blending balladry, indie folk, rock and Afropop. The album not only reaffirms his artistry but also advocates for a more expansive and inclusive mainstream sound.
continue reading
We get it. Sometimes the headline stories are just not enough.
ARTS & CULTURE
Watching ‘My Father’s Shadow’ in Cannes
My Father’s Shadow, Nigeria’s first-ever official selection at the Cannes Film Festival, takes us on a cinematic journey through Lagos with a father and his two sons—blending nostalgia, political tension...
Akwaeke Emezi’s Love Letter to Eastern Nigeria
In their sophomore novel, The Death of Vivek Oji, published five years ago, Akwaeke Emezi upends conventions of plot, genre and place to tell a riveting story of how three...
Nigeria Is No Haven for People With Albinism
For Nigerians with albinism, the greatest burden isn’t their condition; it’s the ignorance and misinformation around it. Widespread education and public awareness is crucial to dismantling the stigma they face...
Six African Writers Reveal the Last Great Book Recommendations They Received
In our latest First Draft interview, we asked six writers to share the last great book recommendations the received. Here’s what they told us.
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BUSINESS & THE ECONOMY
Nigeria Was Once the World’s Largest Palm Oil Producer—What Happened?
Nigeria is the fifth largest producer of palm oil in the world although it used to be number one. Despite being a major producer, its population relies on imported palm...
Financial (Dis)Integration Within ECOWAS
For 50 years, West Africa has struggled to establish financial integration. The East Africa community offers a compelling success story that West Africa can emulate.
The Economic Uncertainties of the AfCFTA Amidst Regional Conflict
The AfCFTA’s potential to transform intra-African trade risks being undermined by the volatility created by instability in the Sahel and Great Lakes regions.
Is China’s Belt and Road Initiative in Africa a Development Catalyst or Debt Trap?
As China’s Belt and Road Initiative is reshaping Africa’s economic landscape, opportunities in infrastructure development clash against rising debt, raising questions of sovereignty and long-term sustainability.
HISTORY
Nok and Africa’s Disregard for Prehistory
African societies have, over centuries, had to deal with a cleavage of their present from their pasts by foreign powers. In the face of such cultural imperialism, how invested are...
The Timeless Solutions of the Gadaa System
The Gadaa system of the Oromo people of Kenya and Ethiopia offers an indigenous method of governance in Africa, as the adopted Western democracy seems to be failing the continent.
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...
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POLITICS
Politics of Religion in Northern Nigeria
The failure of populist religious reforms has opened the door to radical religious groups who criticize the state for both poor governance and non-adherence to religious doctrines. This unresolved tension...
Does APC Deserve Another Ten Years?
As Nigeria’s ruling party, All Progressives Congress, marks ten years in power, Nigerians should assess the performance of the party and decide the political trajectory of the nation.
Have Nigerian Governors Lost Their Powers?
In the wake of political defections by Nigerian governors, there are questions about their influence and how much of these defections significantly affect the country’s political trajectory.
Algeria’s Golden Opportunity
Africa’s largest country, Algeria, has a sizeable record of global mediation, spanning the Iran-Iraq conflict in 1975 to the Ethiopia-Eritrea conflict in 2000. Algeria’s evolving diplomacy raises questions on how...
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
Can Nigeria’s Tech Sector Drive Inclusive Growth?
As Nigeria embraces its digital future, inclusion—not just innovation—must lead. Can this transformation reach all Nigerians or just the privileged few?
Reimagining Feminist Digital Worlds
The founder of PARIWO and creator of the social media platform, neno, Ann Daramola, discusses building technology by and for African women and reimagining digital platforms that centre Black African...
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...
WORLD AFFAIRS
Is the African Union a Symbol of Waning Pan-Africanism?
In the wake of tumultuous geopolitical policies and an increasingly multipolar world, pan-Africanism today struggles to evoke the spirit of comradeship that it used to.
Building a Pro-Regional Coalition in Nigeria
ECOWAS has underperformed in its trade integration and crisis response mandates. Nigeria has to step up its game in improving effective regional cooperation in West Africa. To accomplish this, a...
Who Dey Fear Donald Trump?
Our latest issue, Who Dey Fear Donald Trump?, assesses Africa’s global positioning in the new Trumpian era of multipolarity.
African Cooperation in the Age of Anti-Globalization
Unlike nineteenth-century multipolarity where Africa had limited internal interaction and post-colonial bipolarity when South Africa was under apartheid, the present state of multipolarity under anti-globalization may create sufficient pressure and...
