The Intelligence from The Economist Songs of disenchantment: the sorrow of Nigeria
Oct 23, 2026
Ann Wroe, The Economist’s obituaries editor and a literary biographer, explores Jeffrey Archer’s unlikely journey from political hopeful to bestselling author, fraudster and convicted perjurer. The discussion also examines Nigeria’s hunger, violence and electoral politics, alongside Europe’s struggle to reduce dependence on Starlink and American space technology.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
A School Teaches Thousands Without Abacuses
- A Nigerian primary school teaches nearly 5,000 children using a chalkboard drawing instead of actual abacuses.
- Save the Children’s funding cuts could close the school’s support within a year.
Terrorism Has Become Borno’s Daily Economy
- Borno’s insecurity destroys both safety and livelihoods as terrorists kidnap children, tax farmers, and strip traders of customers.
- The crisis has become routine, leaving young people unemployed and the regional economy weakened.
Nigeria’s Reform Success Has Deepened Immediate Pain
- Tinubu’s reforms improved macroeconomic indicators but imposed immediate pain through subsidy removal and currency devaluation.
- Inflation, weak harvests, aid cuts, and energy costs prevent ordinary Nigerians from feeling the promised recovery.