Africa Daily

The head of Nigeria’s electoral commission, Mahmood Yakubu, declared Bola Tinubu the winner of the presidential election this week. It’s been an election fraught with problems.The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said technical glitches meant the electronic voting system, used for the first time at national level, delivered results slower than expected. And now the losing candidates Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi have called for the election to be rerun, saying early results show there was fraud. Africa Daily’s Mpho Lakaje has been looking at what this disputed presidential election means for Nigeria.

In early February this year Tunisia’s president, Kais Saied, gave a speech against illegal immigration, in which he said black Africans were threatening the social balance and culture of Tunisia. Whatever the intent, it resulted in a surge in racist attacks and abuse, with dark skinned Africans no longer feeling safe in the north African country. Mpho Lakaje hears from one of those now living in fear – a student who describes threats of violence. He also speaks to a social researcher about how history and national identity are playing into this controversy.

The footballer – who died in Turkey’s earthquake – was a supporter and regular visitor

All over the world, as life expectancy increases and people grow older, more people will have to deal with cancer. The good news is that treatment has improved and over the last 40 years global survival rates have improved dramatically. But what about when people don’t have access to medical care or preventative screening because of shortages of experts or facilities? Last year Kenya’s National Cancer Taskforce compiled a report which called for the training of more oncologists and other experts, free screening programmes and a reduction in the cost of medicine and treatment. But how have those challenges been felt by those most affected? For Africa Daily, @mpholakaje speaks to Lilian, who’s recovered from breast cancer, and Dr James Mbogo – who trained to become an oncologist after the death of his father from cancer.

In January prominent human rights lawyer Thulani Maseko was shot dead in front of his family at their home in Eswatini. He was a fierce critic of King Mswati III and had travelled worldwide to advocate for democracy in his country. Shortly after his brutal killing, rumours began spreading that he was murdered allegedly by King Mswati’s regime. But Eswatini’s authorities have told Africa Daily, they had no reason to harm him or any other activist. They say they have now launched an investigation. Some fear his killing might spark fresh violence. In 2021, the country descended into chaos when anti-monarchy protesters took to the streets. At least 37 people died in the mayhem. Africa Daily's Mpho Lakaje has been looking at what the death Thulani Maseko could mean for Eswatini.

“The country has spent so much training us – and yet we are still wallowing in joblessness right now.”According to the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council, only around 1,000 out of the 5,000 medical students who’ve graduated in the past five years have found jobs as doctors.And yet the World Health Organisation says Kenya has a shortage of medics – and needs more if it’s to deliver the healthcare the population needs. So what exactly is the reason behind qualified doctors not being able get a job?@mpholakaje has been finding out.

There are just a few more days to go until millions of voters in Nigeria have their say on who they want to be their next president. The field of presidential candidates is crowded and dominated by men. Despite women representing half of the population, the number of women being elected to political office in Nigeria remains low. Women represent around 5% of federal lawmakers and a woman has never been elected a Governor. Africa Daily’s Alan Kasujja has been speaking to young people in Lagos who have strong opinions on the challenges women with political ambitions face.

Nigerians are heading to the polls on Saturday and security is a priority issue for many people. The incoming government will be faced with varying security challenges in different parts of the country. And violent attacks have increased in many places over the past decade. But one attack last year – on the Catholic Church in Owo – shook the country. More than fifty people were killed in the previously peaceful region. So, what have we learned in the months since the attack? And how is the community there healing?#AfricaDaily

According to the World Bank 4 in 10 Nigerians live below the national poverty line. Skyrocketing food and energy prices over the past 12 months have made life for many there much harder. So with the Nigerian presidential and parliamentary elections just days away, Africa Daily’s Alan Kasujja decided to visit a food bank in Lagos to look at how the most vulnerable are being helped to feed themselves.

It’s the start of a big week in Nigeria. On Saturday people go to the polls in presidential and parliamentary elections. Alan is in Lagos to find out how young people are feeling ahead of the votes. Are they looking for change? And what are the big issues motivating them to make their voices heard? #AfricaDaily