Mansur Abubakar

Senior Journalist at BBC

Articles

Bola Tinubu says life in Nigeria is getting better

1 week ago | bbc.com | Mansur Abubakar

Life is improving in Nigeria, Tinubu saysMansur AbubakarAFP via Getty imagesTinubu on assuming office pledged to tackle corruption and revamp the economyPresident Bola Tinubu has told Nigerians that the worst is behind them and that the country is getting better, in a speech to mark the end of his second year in office. Halfway through his term, Tinubu acknowledged the pain his reforms had unleashed, adding that he did not take the patience of Nigerians for granted.
Could Nigeria's careful ethnic balancing act be under threat?

1 week ago | bbc.com | Mansur Abubakar

Could Nigeria's careful ethnic balancing act be under threat? Mansur AbubakarAFP via Getty ImagesIn Nigerian politics, there has long been an informal understanding: presidential appointments should carefully balance the country's many ethnic and religious differences. Today, there are growing concerns that this is being ignored.
Peter Obi jokes with President Bola Tinubu at Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural mass

2 weeks ago | bbc.com | Mansur Abubakar

Nigeria's fierce political rivals share joke at pope's inaugural massMansur AbubakarBayo OnanugaPresident Tinubu (right) and Peter Obi (second left) fought a closely contested presidential election in 2023, while Kayode Fayemi (left) backed TinubuFierce Nigerian political rivals Peter Obi and President Bola Tinubu were seen laughing and joking at Pope Leo XIV's inaugural mass in Rome.
Benin admits that 54 soldiers killed in border attack by Jnim

1 month ago | bbc.com | Mansur Abubakar

Benin admits that 54 soldiers killed in attack by al-Qaeda groupAFPA presidential spokesman described the killings as a “heavy loss”Benin's government has admitted that 54 soldiers were killed by suspected jihadists in the country's north last week near the borders with Burkina Faso and Niger. The authorities had previously said that only eight soldiers were killed.
People fear savings lost as investment app freezes them out

1 month ago | bbc.com | Mansur Abubakar

Angry Nigerians are turning to social media to describe how they have been locked out of their accounts on the digital financial platform, CBEX. People have posted videos of themselves crying, saying that they could not withdraw their investments and worried that their money had gone. Some angry customers ransacked a CBEX office in the south-west city of Ibadan, carting off chairs, air-conditioners and a solar panel. CBEX has not yet publicly commented.
Nigerian government bans song criticising President Tinubu

1 month ago | bbc.com | Mansur Abubakar

The Nigerian authorities have banned broadcasters from playing the song Tell Your Papa, which criticises the country's leader. Artist Eedris Abdulkareem's lyrics slam President Bola Tinubu and urge his influential son, Seyi, to let his father know "people are dying" through hardship and insecurity and there is "hunger" in the country.
Nigerian governor: We are losing ground against Boko Haram

1 month ago | yahoo.com | Mansur Abubakar |Chris Ewokor

Mansur Abubakar & Chris Ewokor - BBC NewsWed, April 9, 2025 at 3:29 PM UTC2 min readThe governor of Nigeria's Borno state has warned that jihadist group Boko Haram is making a comeback after its fighters staged a series of attacks and seized control of some parts of the north-eastern state. Babagana Zulum called for more military assistance for soldiers fighting the insurgency.
Nigerian governor: We are losing ground against Boko Haram

1 month ago | ca.news.yahoo.com | Mansur Abubakar |Chris Ewokor

The governor of Nigeria's Borno state has warned that jihadist group Boko Haram is making a comeback after its fighters staged a series of attacks and seized control of some parts of the north-eastern state. Babagana Zulum called for more military assistance for soldiers fighting the insurgency. The Nigerian government has downplayed the governor's fears, saying security in the country has improved in the last 18 months.
Borno state governor warns of Boko Haram comeback in Nigeria

1 month ago | bbc.com | Mansur Abubakar |Chris Ewokor

Mansur Abubakar & Chris EwokorBBC NewsThe governor of Nigeria's Borno state has warned that jihadist group Boko Haram is making a comeback after its fighters staged a series of attacks and seized control of some parts of the north-eastern state. Babagana Zulum called for more military assistance for soldiers fighting the insurgency. The Nigerian government has downplayed the governor's fears, saying security in the country has improved in the last 18 months.
The Nigerian make-up was found guilty of 'spraying' money at his wedding party

1 month ago | bbc.com | Mansur Abubakar

Nigerian make-up artist jailed for throwing cash at his weddingEFCCAmuscap is among several Nigerians arrested over abusing the country's currencyA make-up artist in Nigeria has been sentenced to six months in jail for abusing the currency, the naira, by flinging it while dancing at his wedding celebration last December. Abdullahi Musa Huseini, popularly known as "Amuscap" on social media, was sentenced by a high court in the northern city of Kano minutes after pleading guilty to the charge.