Nigerian authorities are offering free family planning methods and advice in an effort to slow population growth
More than 100 of the Chibok schoolgirls remain in captivity, nearly five years after Boko Haram militants in Nigeria abducted them from their school. President Muhammadu Buhari promised to make the rescue of the girls, and other abductees a top priority. Some have been released. But advocacy groups say Buhari's government, in its focus on the economy, has largely forgotten the girls who are still being held.. Timothy Obiezu reports from Abuja.
The safe rescue and return of the girls and other abductees was a top priority in then-candidate Muhammadu Buhari's 2015 presidential election bid
Local Music groups in northern Nigeria are being paid to canvass votes for candidates in the gubernatorial race that opens Saturday, two weeks after the presidential polls. Nigeria's north has been affected by violence and unrest in recent years. VOA's Timothy Obiezu reports from Abuja.
Political praise singing in Nigeria dates back several decades and has become a tool for many politicians here
While the supply of clean water in Nigeria has improved recently, 3 in 10 people still lack access
A survey conducted by Nigeria's Bureau of Statistics and UNICEF shows millions of households in Nigeria do not have access to clean water sources. While the supply of clean water in Nigeria has improved recently, 3 in 10 people still lack access. Timothy Obiezu reports from Abuja.
Incumbent president reportedly ahead by 1.5 million votes at halfway point of state-by-state announcements of results
While hunger as a whole is gradually declining in Nigeria, the rate of acute malnutrition and stunted growth has seen little or no improvement
The winners in Nigeria's general election Saturday will face a disturbing challenge: How to help millions of children in the country suffering from malnutrition. While hunger as a whole is gradually declining in Nigeria, the rate of acute malnutrition and stunted growth has seen little or no improvement. Timothy Obiezu reports from Abuja.
Computer skills may give kids a chance at good jobs and a brighter future
Nigeria's internal conflicts have displaced nearly two million people, according to the United Nations, 60 percent of them children. A program in the Nigerian capital is trying to teach internally displaced children technology skills, including computer coding, with a mobile laboratory. Timothy Obiezu reports from Abuja.
An estimated 76 million Nigerians use skin-lightening products
In Nigeria, nearly 77 percent of women use skin-lightening products, making the world’s most populous country of black people the biggest market for whitening skin. But darker-skinned Nigerians are beginning to push back against the lightening tide with the so-called “Melanin Movement.” Timothy Obiezu reports for VOA from Abuja.
Nigerians pay about 70 percent of the hospital expenses out of their own pocket, forcing some patients into debt or poverty
Nigeria's government in 2001 pledged, along with all African Union countries, to set aside 15 percent of its annual budget for spending on health care. But the country has never come close to reaching that goal. The result it that up to 70 percent of medical spending is out of pocket, forcing many of those with sudden health problems into debt, poverty or an early grave. Timothy Obiezu reports from Abuja.
Top female presidential candidate withdraws ahead of poll, deflates renewed hope for gender parity
When Nigerians go to the polls Feb. 16 for general elections, few will be expecting large numbers of female candidates to win. The share of women in Nigeria's government in the past three years has fallen to 6 percent and the top female presidential candidate, Oby Ezekwesili, withdrew from the race last week. Timothy Obiezu reports from Abuja.
Bill ensuring handicapped access, delayed since 1999, sent in December to president for signature
In Nigeria, more than 27 million disabled people live in obscurity, treated like second-class citizens, without access to public facilities. The Nigerian Disability Bill is meant to address these shortcomings. But, nearly two decades after it was initiated, the legislation has yet to be enacted, as Timothy Obiezu reports from Abuja.
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