The Liberalist

The Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER) notes that many graduates are ill-equipped to compete in an increasingly globalised job market. Obviously, the crux of the problem lies in an education system that emphasises rote learning and theoretical knowledge over practical, job-ready skills, leaving graduates ill-equipped to navigate the complexities of the modern job market. A report by the British Council found that the education system in Nigeria is far from being ready to address the massive unemployment problems facing the country, due to its inadequate teaching and learning facilities. Read full analysis as written by Journalism For Liberty Fellow Oyelakin Gbenga Samson: https://lnkd.in/gN7Zi_4c #3MTT #economy #Graduates #Jobs #Nigeriangovernment #TechnicalSkills

At the heart of the problem is the State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC), which oversees local council elections. Far from being independent, SIECs are controlled by state governments, which use them to stage-manage elections and ensure predetermined outcomes. Therefore once installed, local officials are little more than rubber stamps for the state governor. Council chairmen are often selected for their loyalty, not competence, and councillors exist merely to nod along to the governor’s agenda. Their supposed mandate—to deliver essential services such as infrastructure, education, and local security—is ignored. The consequences for ordinary Nigerians are that local councils, meant to be the engine of grassroots development, eventually become perpetually idle. Community schools are neglected, roads go unrepaired, and local economies stagnate. #Autonomy #Democracy #Localgovernments #Nigeriangovernors #SIEC

In August, the Supreme Court reaffirmed the autonomy of local governments, mandating that funds be transferred directly from the federal government to their accounts. The ruling also made elections for local government administrations compulsory. Nevertheless, local government elections across the country remain heavily influenced by state governments. In nearly every instance, the ruling party in the state sweeps all local government chairmanship and council seats, raising serious concerns about the integrity of the electoral process and the prospects for genuine grassroots democracy. Read our latest analysis by Usman Yakubu Usman, a 2024 Journalism for Liberty fellow: https://lnkd.in/dKQ6bUKX #Autonomy #Democracy #Localgovernments #Nigeriangovernors #SIEC #stategovernments #StateIndependentElectoralCommission ©TheLiberalist

According to the National Bureau of Statistics Nigeria, one out of every ten households in Nigeria has at least one person with a disability (PwD), accounting for 6 percent of the total population. However, many are denied access to education, employment, and healthcare, externalising the cycle of poverty and exclusion. Read full analysis here: https://lnkd.in/duMQaaKT #DisabilityAct #Discrimination #PersonsWithDisabilities #Policy #PWDs

Imagine being forced to pay taxes and levies, only to get nothing in return. That's the harsh reality faced by traders in Benue State, Middle-Belt Nigeria. As part of the Liberalist Centre ‘s Journalism for Liberty Fellowship project, supported by Atlas Network, Mannasseh Mbachii, a Journalism for Liberty fellow, dug deeper into this issue. Despite paying their fair share of taxes, these traders are still expected to fork out even more money to provide basic amenities for themselves. This report showcased a need for greater transparency and accountability in governance. Read the full feature on our website: https://lnkd.in/dewmqAFw #Benue #Businesses #economy #Tax #TaxOfficers #Traders #Fellowship #LiberalistCentre #TheLiberalist

Five years ago, Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act became a law. Popularly called the Disability Act, its provisions promise to protect the rights of over 29 million people with disabilities (PWDs) in the country, granting them the rights to equal access to education, employment, healthcare, and infrastructure. Unfortunately, despite its good intentions, the law has been poorly implemented, and its provisions consistently flouted. Having failed to deliver on its promises, PWDs face continued discrimination and marginalisation. The Act requires all buildings to be accessible to people with disabilities (PWDs), with a 5-year timeline for implementation ending in 2024. However, many buildings still lack basic accessibility features. During a virtual meet-up with the 2024 Journalism for Liberty Fellows, Yinka Olaito, Executive Director of the Centre For Disability and Inclusion Africa, noted that if stakeholders do not work together to push for the implementation of Disability Law, marginalised voices will continue to be neutralised or silenced. Read full analysis as written by Toheeb Babalola, a 2024 Journalism For Liberty Fellow at the Liberalist Centre: https://lnkd.in/duMQaaKT #DisabilityAct, #Discrimination #PersonsWithDisabilities #Policy #PWDs ©TheLiberalist

Drum rolls 🥁🎓🎊 as our fellows from the Cheetahs Class of #JournalismForLiberty graduates! The Liberalist is thrilled to announce the graduation ceremony come tomorrow 17th Dec., of these exceptional individuals who have undergone six months of intensive learning, training, and hands-on experience in pro-freedom journalism and reporting. 28 talented fellows from Nigeria and Tanzania have made remarkable achievements, with major publications featured in our magazine and mainstream Nigerian #media. We celebrate their dedication, hard work, and commitment to upholding the principles of pro-freedom #journalism. Cheers! 🥂 #fellows #fellowship #JLF #TheLiberalist #journalism #liberalistcentre #graduation

The ongoing tax reform debate in Nigeria has sparked intense discussions about the proposal to increase taxes on the rich. While some see it as a lifeline for public coffers, others warn it could strangle the economy and may further aggravate hardship in the long term. Even if it came from good intentions, the problem with the suggestion is that Nigeria’s tax system is already complex, with multiple levies targeting the wealthy. Dear Advocate of Reasoning, our latest LoR concludes that 'Tax the rich more' is no panacea. Read the full version to know why.

The ongoing tax reform debate in Nigeria has sparked intense discussions about the proposal to increase taxes on the rich. While some see it as a lifeline for public coffers, others warn it could strangle the economy and may further aggravate hardship in the long term. Even if it came from good intentions, the problem with the suggestion is that Nigeria’s tax system is already complex, with multiple levies targeting the wealthy. Dear Advocate of Reasoning, our latest LoR concludes that 'Tax the rich more' is no panacea. Read the full version to know why.

The most repressed country remains a silenced nation where expressing dissent often leads to persecution, torture, or disappearance, and citizens are left disconnected from the world through heavy internet censorship. In its 2024 world press freedom report, Reporters Without Borders says, “Eritrea has become a lawless zone for the media.” Various human rights indices categorise the country as “not free,” a situation that made the country a significant source of refugees globally. Unlike free countries like Norway that enjoy press freedom, in Eritrea, the best way to share discontentment with the government's regulations is through a highly censored internet. Read full analysis as written by Favour Adeboye: https://lnkd.in/dgKhy2Uv #Eritrea #FreedomofExpression #HumanRights #journalists #Nation #RepressiveNation #RuleofLaw ©TheLiberalist