36 soldiers killed in coordinated jihadist attack in Niger

By: Zagazola Makama

At least 36 Nigerien soldiers have been killed in a large-scale attack by jihadist fighters linked to Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM) on Makalondi, a border town between Niger and Burkina Faso, security sources have confirmed.

Zagazola report that the attack occurred on Feb. 4 at about 6:30 p.m. in the Tillabéri region of Niger. Preliminary reports indicate that the assailants overran a military position, killing at least 36 soldiers and injuring several others, some critically.

According to sources, the attackers seized at least 12 military vehicles mounted with heavy machine guns, along with weapons, ammunition and personal effects. One of the vehicles was later found destroyed a few kilometres from the scene.

In response to the scale of the attack, Niger’s Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Salifou Mody Barmou, visited Makalondi on Feb. 5 for an on-the-spot assessment, underscoring the gravity of the human and material losses.

In a related incident, suspected Islamic State Sahel/ISWAP terrorists on Feb. 6 at about 2:00 a.m. attacked a Customs post in Kouré town, Dosso Region, about 60 kilometres south of Niamey. Casualties included one Customs lieutenant and one Forest Service sergeant declared missing, while two Customs informants were killed.

Security sources said one Customs vehicle was burnt, another taken away, and several motorcycles destroyed during the attack.

Meanwhile, in neighbouring Mali, JNIM fighters also launched coordinated assaults on Dozo militia positions in Nayo (Ségou Region) and Bandiagara (Mopti Region) between Jan. 29 and Feb. 3, resulting in heavy casualties among the pro-government militias.

Reports indicated that the Dozo groups had earlier raised alarms that they were surrounded by terrorists and had requested intervention from the Malian Armed Forces (FAMa), but no timely response was provided.

JNIM has intensified operations across central Mali, blockading key supply routes to Bamako and laying siege to villages linked to Dozo groups, in what appears to be a strategy to weaken state authority and force political concessions.

The Alliance of Sahel States (AES) comprising Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso has since announced renewed efforts to combat terrorism through a joint military force, as international partners continue to express concern over the deteriorating security situation in the Sahel.

36 soldiers killed in coordinated jihadist attack in Niger

EU Digital Skills Drive Trains Over 18,000, Boosts Inclusion in North-East Nigeria

By: Michael Mike

The European Union (EU) has concluded a three-year digital skills programme in North-East Nigeria, marking a significant push to close the digital divide and expand economic opportunities for women, hard-to-reach youth and persons with disabilities in conflict-affected communities.

The €750,000 initiative, implemented by ZOA International between 2023 and 2026, targeted 30 communities across Borno and Yobe states, focusing on inclusive digital transformation as a pathway to resilience, livelihoods and long-term recovery. Its close-out ceremony, held in Maiduguri on 4 February 2026, brought together EU officials, state authorities, civil society organisations and development partners to review achievements and chart sustainability pathways.

Designed to tackle deep-rooted digital exclusion in fragile contexts, the programme recorded tangible results. More than 18,000 individuals received digital skills training, 32 community IT hubs were established, and six schools were equipped with IT services to expand access to digital learning. In addition, a Digital Literacy Working Group was formed to strengthen coordination and ensure continuity beyond the project’s lifespan.

Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Massimo De Luca, said the programme demonstrates how targeted digital investments can drive inclusive growth when aligned with local realities.

“This project shows that digital inclusion is not abstract policy—it delivers real impact,” De Luca said. “By empowering communities and strengthening grassroots institutions, we are supporting inclusive economic growth that leaves no one behind. Digital inclusion, especially in conflict-affected regions, is essential for resilience, innovation and meaningful participation in today’s economy.”

He stressed that the EU’s Global Gateway strategy prioritises people-centred digital transformation that translates skills and infrastructure into jobs, viable enterprises and long-term economic stability at community level.

Providing an implementation overview, ZOA Programme Manager, Godwin Dominic, described the programme as a critical intervention in regions where access to technology remains limited.

“Beyond training 18,193 people, we focused on building systems that last,” Dominic said. “The IT hubs, school-based digital access and the Digital Literacy Working Group are designed to sustain skills development and coordination long after the programme’s conclusion.”

The Borno State Government also welcomed the initiative, noting its alignment with state development priorities. Representing the government, the Executive Secretary of the Borno Information and Communication Technology Development Agency (BICTDA), Engr. Mohammed Kabir Wanori, said the programme strengthened opportunities for women and youth while complementing existing ICT strategies and policies.

As the project formally ends, partners committed to maintaining the digital infrastructure, community networks and institutional capacity developed over the past three years. The EU said the focus going forward is ensuring that digital skills gained by beneficiaries translate into income generation, entrepreneurship and improved economic participation.

In a region still recovering from years of conflict and displacement, the programme’s outcomes underline the growing role of digital inclusion as both a development and stabilisation tool—one that connects marginalised communities to opportunity, markets and the wider digital economy.

EU Digital Skills Drive Trains Over 18,000, Boosts Inclusion in North-East Nigeria

British High Commission Celebrates Return of 99 UK-Trained Nigerian Scholars

By: Michael Mike

The British High Commission has welcomed home 99 Nigerian graduates who recently completed postgraduate studies in the United Kingdom under the Chevening and Commonwealth Scholarship programmes.

The welcome-home ceremonies, held in Abuja and Lagos, brought together scholars who earned master’s degrees, PhDs and fellowships across diverse fields. Of the returnees, 30 studied under the Chevening Scholarship, while 69 benefited from the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship schemes.

At the events, the graduates reflected on their academic experiences in the UK and outlined plans to apply the knowledge, skills and global networks gained to Nigeria’s development. They were also presented with completion certificates and formally inducted into Nigeria’s Chevening and Commonwealth alumni networks.

Speaking at the reception, British Deputy High Commissioner, Mrs Gill Lever (OBE), congratulated the scholars on their achievements, noting that many graduated with distinctions. She described the scholars as future leaders and encouraged them to pursue excellence while serving as strong links between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

“I am delighted that talented Nigerians have had the opportunity to study in the UK and are now returning home equipped to make a positive impact,” she said, urging them to take advantage of the networking and knowledge-sharing opportunities offered by the alumni community.

The British Council was represented by its Director of Programmes in Nigeria, Mr Chikodi Onyemerela, who praised the scholars for successfully completing demanding academic programmes. He encouraged them to remain good ambassadors of their UK institutions and to deploy their expertise to tackle challenges across key sectors in Nigeria, while sustaining partnerships with institutions in the UK.

Some of the returning scholars also shared their aspirations. Chevening Scholar, Nankur Pontip Ramdur, a graduate of Terrorism, International Crime and Global Security from Coventry University, said her studies strengthened her commitment to peace and security. She revealed plans to continue community and school outreach on responses to sexual and gender-based violence, alongside work on a book aimed at expanding the initiative’s impact.

Similarly, Commonwealth Scholar, Chimdi Ekwueme, who studied Health Policy, Planning and Finance at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said studying in the UK broadened his perspective by placing Nigerian experiences within global policy conversations, while providing practical insights relevant to the local health sector.

Chevening and Commonwealth Scholarships are flagship UK government-supported programmes that provide opportunities for outstanding individuals to study in the UK and develop leadership potential. Nigeria currently boasts one of the largest alumni communities, with over 4,500 beneficiaries across both schemes contributing to national development in public service, academia, business and civil society.

British High Commission Celebrates Return of 99 UK-Trained Nigerian Scholars