Timothy Obiezu

Nigeria Proposes Gas Alternatives Amid Fuel Price Hikes

Nigerian authorities and entrepreneurs have turned to promoting the usage of alternative fuels such as natural gas and electric vehicles as a means of avoiding the high costs of petroleum fuel triggered by the scrapping of subsidies by President Bola Tinubu upon his inauguration in May. Reporter Timothy Obiezu has more from Nigeria’s capital, Abuja.

Nigeria’s Super Falcons Consider Boycotting Opening FIFA World Cup Match

Nigeria’s women’s national football team, the “Super Falcons,” the only African team to have participated in all FIFA Women’s World Cup tournaments since 1991, could possibly boycott their opening fixture against Canada at the 2023 edition of the global tournament, in protest over unpaid bonuses – a development happening amid increased demands for fair pay by female players. For VOA, reporter Timothy Obiezu produced this report from Nigeria’s capital, Abuja.

Nigerian Female Soccer Players Struggle for Equality

The FIFA Women’s World Cup is set to begin this week and excitement in Africa is building for the event. Nigeria’s women’s team, the Super Falcons, have had immense success in the past few seasons, but have not seen success translate into a better paycheck. VOA’s Timothy Obiezu caught up with the Super Falcons to see how this season might change for the better.

Nigerian Activists Decry Military's Burning of Vessel Containing Stolen Crude

ABUJA — Environmental activists in Nigeria are raising alarm after the military this week burned a ship with more than 800,000 liters of stolen crude oil.

Nigeria Electoral Body Election Review Underway Amid Court Challenges

China Seeks to Strengthen Nigeria Ties With Navy Visit

ABUJA — In a rare visit to West Africa, the Chinese navy is making a port call in Nigeria this week, as Beijing seeks to expand its influence.

High Prices Dampen Eid Celebration for Nigerian Muslims

Inflation triggered by President Bola Tinubu's decision to remove fuel subsidies in May has seen food prices jump, in some cases more than doubling

Millions in Nigeria Still Using Solid Cooking Fuels Despite Health Risks

Households depend on firewood, charcoal to heat food because of the high cost of cleaner alternatives

Sports Lovers Grow Baseball in Nigeria

Nigerian sports commentators report that baseball, a sport introduced to the West African nation in the 1960s by the U.S. Peace Corps, is slowly growing due to efforts by a few dedicated fanatics investing their time and finances. For more, reporter Timothy Obiezu visited Ekiti state where he profiled Oluwafemi Aina, an avid fan of baseball and coach who has been mentoring aspiring Nigerian players since 2014.

Nigeria Remembers Ondo State Shooting

Nigerian officials and the Catholic diocese recently honored victims of a mass shooting that happened last year at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in southwest Ondo state by holding a memorial service and dedicating a park in their memory. For more on the proceedings and how Nigeria’s new President Bola Tinubu has vowed to address insecurity in the West African nation, VOA correspondent Timothy Obiezu produced this report from Owo.

Nigerian News Outlet Helps Disabled

The Cable, a Nigerian online news outlet, launched its Disability Inclusive News Application "DINA" in May with the goal of providing access to information through technology for some marginalized groups comprising the 25 million Nigerians that live with disabilities. For more on DINA and how its helping Nigeria’s disabled population, VOA correspondent Timothy Obiezu produced this report from Abuja.

Nigeria’s Tinubu Removes Petrol Subsidies

Nigeria’s new president Bola Tinubu announced during his inauguration a government order to stop paying for petrol subsidies to redirect public funds towards other projects – a development that in previous circumstances has spiked fuel prices, triggered inflation and often led to protests. For more, VOA correspondent Timothy Obiezu took to the streets of Abuja where he spoke to entrepreneurs, motorists, and experts.

UN: Nigeria’s Northeast Facing Severe Food Shortages

The United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs recently took journalists to Nigeria’s northeast region, where they witnessed locals facing severe food shortages that are affecting over 4 million people. VOA correspondent Timothy Obiezu was among the reporters who witnessed what the U.N. described as a worsening situation and filed this report from Maiduguri in Nigeria’s Borno State. 

Nigeria Politics Not Woman Friendly: Experts

Nigerian lawmakers and experts argue that the February 25 elections were a step backward for gender equality after witnessing a reduction in the number of women that were voted into the National Assembly, an outcome that may change after the upcoming March 18 polls. For VOA, reporter Timothy Obiezu speaks to activists, lawmakers and candidates from Abuja, Nigeria.

‘Nigeria Must Unite’: President-Elect Tinubu

Nigeria’s President-elect Bola Tinubu has called on opposition leaders Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi to embrace peace and work with his incoming government to address challenges faced by the West African nation. Despite peace calls by the incoming leader, opposition parties claim that his victory in the 2023 elections was fraudulent and vowed to challenge his presidency in court. For more, VOA’s Timothy Obiezu provides updates from Abuja, Nigeria.

Ukraine War: Nigerian Students Resort to Online Studies

Nigerians made up the largest number of sub-Saharan African students in Ukraine when Russia invaded a year ago, forcing thousands to flee and halting their degrees. Despite the ongoing war, universities in Ukraine and Nigeria teamed up last year to help those students complete their degrees. Timothy Obiezu reports from Abuja, Nigeria.

Nigerian Students Commemorate Ukraine War Anniversary

Nigerian students that had turned to Ukraine to further their studies reported commemorating the anniversary of the war in eastern Europe and expressed gratitude to education authorities who permitted them to complete their studies online.

Nigeria Ready to Elect New President

Nigerian experts report that a record 93.4 million voters are ready to cast their ballots on Saturday in a historic election that will witness a formidable third-party force contesting to replace the outgoing President Muhammadu Buhari.

Nigeria Ready for Historic Polls

Nigerians report being ready to head to the polls on February 25 to elect a new president in an election that experts have dubbed historic due to it having three main candidates vying to replace the outgoing President Muhammadu Buhari. For more on Saturday’s election, VOA’s Timothy Obiezu reports from Abuja, Nigeria.

Nigeria Election Violence Spikes As Poll Draws Near

Nigeria's National Peace Committee says election-related violence has been escalating during campaign rallies and events ahead of the country's Feb. 25 national polls, triggering concerns about the integrity of the voting process.