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Endangered donkeys of Sokoto: Exploring the hidden drivers of decline

Michael Simire
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Endangered donkeys of Sokoto: Exploring the hidden drivers of decline

Beneath the sprawling branches of an ancient tree in his abode in the Wurno area of Sokoto, Mallam Aliyu Hassan drifts into memories of a time when donkeys were cherished and honoured.

“My father and grandfather relied on donkeys just as I do now. They weren’t just animals; they were part of our family, part of our survival.” 

He recalled the day they acquired their first donkey, how it carried their harvest, fetched water, and kept their farm thriving. These gentle creatures once roamed freely, their brays echoing through the village, weaving a rhythm into the fabric of daily life. 

Donkey
At the Illela border market, donkeys await their fate, soon to be herded into waiting vehicles for the next leg of their journey

Disappearing Donkeys

“But everything has changed,” lamented Mr Aliyu, his voice thick with nostalgia. “Now I hear stories of donkeys vanishing overnight, taken by traders. Each day, there are fewer. It pains me to see something so dear slipping away from our lives.”

Aisha Usman, a 60-year-old resident of Wurno, also reminisced about the days when donkeys hauled water from wells or carried stones and sand in town. She remembered how they were once decorated and paraded during traditional festivities, especially during Sallah and turbaning ceremonies.

“These days, it’s rare to see donkeys in those events,” she said.

A Rapid Decline: The Numbers and Causes

Over the last decade, Sokoto’s donkey population has fallen sharply, threatening both livelihoods and cultural practices. 

According to the Director of Livestock Services in Sokoto state, Abubakar Muhammad Maidawa, the numbers have dropped from more than 250,000 donkeys to about 45,000 today. “It’s a significant decline,” he said.

Despite the Nigerian government’s ban on the trade in donkey parts under its export prohibition policy, the illicit market continues to grow. The ban was meant to reduce demand for donkey hides, which are valued for their use in traditional medicine, but it has done little to stop the illegal flow into international markets.

Donkey hides, meat, and internal organs remain in high demand. Traders sell them to middlemen who then move them to countries like China, where they are used in the production of traditional medicinal products. This ongoing trade is driving the decline of Nigeria’s donkey population and raising serious animal welfare concerns, with many animals being subjected to inhumane treatment and slaughter.

The recent arrests and interception of large consignments of donkey parts across Nigeria in the past few months also indicate that the illegal trade is still very much in existence.

In the last four months, there have been several major arrests across the country. On October 15, 2025, the Adamawa/Taraba Area Command of the Nigerian Customs Service announced that its operatives intercepted 64 complete donkey skins, valued at N112.59 million, being smuggled to China through the Republic of Cameroon. In July 2025, the Nigeria Customs Service intercepted a container-load of 10,603 male donkey genitals along the Kaduna-Abuja Expressway. In June, the Nigerian Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit, FOU Zone C, Owerri, intercepted 13.6kg of dry donkey skin worth N3.6 billion in Owerri, Imo State. 

Also, between April 17 and May 17, 2024, the Nigerian Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Kaduna, comprising units in Kaduna, Sokoto, Kano, Jigawa, Katsina, Zamfara, and Kebbi. Niger, Kogi. Kwara and the Federal Capital Territory intercepted two consignments of donkey meat and bones, valued at N3 billion. One of the consignments was a truck with 750 sacks of donkey bones intercepted along Sokoto-Gusau road, while the other included two Canter trucks carrying dried donkey meat along Kontagora -Tegina Road in Niger State.

Fading Footprints: The Multifaceted Pressures Threatening Species

The Zonal Veterinary Officer for Sokoto Central District, Dr Bello Lawal Yahya, noted that a variety of factors are at play. Human activities and ecological changes intertwine to diminish donkey numbers. Market pressure, including illegal trade and the exploitation of donkeys for hides and meat, takes a toll. Husbandry issues, such as inadequate nutrition and poor breeding practices, hinder the regeneration of the donkey population.

Urbanisation reduces traditional donkey habitats, pushing them out of cultural practices and accelerating their decline.

“Biodiversity is dwindling as urbanisation spreads, making donkeys increasingly rare and leaving cultural practices that once relied on them to fade,” he observed.

“Festivities where donkeys were decorated are now scarcely observed, symbolising a broader decline as civilisation reduces their traditional importance.”

Expounding on diet, the vet doctor stressed how nutrition influences breeding. “Many local donkey owners in the state do not provide their donkeys with adequate care. This lack results in delayed reproductive cycles. Time stretches between foals, largely due to poor nutrition.”

Dr Yahya highlighted that nutritional imbalances cause donkeys to grow slowly and develop health problems. He explicitly stated that inadequate nutrition leads to wasting and common digestive issues like colic, which can eventually result in death.

Dr Yahya also noted that donkeys are exposed to stress and discomfort. He explained, “Donkeys often travel very long distances before accessing water, and at times, may go one or two days without any food provided by their owners. So that also causes a lot of discomfort to them.” 

Dr Yahya explained that donkeys should have the freedom to exhibit their natural behaviour; unfortunately, they do not, and should be free from stress, but are instead exposed to a range of different stresses. That alone could cause many problems for the donkey population.”

Reliance on imported donkeys, challenges to Indigenous breeds

Support for local breeds is minimal. Many donkeys are imported rather than bred locally. This raises concerns about the potential loss of indigenous genetic lines. Concerns about genetic diversity and local breed conservation arise from reliance on imported donkeys from Niger, Mali, and other countries. When communities over-depend on external sources, indigenous breed development is stifled, and they become vulnerable to market fluctuations and border restrictions.

Trade at the Illela International Market in Illela local government area of Sokoto State, neighbouring Niger Republic, shows this shift. Traders now source donkeys from neighbouring countries. In these countries, breeding is active and supported by both governments and communities.

“We get donkeys mostly from the Niger Republic, Algeria, Mali, Burkina Faso, Libya, and other countries. There is minimal stock in Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara states,” disclosed Abubakar Hassan Zoromawa, Chairman of the Donkey and Horse traders’ union in Illela International Market. The market supplies nearby local markets, including Achida, Bodinga, Gudu, and Goronyo. 

Mr Zoronmawa, with three decades of experience, noted that people in the Niger Republic still rely on donkeys for transportation. Many Nigerians, however, have switched to motorcycles and vehicles.

He observed that in the Niger Republic and Mali, many, including women, actively breed donkeys. Influential people and governments there invest in the trade. In Nigeria, however, such support is rare.

The Ripple Effects: Cultural, Ecological, and Economic

The decline threatens more than just the animals. “Relying too much on imported donkeys has consequences. It stifles local breeding and harms communities’ lasting livelihoods,” said Conservation Advocate Abubakar Siddiq.

“Unchecked trade and shrinking habitats could cause trouble. Native species and local ecosystem balance are at risk.”

He also warned that imported animals may carry diseases. “These can affect local populations. Protecting local biodiversity needs careful management of imports and support for local breeds. This helps maintain balance and cultural heritage.”

Heritage Revival: Rejuvenating Indigenous Breeds

Efforts to conserve and improve indigenous breeds include government initiatives, such as artificial insemination and cross-breeding programmes. Additionally, the state government plans to protect the local donkey breed while supporting donkey-based businesses, including milk production, tourism, and transportation. By empowering local communities, it aimed to develop pastures for donkeys, ensure a steady supply of feed, and make veterinary care more accessible and affordable.

However, Dr Yahya urged greater research, increased community education, and strong enforcement of animal protection policies as necessary steps to prevent donkey extinction.

He underscored the urgent need for strict enforcement of animal protection laws to halt the decline of donkeys. He warned that waiting puts vital species at risk, as with vultures, which nearly vanished before people recognised their ecological role. 

“If we do not act now to improve our protection and care for donkeys, we will only realise our mistake when they are gone,” Dr Yahya cautioned. “We must take decisive steps today and avoid repeating the regret we feel with vultures. Let’s not wait until it is too late, act now to protect donkeys for future generations.”

By Rakiya Muhammad

This story was produced as part of Dataphyte Foundation’s Biodiversity Media Initiative project, with support from Internews’ Earth Journalism Network

After three decades of struggle, resilience: UN declares International Day of Indigenous Women & Girls

Michael Simire
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After three decades of struggle, resilience: UN declares International Day of Indigenous Women & Girls

When the UN General Assembly officially proclaimed the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Women and Girls, it did so in recognition of centuries of their resistance, leadership, and resilience.

The legacy of Bartolina Sisa – an Aymara leader executed in 1782 for her brave resistance against Spanish colonisation – is at the heart of the newly internationalised commemoration for Indigenous women and girls, officially recognised on September 5. This recognition of her legacy, and the sacrifices of countless other women who fearlessly advocated for their rights, arrives at a particularly powerful moment, as it coincides with two major milestones in the modern struggle for Indigenous women’s rights: the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration on Indigenous Women, commemorated at CSW69 in New York, and the 25th anniversary of the International Indigenous Women’s Forum (IIWF), celebrated in Lima in June 2025.

Indigenous women
Indigenous women

Thirty years ago, at the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, Indigenous leaders like Tarcila Rivera-Zea from Peru, Victoria Tauli-Corpuz from the Philippines, Joan Carling from the Philippines and Lucy Mulenkei from Kenya successfully brought their voices to the global gender agenda.

“Being a woman and being Indigenous are not two separate identities: they are a whole that gives us the strength and vision to transform our communities,” recalls Tauli-Corpuz, whose defense of her people’s rights has led her to face threats, persecution, and attacks.

Five years after Beijing, alongside other women leaders, she founded FIMI, which today connects networks of Indigenous women across seven continents, strengthening capacities, political advocacy, and economic autonomy. Since then, women from Africa, Asia, the Americas, Europe, the Pacific, and the Arctic have converged in this “global house of Indigenous women” to defend cultural, territorial, and human rights.

Lives that Embody the Struggle

Tarcila Rivera-Zearemembers her childhood in the Peruvian Andes: a girl who grew up in extreme poverty, without access to education in her mother tongue, and who found in reading and writing a gateway to transform her life and that of her community. Today, at 74, she continues to build networks and opportunities for Indigenous women worldwide.

In the Philippines, Joan Carlinghas dedicated over three decades to protecting Indigenous communities, halting extractive projects, and resisting the marginalisation of her peoples, often risking her own life. She has been unjustly detained, falsely accused of terrorism, and threatened with death, yet she has succeeded in stopping destructive mining projects and ensuring that Indigenous women have a voice in international forums.

In Kenya, Lucy Mulenkei, a Maasai woman and journalist, has elevated environmental defense and female participation to a regional level, co-founding the Indigenous Women’s Biodiversity Network and consolidating environmental governance networks in East Africa. Her work has been recognized with multiple awards for environmental leadership and the defense of pastoralist women’s rights.

From Guatemala, Teresa Zapetabegan as her mother’s secretary in her Chatino village, learning to write to record her mother’s leadership decisions. Today, she leads FIMI globally, coordinating networks, funds, and programs to strengthen female leadership in the face of violence, territorial dispossession, and the climate crisis.

“Territorial dispossession and violence are a daily reality, but our response is not passivity; it is action. Every network, every fund we coordinate is designed to strengthen female leadership because it is in the territory where real solutions to the climate crisis are born,” states Zapeta.

These stories intertwine: women who started in different corners of the world and who, despite inequality, discrimination, and personal risks, have built a global movement that highlights the intersection of gender, Indigenous identity, and territorial rights.

Contemporary Challenges: Structural Violence, Dispossession, and the Triple Planetary Crisis

The UN’s recognition comes in a context of existential crisis, as Indigenous women continue to face existential threats related to climate change,environmental degradation, and biodiversityloss, as well as obstacles to obtaining access to food and water security. The root of these problems is intersectional discrimination, which is structural and embedded in laws and policies, affecting women based on their sex, gender, ethnicity, disability, and age.

The violent dispossession of territories, militarisation, and the criminalisation of environmental defenders are realities affecting millions of Indigenous women. These violations are often linked to extractive activities like mining and logging, which have a devastating impact on the environment, land, and waterways. In fact, sexual violence is used as a tool of warin conflict areas, and mining or logging operations increase the risk of human trafficking.

Zapeta underscores: “We are building networks of collective care and international solidarity to protect ourselves, but the majority remains unprotected.”

The UN’s recognition not only honors historical figures like Bartolina Sisa but also those who today lead struggles for climate justice, territorial protection, and human rights.

“This recognition validates decades of effort and opens a window for the world to listen to and respect our voices,” says Rivera-Zea.

Three decades after Beijing and 25 years since FIMI’s founding, these stories show that Indigenous women not only defend their territories and cultures but also inspire global solutions for social and environmental justice, reminding the world that their resistance is, at once, their strength and their legacy.

Association seeks stronger, digitised EIA system for Nigeria

Michael Simire
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Association seeks stronger, digitised EIA system for Nigeria

The Association for Environmental Impact Assessment of Nigeria (AEIAN) has called for the harmonisation and digitisation of the country’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) system to support sustainable national development.

President of the association, Dr Abbas Suleiman, made the submission while addressing participants at its 2025 Annual National Conference (nineth edition) and Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, December 10, in Lagos.

The event had the theme: “Institutional Strengthening of Impact Assessment Policies and Regulations in Nigeria.”

Association for Environmental Impact Assessment of Nigeria (AEIAN)
Dignitaries at the Annual Conference and Meeting of the Association for Environmental Impact Assessment of Nigeria (AEIAN)

Suleiman said Nigeria’s rapid expansion in infrastructure, industrial zones, energy, agribusiness and transport projects had increased pressure on ecosystems, making institutional reforms in EIA administration a national priority.

According to him, EIA remains the critical instrument that ensures development and does not compromise environmental integrity.

“For EIA to  be effective, institutions must be strong, mandates must be clear, processes must be transparent, and professionals must be equipped,” he said.

He said that Nigeria had made progress with sectoral regulations, stronger agencies and improved public awareness, but still faced gaps that weakened environmental governance, 32 years after the enactment of the EIA Act.

He listed the lingering challenges as overlapping and conflicting mandates among regulators, bureaucratic delays, weak post-EIA monitoring, inadequate equipment and data systems.

Others, he said, were  limited capacity in emerging areas such as climate risk assessment, cumulative impact assessment, Strategic Environmental Assessment, and biodiversity offsets.

Suleiman also listed poor community engagement, fragmented databases and inconsistent information flow between institutions as some of the challenges.

“These institutional challenges are not failures but opportunities for reform,” he said.

Suleiman outlined key reforms required to strengthen the national EIA system, as legislative updates to the EIA Act, policy harmonisation among regulators, a unified project screening system and clearer guidelines for inter-agency collaboration.

He said Nigeria must fully digitise its impact assessment process through a central online platform that would host project registration, public disclosures, review timelines, decision tracking, and compliance monitoring.

He added that professionalism in the sector needed to be enhanced through certification pathways, updated technical guidelines, national training modules and continuous professional development for practitioners.

“EIA approval should not be the end of the process. It is only the beginning.

“Stronger monitoring, better laboratories, drone and satellite-based surveillance and community-driven reporting must be prioritised,” he said.

He stressed the need to integrate climate change, public health, gender inclusion, human rights safeguards and nature-based solutions into modern environmental assessments.

He said AEIAN would continue to support government and partner with ministries, regulatory agencies, universities, development partners and the private sector to improve environmental governance in the country.

He urged regulators, consultants, academics, industry players, communities and government to work together to strengthen EIA implementation and ensure environmental safeguards remain central to Nigeria’s development priorities.

“Let us move from paper compliance to real environmental outcomes, and from fragmentation to institutional strength,” he said.

The conference also featured the inauguration of AEIAN’s Lifetime Achievement Awards to honour pioneers of EIA practice in Nigeria.

The recipients included Prof. Oladapo Afolabi, Ms Anne Ene-Ita, Emeritus Prof. Babatunde Alo, Prof. Oladele Osibanjo, and Asiwaju Anthony Ojeshina.

Other awards were presented to key contributors to AEIAN’s growth, including Prof. Bode Gbenle, Dr Banji Adekoya, Dr Ahmed Sanda, Prof. Ijeoma Vincent-Akpu, Dr John Alonge, Mrs. Bolanle Bolorunduro, and Mrs. Rofikat Odetoro, current Director of EIA at the Federal Ministry of Environment.

By Fabian Ekeruche

Human Rights Day: CAPPA decries deteriorating rights protection, seeks end to impunity

Michael Simire
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Human Rights Day: CAPPA decries deteriorating rights protection, seeks end to impunity

As the world marks International Human Rights Day 2025, Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has decried the deteriorating state of human-rights protection in Nigeria, blaming systemic governance failures for depriving many Nigerians of the dignity, security, and rights to which they are entitled by virtue of their humanity and citizenship.

In a statement to mark the day, CAPPA observed that state neglect and abuse of power, impunity among law-enforcement agencies, widespread insecurity, and mounting socio-economic pressures continue to diminish countless lives, leaving survivors with unhealed wounds, eroded rights, and a widening gap between the freedoms politically promised and the harsh realities on ground.

Human Rights Day
Human Rights

The organisation urged authorities at all levels to end impunity for security-force abuses; protect journalists, activists and human-rights defenders; prioritise the security of all citizens; address the social and economic conditions driving mass suffering; strengthen national institutions; and foster a genuine national culture of care and human rights.

“2025 has been a year of grim reminders,” the statement reads. “From the 570 killings and 278 kidnappings reported across the country in April alone, to the 275,256 human-rights abuse complaints recorded in May by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Nigerians continue to endure levels of violence, deprivation and state neglect that are incompatible with any notion of a rights-respecting society.”

CAPPA spotlighted persistent grave and systemic rights violations, including abuses of women’s and girls’ rights, and mass abductions, as the state repeatedly fails to prevent targeted attacks on communities, schools and vulnerable populations.

According to the statement, citizens across the federation are confronted with overlapping crises with civil and political rights under attack, social and economic rights in free fall, and escalating insecurity and communal violence: Peaceful protesters still risk lethal force and arbitrary arrests, with no accountability for the at least 24 unarmed citizens killed during the 2024 #EndBadGovernance demonstrations, abuses that still cast a long shadow in 2025. Journalists and media workers remain targets of intimidation, harassment, and detention, CAPPA said, with about 69 attacks on journalists this year alone, 74 per cent perpetrated by state actors, according to a 2025 Media Rights Agenda (MRA) report.

“When those charged with protecting rights become their violators, democracy itself is endangered,” the statement added.

It underscored that millions continue to struggle without access to essentials – safe water, decent housing, adequate healthcare, and secure livelihoods, and that rising inflation, unsafe communities, and the absence of social protection have left families vulnerable and desperate. CAPPA described these as not just economic problems, but urgent human-rights emergencies.

The organisation called on the Federal Government and all duty-bearers to take decisive steps to “reverse the dangerous trajectory of rights violations and emergencies in Nigeria.”

It emphasised that International Human Rights Day is a moment to take stock of how far the country has drifted from the basic guarantees it owes its people. The statement said that Nigeria cannot continue on a path where violence is normalised, institutions fail without consequence, and citizens are left to navigate insecurity and deprivation with little protection from the state.

“People have the right to safety, justice and dignity,” the organisation said.

“These are obligations the Nigerian state must meet. A credible response requires honesty about what is broken and a renewed commitment to rebuilding systems that restore them.”

CAPPA added that progress will depend on steady and practical reforms that safeguard civic freedoms, strengthen oversight of security agencies, improve the capacity of human-rights institutions, and address the social conditions that make communities vulnerable.

The statement concluded by encouraging government, civil society and partners across sectors to pursue practical solutions that rebuild trust, close protection gaps and empower Nigerians to live without fear, deprivation or uncertainty.

Group unveils second phase of youth plastic use initiative

Michael Simire
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Group unveils second phase of youth plastic use initiative

Digital Peers International (DPI), an NGO, has unveiled phase two of its environmental initiative to engage tech-driven youths in effective plastic use and waste management in the Federal Capital Territory and Nasarawa State.

The second phase, titled “Deploying the Power of IT-Engaged Youths in Effective Plastic Use and Plastic Waste Management 2.0,” was unveiled at a press conference on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, in Abuja.

The initiative is supported by the Global Environment Facility’s Small Grants Programme, implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Digital Peers International (DPI)
Officials of Digital Peers International (DPI) at the media briefing in Abuja

DPI CEO, Dr Ibukun Odusote, said the project equipped youths with skills and opportunities to combat plastic pollution and foster innovations that transformed communities.

She noted that the initiative addressed Nigeria’s growing plastic waste crisis through youth leadership, digital innovation, and community-driven environmental action.

“From clogged drainage systems that cause flooding to degraded farmlands, contaminated waterways, and microplastics threatening human health, the impact of plastic waste is felt in our homes, schools, markets, and ecosystems.

“Plastic waste is no longer just an environmental problem; it is a social, economic, and public health challenge,” Odusote said.

She highlighted that phase one, implemented in 2023, generated ICT-driven solutions for waste monitoring, school and community recycling, and enhanced environmental awareness.

“Phase two is designed to deepen youth participation, expand community impact, and strengthen local solutions.

“The project adopts a team approach, requiring self-formed groups of four youths aged 15 to 30.

“This promotes collaboration, creativity, and peer motivation, qualities essential for addressing environmental challenges,” she said.

Odusote explained that the teams would compete for cash prizes, with the top group receiving N2 million, while runners-up will earn N1.6 million, N1.2 million, N800,000, and N400,000 respectively.

“Beyond financial rewards, the best ideas will receive incubation support, tools, mentorship, and opportunities to develop into viable eco-startups within the plastic value chain.”

She added that the project included a social media component encouraging youths to produce 60-second videos proposing practical, technology-driven solutions to plastic waste.

“Top entries will win N150,000, with consolation prizes for 100 additional participants.

“All interventions are designed to reduce plastic pollution and institutionalise long-term behavioral and cultural change within households, schools, businesses, and communities.

“Phase II is not just a campaign; it is a movement, transforming waste into value, problems into opportunities, and young people into champions of sustainability,” she said.

Dr Adeolu Odusote, Managing Director of Pearls Learning Hub, urged the media to highlight issues that protected the environment and contribute to global climate commitments.

Elizabeth Atsen, a beneficiary of phase one, said the initiative had equipped her with plastic waste management skills, which she had shared with others, amplifying the project’s impact in her community.

By Justina Auta

EU Commission aims to simplify environmental regulations

Michael Simire
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EU Commission aims to simplify environmental regulations

The European Commission on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, proposed changes to its own environmental regulations with the aim to ease the bureaucratic burden on businesses.

The commission hopes that the proposed amendments to six existing laws could have companies around €1 billion ($1.16 billion) annually.

“This legislative simplification provides a careful balance, facilitating businesses to operate more efficiently while preserving our core environmental and health goals,” said EU Commission Vice President, Teresa Ribera.

Teresa Ribera
European Commission Vice President, Teresa Ribera

Environmental impact assessments for permits are to be simplified and accelerated.

The commission said, Digitalisation is intended to speed up environmental audits, while simultaneously ensuring access to analyses and their processing into reusable data,.

Additionally, companies will have more flexibility in implementing environmental regulations under the plans.

Certain reports will no longer be mandatory, and farmers and aquaculture companies will be exempt from certain reporting obligations.

Businesses in the battery, packaging, electronics, single-use plastics and waste sectors will no longer be required to appoint a separate representative for waste or recycling obligations in each EU country with the aim to save both time and money.

The proposals to simplify the EU’s own environmental regulations must now be discussed and approved by the member states and the European Parliament before they can enter into force.

Wednesday’s proposals are part of a wider effort to cut red tape in the EU and to improve Europe’s competitiveness.

Earlier this week an agreement was reached to weaken the EU’s supply chain law designed to protect human rights which will only apply to a few large companies.

Scientists uncover how immune cells sense bacteria

Michael Simire
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Scientists uncover how immune cells sense bacteria

Scientists in Australia have identified how human immune cells detect bacteria, a discovery that could lead to effective vaccines and therapies for many diseases.

Researchers at Australia’s Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity found that macrophages, immune cells known for engulfing pathogens act as “couriers” that alert the immune system to bacterial presence.

A media release from the Doherty Institute on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, said: “This activates the immune system and helps our body stay in balance with the good bacteria that live within us (forming the microbiota) while protecting us from dangerous bacteria.’’

University of Melbourne
University of Melbourne, Australia

According to Deng Jieru from the University of Melbourne, who conducted postdoctoral research at the Doherty Institute said the study shows macrophages carry the highest amount of a molecule called MR1.

The MRI which captures chemical signals from bacteria and presents them to specialised immune cells known as MAIT cells.

Deng, who led the study published in Science, said: “By using glowing ‘chemical messages’ we showed that macrophages were the most efficient cells at picking messages and to use this to engage MAIT cells to fight infections.’’

She said this discovery is important because MAIT cells can rapidly switch on powerful immune responses, adding that by understanding how macrophages control this process; this discovery paves the way for better vaccines and treatments. 

Govt links industrial growth to reliable energy supply

Michael Simire
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Govt links industrial growth to reliable energy supply

The Federal Government says Nigeria must prioritise industrialisation and dependable energy supply to stop exporting raw materials and strengthen local value chains.

Minister of State for Industry, Sen. John Enoh, stated this at the Industrial Revolution Work-Group Premier Ministerial Roundtable on Energy, Security and Industrial Infrastructure on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, in Abuja.

Speaking on the theme, “Beyond Power: Building the Backbone of the Industry – Energy, Infrastructure and Sovereignty in Action,” Enoh described industrialisation as an economic imperative.

John Enoh
Minister of State for Industry, Sen. John Enoh

He also stressed the need to boost productivity through value addition and processing.

Enoh said the programme aimed to ensure Nigeria became more productive by reducing raw material exports and enhancing economic management.

He added that discussions within the Industrial Revolution Workgroup had identified energy security and weak industrial infrastructure as major barriers to growth.

Enoh said the roundtable series would begin by tackling power supply issues in industrial clusters, noting that energy was central to industrial development.

Strengthening clusters, he said, remained the most practical way to deliver energy and infrastructure efficiently.

While acknowledging the importance of the national grid, Enoh said alternative energy sources must complement it.

He explained that blended power, gas, solar and others, was needed, especially where grid supply was unreliable.

Enoh said the forum was designed to produce actionable solutions, including identifying priority industrial clusters and the quickest ways to supply them with power.

He also cited obstacles such as right-of-way delays affecting transmission projects and called for faster implementation.

The minister added that consensus had been reached on the need for stronger collaboration between the Ministry of Power and the industrial sector to tackle challenges systematically, cluster by cluster.

Minister of Power, Mr. Adebayo Adelabu, said economic growth depended on a vibrant industrial sector powered by reliable and affordable electricity.

He noted that ongoing reforms in legislation, policy and infrastructure had improved grid stability and boosted generation and consumption.

Adelabu said government was strengthening transmission, distribution, regulation and investment to ensure sustainable electricity supply and reduce grid disturbances nationwide.

President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Mr. Francis Meshioye, said the roundtable addressed critical issues, including alternative power sources to ensure independent and reliable electricity supply for industries.

He said discussions covered options such as independent power and dual international connections, guided by cost-benefit analysis.

He expressed confidence that practical power solutions for industrial clusters would emerge in the coming months.

By Vivian Emoni

UNEP’s 2025 Champions of the Earth award recognises five climate trailblazers

Michael Simire
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0
UNEP’s 2025 Champions of the Earth award recognises five climate trailblazers

As the world moves to slow climate change and create a more sustainable future, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, named five climate forerunners as its 2025 Champions of the Earth. These five extraordinary leaders, who work on issues ranging from climate justice to sustainable cooling and forest protection, show that bold action can drive real change for people and planet.

“As the global impacts of the climate crisis intensify, innovation and leadership across every sector of society have never been more essential,” said Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP.

Supriya Sahu
Supriya Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary, Environment, Climate Change & Forests, Tamil Nadu

“Young students demanding climate justice, subnational governments and architects leading on sustainable cooling and smart building design, research institutes slowing deforestation, and passionate individuals driving methane emissions reductions – this year’s Champions of the Earth show the kind of leadership that will inspire the world to face down the challenge of climate change,” added Andersen.

Now in its 20th year, UNEP’s Champions of the Earth award is the UN’s highest environmental honour, celebrating environmental leaders who deliver important solutions in their fields. This year’s laureates – announced on the margins of the seventh session of the UN Environment assembly – are tackling some of the most urgent challenges of our time: climate justice, methane emissions, sustainable cooling, resilient buildings, and forest conservation. Since 2005, the award has recognised 127 leaders whose vision and courage inspire global action.

UNEP’s 2025 Champions of the Earth are:

  • Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change – Policy Leadership
    A youth-led NGO that secured a landmark opinion from the International Court of Justice affirming states’ legal obligations to prevent climate harm and protect human rights, their campaign is reshaping global climate law and empowering vulnerable nations.
     
  • Supriya Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Tamil Nadu – Inspiration and Action
    A pioneer in sustainable cooling and ecosystem restoration, Ms. Sahu’s initiatives have created 2.5 million green jobs, expanded forest cover, and integrated heat adaptation into infrastructure, benefiting 12 million people and setting a model for climate resilience.
     
  • Mariam Issoufou, Principal and Founder, Mariam Issoufou Architects, Niger/France– Entrepreneurial Vision
    By grounding her architecture in local materials and cultural heritage, Ms. Issoufou is redefining sustainable, climate-resilient buildings across the Sahel and inspiring a new generation of designers shaping Africa’s built environment. Through projects like the Hikma Community Complex in Niger, she pioneers passive cooling techniques that keep buildings up to 10°C cooler without air conditioning.
     
  • Imazon, Brazil – Science and Innovation
    A research institute combining science and AI-driven geospatial tools to curb deforestation, Imazon’s work has strengthened forest governance, supported thousands of legal cases, and revealed the scale of illegal deforestation – driving systemic change in the Amazon.
     
  • Manfredi Caltagirone (posthumous) – Lifetime Achievement
    Former head of UNEP’s International Methane Emissions Observatory, Mr. Caltagirone championed transparency and science-based action on methane, influencing the EU’s first regulation on methane emissions and shaping global energy policy.

The work of this year’s laureates focuses on the crisis of climate change: global temperatures are on track to exceed 1.5°C within the next decade, and current pledges fall short of Paris Agreement goals. Adaptation costs for developing countries could reach $310–$365 billion annually by 2035, 12 times current funding levels. Yet, these Champions prove that action is possible – and powerful.

Cutting methane today can cool the planet within years, improve air quality, and create jobs. Restoring forests safeguards water, reduces disasters, and protects biodiversity. Sustainable cooling and resilient buildings save lives, preserve food and vaccines, and keep economies productive. Climate justice ensures that vulnerable communities have a voice and legal protection.

Nigeria’s Husk Power, Instollar, Izili, Infibranches, REA bag AFSIA solar awards

Michael Simire
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Nigeria’s Husk Power, Instollar, Izili, Infibranches, REA bag AFSIA solar awards

The African Solar Industry Association (AFSIA) has announced the winners of the AFSIA Awards 2025, held in partnership with REFA 2025 and with the support of Dutch & Co. The Awards ceremony took place on December 3 in Accra, bringing together leaders and innovators from across the continent to celebrate outstanding achievements in the African solar and storage industry.

This annual event recognises the most innovative, impactful, and transformative contributions driving Africa’s clean energy transition forward, and relies on a fully independent selection process that combines the expertise of a high-level jury of industry professionals with the participation of a public vote, ensuring both credibility and broad industry engagement.

AFSIA Awards 2025
All the winners of the AFSIA Awards 2025

The “Innovation of the Year” award went to Instollar, whose launch of Africa’s first solar freelance platform, mobilising more than 700 freelance solar installers across Nigeria, is bridging a critical talent and last-mile delivery gap in the industry.

The distinction for “Public Administration of the Year” went to Rural Electrification Agency (REA) Nigeria, which has dramatically improved reliable clean energy access through the Energising Education Programme (EEP) Phase II by electrifying seven federal universities and two teaching hospitals across all six geopolitical zones.

The “Solar Technology Provider of the Year” award was presented to Infibranches Technologies for its Fazipay platform and Single Point of Integration (SPOI) APIs, which streamline demand generation, distribution, and payment collection between solar providers, financial institutions, and last-mile customers.

In the “Mini-Grid Project of the Year” category, the jury and public voting declared a tie, honouring both Husk Power and TramaTecno Ambiental for their exceptional achievements. Husk Power was celebrated for commissioning an impressive 53 new mini-grids within a single year in Nigeria’s Nasarawa and Plateau states, averaging 4.4 deployments per month and accelerating rural electrification.

TramaTecno Ambiental was equally recognised for bringing clean, reliable power to three island villages on the Volta River in Ghana, demonstrating outstanding impact in remote and underserved communities.

The award for “SHS Company of the Year” went to Izili (formerly Baobab+), whose pioneering “PAYGo 2.0” approach is redefining impact and customer experience in Africa’s solar home system sector.

In the category “Utility-Scale Solar Project of the Year,” AMEA Power was honoured for its groundbreaking 300 MWh battery storage expansion at the Abydos project in Egypt, which will become the country’s first utility-scale solar-plus-storage facility and significantly enhance grid stability and renewable energy integration.

In the category “Storage Project of the Year,” Africa REN secured top recognition for the Walo project in Senegal, a 16 MWp solar plant paired with a 10 MW / 20 MWh storage system that demonstrates excellence in hybrid infrastructure deployment.

The award for “C&I Project of the Year” was presented to KYA-Energy Group for its large-scale solarisation of 314 healthcare centers across Togo, a milestone that is significantly advancing reliable energy access for essential services.

The distinction for “Visual of the Year” was awarded to AM Power, recognising outstanding creativity and communication through visual media.

In the category “Advisor of the Year,” Studio Santi was recognised for its Owner’s Engineer role in the construction of the 15 MWp Twiga Cement solar plant in a disused quarry in Tanzania, demonstrating excellence in technical leadership and project supervision.

The award for “Storage Technology Provider of the Year” went to Freedom Won, which has built Africa’s broadest and most scalable LiFePO₄ battery portfolio and now operates South Africa’s largest battery manufacturing plant with the capacity to produce up to 3.5 GWh annually.

In the “Deal or Financing Programme of the Year” category, Acumen was recognised for successfully closing the Hardest-to-Reach (H2R) Program, securing more than $245 million across two investment vehicles dedicated to expanding energy access in underserved African markets.

The prestigious award for “African Company of the Year” was presented to CrossBoundary, whose development of a 223 MWp / 526 MWh baseload solar and BESS facility for the Kamoa-Kakula Mining Complex in the DRC marks the largest captive C&I PPA ever signed in Africa and the first baseload solar-plus-storage system of its kind on the continent.

Finally, the Lifetime Achievement Award was bestowed upon Dr. Laura Stachel, whose tireless commitment to integrating solar energy into African healthcare systems has transformed service delivery in rural clinics. Her pioneering Solar Suitcase has become a globally recognized model for scalable, cost-effective humanitarian innovation.

Held alongside REFA 2025 and supported by Dutch & Co, this year’s ceremony once again highlights the depth of talent, innovation, and ambition driving Africa’s solar and storage transformation. AFSIA congratulates all winners and applauds their exceptional contributions to advancing sustainable energy across the continent.

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