Nigeria's army has been described as mighty on paper many of its soldiers 'ghosts' who exist only on the payroll, much of its equipment stolen and sold to insurgents."The Economist, October 2021
When the President Outsources Hunger to the Churches by Lawson Akhigbe
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recently delivered a masterclass in presidential fatalism. In his own words:
Bola Ahmed Tinubu: The Most Nigerian of Nigerian Presidents? By Lawson Akhigbe
In that sense, Tinubu may be regarded as the most “Nigerian” of Nigerian presidents—not necessarily as a compliment, but because he appears to encapsulate many of the contradictions, ambiguities and controversies that have long defined Nigerian politics.
Major Chip Hazard Goes to Washington: When Toy Soldiers Run the War Department by Lawson Akhigbe
Donald Trump’s return to the White House marked the triumph of image over expertise. Cabinet positions increasingly resembled casting decisions. Loyalty became more important than experience. Television skills became more valuable than administrative competence.
When Tactical Brilliance Meets Strategic Confusion: Washington’s Iran Problem by Lawson Akhigbe
But wars are not graded like Olympic gymnastics. There are no medals for technical execution if the end result leaves your opponent intact, emboldened, or—worse—adapted.

