Trials have commenced in Nigeria for hundreds of individuals, including members of the country's electoral commission, INEC, who are accused of offenses related to the general elections held last year.

Nigerian activists, including transgender woman Empress Cookie, have praised Pope Francis' decision to allow Catholic priests to bless same-sex couples, seeing it as a positive step for LGBTQ rights in Africa. However, religious organizations in Africa, such as the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, have expressed dismay, with Bishop John Promise Daniel criticizing the move as contrary to the word of God. The Catholic Church of Nigeria has not yet responded, but a spokesperson indicated that bishops are formulating a position. Meanwhile, a Ugandan court is hearing a challenge to the country's anti-LGBTQ law. Activists remain skeptical about the overturning of Nigeria's laws against homosexuality but view the pope's declaration as progress.

The COP28 summit concluded with a landmark deal to transition from fossil fuels, aiming to reduce carbon emissions and combat global warming. The agreement, which also promotes renewable energy and carbon capture technologies, has been met with mixed reactions in Nigeria. Nigerian leaders, including former climate change director Peter Tarfa, stress the need for proper implementation. However, Salisu Dahiru and others criticize the deal for lacking fairness towards developing countries. Nigeria, heavily reliant on oil for foreign exchange, faces economic impacts from the transition. President Bola Tinubu has called for significant financial support to achieve Nigeria's transition plan, while highlighting developed nations' unfulfilled financial commitments to poorer countries.

Nigerians are advocating for a ceasefire and peace in the Middle East following the outbreak of conflict in the Gaza territory, initiated by Hamas militants' attacks on Israel on October 7. The conflict has resulted in over 1,400 deaths in Israel, including foreign nationals, and nearly 3,000 deaths in Gaza due to Israeli bombardment. VOA reporter Timothy Obiezu gathered opinions from residents in Abuja, Nigeria.

The Women's World Cup kicked off on Thursday, July 20, with victories for the two host countries, New Zealand and Australia. The first African nation to compete, Nigeria, will face Canada tonight. The focus is on the Super Falcons, Nigeria's team.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of Nigeria, led by chair Mahmood Yakubu, is conducting a review of its operations and technologies used in recent elections. Despite INEC's claims of a successful voter accreditation system, the European Union and other observers have criticized the elections for not being transparent or inclusive, and for operational and logistical issues. The Nigerian presidency rejected the EU's report, while other experts like Idayat Hassan and Emmanuel Njoku highlighted the challenging political environment and INEC's shortcomings. INEC has been evaluating its performance since 2011 and is also reviewing evidence of infractions in over 200 police investigations. An appeals court in Abuja is hearing lawsuits challenging Bola Tinubu's election, with proceedings to resume later in the month.

The National Petroleum Company NNPC Ltd. of Nigeria supported the decision of the country's new leader, President Bola Tinubu, to stop paying long-standing oil subsidies. Tinubu announced this during his inauguration on Monday in the capital, Abuja. Nigeria spends billions of dollars each year to keep fuel prices affordable at the pump, and previous administrations' attempts to end subsidies often led to street protests.

Nigeria's new president Bola Tinubu has announced the cessation of petrol subsidies during his inauguration, aiming to reallocate public funds to other projects. This policy change has historically led to increased fuel prices, inflation, and protests. VOA correspondent Timothy Obiezu gathered insights from entrepreneurs, motorists, and experts on the streets of Abuja.

Nigeria's Central Bank extended the deadline for exchanging old currency by 10 days due to 30% of old bills still in circulation, despite criticism for not adhering to the original January 31 deadline. The extension aims to reduce the risk of losses for citizens. A seven-day window post-deadline is also approved for depositing old bills directly to the bank. The currency swap, which includes redesigning 200, 500, and 1000-naira notes, is intended to combat counterfeiting, encourage online payments, reduce crime, and integrate more Nigerians into the banking system. The policy faces opposition from some lawmakers and citizens, and occurs amidst preparations for general elections and an ongoing fuel crisis.

An attack occurred on Thursday night opposite the Abagana Camp for internally displaced people in Markudi, Benue state, resulting in eight deaths and eight injuries, with three victims sustaining severe chest injuries. The assailants decapitated some victims. No group has claimed responsibility, but ethnic Fulani herders are suspected. This is the second attack near the camp in two years. Benue and neighboring Nassarawa states have seen clashes between farmers and herders. The police are investigating, and further details are expected soon.

Nigeria plans to destroy approximately one million expired COVID-19 vaccine doses. The vaccines, donated through COVAX from Europe, had short shelf lives, contributing to their expiration before use. Nigeria's National Primary Health Care Development Agency announced the withdrawal of the expired doses and is coordinating with NAFDAC and the ministry of environment for their destruction. The country has faced challenges with vaccine uptake, with only 3.6 percent of the adult population fully vaccinated, far below the targeted 40 percent. Nigerian authorities will no longer accept vaccines with short shelf lives, as they pressure the health system and the populace.

Nigeria's IT sector is experiencing significant growth, yet women only make up one-fifth of the workforce. Aid groups are addressing this gender disparity by educating women and girls on blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies, aiming to increase their participation in the IT field.

Nigerian authorities are searching for over 250 inmates who escaped after an armed group attacked a prison in Jos, resulting in nine inmate deaths and injuries to six others. One soldier and one prison staffer were also casualties. This marks the fourth major prison attack in Nigeria this year, with previous incidents in Oyo and Imo states. The Nigeria Prisons Services is working on security upgrades and training, while experts endorse the recent designation of certain armed groups as terrorist organizations to aid in crackdowns. Security expert John Agim suggests prison officials need to assess the pattern of breaks to improve security measures.

Amnesty International and other rights groups have called for the release of hundreds more detainees in Nigeria's Borno state, following the release of several military detainees this month. Detainees like Musa Adamu, who was held for over four years without trial, have suffered harsh conditions. The Knifar Women, led by Hamzatu Alamin, have been instrumental in advocating for the release of their husbands and sons, with the Nigerian military responding by freeing some detainees. Despite this progress, many individuals remain in detention without trial, prompting continued calls for their release.

The World Health Organization has endorsed the world's first malaria vaccine, a significant step in the fight against the disease that annually kills approximately 265,000 children in Africa. The report comes from Nigeria, one of the countries heavily affected by malaria.

Raquel Kasham Daniel, a Nigerian author and founder of Beyond the Classroom Foundation, has created a children's book titled 'There's a New Virus in Town' to educate children in Nigeria about COVID-19 and debunk myths. The book, featuring colorful images and a quiz, is part of an initiative that has reached 14,000 children, teaching them about the virus and personal hygiene. Despite Nigeria's over 200,000 recorded cases, misinformation persists, affecting vaccine uptake. Daniel's program addresses this by equipping children with knowledge to counteract myths, such as the belief that the virus only affects older people.

Schools in Kaduna State, Nigeria, have reopened after a two-month closure due to insecurity from armed kidnappings. Despite government efforts to improve the situation, attendance remains low, with educators like Naomi Ibrahim reporting only 50 of 120 students returning. Mass school kidnappings by local criminal gangs demanding ransoms have plagued the region, affecting states like Niger, Zamfara, and Katsina. Community leader Abu Mohammed notes increased security attention, but parents like Aishatu Musa still fear for their children's safety. UNICEF estimates that Nigeria has the highest number of out-of-school children globally, around 13.2 million, and the recent violence could exacerbate this issue.

Nigeria has experienced a surge in reported rapes and acts of sexual violence amid the COVID-19 lockdown. Thousands of Nigerians have marched in major cities to demand justice for victims. The report is from Abuja, with Timothy Obiezu as the correspondent and Emeka Gibson on camera.

In Nigeria, as businesses began reopening in May, many plazas and shopping complexes remain closed. Shop owners have adapted by selling goods from their car trunks to survive. The report is from Abuja, with Timothy Obiezu as the correspondent and Simpa Samson on camera.