AGP Executive Report

Living Tech & Materials: Scientists in China say they’ve built a self-repairing “living” fabric from the fungus Cordyceps militaris, grown into pellets and molded into a continuous sheet—more like a soft non-woven than cotton, with no zombie effect. Sahel Media Freedom: WAJSIC released “The Sahel: The State of the Media 2025–2026,” warning that press freedom and journalist safety are worsening across Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, with more legal pressure, surveillance, intimidation and exile. Climate & Health (Niger-relevant): A Nature study finds climate change is shifting malaria risk—reducing it in today’s hottest hotspots while raising it in other regions—meaning new public health priorities. Heat, Power, and Cooling: Climate Impact Lab reports climate-driven extreme heat could add ~430,000 deaths yearly by 2050, with Niger and other poorer countries hit hardest because they lack reliable electricity for cooling. Digital Governance: Niger State has started digital birth and death registration via the VitalReg platform under E-CRVS to improve civil records and vital statistics. Security & Community: Niger’s President Tiani condemned killings carried out under “jihad” as manipulation, while Niger State also commissioned a Violent Crime Response Unit with new police vehicles.

Climate & Health: A new Climate Impact Lab study warns extreme heat could drive about 430,000 extra deaths each year by 2050, with the worst toll in poorer countries that lack electricity for cooling. Energy Access: The report highlights a “mortality-cooling trap” across places including Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso and Chad, where heat risk rises faster than power supply. Public Health (HIV): UNAIDS says progress against HIV is fragile as funding cuts threaten prevention and community services; 1.2 million people acquired HIV in 2025. Digital Civil Registration: Nigeria’s NPC has started digital birth and death registration under E-CRVS, with Niger State rolling out the VitalReg platform to close identity and data gaps. Sahel Media Freedom: WAJSIC released “The Sahel: The State of the Media 2025–2026,” documenting legal restrictions, surveillance and pressure on journalists across Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger. Security (Niger): President Tiani condemned killings carried out under the banner of jihad, calling them manipulation and urging citizens not to be misled. Tech & Society (Payments): PhotonPay published research on Africa’s fragmented cross-border payments and how new payment infrastructure could reduce settlement frictions.

Press Freedom in the Sahel: WAJSIC released “The Sahel: The State of the Media 2025–2026,” comparing press freedom, journalist safety, exile and the shifting media landscape across Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, warning of rising legal restrictions, digital surveillance and intimidation. Digital Civil Registration: Nigeria’s NPC says it has started digital birth and death registration under the E-CRVS system, noting coverage gaps (births 57%, deaths under 20%) and urging citizens to register for better legal identity and planning data. Extreme Heat & Cooling Gap: A Climate Impact Lab report warns climate change could add about 430,000 heat-related deaths yearly by 2050, with the biggest toll in poorer countries trapped by limited electricity for air conditioning—Niger is named among the high-risk states. Cybersecurity & Sovereignty: Côte d’Ivoire launched its first national public key infrastructure (PKI) to secure electronic transactions with a domestic trust anchor. Health Funding Pressure: UNAIDS warns HIV progress is fragile as international funding cuts threaten prevention and community services. Energy & Industry: Nasarawa bets on a major lithium processing push to drive industrial revival. Sports: Nigeria’s Flying Eagles begin WAFU B U-20 title defence vs Ghana in Côte d’Ivoire.

Security & Governance: Niger’s President Abdourahamane Tiani condemned killings carried out under the banner of jihad, calling them manipulation and warning citizens not to be misled, while revisiting attacks on Niamey’s Diori Hamani airport. Digital Civil Registration: Nigeria’s National Population Commission says Niger State has started digital birth and death registration under the E-CRVS system, with birth coverage at 57% and death registration below 20%, aiming to expand centres and improve vital data. Climate Tech & Health: A Climate Impact Lab report warns climate change could add ~430,000 deaths a year by 2050, with poorer countries—explicitly including Niger—most exposed due to limited electricity for cooling. HIV Funding Pressure: UNAIDS warns HIV progress is at risk as funding cuts threaten prevention and community health services, with millions still not on treatment. Fertility Care Skills: Merck Foundation marked World ART Day, saying it has funded fertility and embryology scholarships that include Niger, building local specialist capacity. Payments & Cross-Border Tech: PhotonPay released research on Africa’s fragmented payment rails and how new infrastructure could ease settlement frictions for businesses. Youth Tech Pathways: Almajiri-to-Tech Initiative graduates in Abuja are set to assemble computers and drones, turning vulnerable youth into tech builders.

Civil Registration Upgrade (Niger State): Niger’s National Population Commission has begun full digital birth and death registration on the VitalReg platform under the E-CRVS system, aiming to close major identity and data gaps (birth coverage ~57%, death registration below 20%) and strengthen vital statistics. Education Finance (NELFUND): Tertiary institutions in Kogi, Niger and Nasarawa say tuition refund delays under NELFUND stem from beneficiary verification, record reconciliation and bank-detail issues, while monthly upkeep allowances are paid directly to students. Cross-Border Crime Case: Police say a Toyota Highlander stolen in Port Harcourt in 2021 resurfaced in Niger and later returned to Nigeria, where it was illegally resold—highlighting how paperwork checks can expose long-running border theft rings. Health Funding Watch: UNAIDS warns that funding cuts are putting HIV progress at risk, with millions still not on treatment. Climate & Cooling Reality: A new report links extreme heat to up to 430,000 extra deaths yearly by 2050, stressing that many heat-hit countries lack electricity for life-saving cooling. Tech & Payments: PhotonPay released a report on Africa’s fragmented payment rails and how unified cross-border settlement could help businesses. Lake Chad Biodiversity: Research estimates Lake Chad now holds about 2.48 million waterbirds, strengthening calls for urgent protection despite insecurity.

Peace & Tech for Conflict Zones: PeacePro’s Abdulrazaq Hamzat urged Nigeria and Borno to back a plan to turn Sambisa Forest into a “global peace hub” combining peace research, diplomacy, technology, farming and entrepreneurship. Heat, Energy & Life Loss: A Climate Impact Lab study warns climate change could add ~430,000 deaths yearly by 2050, hitting hardest places like Niger where people lack reliable electricity for cooling. Digital Planning for Cities: UN-Habitat’s Block by Block uses Minecraft to let residents design parks and public spaces, with Niger workshops cited as a way to include people who can’t read zoning documents. Sahel Security Shock: Northern Mali faces rising instability after an unusual coordinated offensive by a separatist group and an al-Qaeda-linked militant force, raising Sahel-wide spillover fears. Niger’s Security Reality Check: Reporting says Niger’s 2023 coup promises haven’t materialized; jihadist attacks in Tillabery are driving displacement and school closures. Elections & Trust: INEC wrapped Continuous Voter Registration for 2027, while Niger State reporting flags voter apathy and doubts that votes will count. Migration Pressure: MMC data says 1,429 Nigerians were repatriated from Niger Republic in May 2026, underscoring stranded migrants along the Sahel route. Youth Skills Pipeline: Almajiri-to-Tech says 21 former street children will graduate as tech builders in Abuja, training them to repair and run small tech businesses.

WAFU B U-20 Football: Nigeria’s Flying Eagles open their Group B campaign in Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire against Ghana in a repeat of last year’s final, with new coach Abdu Maikaba pushing for an outright win from day one. Regional Finance Skills: Three Togolese professionals completed the first phase of COFEB’s BCEAO finance master’s track in Dakar, joining Nigeriens and others from WAEMU as they move toward internships and thesis work. Inland Water Transport: Kogi State and NIWA plan a joint roadmap to improve inland waterways, including jetties, safety, and youth jobs—leveraging the Niger–Benue confluence. Niger Security & Governance: Niger’s 2023 coup has not delivered promised stability; Tillabery’s jihadist attacks are driving mass displacement and school closures, with conflict monitors warning of worsening conditions. Elections & Trust: In Niger State, INEC’s voter registration push struggles as some residents doubt their votes will count, while INEC leadership reiterates plans for free, fair 2027 polls. Migration Pressure: New figures say 1,429 Nigerians were repatriated from Niger Republic in May 2026, highlighting stranded migrants along the Libya/Algeria route. Digital Policy: Nigeria’s lawmakers in Minna, Niger State, held a digital policy retreat on building future-ready laws for innovation, safety, and growth.

Election Integrity Watch: Osita Okechukwu urges INEC chair Joash Amupitan to prioritize free, fair, credible 2027 polls, saying credible elections are the best antidote to intra-party impunity. Electoral Process Pressure: INEC also faces practical hurdles, including a court-ordered reprint of Osun ballot papers after a party inclusion ruling, while Abdulsalami Abubakar calls for neutrality and a level playing field. Voter Confidence in Niger State: With Continuous Voter Registration ending, Niger State residents are slow to collect PVCs, with many citing logistics and, more importantly, doubts that votes will count. Security & Tech in the Sahel: UN warns Nigerian and Sahel terror groups are using drones, sophisticated communications, and cryptocurrencies to expand attacks. Niger’s 3-Year Coup Reality: Reports say Niger’s security has worsened since the July 2023 coup, with Tillabery hit by rising jihadist violence and mass displacement. Migration Flows: 1,429 Nigerians were repatriated from Niger Republic in May 2026, highlighting continued stranded migrants along the Sahel route. Army Expansion: Nigeria’s planned expansion to 12 divisions and new recruitment gets backing, with experts urging more intelligence, technology, and equipment.

Sahel Security: Nigeria says 16 foreign terrorists were arrested in separate operations over 14 months, including ISWAP-linked planners and trainers, underscoring how cross-border fighters keep shaping the crisis. Insecurity & Economy: A new report warns northern Nigeria’s insecurity has turned into a full economic emergency—hurting farming, schools, investment, and pushing people to flee. Niger Coup Aftermath: Niger’s 2023 military takeover is now linked to a worsening rights and humanitarian situation, with jihadist attacks rising in Tillabery and mass displacement continuing. Electoral Integrity (Niger State): INEC and Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar stress neutrality and a level playing field for 2027, as voter apathy and low PVC uptake in Niger State raise concerns. Migration Pressure: Mixed Migration Centre data says 1,429 Nigerians were repatriated from Niger in May 2026, highlighting stranded migrants along the Sahel route. Tech for Payments: PhotonPay releases a report arguing Niger and other markets need more unified cross-border payment rails to unlock B2B growth. Women & Climate Resilience: A study links women’s access to formal finance with stronger household resilience to climate shocks. Health Security: Mali’s military scholars toured Uganda’s pharma industry, reflecting a growing push to build local medicine and vaccine capacity.

Niger Security & Rights: Three years after Niger’s July 26, 2023 coup, Human Rights Watch says the junta has tightened control, dismantled democratic institutions, and expanded repression, while jihadist violence keeps worsening—especially in Tillabery where civilians face repeated attacks and displacement. Niger Elections & Governance (Nigeria-linked): In Nigeria, INEC says it will run credible 2027 polls as Abdulsalami Abubakar urges neutrality and a level playing field; meanwhile, an Osun ballot reprint order shows how court rulings can still disrupt election logistics. Migration Pressure: A report says at least 1,429 Nigerians were repatriated from Niger in May 2026, highlighting stranded migrants moving through Agadez toward Libya and Algeria. Sahel Tech in Conflict: The UN warns jihadists across Nigeria and the Sahel are using drones, advanced communications, and cryptocurrencies—making attacks harder to track. Military & Capacity Building: Niger is also in the wider regional push for security capacity, while Nigeria debates expanding army divisions and recruiting more personnel. Energy & Tech Infrastructure: West Africa’s push for the Nigeria–Morocco Atlantic Gas Pipeline signals a major regional energy shift, with big implications for power and industry.

Niger Security & Rights: Human Rights Watch says Niger’s 2023 coup has deepened repression, with parties and unions dissolved, civil society suspended, journalists detained under a cybercrime law, and former President Bazoum still held—while the junta prolongs a transition without a clear path to elections. Sahel Terror Tech: The UN warns jihadist groups across Nigeria and the Sahel are using drones, advanced communications, and cryptocurrencies to coordinate attacks and evade tracking. Sahel Mining Economy: ACLED reports jihadists in Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali increasingly exploit industrial and artisanal mines to fund violence, control routes, and expand influence—especially JNIM. US–Mali Strike Watch: Reports say the Trump administration is weighing strikes on Mali’s JNIM, with officials split over risks and the push for surveillance overflight rights. Payments & Business Tech: PhotonPay releases a report arguing Africa’s payment rails remain fragmented across borders, and proposes unified cross-border settlement to unlock B2B growth. Climate Finance for Women: A study says women’s formal access to finance can help households withstand climate shocks, but warns it must pair with broader gender-inequality reforms. Bio-Textiles Research: A paper describes a programmable fungal platform for engineered living textiles using modular fungal pellicles.

Sahel Security: The US is reportedly weighing fresh strikes on Mali to hit JNIM, the al-Qaeda-linked group, with debate inside Washington and a push for “overflight” rights to use surveillance tech—raising the risk of wider clashes in the region. Terror Finance & Tech: A UN warning says Nigerian and Sahel militants are increasingly using drones, advanced communications, and cryptocurrencies to evade tracking. Mining as a Weapon: ACLED reports jihadists in Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali are exploiting mines to fund operations and expand control around extraction sites. Niger Rights Under Pressure: Human Rights Watch says Niger’s 2023 coup has deepened repression, dismantled political space, and prolonged detention without a clear path to elections. Local Health & Research: Niger is moving to enforce standards in private health institutions, while Nigeria’s NOTAP plans to commercialise university research via a Lagos innovation summit. Education & Skills: UNN will graduate 12,895 students (168 first class), and Nigeria’s Almajiri-to-Tech initiative is training former street children to build tech like computers and drones.

Digital Policy in Niger’s Region: Nigeria’s National Assembly, via a digital policy retreat in Minna, Niger State, reaffirmed plans for laws that grow the digital economy while protecting citizens’ rights. Higher-Education Tech Capacity: The World Bank says Centres of Excellence projects perform best when centres get operational autonomy, independent budgets, and direct reporting to university leadership. Niger Junta Rights Crackdown: Human Rights Watch reports Niger’s military rulers have deepened authoritarian control since the 2023 coup, dissolving parties, detaining journalists, and delaying elections without a roadmap. Sahel Security & Mining: ACLED warns jihadist groups in Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali increasingly exploit mines to fund violence and expand influence. Counterterrorism Pressure on Borders: A security expert links terrorists’ drone and weapons access to weak border management and porous Trans-Saharan routes. Youth-to-Tech Skills: Nigeria’s Almajiri-to-Tech Initiative will graduate 21 former street children in Abuja, training them to assemble computers and drones and start repair businesses. Food Prices: SBM Intelligence reports the cost of preparing jollof rice rose 14.6% to N29,578 in June 2026.

Sahel Security: Jihadist groups are increasingly using mines to fund operations and expand control across Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali, with ACLED linking JNIM to 42% of mining-adjacent conflict incidents since 2015. US Counterterrorism: The Trump administration is reportedly weighing military strikes in Mali targeting JNIM, a move that would mark its eighth strike since the start of his second term, though officials are split on risks. Niger Rights Watch: Human Rights Watch says Niger’s junta has deepened authoritarian rule since the 2023 coup, dissolving parties, restricting civil society, detaining journalists and prolonging transition without a clear election roadmap. Niger Tech & Health: Niger’s military scholars tour Uganda’s pharma push, highlighting a regional push toward local medicine and vaccine manufacturing for stronger health security. Innovation & Jobs (Nigeria): NOTAP plans to commercialise university research via partnerships and a Lagos summit, aiming to bridge labs and markets. Food Security & Trade (Niger-Oman): Oman and Niger held talks on agriculture and water cooperation, including modern tech and investment to boost food security. Private Health Standards (Niger): Niger State steps up regulation of private health institutions to enforce training and service quality.

AI Skills Gap: Nigeria’s AI story is less about access and more about whether it changes how people work, with experts pointing to high early use but limited real adoption. Sahel Security: ACLED says Sahel militants are increasingly using mines to fund insurgency and expand control, with JNIM and Islamic State-linked groups tied to mining-adjacent violence. Mali Strike Watch: US officials say the Trump administration is weighing strikes against al-Qaeda-linked JNIM in Mali, potentially the eighth country targeted this term. Nuclear Deal: The US and Saudi Arabia are set to announce a 30-year civilian nuclear power agreement, with enrichment rights raising security alarms. Health in Niger State: Niger State Private Health Facilities Agency steps up enforcement on private clinics and training centres to meet standards. Disease Response: NCDC supports Niger State after suspected diphtheria reports, training infection-prevention teams and equipping facilities. Food & Tech Economy: SBM Intelligence reports jollof rice costs up 14.6% year-on-year, while NOTAP pushes to commercialise Nigerian university research via a Lagos summit. Youth Tech Pipeline: Nigeria’s Almajiri-to-Tech initiative graduates 21 former street children as tech builders, including live assembly of computers and drones. UN Security Warning: UN warns terrorists in Nigeria and the Sahel are using drones and cryptocurrency to boost operations.

Climate & Accountability: Greenpeace has filed a case in the Netherlands seeking JBS to disclose how its $6bn meat expansion plan fits climate, nature and human-rights duties—potentially setting a new legal path for agriculture-sector accountability. Health Regulation in Niger: Niger State’s private health facilities regulator (NiSPHFA) is stepping up inspections of private hospitals, training schools and alternative medicine centres in Minna to enforce standards and improve clinical training. Education Funding: Dr. Hassan Abdulrahman Ocholi has assumed duty as TETFund North Central Board trustee, pledging faster delivery and stronger collaboration as the zonal office complex is built. Food Security Tech Talks: Oman and Niger held talks on boosting agriculture and water cooperation, including modern farming technologies and investment in livestock and water management. Disease Watch: Niger State is investigating a suspected infectious illness after one child died and other family members were affected, while NCDC supports outbreak preparedness and infection-control training. Security Tech Warning: The UN says terrorists across Nigeria and the Sahel are increasingly using drones, encrypted communications and cryptocurrencies to expand operations. Terror Sentencing: Nigeria’s court sentenced two Ansaru commanders to life imprisonment for terrorism-linked offences after guilty pleas. Politics & Data: APC has started uploading 2027 governorship and state assembly candidates to INEC’s portal, even as Niger State internal disputes continue.