Nigeria in February 2026: the most important developments in society
In Nigeria in February 2026, the death of aspiring singer Ifunanya Nwangene from a snakebite in Abuja drew public anger over health care provision. The Federal Medical Centre in Abuja denied negligence and refuted claims of an anti-venom shortage. Other health items included a warning of a crisis over counterfeit medicines and a call by the Nigerian Medical Association chair for every Lagos primary health centre to have a doctor.
In Lagos, authorities cracked down on illegal chieftaincy titles, and a taskforce impounded 50 motorcycles and cleared shanties along Coastal Road. The state Assembly halted demolitions in the Makoko waterfront areas and pledged compensation to victims. Residents protested an eight-month blackout and accused the distribution company IKEDC of insincerity.
In the United States, lawmakers considered a visa ban and asset freeze against Kwankwaso and Miyetti Allah over Christian persecution, and unveiled a bill on the issue. On 24 February a US Congress panel submitted a report on alleged genocide in Nigeria to President Donald Trump, and on 27 February Nigeria responded after the US labelled it the deadliest country to be Christian. APC and NNPP members backed Kwankwaso, and the Islamic Council said Sharia practice in Nigeria could not be stopped.
At least 37 people died in a mine in Plateau state on 17 to 19 February in what was described as carbon monoxide poisoning or a suspected gas leak, and 30 people were killed in a road accident on 9 February.
by WorldBrief & Maksim Micheliov | AI-generated summary
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