Tinubu Sends Shettima to Lead Nigeria’s Delegation at 81st UNGA

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September 20, 2026

Tinubu sends Shetima to UNGA — Tinubu, Shetima in a conversation

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has mandated Vice President Kashim Shettima to represent him and lead Nigeria’s delegation to the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.

Shettima will lead a high-level Nigerian delegation that includes Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, ministers and other senior government officials.

The 81st UN General Assembly’s high-level week is taking place in New York, with the General Debate scheduled from September 22 to 28, 2026. The session is being held under the theme: “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations That Delivers for All.”

The UN says nearly 130 Heads of State and Government are expected to attend the high-level week in person. UN officials had also projected about 73 heads of state, 45 heads of government, 49 ministers, 11 vice-presidents and one crown prince among participants, although those figures can change as delegations are confirmed.

What Shettima Will Discuss

At the General Debate, Shettima is expected to deliver Nigeria’s national statement, outlining the country’s priorities on issues including economic development, peace and security, sustainable development, climate action and international cooperation.

The Vice President is also expected to participate in high-level meetings focusing on the Right to Development, climate action and other issues of strategic importance to Nigeria and Africa.

Shettima at 79th session of UN general assembly

He is expected to hold bilateral meetings with heads of government, international organisations and development partners on the sidelines of the General Assembly.

For Nigeria, the engagements are expected to provide an opportunity to advance the Tinubu administration’s economic diplomacy, attract strategic partnerships and push issues including global financial architecture reform, sustainable development, climate finance and multilateral cooperation.

UNGA 81: A World Body Seeking to Rebuild Trust

The 81st session opened on September 8 under the leadership of Khalilur Rahman of Bangladesh, who was elected president of the General Assembly in June.

The UN says the session is focused on restoring confidence in multilateral cooperation amid conflicts, humanitarian crises, climate emergencies, inequality and other global challenges. Its programme also includes priorities around peace and security, development, climate, digital governance and UN reform.

US Visa Controversy Adds Tension

The high-level meeting is also taking place against a backdrop of controversy over U.S. entry restrictions affecting some foreign delegations.

Washington has announced that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and a core Iranian delegation will be permitted to attend, with restrictions on their movements in the United States. Reuters reported that the decision is linked to U.S. obligations under the 1947 UN headquarters agreement.

At the same time, the United States has denied a visa to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas for the second consecutive year and extended visa restrictions affecting Palestinian Authority and Palestine Liberation Organization officials.

The UN General Assembly subsequently voted to allow Abbas to address the gathering by video, with the resolution passing 152 votes to three, with four abstentions, according to Reuters.

The contrasting decisions have added another diplomatic issue to an already closely watched UNGA, where leaders are expected to address conflicts, international cooperation, climate action and sustainable development.

For Nigeria, Shettima’s participation will put the country’s positions and diplomatic priorities before a broad gathering of world leaders and international institutions.

The Vice President is expected to return to Nigeria after concluding his engagements in New York.

SERAP Urges UN Probe Into 37 NSCDC Custody Deaths

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Yemisi Lanre-Idowu

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September 20, 2026

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SERAP Urges UN Probe Into NSCDC Custody Deaths

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on the United Nations to intervene over the reported deaths of 37 people in Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) custody in Niger State, as well as reports of lethal force used during protests that followed the deaths in Minna.

In an urgent appeal dated September 18, 2026, SERAP asked four UN Special Rapporteurs to demand answers from the Nigerian government and ensure that the circumstances surrounding the deaths and the reported violence against protesters are independently established.

The organisation’s appeal was signed by SERAP Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare and addressed to the UN Special Rapporteurs on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions; freedom of peaceful assembly and association; freedom of opinion and expression; and the situation of human rights defenders.

What happened to the 37 detainees?

According to SERAP, the 37 people were arrested on September 15 and 16, 2026, during NSCDC operations targeting suspected illegal and artisanal mining in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of Niger State.

They were subsequently detained in Minna, with their deaths reported on September 17.

37 Detainees Dead in NSCDC Custody — Illegal miners dead

The deaths triggered protests in Minna on September 18. SERAP said there were reports that security forces used excessive force against protesters, resulting in deaths and serious injuries.

However, the organisation acknowledged that the circumstances surrounding both the deaths in NSCDC custody and the reported use of force against protesters have not yet been independently established.

SERAP said the UN should therefore demand answers from Nigerian authorities.

“The UN should demand answers from the Nigerian authorities and ensure that the truth about the deaths of the 37 persons in NSCDC custody and the reported use of lethal force against protesters in Minna is established.”

SERAP: Deaths in custody must be independently investigated

SERAP said every death or serious injury occurring in custody should be subject to a prompt, independent and transparent investigation.

“Every death or serious injury in police custody ought to be promptly, thoroughly, independently, impartially, transparently, and effectively investigated, and perpetrators identified and brought to justice.”

The organisation also referenced international human rights standards governing the use of force.

“Any loss of life that results from the excessive use of force without strict compliance with the international human rights standards, including necessity and proportionality is an arbitrary deprivation of life and therefore illegal.”

SERAP said the Nigerian government has a responsibility to establish what happened, protect peaceful protesters and provide remedies where violations are established.

“The Nigerian authorities have a responsibility to establish the truth, protect the right to peaceful protest, ensure accountability for unlawful conduct and provide effective remedies to victims and their families.”

Minna protests raise fresh questions

The deaths in NSCDC custody were followed by protests in Minna, with SERAP saying security forces reportedly deployed tear gas and opened fire as demonstrations continued.

The organisation noted that reports differed over the ammunition allegedly used.

“There are reports that security forces responded with live ammunition, while other reporting said the precise type of ammunition used was not immediately established.”

SERAP said the circumstances of any deaths or injuries during the protests must also be independently investigated.

Its message was blunt:

“The answer to deaths in custody cannot be more deaths on the streets.”

The organisation also referred to a 2022 communication by UN Special Procedures mandate holders concerning the #EndSARS protests, in which the mandate holders expressed concern about the reported use of lethal force against protesters.

“We are troubled by the reported use of lethal force against unarmed protesters.”

The UN mandate holders had also stated that:

“any loss of life that results from the excessive use of force without strict compliance with the principles of necessity and proportionality is an arbitrary deprivation of life and therefore illegal.”

What SERAP wants the UN to demand

SERAP is asking the UN Special Rapporteurs to seek detailed information from the Nigerian government on the circumstances and causes of the 37 deaths, the conditions in which the detainees were held, the medical care they received and the legal basis for their arrest and detention.

It is also seeking information on the number and status of protesters reportedly killed or injured during the Minna demonstrations.

The organisation wants an investigation conducted by a body independent of any security agency implicated in the alleged violations, with the findings made public.

SERAP is also calling for the preservation of physical, documentary, digital, medical and forensic evidence connected to the deaths and protests.

It wants families of those who died or were injured to have access to relevant information and is calling for accountability and appropriate remedies, including compensation, where unlawful conduct is established.

The organisation further urged the government to protect protesters, journalists, lawyers, human rights defenders, witnesses and victims’ relatives from intimidation, harassment, arbitrary arrest or reprisals.

It also called for measures to prevent similar incidents, including improved training, clearer operational rules, command accountability and independent oversight of the NSCDC and other law enforcement agencies.

For now, the key issue remains the same: what happened to the 37 people who died in NSCDC custody, and what happened on the streets of Minna after their deaths?

SERAP wants the answers established through an independent, impartial and transparent investigation.

37 Detainees Die in NSCDC Custody: FG Suspends 20 Officers, Sets Up Probe Panel

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Yemisi Lanre-Idowu

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September 20, 2026

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The Federal Government has taken fresh action following the deaths of 37 people in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State, suspending 20 officers and setting up an independent panel to investigate what happened.

The measures were announced by Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo on Saturday, September 19, following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive for a comprehensive, transparent and unhindered investigation into the deaths.

The 37 detainees had reportedly been arrested over suspected illegal mining in Niger State before they died while in NSCDC custody on September 17. The exact cause of death has not yet been established.

20 NSCDC officers suspended

The latest suspension affects 20 officers linked to the arrest, investigation, legal processing and supervision of the detainees.

They include officers responsible for station security, investigation, intelligence, legal matters and guard duties.

The action comes after the earlier suspension of the Niger State NSCDC Commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, pending the outcome of the investigation.

The government says the suspensions are part of measures to allow the investigation to proceed without interference.

What happened to the 37 detainees?

That is the central question the new investigation is expected to answer.

The Federal Government says the panel will establish the identities of the deceased, examine the circumstances surrounding their arrest and detention, determine the cause of death and investigate whether there was negligence, misconduct, complicity or other responsibility.

The panel will also recommend appropriate action, including compensation where applicable, and measures to prevent a recurrence.

The circumstances surrounding the deaths have already generated public concern. Earlier reports included questions about the conditions in which the detainees were held, while authorities have said the actual cause of death remains under investigation.

Who is on the 10-member panel?

The independent committee is chaired by Jonathan Kure, a retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services.

Professor Isa Hayatu Chiroma (SAN), former Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, will serve as secretary.

Other members include retired AIG Hosea Hassan Karma; Professor Olayinka Buhari, a histopathologist and former Chief Medical Director of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital; representatives of the Minna Emirate Council and Niger State Government; National Secretary of the Miners Association of Nigeria Liman Sulaiman; lawyer and human rights activist Deji Adeyanju; Blueprint journalist Zainab Suleiman Okino; and public affairs analyst George Agbakahi.

Panel given two weeks

The committee has been given two weeks to complete its investigation and submit its report to the Interior Minister.

It can invite relevant experts, inspect locations connected to the incident, access documents and other evidence, and receive memoranda from members of the public.

Tunji-Ojo has also directed the NSCDC leadership and officers connected to the incident to cooperate fully with the investigation and ordered the preservation of relevant records and material evidence.

The minister warned that attempts to destroy or conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses or obstruct the investigation would be treated as serious offences.

For the families of the 37 deceased detainees, the investigation now carries a straightforward demand: establish what happened, determine responsibility where evidence supports it, and provide answers.

The government has expressed condolences to the families and appealed for calm while the investigation continues.

Media In Africa: Whose Narrative? Whose Story?

By

Angel Gimalo

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September 19, 2026

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Africa is one of the most talked-about continents in the world, yet it remains one of the most misunderstood.

For decades, much of the international picture of Africa has been shaped by stories of poverty, conflict, famine, disease and political instability. These realities exist and deserve coverage. But they are not the whole African story.

Across the continent are scientists, entrepreneurs, engineers, farmers, filmmakers, innovators, researchers, artists, educators and communities creating solutions and transforming lives. Their stories also deserve attention.

This raises an important question: who decides which African stories are told, which ones receive global attention, and how Africa is ultimately perceived?

WHO TELLS AFRICA’S STORY MATTERS

Media does more than report events. It influences how societies understand themselves and how others understand them.

When the dominant stories about a continent repeatedly focus on crisis, the picture presented to audiences can become incomplete. At the same time, responsible journalism must not ignore genuine problems simply because they may portray a country or continent negatively.

The challenge, therefore, is not to replace negative stories with positive propaganda. It is to achieve balance.

African media organisations have an important role to play in expanding the narrative by reporting the difficult realities alongside the progress, innovation, culture and everyday experiences that also define the continent.

The question is not whether Africa should control every story told about it. Rather, it is whether African voices have sufficient space, resources and editorial independence to tell stories about Africa from African perspectives.

AFRICAN MEDIA IS RISING, BUT STRUCTURE STILL MATTERS

The African media landscape has changed significantly.

Television, radio, newspapers, online platforms, podcasts and independent digital publications have created more opportunities for African journalists and creators to tell stories directly to African and global audiences.

Yet access to resources remains an important factor.

Funding, professional training, technology, advertising, distribution networks and international partnerships can determine which organisations have the capacity to investigate, produce and distribute stories at scale.

Editorial independence is therefore not only an ethical question. It can also be an economic one.

A media organisation that lacks sustainable revenue may struggle to invest in investigative journalism, foreign correspondents, specialised reporting or long-form documentaries.

Strengthening African media consequently requires more than encouraging Africans to tell their own stories. It requires building media institutions capable of doing so professionally, independently and sustainably.

THE AUDIENCE IS NO LONGER PASSIVE

Perhaps the biggest change in the media environment is the transformation of the audience.

The traditional relationship was relatively straightforward: broadcasters and newspapers produced content, while audiences consumed it.

Digital platforms have disrupted that model.

Today, an individual with a smartphone can record an event, publish information, challenge a mainstream report, build an audience and potentially reach millions of people without owning a television station or newspaper.

This has opened the media space to more voices.

But it has also created new challenges.

Speed can come at the expense of verification. Viral claims can spread before journalists establish whether they are accurate. A correction may reach only a fraction of the people who saw the original false information.

The result is a media environment where everyone can potentially participate in information distribution, but not everyone operates under the same editorial standards.

IS SOCIAL MEDIA BROADCASTING?

The rise of social media has also raised an important question about what broadcasting means in the digital age.

If an anonymous social media page reaches millions of people with a false claim, is it functioning as a broadcaster? What responsibility should belong to the person who created the content, the platform that distributed it, or users who shared it?

Traditional broadcasters operate within established professional and regulatory frameworks. Social media operates differently, with content distributed through platforms whose algorithms can amplify material based on engagement.

This creates difficult questions around accountability, regulation and public interest.

The answer may not simply be to regulate everything that goes viral. It may require a broader conversation about media literacy, platform responsibility, professional journalism and the obligations that come with reaching large audiences.

BEYOND THE HEADLINES

Africa cannot be reduced to a single narrative.

It is a continent of contradictions, challenges, opportunities and remarkable diversity. Its problems deserve scrutiny, but its progress deserves documentation. Its governments should be questioned, but its citizens should not be defined only by political failures.

The African media has an opportunity to provide greater depth and context—to move beyond headlines and explain the people, systems and circumstances behind the stories.

That responsibility belongs to journalists, editors, publishers, broadcasters, filmmakers, digital creators and audiences alike.

It also requires audiences to demand more than sensational headlines and viral content.

TELLING AFRICA’S STORY

The debate over Africa’s narrative is ultimately a debate about representation, responsibility and ownership.

Africa does not need a media environment that hides its failures. It needs one capable of reporting those failures honestly while also documenting the innovation, resilience, creativity and complexity that exist alongside them.

The continent’s story is too large and too diverse to be told from only one perspective.

African media must continue to strengthen its capacity to investigate, question, explain and tell stories with accuracy and depth.

And as traditional broadcasting increasingly intersects with digital media, the fundamental principles remain the same: accuracy matters, context matters, accountability matters, and the people whose stories are being told matter.

The question is no longer whether Africa has a story to tell.

It is whether Africa is telling that story—and telling it well.

LN247 — where the story goes, we go!

When Industry Comes To Your Backyard: Development Or Displacement?

By

Angel Gimalo

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September 19, 2026

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A Special Space.com Feature on the Dangote Refinery Neighbourhood

Location: Lekki-Epe Corridor, Lagos
Programme: Space.com

Imagine waking up one morning to discover that the quiet community you have always called home is becoming one of the country’s most important industrial corridors.

New roads are being built. Trucks move in and out. Businesses are springing up, while thousands of people arrive in search of jobs and opportunities.

For many, this is the face of development.

But behind the roads, businesses and massive industrial infrastructure are communities that existed long before these projects arrived.

Their people have homes, businesses, farms, fishing activities and livelihoods that have sustained families for generations.

This raises an important question: when major industry comes into a community, who benefits, who bears the cost, and what happens to the people who were already there?

That is the question explored in this special edition of Space.com, focusing on the communities around the Dangote Refinery along the Lekki-Epe corridor in Lagos.

THE GIANT NEXT DOOR

The Dangote Refinery has become a major feature of the Lekki-Epe industrial landscape and a significant part of Nigeria’s industrial ambitions.

Projects of this scale can stimulate economic activity, create employment opportunities, attract businesses and drive infrastructure development.

But development can look different depending on where one stands.

For residents living around major industrial projects, the transformation can be felt in everyday life.

Transport operators may gain new customers. Food vendors can serve a growing workforce. Accommodation and commercial activities can expand as more people move into the area.

At the same time, rapid industrialisation can place pressure on existing infrastructure, housing and traditional livelihoods.

This creates a fundamental question: should the success of an industrial project be measured only by the size of its investment, or also by what happens to the communities living around it?

LAND, LIVELIHOODS AND THE PRICE OF DEVELOPMENT

Long before the industrial landscape took shape, communities along the corridor depended on traditional economic activities.

Fishing.

Farming.

Trading.

Small businesses.

For many families, land and access to natural resources are more than financial assets. They are the foundation of livelihoods and family histories.

Industrial expansion can therefore bring complicated changes.

A major project can create thousands of jobs while some members of surrounding communities may lack the skills required for those opportunities.

A community can gain new roads and commercial activity while simultaneously experiencing changes to spaces and resources that previously supported traditional livelihoods.

The issue, therefore, is not simply whether development should happen.

It is how development happens.

How can major industrial projects create opportunities for local residents while ensuring that communities are not left behind by the transformation taking place around them?

JOBS, BUSINESS AND THE NEW ECONOMY

The impact of a major industrial project extends beyond its main gates.

Workers need accommodation.

They need food and transportation.

Businesses require suppliers.

Services become necessary.

As industrial activity grows, surrounding communities can gradually develop into new commercial centres.

For young people, the arrival of major industries can also create opportunities for employment, training and skills development.

But the critical question remains: are local people actually benefiting from the opportunities being created?

What skills are employers looking for?

Are young people from surrounding communities being prepared for those jobs?

Are local businesses able to participate in the emerging supply chains?

Industrialisation can transform a local economy, but sustainable development requires more than employment opportunities.

It requires education, skills development, infrastructure and pathways that enable local communities to participate meaningfully in the new economy.

WHAT ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT?

For Space.com, the environmental dimension cannot be ignored.

The refinery and surrounding developments operate within an environment that includes communities, waterways and coastal ecosystems.

Large-scale industrial activity naturally raises questions about environmental management, including emissions, waste management, water quality, traffic, noise and the protection of surrounding ecosystems.

Environmental responsibility cannot begin only after a problem emerges.

It has to be incorporated into planning, regulation, monitoring and community engagement from the beginning.

Access to information is also important.

When communities understand what is happening around them, they are better positioned to participate in discussions about their environment and hold relevant stakeholders accountable.

DEVELOPMENT OR DISPLACEMENT?

So, is the arrival of the Dangote Refinery development or displacement?

The answer may not be as simple as choosing one.

For some residents, industrialisation represents jobs, investment, infrastructure and new opportunities.

For others, it represents a dramatic transformation of their communities, raising questions about land, livelihoods, access to resources and environmental sustainability.

The real measure of development may therefore lie beyond the factory gates.

A successful industrial project should not only produce what the country needs. It should also contribute to an environment where surrounding communities can participate in, benefit from and adapt to the transformation taking place.

BUILDING DEVELOPMENT WITH PEOPLE

The Dangote Refinery stands as a major symbol of Nigeria’s industrial ambitions.

But beyond the enormous infrastructure is another story — the story of communities adapting to a rapidly changing environment.

For the people living here, development is not an abstract economic statistic.

It is their homes.

Their businesses.

Their jobs.

Their land.

Their future.

And perhaps that is the question Nigeria should ask whenever major industry comes into a community:

Are we simply building industries around people, or are we building development with people?

Because when industry comes to your backyard, progress should not only be visible from the highway.

It should be felt by the people who live there.

Space.com — Let’s keep asking the questions that matter.

Every community deserves a safe environment.

How AI Startup Mantic Beat Human Forecasters and Raised $25 Million

By

Angel Gimalo

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September 19, 2026

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London-based artificial intelligence startup Mantic has raised $25 million after its AI forecasting system outperformed human forecasters in a major prediction competition, highlighting growing investor interest in using artificial intelligence to predict real-world events.

Artificial intelligence has already transformed how people write, design, code and search for information. Now, one startup is betting that AI can become equally powerful at answering a much harder question: what happens next?

London-based AI startup Mantic has raised $25 million in seed funding after its artificial intelligence forecasting technology demonstrated strong results against human forecasters in the 2026 Metaculus Cup.

The funding round was led by Radical Ventures, with participation from Microsoft’s venture capital arm M12, Thinking Machines Lab and Balderton Capital, according to Reuters. Mantic has not publicly disclosed its valuation. (Reuters)

The investment comes as the technology industry explores new applications for artificial intelligence beyond traditional generative AI tools.

For Mantic, that next frontier is AI forecasting.

What is Mantic AI?

Mantic is a London-based artificial intelligence company founded in 2024 by Toby Shevlane and Ben Day.

The company is developing AI systems designed to make predictions about uncertain real-world events involving areas including business, geopolitics, technology, government policy and culture.

Mantic says its systems focus primarily on events between approximately one week and one year into the future. (Mantic)

Instead of simply answering questions using information that already exists, Mantic’s technology attempts to estimate the probability that a future event will happen.

That distinction is important.

A conventional chatbot might explain why an election matters, for example. A forecasting system could instead be asked to estimate the likelihood that a particular candidate will win.

The AI must research available evidence, weigh competing signals, deal with uncertainty and assign probabilities to different outcomes.

This area is sometimes described as judgmental forecasting.

How Mantic AI beat human forecasters

Mantic gained significant attention following its performance in the 2026 Metaculus Cup, a forecasting competition involving predictions about future political, economic and cultural developments.

Metaculus is an online forecasting platform that evaluates predictions by comparing the probability assigned to an event with what eventually happens.

Rather than asking contestants to simply choose between “yes” or “no”, forecasting competitions reward participants for assigning well-calibrated probabilities.

Mantic’s system performed better than the human participants highlighted in the Reuters report, demonstrating how rapidly AI-based forecasting technology has developed. (Reuters)

It is a notable development because Mantic itself previously described expert human forecasters as the benchmark that machines were attempting to reach.

The company’s earlier results had already shown progress. Mantic says its system had previously ranked fourth among 539 human forecasters in the Metaculus Cup. (Mantic)

Its more recent performance suggests that the gap between automated forecasting systems and highly skilled human forecasters has continued to narrow.

The advantage: avoiding the crowd

One of the challenges in forecasting is avoiding what can be described as herd behaviour — allowing the prevailing consensus to have too much influence over a prediction.

Mantic’s performance demonstrated that an AI system can sometimes reach a different conclusion from the human consensus and ultimately prove more accurate.

Reuters cited forecasts involving subjects ranging from Colombian politics to popular music as examples where Mantic’s system differed from the prevailing human view and performed well. (Reuters)

This matters because good forecasting is not simply about collecting as much information as possible.

Forecasters must determine which information is useful, distinguish genuine signals from noise and continuously update their probability estimates when circumstances change.

AI systems could potentially perform that process across enormous numbers of questions simultaneously.

Why investors put $25 million into Mantic

Mantic’s $25 million funding round reflects the commercial potential investors see in AI-powered forecasting.

Businesses make major decisions based on forecasts every day.

Investment firms attempt to anticipate market developments. Multinational companies monitor geopolitical risks. Supply-chain managers assess possible disruptions. Governments evaluate economic, security and policy scenarios.

Even relatively small improvements in forecasting accuracy could therefore be valuable.

Reuters reported that companies and government agencies around the world have shown interest in Mantic’s technology, with some organisations already deploying its forecasting systems. The company has not publicly identified those customers. (Reuters)

Financial institutions could be particularly interested.

Trading companies and hedge funds constantly make decisions involving probabilities, whether they are estimating interest-rate changes, election outcomes, commodity movements or geopolitical events.

An AI system capable of conducting research and generating updated forecasts at scale could become another source of intelligence for those organisations.

Mantic’s technology is not a crystal ball

Despite its strong performance, Mantic’s technology should not be interpreted as an AI capable of knowing the future with certainty.

Forecasting is fundamentally based on probabilities.

A forecast assigning an event a 70% chance of occurring still leaves a 30% chance that something else happens.

Unexpected political developments, natural disasters, technological breakthroughs or new information can rapidly change an outlook.

The significance of Mantic’s results is therefore not that artificial intelligence can perfectly predict future events.

Rather, the results suggest that AI is becoming increasingly competitive at a type of reasoning previously associated with specialist human forecasters.

AI forecasting could become the next major AI race

Most of the recent artificial intelligence boom has centred on generative AI — systems capable of creating text, images, video and computer code.

Forecasting represents a different opportunity.

Instead of asking AI only to generate information, organisations could increasingly ask AI to estimate the likelihood of future outcomes before making important decisions.

Mantic says its goal is to bring automation to judgmental forecasting in the same way computing helped transform fields such as weather forecasting.

The company previously raised $4 million in pre-seed funding, led by Episode 1, with backing that included trading firm DRW and investors connected to the wider AI research industry. (Mantic)

Its new $25 million round gives the startup significantly more capital to improve its technology and expand its use.

Mantic is not operating in an empty field either.

Metaculus has been benchmarking AI forecasting systems against strong human forecasters, reflecting wider efforts to measure whether machines can consistently improve on human judgment. Its AI forecasting benchmark series has included dozens of competing systems. (Metaculus)

The bigger question is now whether success in forecasting tournaments can translate into consistently useful predictions in real-world business and government decision-making.

For investors backing Mantic, the opportunity is clear: if artificial intelligence can learn not only to analyse what has already happened but also provide better estimates of what could happen next, AI forecasting could become one of the technology industry’s next major commercial frontiers.

AI In Film: A Creative Revolution

By

Koko Lawrence

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September 18, 2026

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Artificial intelligence is changing the way stories are imagined, created and brought to the screen.

From generating visual concepts and digital environments to enhancing footage, creating visual effects and transforming post-production, AI is giving filmmakers access to tools that are redefining what is technically possible.

For the visual-effects industry, this could be one of the most significant technological shifts yet.

A filmmaker can now begin with an idea and, with the help of AI-powered tools, visualise worlds that once required enormous budgets, specialised equipment and large production teams.

But as the technology advances, an important question is emerging: what does AI mean for the people who create those visual worlds?

Technology vs Storytelling

Cinema has always evolved alongside technology.

From analogue film to digital cameras, computer-generated imagery and virtual production, technological innovations have repeatedly expanded the filmmaker’s creative toolkit.

AI represents another major step in that evolution. It can assist with concept development, image generation, rotoscoping, editing, voice processing, facial manipulation, environment creation and other aspects of production and post-production.

But technology itself does not tell a story.

The central creative decisions—what story to tell, whose perspective to present, what a character should feel and how an audience should experience a scene—still require human direction and interpretation.

This creates an important distinction in the conversation around AI: the difference between using AI to assist filmmaking and allowing AI to drive substantial parts of the filmmaking process.

AI-assisted vs AI-led filmaking

AI-assisted filmmaking involves humans remaining firmly at the centre of the creative process while using artificial intelligence to perform or accelerate specific tasks.

A filmmaker may use AI to develop visual references, generate preliminary concepts, remove unwanted elements, modify footage, create certain effects or speed up repetitive post-production processes.

AI-led filmmaking goes further– Here, artificial intelligence can play a much larger role across multiple stages of production—from writing and visual development to animation, voice generation and the creation of environments or characters.

The distinction is increasingly relevant as filmmakers experiment with different levels of AI integration.

Nollywood enters the conversation

For Nollywood, the possibilities may be particularly significant.

The Nigerian film industry has developed an international audience despite operating under production constraints that can make large-scale visual storytelling expensive.

AI could potentially reduce the cost and time required to create certain environments, visual effects and production elements.

Imagine a filmmaker wanting to recreate historical Lagos, construct an elaborate palace, create a futuristic Nigerian city or stage a large-scale battle.

Traditionally, such scenes could require extensive sets, locations, extras, costumes, post-production and visual-effects work.

AI-assisted tools could potentially provide filmmakers with new ways to approach these challenges.

Nigerian films exploring AI

A growing number of Nigerian filmmakers are experimenting with artificial intelligence in different ways.

Asiri Ilu Awon Osu (Mystery of Osu Land)- The Yoruba-language science-fiction feature was created by Mysterious Tech Studio and actress Tanwa Hameed, also known as Asake Omogbajumo.

Its filmmakers say approximately 80 percent of the film’s visuals were AI-generated or AI-assisted, with the remainder involving human direction and live-action performance.

The OmegaMax Conspiracy– Produced and directed by Nigerian filmmaker and technology entrepreneur Dr Ope Banwo, ‘The OmegaMax Conspiracy’ incorporates AI across several areas of production.

AI was used for elements including writing, animation, voice generation and production.

The project illustrates how artificial intelligence can potentially be integrated across multiple stages of the filmmaking pipeline.

Makemation — 2025- Produced by Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji, ‘Makemation’ centres its story around artificial intelligence and technology.

Unlike a film that is primarily generated using AI, ‘Makemation’ explores AI as a subject within a conventional filmmaking framework.

It demonstrates another dimension of the relationship between cinema and artificial intelligence: filmmakers do not necessarily have to use AI to make an AI story.

Colours of Fire— 2025- Directed by Niyi Akinmolayan and produced by Imuetinyan Productions and Anthill Studios, ‘Colours of Fire’ incorporates AI alongside animation and visual effects.

AI-powered visuals form part of its visual approach, making it an example of AI-assisted and VFX-heavy Nigerian filmmaking rather than a fully AI-generated feature.

These projects demonstrate that there is no single model for AI filmmaking.

The challenges

The opportunities come with significant questions. Will AI replace some existing jobs?

Automation could reduce the amount of time required for certain technical tasks, potentially changing demand for some roles.

A creative revolution-but a human one

AI is undoubtedly changing the tools available to filmmakers. For visual-effects artists, it can mean faster workflows, new creative possibilities and the ability to visualise ideas that were once difficult or impossible to achieve.

For Nollywood, It could be about using AI to expand the possibilities of Nigerian storytelling while preserving the human creativity and cultural identity that make those stories distinctive.

37 Suspected Illegal Miners Die In Niger Custody

By

Yemisi Lanre-Idowu

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September 18, 2026

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Niger illegal miners death — Families gathered outside the hospital, where the bodies have been taken

The deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in Niger State have triggered public anger, protests and calls for answers after the detainees died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

The victims were among more than 50 people arrested on suspicion of illegal mining near Borgu, an area known for small-scale gold mining. Two days after the arrests, 37 detainees were found dead inside an NSCDC detention facility. Authorities have launched investigations into the deaths.

But the biggest question remains: what caused the deaths?

The NSCDC initially suggested that the detainees may have died from a diphtheria outbreak, although its national headquarters later said the cause of death had not yet been established. An intelligence report shared with AFP, however, reportedly pointed to overcrowding and poor ventilation inside the detention facility as a possible explanation. The BBC said it could not independently verify the account.

Relatives of the deceased have also raised questions about the conditions inside the facility. One detainee’s father said survivors described extreme heat, overcrowding and poor ventilation, while another relative called for an independent post-mortem examination. The bodies have been taken to the General Hospital in Minna for examination.

The deaths have also triggered unrest in Minna, with protesters attacking public buildings and buses before being dispersed by police using tear gas. In response, a 24-hour curfew was imposed in the state capital. Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago described the deaths as “sad and tragic”, ordered three days of mourning and said an NSCDC commander had been detained.

Beyond the immediate tragedy, the incident has brought renewed attention to Nigeria’s fight against illegal mining, particularly in gold-producing areas of Niger State. Officials and experts have linked the scramble for gold reserves to criminal activity, while a 2024 SwissAid report found that much of the gold from the region is trafficked through global supply chains.

The investigation will now have to establish what happened inside the detention facility, whether the deaths were caused by disease, the conditions of detention or another factor, and whether proper procedures were followed after the suspects were arrested.

For the families waiting for answers, however, the central question is much simpler:

How did 37 people taken into custody end up dead?

Burna Boy To Headline Halftime Show At NFL’s First Regular-Season Game In Paris

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September 18, 2026

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Nigerian music star Burna Boy will headline the halftime show at the National Football League’s first regular-season game in Paris, France.

The Grammy-winning artiste is scheduled to perform on October 25, when the Pittsburgh Steelers face the New Orleans Saints at the Stade de France, the NFL announced.

The appearance will see Burna Boy return to a venue where he made history in 2025 as the first African artiste to headline the Stade de France. (AP News)

The Paris fixture forms part of the NFL’s expanded international programme for the 2026 season, which includes games across several countries and four continents.

Burna Boy is among a number of international artistes selected to perform at the league’s overseas games this year. Other performers include Nigerian singer Ayra Starr, Ricky Martin, Pedro Sampaio, Cage the Elephant and Mexican rock group The Warning. (AP News)

Speaking about his return to Paris, Burna Boy said performing again at the Stade de France carried special significance, adding that he would be representing African music on the global stage.

The NFL said Burna Boy’s previous history at the stadium and the popularity of African music in Paris were among the factors behind his selection for the inaugural game.

Born Damini Ogulu, Burna Boy has become one of Africa’s most prominent international music acts, combining Afrobeats with influences from hip-hop, reggae and R&B.

He won a Grammy Award for his 2020 album, Twice as Tall, and has since performed at major arenas and stadiums across different parts of the world.

The October 25 game will also extend the NFL’s efforts to increase its international audience. The league has staged more than 60 regular-season games outside the United States, with previous host cities including London, Munich, Madrid, Dublin and São Paulo. (AP News)

Burna Boy’s halftime performance is expected to air live in France on France Télévisions and beIN Sports.

Buffet Steps Down As Berkshire Chairman — Howard Takes The Seat

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September 18, 2026

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Warren Buffett is stepping down as chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, effective immediately, and will become chairman emeritus.

Howard Buffett, Warren’s son and a Berkshire director since 1993, has been named the new chairman.

Greg Abel took over as Berkshire’s CEO nine months ago as part of the company’s planned succession.

Buffett, 95, is credited with transforming Berkshire from a struggling textile company into a $1.1 trillion conglomerate and shaping modern investment thinking.

Berkshire’s Class B shares fell 0.3% in premarket trading following the announcement.

The company’s price-to-book ratio has declined from about 1.62 to 1.53 since Buffett announced his CEO succession.

Analysts described the change as the completion of a long-planned leadership transition, rather than a sudden departure.