Philip Obaji Jr.
The New Humanitarian (formerly IRIN)
Nigeria
Contact Philip
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Past articles by Philip:
How deep-seated sexism is making food insecurity worse in Nigeria
Ahead of COP27 in Egypt, women farmers in Nigeria have one simple climate adaptation solution: let them control their own land. → Read More
Nigerians who fled the violence of Boko Haram are being sent back to danger
When Khadija Usman learned last October that the camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) where she had lived for the last few years would be shut down by the end of the year and its (...) → Read More
Was This Journalist Poisoned by Putin’s Private Army?
Within days of posting a series of articles attacking the Wagner Group, Jean Sinclair Maka Gbossokotto was called away for an urgent meeting where friends say he was poisoned. → Read More
Russians Blindfolded Us and Made Us Dig Mass Graves to Cover up Their Crimes
Russian mercenaries dragged young men out of their homes and forced them to hide the evidence of a massacre of their friends and neighbors. → Read More
The Real, Petty Reason This President Ordered a Nationwide Twitter Ban
Nigeria’s president was “embarrassed” by measures Twitter took, an official exclusively told The Daily Beast. His response? To impose a country-wide Twitter blackout, of course. → Read More
Boko Haram Won’t Stop Targeting Schools in Nigeria
The militant group’s attacks and kidnappings bring it publicity and riches while weakening state security forces. → Read More
These Students Got Hired to Spread Disinfo About Democrats
An African troll farm has been recruiting students to boost Trump and bash Dems on WhatsApp. Its kingpins have fake names and ties to Russia. → Read More
Women 'abused' by police enforcing COVID-19 rules in Nigeria
Police officers have been accused of abusing the powers given to them during lockdown to 'assault' and 'harass' women. → Read More
The Coup in Mali Won’t End Corruption and Insecurity—and Could Bring Greater Instability to West Africa
Replacing the president won’t resolve the country’s deep-seated political problems. If neighboring nations and global powers don’t demand a democratic transition, it could lead to greater instability across West Africa. → Read More
Survivors of Nigeria's 'baby factories' share their stories
Girls who fled Boko Haram attacks are being enslaved and raped by human traffickers who then sell their babies. → Read More
'No girl is safe': The mothers ironing their daughters' breasts
Cameroonian girls are enduring a painful daily procedure with long lasting physical and psychological consequences. → Read More
'I lost my soul': the teenage girls lured by traffickers from Nigerian camps
Traumatised refugee children are being enticed by tempting offers of escape from poverty, then sold into slavery – but survivors are fighting back → Read More
Child Brides in Africa Are Advertised on Facebook and Sold to Old Men
In one Nigerian community, illiterate fathers have learned from their sons that Facebook is a good way to let buyers know their daughters are for sale. → Read More
ISIS’s West African Offshoot Is Following al Qaeda’s Rules for Success
The amorphous Boko Haram splinter group is taking inspiration where it can get it and bringing disaster to the Lake Chad Basin in the process. → Read More
“If you take Tramadol away, you make Boko Haram weak.”
Former fighters say taking the addictive opioid was essential for launching assaults. Could tackling its illicit trade cripple Boko Haram attacks? Adamu Musa remembers clearly the first Boko Haram offensive in which he took part. It was about a week after he’d been abducted along with a dozen other boys in Gwoza when he was ordered to join a mission. He was to be part of a group of militants… → Read More
U.S. Spent Millions Training Cameroon Forces to Hunt Boko Haram. They’re Hunting Gays Instead.
Washington has cut military assistance because of human-rights abuses, but that may not help the country’s LGBT people. → Read More
Cameroon Used to Welcome Refugees. Now It Forcibly Expels Them.
Nigerians fleeing violence at home are being kicked out of northern Cameroon and being sent back to areas terrorized by Boko Haram. → Read More
Murdering Journalists Just Got a Little Bit Easier in Africa
Ahmed Divela uncovered massive corruption among soccer officials in Ghana and Nigeria only to discover “the beautiful game” can be a deadly business. → Read More
ISIS Is Alive in Africa. Its Specialty: Murdering Women Who Are Trying to Save Lives.
Two young aid workers abducted in March were killed to convince the government to pay a ransom. Another, a Christian, is being held as a slave. → Read More
Here’s How Some Africans Joined the Migrant Caravan Heading for the U.S.
There are only a handful, but the tale of English-speaking refugees from Cameroon shows some basic truths about migration and exposes some of the fearmongering lies told by Trump. → Read More