The Republic

The Republic The essential guide to the ideas, trends, people and stories shaping Nigeria and the broader African continent.

Subscribe from N5,000/$5.99 monthly: https://www.rpublc.com/subscribe/ Based in Lagos, Nigeria, we provide in-depth coverage of underreported stories and issues affecting Nigerians and Africans at large.

The Weird Genius of William Onyeabor ⚡⁠⁠Emmanuel Esomnofu explores the enigmatic life and music of William Onyeabor, t...
16/01/2026

The Weird Genius of William Onyeabor ⚡⁠
⁠
Emmanuel Esomnofu explores the enigmatic life and music of William Onyeabor, the reclusive Nigerian musician who died in 2017. Onyeabor’s music is described as ‘strange’—psychedelic, physical and pulsating, yet eerily subdued—blending funk with moralistic and fatalistic themes about death, heaven, hell and humanity.⁠ Despite commercial success, Onyeabor was profoundly reclusive, declining to speak in a 2014 documentary, ‘Fantastic Man’, about his music and legacy. He stopped making music by 1985, ran a flour mill, was named West African Industrialist of the Year in 1987, and later entered politics.⁠
⁠
Do you have a favourite William Onyeabor song? Let us know in the comments, and read the full story at the link in bio. ⁠
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📝: Emmanuel Esomnofu⁠
📷: Photo Illustration by Ukandi Atsu () / THE REPUBLIC.⁠ Design by Dami Mojid⁠
🔍: Hanna Desta, Yusuf Omotayo (), Wale Lawal (); Editors

Today, in 1958, Burkina Faso became a republic.  ⏳⁠⁠67 years later, its current head of state, Captain Ibrahim Traoré h...
11/12/2025

Today, in 1958, Burkina Faso became a republic.  ⏳⁠
⁠
67 years later, its current head of state, Captain Ibrahim Traoré has cast himself as Thomas Sankara’s heir, expelling French forces and promoting cultural sovereignty. His anti-Western stance resonates across a region exhausted by Françafrique and failed counterterrorism. But the reality behind the revolutionary rhetoric, Nicholas Kimbele writes, is complex. Jihadist territory has expanded under his rule, Russia has replaced France militarily, and democratic elections remain blocked. The Alliance of Sahel States he formed with Mali and Niger, lacks ECOWAS’ democratic enforcement mechanisms, instead legitimizing authoritarian consolidation. The central question is: does Traoré’s anti-imperialism represent genuine pan-Africanism, or merely reactionary sentiment that isolates Burkina Faso without offering viable alternatives?⁠
⁠
Read the full story at the link in bio⁠
_________________________⁠
📝: Nicholas Kimble⁠
📷: Photo illustration by Dami Mojid / THE REPUBLIC. Source Ref: ALEXANDER KRYAZHEV for RIA NOVOSTI / WIKIMEDIA.

We’re live at The Fela Afrobeat Exhibition, launching Little Republic. Come through!
06/12/2025

We’re live at The Fela Afrobeat Exhibition, launching Little Republic. Come through!

03/12/2025

Our Editor-in-Chief with a message about Little Republic, our new interactive children’s book series celebrating Africa’s cultural heritage and storytelling traditions. This project is close to our hearts, and we’re thrilled to finally share it with you. Watch and join us as we welcome young readers into a universe shaped by culture, curiosity, and creativity. Little Republic launches at the Fela Kuti: Afrobeat Rebellion Exhibition at the Ecobank Pan African Centre, Lagos on 6 December. Register to attend at the link in our bio.

28/11/2025

Ahead of the 30th anniversary of the ex*****on of Ken Saro-Wiwa and the Ogoni 9, we returned to the city where this story first took shape for the 'Looking for Ken Saro-Wiwa' podcast, and joined the Ogoni community at this year’s memorial. Now that the gathering is behind us, The Republic’s Editor-in-Chief, Wale Lawal, reflects on the Ogoni 9, the memorial, and our team’s return to Port Harcourt. With the anniversary now past, we look back on a gathering rooted in remembrance, solidarity, and the work that continues.

While submissions for our upcoming print issue have closed, we continue to welcome pitches for 2026 on a rolling basis. Selected stories may be published online or included in future print editions. If you have a compelling idea, send it to [email protected]

28/11/2025

Ahead of the 30th anniversary of the ex*****on of Ken Saro-Wiwa and the Ogoni 9, we returned to the city where this story first took shape for the ‘Looking for Ken Saro-Wiwa’ podcast, and joined the Ogoni community at this year’s memorial. Now that the gathering is behind us, The Republic’s Editor-in-Chief, Wale Lawal, reflects on the Ogoni 9, the memorial, and our team’s return to Port Harcourt. We look back on a gathering rooted in remembrance, solidarity, and the work that continues.

While submissions for our upcoming print issue have closed, we continue to welcome pitches for 2026 on a rolling basis. Selected stories may be published online or included in future print editions. If you have a compelling idea, send it to [email protected]

Little Republic isn’t just a book, it’s also an adventureEach edition comes alive with interactive pages, including fun ...
22/11/2025

Little Republic isn’t just a book, it’s also an adventure

Each edition comes alive with interactive pages, including fun quizzes and interesting country facts that invites young people to play, learn, and explore Africa beyond the page. From discovering musical traditions to uncovering surprising cultural gems, every moment is designed to spark curiosity and pride.

Celebrate Little Republic with us on 6 December from 2pm at the Fela Kuti: Afrobeats Rebellion Exhibition, at the Ecobank Pan African Centre, Lagos.

Register at the link in bio.

We are delighted to introduce Little Republic, an interactive children’s book series designed to introduce young readers...
21/11/2025

We are delighted to introduce Little Republic, an interactive children’s book series designed to introduce young readers and their families to the richness of Africa’s cultural heritage, mythology, and storytelling traditions.⁠
⁠
The first edition, produced in collaboration with the French Embassy in Nigeria (), focuses on African Music, blending original writing and illustrations that celebrate music’s role in cultural and intergenerational pride and identity. Through immersive storytelling and vibrant visuals, it invites readers to experience the sounds and stories that have shaped the continent.⁠
⁠
We’re marking its release with a special launch event at the Fela Kuti: Afrobeat Rebellion Exhibition, at the Ecobank Pan African Centre, Lagos.⁠
⁠
It promises to be a great hang on 6 December from 2pm. Register to attend at the link in bio, so we can prepare to receive you. It’s free.

We are delighted to introduce Little Republic, an interactive children's book series designed to introduce young readers...
21/11/2025

We are delighted to introduce Little Republic, an interactive children's book series designed to introduce young readers and their families to the richness of Africa's cultural heritage, mythology, and storytelling traditions.

The first edition, produced in collaboration with the French Embassy in Nigeria (), focuses on African Music, blending original writing and illustrations that celebrate music’s role in cultural and intergenerational pride and identity. Through immersive storytelling and vibrant visuals, it invites readers to experience the sounds and stories that have shaped the continent.

We’re marking its release with a special launch event at the Fela Kuti: Afrobeat Rebellion Exhibition, at the Ecobank Pan African Centre, Lagos.

It promises to be a great hang. Register to attend here: https://tix.africa/little-republic-at-the-fela-exhibition

Are you passionate about telling Nigeria's most important stories? It is your time to shine.Alongside the instructions o...
18/11/2025

Are you passionate about telling Nigeria's most important stories? It is your time to shine.

Alongside the instructions on slides, we have also put together a database of the kinds of stories we’d love to publish. Browse through, choose a story you want to tell, or send us a fresh idea of your own.

If this sparks something in you, send a three-paragraph pitch to [email protected] with the email title 'On Nigeria'. Tell us your story idea, the title, how you plan to report it, who you’ll interview, and where you’ll go, etc. All stories must be original reporting.

💰 We’re paying N200,000–N500,000 for accepted stories.
⏳ Pitch deadline: 24 Nov 2025
📝 Story deadline: 11 Jan 2026

Database:
https://www.notion.so/therepublic/2aebd41ff437808cb7e2ea86c1567115?v=2aebd41ff4378076881a000c233c7f46

12/11/2025

Last Friday, we closed out the Atlas ‘Another Nigeria’ photography competition and exhibition, presented by The Republic in collaboration with LagosPhoto Festival. From unveiling of winning photograph, to powerful conversations on the importance of visual storytelling, the night reminded us why photography matters.

Learn more about Altas and sign up to use it at the link in our bio.

We’re excited to announce as the winner of the Atlas ‘Another Nigeria’ photography competition. Neec’s work tells the N...
12/11/2025

We’re excited to announce as the winner of the Atlas ‘Another Nigeria’ photography competition. Neec’s work tells the Nigerian story through striking, introspective storytelling. Our thanks to you the audience for coming along, our judges, and to every photographer who shared their vision with us.

Check out Neec’s entries and sign up to use Atlas at the link in our bio

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