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Nigeria 2024: Key Moments That Shaped Nigeria Economically and Politically
As 2024 draws to a close, it’s an opportune moment to reflect on the events that have significantly influenced Nigeria throughout the year.
From political shifts to economic developments and social challenges, this year has been marked by pivotal moments that have shaped the nation.
Political Landscape and Governance
The year commenced with the Ibadan explosion in January, which brought national attention to urban safety and regulation.
This incident showed the critical need for stringent safety measures in densely populated areas.
In the same month, the Ondo and Edo governorship elections were held, with the ruling party securing victories.
In April, a significant development occurred when a schoolgirl abducted during the Chibok kidnapping in 2014 was rescued in Gwoza, Borno State, along with her three children.
Economic Developments
In December, Shell received approval from Nigeria’s oil minister for the sale of $2.4 billion worth of onshore and shallow-water assets to Renaissance Group.
This was Shell’s exit from nearly a century of onshore operations in Nigeria and was part of a larger withdrawal by Western energy companies, including Exxon Mobil, Eni, and Equinor.
The sale faced a block in October by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) due to concerns about Renaissance’s capacity to manage the assets, which are estimated to hold 6.73 billion barrels of oil and 56.27 trillion cubic feet of gas.
Social Challenges and Public Safety
Tragically, in December, at least 13 people, including four children, died in two separate stampede incidents at Christmas charity events in Abuja and Anambra state.
These incidents occurred as large crowds gathered to receive food and clothing items during a severe cost of living.
There has also been a reoccurring incident of the National Grid collapse. The incident has caused blackouts in regions during the time of its collapse.
Security and Conflict
Throughout the year, Nigeria faced persistent security challenges.
In June, a strike by the Nigerian Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress disrupted operations at Abuja and Lagos airports and caused nationwide power outages.
Additionally, the conflict with Boko Haram continued, with incidents such as the attack on a convoy in Shiroro, Niger State, in November, resulting in casualties among security forces.
Sports and International Relations
In February, Nigeria’s national football team faced a setback by losing 2–1 against Ivory Coast in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final held in Abidjan.
This loss was a disappointment for fans and showed areas for improvement in the national team’s performance.
The year 2024 has been a period of significant events for Nigeria, which encompasses political shifts, economic changes, social challenges, and security concerns.
As the nation moves forward, these events will undoubtedly influence its development and the well-being of its citizens.
Ibadan is full with energy this week as student leaders from different universities and polytechnics across Nigeria troop into the city for this year’s JCI Nigeria Collegiate Conference, famously called LAYIPO ’25.
The conference, which is a key event for young people under the JCI Nigeria Collegiate body, is holding at Ilaji Resorts in Ibadan. It brings together hundreds of young, passionate individuals for leadership training, networking, and discussions aimed at building future changemakers.
In the weeks leading to the conference, there was a lot of excitement and anticipation both on radio and social media. One of the major highlights was the special LAYIPO ’25 session aired on Diamond FM, the University of Ibadan’s radio station, where people got more information about the event and what to expect.
As expected, the first day was filled with high energy. Football match took place between the different local organizations present. The opening ceremony was held on the second day. That day, delegates took part in sessions like Life After School (LAS), public speaking competition, alongside trainings about personal branding, and building ideas. Truly, the atmosphere amazing.
Throughout the conference, attendees have been participating in different training sessions covering topics like personal leadership, project management, campus development, and media relations. Earlier this year, JCI Nigeria Collegiate leaders visited the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Ibadan as part of their preparations. This shows JCI Nigeria’s commitment to building partnerships and young leaders in Nigeria.
Famous Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has advised young women to be intentional when choosing who they marry.
Speaking at the Dream Count event, Adichie pointed out how much a life partner can influence a woman’s journey. She urged women not to rush into marriage out of pressure or desperation, adding that choosing the wrong person can affect one’s life for years.
She also encouraged women to find fulfilment in themselves, no matter their passion or path. “It’s really important for a woman to have her own thing, something that brings her fulfilment, no matter what it is,” Adichie said.
She continued, “Be careful who you choose. Sometimes, deep down, you know the person you’re with isn’t good for you, but because you’re eager to settle down, you ignore the signs. Don’t settle. The person you marry plays a huge role in how your life turns out. If you choose someone who is kind and supportive, it changes everything. There are good men out there.”
Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, believes that despite his shortcomings, former President Muhammadu Buhari performed better than the current administration under President Bola Tinubu.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Amaechi admitted Buhari didn’t achieve everything he set out to do, but insisted that things were still better under his leadership compared to now. “Buhari will be the first to tell you he didn’t accomplish all his plans, but by every standard, his government outperformed this one,” Amaechi said.
The former Rivers State governor pointed to areas like security and the independence of institutions, especially the electoral commission, as key areas where Buhari did better. “In terms of security, Buhari placed more focus there. When it comes to the independence of INEC, there was far more freedom under Buhari than we’re seeing now,” he added.
Amaechi also criticised the current state of politics, claiming that new political parties can’t even get registered because of interference from government officials. He made it clear that his comments are not personal, saying he would have been the first to commend President Tinubu if things were going well.
