Editor's note

With about 465 higher education institutions including universities, polytechnics and education colleges, Nigeria’s higher education system is the biggest on the continent. But, when compared to other emerging economies like South Africa, Egypt, Thailand, Turkey and Brazil, Nigeria is lagging behind when it comes to academic performance and research output. David Mba explains why and what can be done about it.

South Africa led the world in taking steps to reduce excessive salt intake. Its efforts seem to be having an effect. But Alta Schutte and Michél Strauss explain why campaigns should be adjusted to fit in with new scientific findings, some of which are challenging long-held beliefs about how salt affects the body.

Nontobeko Mtshali

Education Editor

Top Stories

In one year alone 380,000 domestic applicants didn’t get a university place in Nigeria. Shutterstock

Nigeria’s universities are performing poorly. What can be done about it

David Mba, De Montfort University

Nigeria's higher education system is the biggest on the continent but it lags behind on research output.

Reducing salt intake can save lives. Shutterstock

Salt is bad for you: but how it affects your body is still frontier science

Alta Schutte, North-West University; Michél Strauss, North-West University

South Africa needs to continue public awareness campaigns to reduce excessive salt intake to protect cardiovascular health.

Politics + Society

Zimbabwe’s MDC faces a leadership contest. But can it be peaceful?

Tapiwa Chagonda, University of Johannesburg

Nelson Chamisa has the opportunity to foster peace, tolerance and democracy within Zimbabwe's main opposition party.

Young Somali men growing up in the West left alienated and at risk of violence

Yusuf Sheikh Omar, SOAS, University of London

Somali community leaders should help to foster links with their traditional culture.

From our international editions

Echoes of 2008: Could climate change spark a global financial crisis?

Korey Pasch, Queen's University, Ontario

Increasingly severe losses for insurers due to climate change could result in a global financial crisis.

Pregnant women shouldn’t have to choose between a job and a healthy baby

Jeannette Cox, University of Dayton

In most states, employers aren't required to accommodate the unique needs of pregnant women except in limited circumstances.

En français

Les cerisiers de Fukushima

Franck Guarnieri, Mines ParisTech; Aurélien Portelli, Mines ParisTech; Sébastien Travadel, Mines ParisTech

Huit ans après la catastrophe qui frappa le Japon, une réflexion sur les multiples significations attribuées à Fukushima.

Quand les fantômes japonais nous font réfléchir aux catastrophes

Yuji Nishiyama, Tokyo Metropolitan University; Yoann Moreau, Mines ParisTech

Les récits mettent en scène la relation aux morts, mais aussi les possibilités de penser l’avenir après la catastrophe.

 
 
 
 

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