Recent actions by Nigeria have led to the exit of two international banks and antagonised other foreign investors. This has prompted fears about  the country’s ability to attract and keep foreign direct investment, which it badly needs. Tolu Olarewaju outlines the measures Nigeria should take to increase investors' confidence and trust.

Following the example of countries such as Canada and Australia, South Africa has become the first low- and middle-income country to bring out 24-hour movement guidelines. Launched on Tuesday, the movement behaviour guidelines make key recommendations for early childhood. Catherine Draper unpacks their significance.  

Today is World Soil Day and soil is essential as it supports the growth of plants, is home for many organisms and is at the heart of nearly all agricultural production. It could also help to improve nutrition. In this special newsletter, featuring articles you may have missed, Frédéric Baudron describes how, by increasing soil organic matter, cereals in Ethiopia have become more nutritious while Keith Shepherd explains that soil scientists have rarely gone the extra mile to translate their knowledge into forms that can be useful to decision makers. About one third of the world’s land has been severely degraded. With such large areas in need of restoration, the question is where to focus resources. Leigh Ann Winowiecki and Tor-Gunnar Vågen write about a surveillance framework that could solve the problem. One soil solution could be microbial-based - using naturally occurring microorganisms like bacteria and fungi. Esther Ndumi Ngumbi discusses how these help improve soil fertility and strengthen plant defences against insect pests and diseases.
 

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