Today, Nigeria will roll out the drums to mark 62 years of independence. But the mood won’t be festive. At best, the tone will be of suppressed pessimism. It’s not hard to fathom why. Major statistics in the areas of the economy, security and human capital development show a country in despair. At The Conversation Africa, we have been working with academic experts to explore the challenges facing the country, and the search for solutions. Doyin Odubanjo provides the background to five essential reads.

This is a tough time to be owing money. Central banks across the world have been raising interest rates. African countries haven’t been exempt. This has implications from a personal finance perspective because higher rates translate to higher debt repayments. But, as Bomikazi Zeka argues, the best time to fix the roof is indeed while the sun is still shining. She spells out five useful steps you should consider taking to manage the impact of higher interest rates, and advocates that you take them before the economic situation goes from bad to worse.

Plants aren’t just beautiful - they’re clever, too. Some plants have evolved traits to protect themselves against the harm caused by toxic metals that seep into soil and threaten plants’ very cell structures. Marshall Keyster explains the lessons he and other scientists are learning from these smart plants in their quest to make agricultural crops hardier and less vulnerable to heavy metals.

Adejuwon Soyinka

Regional Editor West Africa

Nigeria at 62: five essential reads on why there isn’t an inspiring story to tell

Doyin Odubanjo, Nigerian Academy of Science

Experts explain why there might not be much to celebrate and proffer solutions.

Nigeria’s Independence Day is a time to reflect on political gains and challenges – and a way forward

Ayo Olukotun, Olabisi Onabanjo University

If Nigeria’s public office holders behave, there’s no reason why the country can’t progress.

Nigeria ticks some boxes as a democracy. Why this hasn’t translated into a better life for most

Abiodun Fatai, PhD, Lagos State University

Nigeria must strengthen its democratic institutions and improve governance for economic development.

5 steps you can take to manage a hike in interest rates

Bomikazi Zeka, University of Canberra

The time to fix the roof is while the sun is still shining. Before the economic situation goes from bad to worse, the impact of rising interest rates can be mitigated in a combination of ways.

Some plants can short-circuit the toxic effects of metals – now scientists are trying to harness their power

Marshall Keyster, University of the Western Cape

Plants have evolved several ways to deal with heavy metals that might otherwise poison or kill them.

Health + Medicine

Education

Child marriage comes with a heavy cost for young girls in Africa – but there’s one clear way out

Sathiya Susuman Appunni, University of the Western Cape

Though child marriage rates are declining globally, the practice remains worryingly common in some African countries.

Environment

Business + Economy

Nigeria is producing less and less oil. Here’s why

Omowumi Iledare, University of Cape Coast

Insecurity of assets and life with declining capacity for technical and market production are responsible for Nigeria’s low crude oil production.

Politics

5 xenophobic myths about immigrants in South Africa debunked by researchers

Anthony Kaziboni, University of Johannesburg

Scapegoating immigrants will not result in significantly improved healthcare service provision, reduced crime or less unemployment.

 

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