Fishing is a common occupation in Nigeria. Small-scale fishing operations contribute 80% of locally produced fish and support the livelihoods of 24 million Nigerians. A major threat, however, is illegal fishing. Some estimates suggest that illegal activities cost the sector between $600 million and $700 million every year. As Ifesinachi Okafor-Yarwood and Sayra van den Berg Bhagwandas explain, loss of licence fees, revenue from taxation and the value that could have been accrued from legitimate fishing by local vessels are what make illegal fishing a serious problem. They also identify what Nigeria can do to curb it.

There is a paradox playing out in Kenya. The country’s demographic profile of having a high percentage of young people would readily suggest that it is able to swiftly renew its workforce with fresh, young talent. However, that is not the case. Kenya faces a dilemma of an ageing workforce. Nnamdi Madichie explains how this can be addressed by developing a strategic workforce plan for employees.

Wale Fatade

Commissioning Editor: Nigeria

Illegal fishing increases food and economic insecurities in Nigeria. Pius Utomi Ekpei/AFP via Getty Images

How illegal fishing harms Nigeria and what to do about it

Ifesinachi Okafor-Yarwood, University of St Andrews; Sayra van den Berg Bhagwandas, University of St Andrews

Nigeria must address illegal fishing, which depletes the country's fish stocks, undermines livelihoods and pushes people into poverty.

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Kenya’s civil service is ageing, but adjustments aren’t being made

Nnamdi Madichie, Nnamdi Azikiwe University

Kenya faces the dilemma of an ageing workforce. The problem can be addressed by developing a strategic workforce plan for employees.

Environment + Energy

Mount Nyiragongo’s volcano: why it’s unique and treacherous

Paolo Papale, Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV)

National governments need to wake up to the volcanic risks posed by tectonic rifting around Mount Nyiragongo.

Shell ordered to cut its emissions – why this ruling could affect almost any major company in the world

Arthur Petersen, UCL

Oil giant must cut its emissions by 45%, a Dutch court has ruled.

Arts, Culture + Society

Nollywood: how professionalism – and a new elite audience – is affecting it

Ezinne Ezepue, University of Nigeria

As the Nigerian film industry advances its methods, is it in danger of alienating its poorer audiences?

Child marriage and domestic violence: what we found in 16 African countries

Anthony Idowu Ajayi, African Population and Health Research Center

Policies are needed to prevent child marriage and protect women who marry as children from abusive relationships.

From our international editions

The United Nations needs to start regulating the ‘Wild West’ of artificial intelligence

Eleonore Fournier-Tombs, McGill University

The new EU regulation is about to change the way we do artificial intelligence. The United Nations needs to follow suit.

The next pandemic is already happening – targeted disease surveillance can help prevent it

Maureen Miller, Columbia University

A more coordinated effort by scientists, stakeholders and community members will be required to stop the next deadly virus that's already circulating in our midst.

 

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