I'm a Nigerian. I write poetry and essays. My research interests are social media, youth political participation, politics and ethnicity.
I blog at FEATHERS PROJECT
Latest posts by Nwachukwu Egbunike
Nigerians counteract COVID-19 denialism with social media campaigns
Nigerians directly confront coronavirus denial headlong with counter-narratives that use ordinary language in campaigns devoid of the usual mistrust between citizens and governments.
A never-ending cycle of doctors’ strikes and funding debacles leaves Nigerians at the mercy of the pandemic
Events such as doctors’ strikes and funding debacles are bound to recur until the root cause of the problem is exorcised from Nigeria's public health system.
Harrowing tales from African domestic workers in Lebanon
African domestic workers are essentially slaves in the Gulf and Arab countries, under the Kafala sponsorship system that allows this exploitation and abuse to continue.
The Kano COVID-19 deaths: Forced relocations and disinformation creates widespread confusion (Part II)
Forced relocations of children contributed to the possible spread of COVID-19 and online disinformation along ethnoreligious lines added to the general confusion surrounding mass deaths in Kano State, Nigeria.
The Kano COVID-19 deaths: Stories untold (Part I)
Our research reconstructed the failure of authorities to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in Kano, which resulted in hundreds of deaths despite persistent mass media and social media documentation.
Women in Nigeria face a caustic landmine of political advocacy online
“I’ve grown a really thick skin,” said Fakhriyyah Hashim, co-founder of the #ArewaMeToo movement in northern Nigeria.
Nigerian pastor spreads COVID-19 conspiracies and disinformation
Som Nigerian evangelical pastors act as purveyors of disinformation, half-truths and total falsehood about the coronavirus — with divine conviction.
Nigerian atheist faces death threats for blasphemy against Islam
"Nigeria is a secular state and freedom of speech is one of the fundamental characteristics of a modern democratic state. Criticizing a religion is not a criminal offence."
A high-profile funeral highlights a double standard in Nigeria under lockdown
In Nigeria, a high-profile burial amid COVID-19 lockdown orders highlights a double standard when it comes to state guidelines on best practices to mitigate the spread of the deadly disease.
Malaria vaccine may offer respite from Africa’s greatest health scourge
After three decades of research, the RTS,S malaria vaccine backed by the WHO is getting piloted at a health centre in Kenya for the first time.
#IdentityMatrix: a Twitter conversation on identity and digital rights in Africa
Activists from Burkina Faso, Nigeria, South Africa and Kenya, will lead a social media conversation in their mother tongue on the intersection of languages, ethnicity and digital rights in Africa.
Nigeria’s elite ‘above the law’ as the poor struggle with COVID-19 measures
The majority of Nigeria's poor live by the day in overcrowded and squalid shanties, without running water and modern toilet facilities. They cannot and will not survive a lockdown.
Across Africa, COVID-19 heightens tension between faith and science
While many African governments have taken stringent measures to slow the spread of COVID-19, not all leaders agree with banning faith-based gatherings.
Local power play ends the reign of northern Nigeria's emir of Kano
Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II used his privileged voice to confront 'the evil forces of feudalism' that have kept Northern Nigeria 'in bondage for so long'. But this cost him his throne.
Nigeria enforces travel bans amid sloppy management of COVID-19 cases
Nigerian netizens are calling for a travel ban for travelers from high COVID-19 transmission areas. This will strengthen the national response to the pandemic.
COVID-19 in Africa: ‘Unprecedented levels of mobilization’ as nations brace for pandemic
With at least 19 African countries facing COVID-19, several African governments have taken critical steps toward managing the outbreak, including travel restrictions, health screenings, rapid testing and social distancing measures.
France24 headline about COVID-19 in Africa irks netizens as racist
Having just a few COVID-19 cases in Africa has puzzled some experts, according to France24. Many netizens felt this news framing relied on stereotypical images of Africa as disease-prone.
Nigerians wear black to mourn latest victims of terrorist attacks
"We grieve for those who left in haste, with stifled cries and mangled limbs. We mourn Nigerians killed in the fiery furnace called Nigeria."
An Italian national is the index case patient of COVID-19 disease in Nigeria
Lagos is a commercial hub in Nigeria and the likelihood of a rapid spread of COVID-19 to other parts of the country is a looming possibility.
Inflation and corruption rattle Nigeria's economy
"Nigeria is a powerful country! Our corrupt government is the reason we are on our knees!"
