History & Colonial Legacy

The Return of the Benin Bronzes and the Fight for Colonial Justice

The return of looted Benin Bronzes to Nigeria marks a step toward colonial justice, but challenges remain. This post explores the artifacts’ history, recent repatriations, and the ongoing debate over ownership, restitution, and Nigeria’s capacity to preserve its cultural heritage.

History & Colonial Legacy

What Does Ken Saro-Wiwa’s Pardon Really Mean?

The state that murdered him now offers forgiveness. We must ask: Is the proposed pardon for Ken Saro-Wiwa and the Ogoni Nine an act of reconciliation, or a sophisticated political maneuver to bury a restless ghost and rewrite history?

Politics, Law & Power

Is Nigeria Sliding into One-Party Rule?

On paper, Nigeria is a multi-party republic. In reality, the consolidation of power, ideological emptiness, and the weakening of opposition point towards a democratic deficit that demands scrutiny.

Politics, Law & Power

Nigeria to Reserve 30% of Political Seats for Women

Nigeria is considering a bill to reserve approximately 111 seats for women in the National Assembly and 108 in state assemblies, aiming to boost female representation, which is currently below 5% in federal legislatures, but faces cultural and logistical challenges.

Culture & Beliefs

The End of Money-Spraying in Nigeria?

The recent, high-profile arrests for "Naira abuse" have weaponized a long-ignored law, igniting a firestorm. It's a clash between state power and cultural identity, forcing a national conversation about respect, celebration, and who gets to define them.

Sallah, School Breaks, and the Cost to Learning

When state governments in Nigeria grant extended school breaks for the Sallah festival, it ignites a debate that goes far beyond religious observance. These decisions, often framed as gestures of goodwill, carry significant and often unexamined costs: disrupted academic calendars, measurable learning loss for students, and deep constitutional questions about...

How Nigeria’s Economy Continues to Serve Western Interests

Nigeria’s economy remains entangled with Western interests due to colonial legacies, oil exploitation, financial corruption, and imposed economic policies. This article explores how structures like IMF programs, foreign aid conditions, and multinational control of oil resources sustain economic dependency and hinder true sovereignty.

Education & Critical Thinking

Nigeria to Bring Back History Education

History was removed from Nigeria’s school curriculum in 2008, officially due to low student interest and a lack of teachers, but some, including Wole Soyinka, suggest it was a deliberate move to suppress knowledge of sensitive historical events like the Nigerian Civil War. The subject is set to return in...

Religion & Society

ECOWAS Court Challenges Nigeria’s Sharia Blasphemy Laws: Kano Rejects Reform

In April 2025, the ECOWAS Court ruled that Kano State’s blasphemy laws, which include severe penalties like the death penalty, violate freedom of expression under international human rights standards. Kano’s government rejected the ruling, defending the laws as reflective of local religious values and constitutionally valid.

Culture & Beliefs

‘No Bra, No Exam’ and the Policing of Women’s Bodies

A viral video from Olabisi Onabanjo University showed female staff checking if students were wearing bras before exams, sparking outrage over gender discrimination and bodily autonomy. This incident highlights problematic dress code policies in Nigerian universities that disproportionately target women, reflecting broader societal issues of controlling women’s bodies.

Politics, Law & Power

Why the National Assembly Pushes to End Immunity for Governors and Vice Presidents

In 2025, Nigeria’s National Assembly proposed removing immunity for governors and vice presidents, aiming to curb corruption and enhance accountability. This post examines the amendment’s motivations, legal implications, and challenges in a political landscape marked by impunity.

Religion & Society

Religious Police in Nigeria: Order, Faith, and Fear

They smash beer bottles and police hairstyles, but what is the true function and constitutional standing of Nigeria's Hisbah corps? We look beyond the headlines to examine the state-sanctioned enforcement of faith.

Politics, Law & Power

The Political Fallout of the 2025 Niger State Flood

The May 2025 flood in Mokwa, Niger State, killed over 200 people and displaced thousands, exposing systemic failures in disaster preparedness. This post examines the political implications, including government accountability, budget mismanagement, and the erosion of public trust ahead of elections.

Religion & Society

Why Are Religious Leaders Silent on the Benue Massacre?

The 2025 Benue massacre, claiming over 100 lives, prompted statements from Christian and Muslim leaders, yet a perception of silence persists. This post explores their responses, the complex ethnic and religious dynamics, and the challenges religious leaders face in resolving Nigeria’s conflicts.

Education & Critical Thinking

Ramadan School Shutdown and Its Impact on Education

In 2025, four northern Nigerian states closed schools for Ramadan, sparking debate over educational disruption and religious freedom. This post examines the closures’ impact on students, particularly in regions with high out-of-school rates, and the tension between religious observance and secular education.

BrainBurst

The Truth Has No Agenda

Nigeria is full of bright minds, yet open inquiry is often discouraged. We're expected to accept, not question; to follow tradition, even when it no longer serves us.

BrainBurst exists to change that. We believe Nigeria’s future depends on our ability to think critically, challenge assumptions, and engage with facts.

We’re an independent platform examining religion, culture, politics, and power — asking the questions others won’t.