Nigeria's infrastructure surge meets security realities and Joshua crash shock

Welcome back to 234Digest after a month-long hiatus. I’ve spent the past few weeks immersed in two major publication projects: a photography journal and a pan-African publication taking shape around business, culture, and continental movement, with work that recently took me to East Africa for a cultural festival.

To the new subscribers who joined while I was away, I’m glad to have you here.

As I hit send on this edition from a VIP air-conditioned corner of a familiar hangout, my go-to refuge when the power cuts out back home, I’m reminded of what it takes to work in frontier markets like Nigeria. Improvisation isn’t just a skill here; it’s part of the rhythm of daily life. And I’m used to it. Honestly, I’m happy to be back.

In the weeks ahead, I’ll be sharing more about both projects and the stories behind them. For now, we dig into today’s brief.

The AKK gas pipeline nears commissioning, promising to ignite growth across the north. UAE-backed funding breathes momentum into the Lagos-Calabar highway. And talks with Google aim to fix Nigeria’s digital gaps.

But progress has also come with pressure. A deadly mosque bombing in Maiduguri reminds us of the country’s enduring security challenges, even as U.S-Nigeria military cooperation deepens. And on the pitch, the Super Eagles are chasing AFCON glory with a Group C win that’s reignited national pride. We also track updates on British-Nigerian boxer Anthony Joshua.

As always, we track these signals not just for what they say, but for what they mean. Let’s dive in.

Samuel Okocha, Editor 234Digest, here.

Today’s briefs

Nigeria nears AKK gas pipeline commissioning to ignite northern industrialisation

Nigeria's state oil firm, NNPC, expects to commission the $2.8 billion Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) pipeline early next year, marking a significant milestone in the country's energy sector.

The pipeline, which has been in development since 2008, is expected to boost industrialization, power generation, and fertiliser production across Kaduna, Kano, Abuja, and Ajaokuta. NNPC's CEO, Bashir Ojulari, forecasts that the project will spark the emergence of industrial parks and drive economic growth in the region .

The AKK pipeline is a crucial component of Nigeria's gas monetisation strategy, aimed at leveraging the country's vast gas reserves to drive economic growth. With the completion of the River Niger crossing, a long-standing technical challenge, NNPC is looking to connect the pipeline and begin supplying gas to northern Nigeria.

NNPC also targets increasing oil output to 1.8 million barrels per day in 2026 and 2 million by 2027, underpinned by $30 billion in investments through 2030 via Petroleum Industry Act reforms.

UAE funding positions Lagos-Calabar highway for 2026 economic boost

Nigeria is set to accelerate construction on a 56km stretch of the 700km Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway after securing $1.2 billion in funding from the United Arab Emirates.

The project, a key part of Nigeria's infrastructure push, aims to boost connectivity between major Atlantic economic hubs and unlock coastal commerce opportunities. The highway will link Lagos, a major commercial center, with Calabar, a key port city, potentially transforming trade dynamics in the region. Work on the stretch is slated to begin next year.

Google cable talks promise digital resilience by late 2026

Nigeria is in advanced talks with Google to build a new undersea cable, aiming to diversify its internet connectivity and eliminate a "single point of failure" risk.

The move, led by National Information Technology Development Agency head Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, targets improved digital infrastructure for West Africa's largest economy within 18 months, boosting resilience and capacity as data demand surges.​

US-Nigeria security pact signals more strikes against Sahel ISIS incursions

Nigeria took out two ISIS staging grounds in Sokoto with US-backed precision strikes on Dec 25, using 16 GPS-guided munitions launched from Gulf of Guinea platforms.

The operation, approved by President Tinubu, targeted foreign fighters from the Sahel and has opened the door to deeper counter-terrorism collaboration with the US, a government statement said, signaling openness to ongoing intervention.

Maiduguri mosque bombing underscores persistent northeast jihadist risks

A Christmas Day suicide bombing at Maiduguri's Al-Adum mosque in northeast Nigeria killed five worshippers and injured 35, underscoring the persistent threat of Boko Haram and ISWAP militants.

The attack, which comes 15 years into the insurgency, prompted Governor Babagana Zulum to urge heightened security at places of worship during the festive season.

​Anthony Joshua hospitalised after fatal crash on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway

British-Nigerian boxer Anthony Joshua was hospitalized with minor injuries after a car crash on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Ogun State, Nigeria, that killed two people.

The accident, which involved Joshua's vehicle colliding with another car in a convoy, occurred near Sagamu, his ancestral hometown, around 11am local time. Ogun State Police confirmed Joshua is stable at an undisclosed facility ​

Super Eagles eye AFCON knockout glory after topping Group C

Nigeria secured a last-16 spot at the Africa Cup of Nations with a 3-2 win over Tunisia in Fes, led by Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi, and Ademola Lookman.

Topping Group C with six points, the Super Eagles face Uganda next Tuesday with momentum building for a deep tournament run.

Words of wisdom: "The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." - Nelson Mandela

Photo of the day

This image is part of a small year-end photo collection drawn from the same kind of everyday scenes this section often highlights. The collection grew out of the short break I took to build out longer-form photography and storytelling projects.

I’m sharing it quietly as the year closes, before returning fully to regular coverage in the new year. Selected images are available here

And that concludes today’s roundup. Thanks for reading. Regular coverage resumes in the next edition. Until then, happy new week and prosperous new year ahead.