AGP Executive Report

Reparations Scholarship Scrutiny: Boston officials delayed a major reparations report after allegations that a decorated historian’s research was flawed, raising fresh questions about how such work gets commissioned and vetted. Judiciary Misinformation Crackdown: Nigeria’s Kogi High Court denied a viral claim that it ordered deregistration of the NDC, warning content creators to verify facts. Defamation Trial Pressure: Nigeria’s Federal High Court issued a final warning to publisher Omoyele Sowore to conclude his defence or face foreclosure in his defamation/cyberstalking case. Publishing & Access: JAMB warned candidates against “backdoor” admissions outside its CAPS system, stressing only CAPS-processed entries with official letters will be recognised. Trade & Industry: Nigeria’s NEPC urged ECOWAS trade promotion partners to find sustainable funding, while also pushing solid minerals export competitiveness. Economy & Publishing Context: South Africa’s inflation outlook is nudging fears that a loaf of bread could hit R45 by 2036, a reminder of how reading budgets and publishing demand can feel the squeeze. Literary Spotlight: A review of Vatican II at 60 highlights Africa’s growing role in global Christianity and the council’s continuing relevance.

South Africa’s publishing-and-media ecosystem under pressure: A TransUnion survey says 39% of South Africans expect to miss a bill or loan repayment as inflation stays the top household worry, a reminder that readers, libraries and publishers are operating in tighter budgets. Governance and accountability in finance: South Africa’s PIC cleanup remains in the spotlight as commentary urges Ramaphosa to break silence on the scandal, while a separate report on SARS alleges fraudulent tax refund claims tied to Ralph Stanfield—both stories underline how trust failures ripple into public institutions. Nigeria’s import-duty transparency: House of Reps finance committee demands a full breakdown of N34tn customs duty waivers, pushing for beneficiary lists and legal basis—an issue that affects publishing supply chains and paper/ink costs. Reading culture initiatives: Bookville World selects 173 students for its 2026 Rivers reading competition, aiming to build comprehension and lifelong reading habits. Zimbabwe currency update: RBZ presents new ZiG100 and ZiG200 notes, with rollout timing to be advised—another signal of shifting costs and cash handling for book trade. Creative economy spotlight: QEDNG Creative Powerhouse Summit 2.0 confirms major Nigerian voices, including publisher Anwuli Ojogwu, as it tackles Nigeria’s next chapter for creativity and culture.

Parliamentary Oversight: Nigeria’s House of Representatives Finance Committee has demanded a full breakdown of about ₦34tn in 2025 import duty waivers, pressing the Nigeria Customs Service to name beneficiaries, explain the legal basis, and show the economic goals behind the concessions. Education Under Strain: Atiku Abubakar condemned Kogi State’s school kidnappings, saying the abductions of students, a principal and a NECO official show the Tinubu government has “abandoned education” as insecurity spreads. Media Ethics: Harvard and Boston University lecturer Prof Christopher Rhodes told journalists to pursue truth, not just facts, linking newsroom responsibility to democratic accountability in an era of misinformation. Human Rights Push: A coalition of NGOs urged the ICC to investigate alleged foreign support for atrocities in Darfur, naming UAE-linked officials and regional backers of Sudan’s RSF and SAF. Renewables Drive: Nigeria’s Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria called for deeper investment and stronger collaboration to speed up the clean-energy transition, spotlighting solar and storage at a Lagos conference. Mandela Day Culture: A feature on Mandela’s traditional foods highlights umphokoqo and other Xhosa staples as part of his Ubuntu legacy. Local Publishing & Learning: A piece on textbook rankings warns the policy could endanger the future of publishing and learning.

Publishing & Books: Academy Press and Ekenua & Co. Limited launch the Million Classics Programme, a Nigerian civic-education push that puts world classics into secondary schools to build critical thinking and leadership. Literary Culture: A new profile of Wole Soyinka revisits his early campus presence at the University of Ife, spotlighting the human side behind the literary giant. Book Industry & Policy: Publishers warn that textbook ranking policy could endanger Nigeria’s indigenous publishing industry, urging a rethink. Education & Reading: Kenya marks National Reading Day with a renewed push for literacy, while a Kisii initiative backs community reading through the Read Baby Read programme. Media & Accountability: A Temple University Center for Anti-Racism funded with $1.3m in state tax dollars faces scrutiny over whether it has produced research, raising questions for public-funded academic work. Nigeria Energy (publishing-adjacent policy): Debate continues over the Dangote refinery move to dollar-denominated fuel pricing, with marketers warning it could destabilize the downstream sector and worsen FX pressure. Human Stories: A 15-year-old autistic student in Nakuru dies after alleged burns at a special school, triggering an investigation and renewed calls for safer care.

Press Freedom & Courts (Nigeria): Abuja’s Federal High Court remanded journalist Stanley Ugagbe in Kuje Prison over alleged cyberstalking and defamation tied to Central Bank of Nigeria deputy governor Emem Usoro, with bail postponed to September. Education & Publishing Policy (Nigeria): Nigeria’s publishers warn that the proposed Textbook Ranking Policy could fuel favouritism, raise costs, and threaten jobs, arguing the plan lacks proper consultation and could destabilise learning materials. Cyberbullying & Speech Limits (Nigeria): Lawyers say cyberbullying can be prosecuted under Nigerian law and isn’t shielded by constitutional free-expression protections. Higher Education Infrastructure (Nigeria): Osun State governor Ademola Adeleke inaugurated major UNILESA upgrades, including rebuilt faculties, new hostels, and a clinical sciences building. Healthcare Access (Nigeria): SYNLAB expands to 43 lab centres nationwide to bring faster, consistent diagnostics closer to patients. Local Governance & Pensions (South Africa): A report highlights R1.7bn in unpaid municipal pension contributions, framing it as a direct hit to workers’ retirement futures. Children & Safety (South Africa): A nine-year-old boy was seriously injured after falling about 20 metres from a Durban flat; investigations are ongoing. Media Industry (Uganda): Uganda’s Daily Monitor and NTV Uganda may stay shut longer as regulators review a controlling-stake acquisition of Nation Media Group Uganda. Literacy & Reading (Kenya): Kenya marks National Reading Day with a renewed push for literacy and community reading. Book Culture (Africa): A tribute highlights Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o’s legacy as a defender of African languages and intellectual freedom.

Bookselling & Access: Doulos Hope, a floating international book fair ship, makes its first visit to Lae this week with 2,000+ affordable titles and local-language options, plus library-building and community outreach. Publishing & Retail Expansion: Sharjah Book Authority secures exclusive rights for BookXcess bookstores across the Middle East and Africa, aiming to widen reading access through a retail-and-events model. Media, Law & Free Expression: Nigeria’s Federal High Court rejects Omoyele Sowore’s bid for a long adjournment in his defamation trial, keeping pressure on high-profile speech cases. Health Diagnostics & Services: SYNLAB Nigeria expands to 43 centres nationwide to improve access to reliable lab testing—an indirect boost for evidence-based care. Press Freedom & Reporting Standards: KAS urges Nigerian journalists to report religion responsibly and contextually to curb misinformation and reduce polarisation. Book Culture & Community: TSN (Tanzania Standard Newspapers) wins third place at Sabasaba for its best news exhibition stand, highlighting local media presence at trade fairs.

Dark Academia Romance: Autumn Woods’ Daybreak (Sorrowsong University #2) gets an exclusive preview ahead of its July 28, 2026 release, picking up with Alex in NYC and Ophelia in Scotland as a secret threatens to surface. Sudan Court & Media: EEPA reports Sudan’s counter-terrorism court sentenced RSF leader Hemedti to death, while EU Parliament pressure grows over Abu Dhabi’s alleged backing of the RSF amid fears of humanitarian catastrophe. Nigeria Defamation Case: In Anambra, online publisher Ejike Ofoegbu (Igbo Times Magazine/iNews) faces remand and bail denials over alleged fabricated, defamatory “traffic-for-money” stories targeting Gov. Chukwuma Soludo and his son Ozonna; he later admitted fabrication and apologized. Kenya Reading Push: Murang’a’s Kaharati Comprehensive School joins Kenya’s National Read Aloud 2026 world-record attempt, with Storymoja Africa and Start A Library Trust aiming to boost school libraries and literacy. Publishing & Diplomacy: Algerian writer Yasmina Khadra discusses his latest novel and Frankfurt Book Fair spotlight, as his work continues to bridge Arab-West conflict narratives. Sudan/RSF Accountability: EU MPs call for RSF to be listed as terrorist and urge action on UAE-linked arms support.

Ebola Response: Congo’s first patients are now enrolled in a record-fast Ebola treatment trial, with teams starting a study that tests remdesivir and MBP134 against standard care as cases and deaths rise. Publishing & Media Tech: Eswatini Observer launches a podcast series to widen reach beyond print, with MTN support and weekly episodes featuring arts and culture voices. Youth & Governance: South Africa’s NYDA faces a forensic probe after parliament scrutiny over governance failures and alleged irregular spending, while the MK party denies claims of R336k private security costs. Elections & Law: Nigeria’s INEC extends the 2027 candidate upload deadline by three days, and debates continue over the integrity of the Electoral Act 2026’s electronic vote transmission provisions. Books & Culture: A new review of traditional diabetes medicinal plants (including African species) finds promising mechanisms but says clinical studies are still largely missing. Creative Economy: Lagos hosts the QEDNG Creative Powerhouse Summit, aiming to turn dialogue into policy and investment outcomes for Nigeria’s creative sector. Sports & Society: A digital campaign targets Egypt’s team after a World Cup win, with analysis pointing to coordinated hostile posts.

Media Accountability in Nigeria: Police arrested Igbo Times publisher Ejike Ofoegbu after he published scandalous, defamatory materials targeting Anambra Governor Soludo; he issued a public retraction and apology, but legal action is moving ahead. Democracy & Information Integrity: Ghana’s Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Shamima Muslim urged investment in media literacy as a defence against misinformation and disinformation, highlighting DUBAWA Ghana’s work at the Ghana Media Summit. Election Journalism Training: Nigeria’s International Press Centre and partners convened election stakeholders in Osun to push credible, responsible coverage ahead of the Aug. 15 governorship vote. Security Reporting Standards: Nigeria’s ONSA, DHQ and DECAN renewed cooperation to improve defence reporting and fight fake news, with calls for better access and training for correspondents. Court Orders Legal Oversight: Nigeria’s National Industrial Court ordered deployment of legally qualified lawyers across police divisions, limiting who can act as legal officers. Books & Scholarship: A review in Algeria’s Open Biochemistry Journal examined 16 traditional medicinal plants for diabetes, finding shared mechanisms but noting clinical studies are still scarce. Reading Culture: A report on US school book bans and “classic” reading lists underscores how curriculum battles shape what students access.

Publishing & Books: A new book by historian Selma Carvalho, Guts, Glory and Empire: The Epic Story of Goans in Zanzibar, 1865–1910, reframes Goan diaspora history as a product of overlapping Portuguese, Omani and British rule, using Zanzibar’s complex colonial crossroads to explain how a small community navigated shifting citizenship and power. Media Freedom: Nigeria’s journalist Stanley Ugagbe (Secret Reporters) was reportedly abducted and held for days, renewing alarms about arrests and harassment of working journalists and the knock-on effect for press freedom and democracy. Digital Publishing & Trust: A blogger tied to Igbo Times and INews, Ejike Ofoegbu Experience, publicly apologized and retracted fabricated stories about Anambra Governor Chukwuma Soludo and his son, admitting the posts were invented to chase viral traffic and revenue. Literacy & Libraries: Kenya marks National Reading Day with a renewed push for literacy, while calls for better-equipped libraries continue to surface across the region. Intellectual Property: South Africa’s Samro urges caution after a copyright court ruling, highlighting ongoing friction around rights management in the music and publishing ecosystem.

Education & Publishing: Academy Press and Ekenua & Co. launched Nigeria’s Million Classics Programme, distributing 1,500 copies of George Orwell’s Animal Farm to Lagos secondary schools, with guided reading, essay assessments, and awards aimed at boosting critical thinking and leadership. Media Freedom: The Committee to Protect Journalists urged Nigeria to stop harassing journalists after DSS detained videographer/journalist Zainab Sodiq and issued an espionage summons tied to Secret Reporters publisher Fejiro Oliver, arguing authorities should focus on real criminals. Anti-Drug Advocacy: NDLEA boss Marwa presented the book In The Shadow of the Neem Tree, calling for stronger protection of the girl-child through education and partnerships with traditional institutions to curb drug abuse. Sports Governance & Ethics: A report on cricket’s ICC development money alleges “greed” and weak accountability, with concerns that funds are gamed while national development suffers. Books & Culture (Africa-linked): Mozambique’s Honen Dalim synagogue marked its 100th anniversary, highlighting how small communities preserve heritage through major public cultural moments. Literary Buzz: Jacqueline Harpman’s posthumous resurgence via BookTok continues, with I Who Have Never Known Men selling hundreds of thousands of copies after re-release.

Nigerian Publishing Policy Fight: Nigeria’s publishers are pushing back hard on the Federal Ministry of Education’s Textbook Ranking Policy, saying it was rolled out without proper stakeholder input and could harm indigenous publishing, affordability, and market competition. Local Governance & Tourism Revenue: Addis Ababa’s city council has approved a 5% municipal tax on hotel and lodging room rates, aimed at funding urban infrastructure and new tourist attractions. Books & Learning in the Spotlight: A new review in Algeria’s Open Biochemistry Journal surveys 16 traditional diabetes-treating plants, but flags a big gap: most findings still rely on lab and animal studies, with few clinical trials. Creative Industries & Events: Nigeria’s iDICE programme coordinator Ife Adebayo will keynote the QEDNG Creative Powerhouse Summit 2.0 in Lagos, focused on partnerships to grow the creative economy. Tech, Mobility & Development: UNDP and TAILG signed an MoU in Kenya to launch “Green Ride Africa,” building a Green Mobility Centre of Excellence to accelerate low-carbon transport across Africa. Global Publishing Culture: A new book on printmaking argues the medium helped democratise art by spreading ideas beyond elite spaces. Health & Youth Pressure: South Africa’s matric learners are being urged to treat mental health as seriously as exam prep, as stress and burnout threaten performance. AI & Media Literacy: A Hausa-language fact-checking group highlights local-language verification as key to curbing electoral disinformation in Nigeria.

Press Freedom Under Pressure: The Committee to Protect Journalists urged Algeria to release freelance journalist Mourad At-Mimou, arrested after critical social media posts tied to low-turnout parliamentary elections, with authorities accused of targeting online expression. Health & Risk Screening: A new study in JAMA Internal Medicine found Black living kidney donors with high-risk APOL1 genotypes face more than double the long-term kidney dysfunction risk, strengthening calls for genotype screening in donor evaluation. Publishing & Media Ownership: Uganda’s Nation Media Group-Uganda has been forced off print and broadcast after security action tied to a shift in ownership, with the newsroom moving fully digital as journalists and observers brace for change. Books & Community Reading: South Africa’s National Read Aloud campaign is pushing for better-equipped libraries, while a new children’s wildlife book aims to grow nature-loving readers through accessible storytelling. Nigerian Media & Big Tech: Nigeria’s FCCPC probe into Meta, Google and X over alleged exploitation of Nigerian media content and anti-competitive practices is gaining momentum, with publishers and media groups backing the move. Local Journalism Recognition: Delta State’s governor’s press office celebrated veteran journalist Emmanuel Enebeli at 60, highlighting leadership in online publishing and ethical journalism.

Nigerian Media & Big Tech Crackdown: Nigeria’s Tinubu directs the FCCPC to investigate Meta, Google and X over alleged exploitation of Nigerian news content, adding to a wider push against “unlawful” scraping and unfair practices. Publishing, Books & Culture: A new photobook on Chicago’s Ebony/Jet archive is set to follow a lawsuit accusing artist Mickalene Thomas of copyright infringement by allegedly reusing photographer Barbara Karant’s images. Health & Research (Africa): An Algeria-led review of 16 traditional diabetes plants finds multiple compounds may act on gut digestion, insulin signaling and oxidative stress, but stresses clinical studies are still largely missing. World Cup & Africa’s Spotlight: Morocco’s Ayyoub Bouaddi makes history as the second-youngest quarter-finalist in World Cup history, while France’s Kylian Mbappé adds record milestones in the France–Morocco 2-0 quarter-final. Sports & Security Narrative: Nigeria’s police chief urges stronger police–media collaboration to curb speculative reporting and misinformation that can undermine security operations.

Press Freedom Under Fire: Nigeria’s SERAP condemned the DSS arrest and detention of journalist Zainab Sodiq, urging President Tinubu to order her immediate release. Publishing & Libraries: Kenya National Library Service (KNLS) handed over the renovated Mandera Community Library, with two more community libraries (Lafey and Elwak) nearing commissioning—another push for tech-enabled access to learning. Local Voices in Print: South Africa’s Paper Trail Literary Press launched a new anthology bringing 15 poets together around identity and ubuntu, including contributors from Chatsworth, Musgrave and Phoenix. Creative Industry Finance: Afreximbank’s FEDA appointed One Street Studios as co-general partner of the Pan-African Film Fund, targeting up to $1bn for Africa’s film and immersive media value chain. Manufacturing & Publishing Supply Chain: Stats SA reported May manufacturing output down 4.3% y/y, with wood, paper, publishing and printing among the biggest drags. Sports Media Meets Betting: Soccer Laduma launched a dedicated betting hub for South African football fans, adding World Cup previews and bookmaker reviews to its editorial brand.

Kenya Literature Bureau cash crunch: Kenya’s state publisher says delayed payments from government agencies have piled up to Sh1.05bn, with Sh251.5m unpaid for over 90 days—hurting supplier payments and day-to-day operations, as MPs push for tougher recovery instead of write-offs. Afreximbank backs African screen stories: Afreximbank’s FEDA appoints One Street Studios as Co-General Partner of the Pan-African Film Fund, aiming to mobilise up to US$1bn for film, TV and immersive media across production, infrastructure and distribution. Space in Africa’s momentum: Space in Africa releases its NewSpace Africa Conference impact report (2022–2026), tracking growth from 100 delegates in Nairobi to nearly 700 in Libreville and highlighting policy, investment and partnerships. Nigerian lithium deal advances: Chariot Resources secures regulatory approvals for transfers of exploration licences and renewals, plus applications to convert small-scale mining leases—moving closer to acquiring 66.67% of a Nigerian lithium portfolio. Music business in Lagos: Nigeria’s Africa Music Business Roundtable and Music Tech Nigeria return in July (16–18), focusing on music monetisation, copyright administration and AI, with international delegates expected.