Africa's 20 least peaceful countries by their Global Peace Index 2021 score

According to the Global Peace Index 2021, South Sudan, Somalia, and DR Congo are Africa's least peaceful countries. As the world observes The International Day of Peace 2021, we present the continent's 20 least peaceful countries by their Global Peace Index 2021 score.

Source:

Global Peace Index

Period:

2021
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Each Nigerian president since 2011 has won with fewer votes than his predecessor
  • Bola Tinubu won the 2023 election with just 36.6% of the valid votes.
  • There is a clear downward trend in winners’ vote share since 2011, with each election producing a less dominant winner.
  • Peak dominance occurred in 2007, when Umaru Musa Yar'Adua won with 69.6% of the votes.
  • The total votes secured by winners have dropped sharply, from over 24 million (2003–2007) to 8.8 million in 2023.
  • In 2023, over 60% of valid votes went to candidates who lost.
Nigeria’s serving governors average 60 years of age as of March 2026
  • Nigeria’s youngest serving governor is Usman Ahmed Ododo of Kogi state at 48 years old.
  • The oldest serving governors are Bala Mohammed and Hope Uzodimma, both aged 67.
  • President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is 73 years old, making him older than every sitting governor.
  • Tinubu is 25 years older than the youngest governor and six years older than the oldest governors.
  • A number of governors are in their late 50s, including Seyi Makinde, Hyacinth Alia, and Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri.
  • The age distribution suggests that Nigeria’s state leadership is largely dominated by experienced, older political figures rather than younger politicians.
86% of Nigeria’s 36 state governors are now in the APC as of March 15, 2026
  • The All Progressives Congress (APC) currently controls 31 out of Nigeria’s 36 state governors' seats.
  • This means about 86.1% of Nigeria’s governors belong to the APC, showing the party’s strong dominance at the state level.
  • Only five states are governed by parties other than the APC.
  • The People's Democratic Party governs two states, making it the largest opposition presence among governors.
  • The Labour Party, APGA, and Accord Parties control one state governorship each.
  • With most states now aligned with the ruling party, the balance of political power at the state level in Nigeria is heavily tilted toward the APC.
Three in four girls in Niger got married before 18
  • Niger (76%), the Central African Republic (61%), and Chad (61%) top the global list, meaning the majority of women in these countries marry as children.
  • Seven of the top ten countries by prevalence are African, showing that child marriage is most entrenched relative to population on the continent.
  • Countries in South Asia — Bangladesh (51%) and Nepal (35%) — and Latin America — Suriname (36%) and Belize (34%) — also feature, highlighting the global nature of the challenge.
  • While some countries have larger populations, this list ranks the share of girls affected, not the absolute number, meaning even smaller populations can show extreme societal impact if the prevalence is high.
Nigeria to spend ₦873.8 bn on the 2027 general elections poll, 2.5 times the 2023 cost of ₦355.3 bn
  • The proposed 2027 election budget of ₦873.8 billion is the highest in Nigeria’s history.
  • The 2027 figure is 2.5 times higher than the ₦355.3 billion spent in 2023.
  • Election costs have increased every cycle since 1999.
  • Spending has grown from ₦32 billion in 1999 to ₦874 billion in 2027.
  • In dollar terms, the 2027 cost is estimated at about $625.9 million.
  • Nigeria has spent approximately ₦1.9 trillion—including the 2027 proposed cost—on elections since the start of the Fourth Republic.
  • Currency depreciation has influenced the dollar-equivalent fluctuations over time.
Lagos, Kano, Abuja, and Ibadan are among Africa’s most populous cities with a combined population of 31.3 mn
  • Lagos is Africa’s third-largest city and ranks 14th globally.
  • Cairo remains Africa’s largest city, with over 23 million people, keeping Egypt at the centre of the continent’s urban network.
  • Kinshasa’s position shows Central Africa’s rising urban influence.
  • There is a steep population gap after the top three cities.
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