Media mentions this week
SBM’s Jollof Index, election poll and security analysis dominated media coverage of Nigeria’s economy, 2027 vote and state police reform this week.
This was a good week for SBM Intelligence in the media. The firm’s data and commentary shaped coverage across three major storylines: the economic fallout of the Iran war, the political mood ahead of the 2027 elections, and the national debate on security reform. Below is a roundup of the week’s key mentions.
The Economist – Jollof Index feature (18 June)
The Economist highlighted SBM Intelligence’s “Jollof index” in an article asking whether the staple meal is becoming a luxury in Nigeria and Ghana. The piece noted that the index, which SBM issues quarterly, tracks the prices of the twelve ingredients used to make the dish in both countries – “from the tinned tomato purée that gives the dish its renowned orange hue, to the oil used to sauté the onions and spices.” The mention underscores the index’s growing recognition as a barometer of living costs in West Africa.
CNBC Africa & Arise News – 2027 Voter Sentiment Survey (16–17 June)
The week’s dominant story was the release of SBM Intelligence’s inaugural Nigeria 2027 Voter Sentiment Tracker. SBM Managing Partner Ikemesit Effiong appeared on CNBC Africa and Arise News to discuss the findings.
The survey of nearly 1,000 likely voters across eight states and the FCT found that nearly 80% of Nigerians believe the country is heading in the wrong direction. President Bola Tinubu recorded a net favourability score of -58.5, while Peter Obi posted +58.3. On party preference, the NDC led the APC by 57.4% to 11.3%, with 11% undecided. Insecurity and terrorism topped voters’ concerns at 45%.
Effiong cautioned that these numbers are not a prediction but a “snapshot of the headspace of likely voters”. He also warned that 2027 could become Nigeria’s “first proper AI election”, with deepfakes and synthetic media posing a major challenge, while noting that only about 7% of voters regularly fact-check political information.
Independent.ng & Nairametrics – Poll coverage (14–15 June)
Both outlets reported extensively on the SBM survey. Independent.ng framed the findings as a warning that “hardship and insecurity threaten Tinubu’s re-election”, while Nairametrics ran a detailed breakdown of the regional data, noting that dissatisfaction exceeded 88% in the South-East, South-South, North-Central and North-West zones.
Reuters – State police reform (11 June)
Reuters quoted Ayomide Akinwale, an analyst at SBM Intelligence, in a story on Nigeria’s parliamentary vote to advance state police reform. Akinwale explained the rationale behind the shift: “Nigeria’s centralised policing model slows emergency responses because states lack direct control”. The quote came amid growing urgency following the mass abductions of students and teachers in Oyo and Borno states earlier in May.
News Central TV – Iran war fallout & banditry (17 June)
SBM Intelligence featured in two News Central TV segments. One discussed the US–Iran deal, the drop in oil prices and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Another examined “The Cartel Behind Banditry in Nigeria”, a topic that aligns with SBM’s ongoing research into the political economy of insecurity.