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Today in Africa — September 2, 2026: U.S. Troops Exit Nigeria, DR Congo Drops Remote Learning in Ebola Zones

OkayAfrica has scoured the Internet for today’s major news stories, so you don't have to. On Sept. 2, coverage includes: Nigeria's security crisis persisting despite the U.S. withdrawal; DR Congo's Ebola death toll passing 3,000 even as classrooms reopen in the hardest-hit areas; and more.

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Lihle Z. Mtshali Today in Africa & Newsletter Editor
Nigerian soldier with a rifle stands before armored vehicles on a parade ground in Lagos.
A Nigerian soldier stands near armored vehicles the U.S. donated in 2016. The U.S. is withdrawing the 200 troops it sent in February 2026 to help fight the country's security crisis.

Every day, OkayAfrica shares a roundup of news we’re following but haven’t published as full articles. These short updates cover what’s happening across the continent — in culture, politics, and beyond. For more on stories like these, be sure to check out our News page, with stories from across the regions.

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U.S. Withdraws Troops From Nigeria After Months-Long Deployment

Nigeria confirmed today, Tuesday, September 2, that around 200 U.S. troops sent to help fight the country's security crisis are being withdrawn, ending a deployment that began in February amid tensions over accusations of "Christian genocide" in Nigeria. The troops assisted with training and intelligence gathering, and took part in a joint operation that killed a top Islamic State leader, according to Nigerian officials. Military spokesperson Samaila Uba says the withdrawal reflects the deployment's specific operational goals, adding that parts of the broader U.S.-Nigeria security partnership will continue.

A Crisis That Hasn't Let Up

  • Nigeria's security situation has worsened since President Bola Tinubu took office, with jihadist and criminal groups spreading violence further south.

  • Analysts say little has changed on the ground despite the troop deployment and Trump's public claims about tackling the crisis.

  • Just last week, 600 people were kidnapped in Nigeria's central region, and a study showed that kidnappers in Nigeria had collected close to $5.8 million over the last year.

DR Congo Scraps Remote Learning Plan, Reopens Schools in Ebola Hot Zones

The Democratic Republic of Congo has abandoned its plan to keep schools in Ebola "red zones" on remote learning, reopening classrooms this week even in more than 1,000 Ituri schools classified as high-risk, an education ministry official told Reuters. The reversal came after provincial authorities pushed back on August 19 rules that would have replaced in-person classes with worksheets and radio and TV broadcasts, worried that students in red zones would fall behind their peers. "At the first sign of a case, we will close and implement distance learning, but for now, that's not the case," the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. The decision comes as DR Congo's Ebola death toll surpassed 3,000, according to government data released today, Wednesday, September 2, making this the country's deadliest outbreak on record.

How Schools Are Managing the Risk

  • Schools also reopened in AFC/M23 rebel-controlled areas of North and South Kivu, with hand-washing and social distancing measures in place.

  • The education ministry says hygiene kits have been installed in red zone schools.

  • Parents like La Reine Vahwere in Beni are sending kids to school with disinfectant and urging them to avoid physical contact with classmates.

  • WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned that undetected chains of transmission mean "the epidemic will continue" to threaten the country and region, and is seeking $1.3 billion to scale up the response.

Nigeria's Anti-Corruption Agency Fires Over 40 Staff for Misconduct

Nigeria's Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has dismissed more than 40 employees over corruption and financial misconduct in the past three years, EFCC chairman Ola Olukoyede said at a briefing assessing the agency's progress since he took over in October 2023. He said more than five of those dismissed already face prosecution, with case files being prepared against others, and stressed that internal accountability is essential to the agency's broader anti-corruption mission. As part of reforms, the EFCC renamed its Department of Internal Affairs to the Department of Ethics and Integrity and introduced a gift-declaration policy for officers.

A Record Run for the EFCC

  • Olukoyede said the agency recovered 1.23 trillion naira ($925 million) between October 2023 and July 2026, with a conviction rate topping 75%.

  • The EFCC received 49,673 petitions, investigated 39,615 cases, filed 14,476 in court, and secured 10,872 convictions during that period.

  • In just the first half of 2026, the agency logged 1,370 convictions from 1,889 filings.

  • The agency's caseload has increasingly shifted toward cybercrime and fraud, rather than focusing mainly on corruption cases involving high-profile officials.

In Brief: More Stories Today

Madagascar Sentences Ex-Senate President to 10 Years Over Deadly Protest Crackdown

A court in Antananarivo sentenced Richard Ravalomanana, Madagascar's former Senate president and a retired general, to 10 years of hard labor for his role in the violent crackdown on 2025's Gen Z protests. Prosecutors accused him of directing security forces to use violence against demonstrators, which left at least 22 people dead; Ravalomanana denies the charges and plans to appeal.

Uber Exits Nigeria and Uganda as Part of Global Restructuring

Uber is shutting down operations in Nigeria and Uganda starting September 2 as part of a broader global restructuring that includes cutting about 3,300 jobs, roughly 10% of its workforce. The company says it remains committed to Sub-Saharan Africa despite the exits, framing the move as part of a shift toward reinvesting savings in growth areas like autonomous vehicles and robotaxis.

Guinea-Bissau Voters Approve Constitution Expanding Presidential Power

Guinea-Bissau voters approved a new constitution granting the president sweeping new authority, including the power to appoint and dismiss the prime minister and dissolve parliament, with 70% backing the changes in a Sunday referendum. The main opposition party boycotted the vote, warning the reforms concentrate too much power in the presidency ahead of December's elections meant to restore civilian rule after last November's military takeover.

Kenyan Journalist Abducted, Released Hours Later Near Dam

Standard Group associate editor Alex Kiprotich was abducted by armed men near Nakuru, Kenya, last night, Tuesday, September 1, and released hours later more than 200 kilometers away near Masinga Dam. The company's CEO says the abductors demanded he reveal the newspaper's sources, marking the second such attempt against Kiprotich since June, as rights groups renew calls for an investigation into a pattern of abductions targeting Kenyan government critics.

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