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A funeral in Nigeria celebrates life — and grapples with some ugly realities

By Emmanuel Akinwotu

Published October 5, 2025 at 8:00 AM EDT

Extortion and exploitation at the gravesite amplify grief for many Nigerians.

Emmanuel Akinwotu

Emmanuel Akinwotu is an international correspondent for NPR. He joined NPR in 2022 from The Guardian, where he was West Africa correspondent.

Stories From This Author

From Madagascar to Morocco: Gen Z protests shake Africa

Emmanuel Akinwotu

Gen Z-led protests in two diverse African countries highlight frustration over years of poor governance. Fueled by social media, these youth movements are demanding accountability.
In Sudan, a paramilitary group is on the verge of taking over a major city

Emmanuel Akinwotu

A Sudanese paramilitary group at war with the army is on the verge of taking control of a historic city in Western Darfur. This is happening as the humanitarian crisis worsens in the country.
As many as 1,000 killed in Sudan landslide

Emmanuel Akinwotu

Up to 1,000 dead after a landslide levels a village in western Sudan, as displaced residents flee famine and war.