Spotlight on Exollo: Nigeria's Newest Voice of Resilience

 

BEFOCUS NEWS DESK — Today’s Trending Headlines

Updated: November 25, 2025 • Coverage: Nigeria • Africa • World

1. Thanksgiving air travel plans in the U.S. hit by government shutdown — 1,200 flights cancelled

   GlobalTravelEconomy

   U.S. airlines cancelled roughly **1,200 flights** as the U.S. government shutdown disrupted operations just ahead of the Thanksgiving travel week. The cancellations and schedule gaps are creating major traveller disruption and higher costs for millions preparing to travel. 0

   Youth impact: Students, young professionals and seasonal workers face last-minute travel stress and potential job disruption in travel/hospitality; calls for travel-safety planning and flexible employer policies rise.

   Source: Reuters — Thanksgiving air travel plans cut by U.S. government shutdown. 1

2. Ethiopian volcano erupts after 12,000-year dormancy

   AfricaEnvironmentScience

   A volcano in Ethiopia’s Afar region erupted after millennia of dormancy, sending ash over the Red Sea region and prompting local alerts as authorities and scientists assess risk. 2

   Youth impact: Urgent need for youth-led disaster-risk teams, community resilience training and local STEM engagement in geoscience and early-warning systems.

   Source: Al Jazeera — Ethiopian volcano erupts. 3

3. China launches rescue mission — uncrewed Shenzhou spacecraft sent to retrieve stranded astronauts

   GlobalSpaceTechnology

   China rushed a Shenzhou mission to dock with its Tiangong space station to provide a return option after the previously scheduled capsule was deemed unsafe—an emergency mission highlighting Beijing’s growing independent space capabilities. 4

   Youth impact: Inspires young Africans and Nigerians interested in aerospace and STEM careers; points to expanding international opportunities in space science and engineering.

   Sources: AP News — China launches Shenzhou rescue mission. 5

4. Russia-Ukraine: missile and drone strikes hit Kyiv as peace talks continue

   GlobalSecurityConflict

   Large-scale Russian strikes struck Kyiv and other areas amid ongoing peace-plan discussions in Abu Dhabi — raising urgent humanitarian and security concerns. 6

   Youth impact: Displacement, interrupted education and trauma affect youth in conflict zones; youth humanitarian leadership and digital journalism are critical for crisis response and accurate reporting.

   Source: Al Jazeera — Russia-Ukraine strikes amid talks. 7

5. UAE announces $1 billion “AI for Development” initiative to expand AI in Africa

   GlobalTechnologyAfrica

   The United Arab Emirates unveiled a US$1 billion programme to build AI infrastructure, skilling and services across African nations — targeting education, healthcare and climate resilience at scale. 8

   Youth impact: Major skilling and entrepreneurship opportunities for African youth in AI, data science and climate-tech — potential for wide youth employment and startup growth.

   Source: Reuters — UAE $1bn AI initiative for Africa. 9

6. Mass school abductions in Nigeria: massive security crisis threatens education

   NigeriaSecurityEducation

   Recent mass kidnappings of students from schools in Niger State and others have become an acute national emergency; communities and authorities are racing to secure releases and prevent further attacks.

   Youth impact: Direct threat to education continuity, mental health and development — urgent need for youth-safe schools programmes, community protection and national policy responses.

   Sources: Reporting from major outlets (Time, Reuters, AP) and local press — example: Time — school abductions.

7. South Africa declares gender-based violence a national disaster amid mass protests

   AfricaSocial JusticeYouth

   Following country-wide protests and a high-profile lie-down demonstration, South African authorities declared gender-based violence a national disaster — unlocking emergency funding and national coordination. 10

   Youth impact: Creates immediate roles for youth organisers, survivor support networks, policy advocacy and gender-justice programmes.

   Source: The Guardian — GBV declared national disaster.

8. Gabon signs landmark climate-finance deal to protect Congo Basin rainforests

   AfricaClimateEnvironment

   Gabon secured a climate-finance package to protect large swathes of Congo Basin rainforest — blending donor funding and government commitment to expand conservation and eco-tourism. 11

   Youth impact: Opens green jobs and conservation entrepreneurship for local youth — a model for community-based climate livelihoods across the region.

   Source: Reuters — Gabon climate finance deal. 12

9. Africa startup funding surges — major month-on-month gains for digital ventures

   AfricaStartupsInvestment

   Across fintech, agritech and digital services, African startups recorded large funding gains in recent months — an investor pivot that strengthens youth-founded ventures and talent pipelines.

   Youth impact: Easier capital access for young founders, stronger mentorship networks and more pathways from skill-training to startup growth.

   Representative coverage: Extensia — African startups funding.

10. COP30 aftershock: fragile global unity as binding fossil-fuel deal stalls

    GlobalClimatePolicy

    COP30 closed with limited binding outcomes on fossil fuels, exposing geopolitical divisions; climate finance and adaptation remain urgent priorities for developing nations.

    Youth impact: Accelerates the need for youth-driven climate entrepreneurship, community adaptation projects and green-skills training across Africa and beyond.

    Coverage: The Guardian / Reuters COP30 reporting (select summaries available online).

11. Global markets eye AI valuation wobble — investors cautious into year-end

    GlobalMarketsTechnology

    After months of strong inflows, AI-heavy sectors show signs of volatility as investors reassess rate-cut expectations and earnings forecasts — a key watch for fintech and digital startups. (Representative: Reuters market coverage)

    Youth impact: Young founders and investors must plan for funding cycles and lean growth strategies during market uncertainty.

    Example: Reuters — markets & AI.

Editorial note

Today’s headlines make one point clear: the generation that inherits global systems must also lead their repair. From emergency volcanic eruptions and space-rescue missions to mass school abductions and a complex COP30 finish — young people are at the centre of both the problems and the solutions.

At BEFOCUS Children & Youth Foundation and Witty Global Industries Ltd., we will continue to highlight news that matters to youth — then translate those headlines into skills, programmes and opportunities that empower the next generation.

© 2025 BEFOCUS Children & Youth Foundation • Witty Global Industries Ltd. • Published from Abuja