In today’s Nigeria, where the economic landscape feels like a battleground, many young people are grappling with the harsh reality of inflation, job scarcity, and rising living costs. It’s no surprise that the term ‘broke’ has become a casual label, worn almost like a badge of honour. But here’s the truth: broke is not a personality trait. And it certainly …

Recapitalisation, digital disruption: Why Nigerian banks must embrace public affairs In today’s rapidly evolving financial landscape, the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) bank recapitalisation has already yielded tangible wins as many lenders have met the higher capital thresholds, and there’s been a marked surge in credit to the real economy—a testament to stronger balance sheets and renewed risk appetite. Yet, …

My colleague, Funke Egbemode is back at her beat after a stint in government, as Commissioner for Information, back to do what she knows how to do best. When my colleagues go into government I say they have gone in for their IT! They have gone to see the inside of government, to see, learn and familiarise themselves with those …

It’s nothing to laugh off, however tempting. If the movies imitate life, we may not be as far away from an African pope. It happened in The Conclave, a film by Peter Straughan released in 2024, based on the novel by Robert Harris. Through the intrigues, rivalries and scandals of the plot, Adeyemi, a Nigerian cardinal at the Conclave, almost …

Most times, in our self-absorption, we assume that people are talking about us. When some of us enter a social gathering, we are so self-conscious in our exaggerated self-importance that we think that all eyes at the party are centred on us especially so, if we believed the designer-dress we adorned was the rarest attire in town. Actors, writers, newscasters, …

On 23 February 2005, the Bayelsa State capital, Yenagoa, played host to what may well qualify as the largest assembly of Ijaw sons and daughters up to that time. They came from within and outside Nigeria to mark the first ever Ijaw National Day and World Summit celebration under the auspices of the Ijaw National congress (INC). The week-long event …

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and State Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards have agreed to commence the 2025 Hajj airlift on 9 May 2025, with the final outbound flight expected to depart by 24 May. This was disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Assistant Director, Information and Publications for the Chairman/CEO of NAHCON, Fatima Sanda Usara. …

The Lagos State government, yesterday, commenced free medical screening for 2025 Hajj-intending pilgrims to check their health status, address any health challenges and get treated before going for pilgrimage. The state government, however, warned that those who fail the screening might not be allowed to travel for the Hajj. Speaking during the Free Medical Screening for intending pilgrims organised by …

Pope Francis died on Monday aged 88, a day after making a much hoped-for appearance at Saint Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday, the Vatican said in a statement. ‘Dearest brothers and sisters, it is with deep sorrow that I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis’, said Cardinal Kevin Farrell in the statement published by the Vatican on …

On Page 28 of his very provocative book, The Present Darkness: A history of Nigerian organized crime, (2016) Stephen Ellis, British historian and Africanist, compared Nigerian politics to con artistry. Their practices, he said, were not different from acts of fabulists and fraudsters. Ellis’ take on Nigerian leaders synchronizes with a Henry Louis Gate’s The New Yorker piece of 25 …