Author: Ifetayo Adeniyi
Adeniyi Ifetayo Moses is an Entrepreneur, Award winning Celebrity journalist, Luxury and Lifestyle Reporter with Ben tv London and Publisher, Megastar Magazine. He has carved a niche for himself with over 15 years of experience in celebrity Journalism and Media PR.
Manny Ita In a structural shift that has redefined the regional entertainment landscape, Nollywood has officially surpassed Hollywood to become the primary revenue driver in the West African cinema market. Data released by FilmOne Entertainment in January 2026 confirms that for the first time in recorded history, local Nigerian productions accounted for 49.4% of the total box office gross, narrowly edging out Hollywood’s 48.8%. This milestone represents a significant leap from 2024, when Hollywood maintained a majority share of 52% against Nollywood’s 46%. The regional box office closed the 2025 calendar year with a historic ₦15.6 billion (approximately $10.4 million)…
Manny Ita Nigerian designer Toluwani Wabara, the creative force behind Wanni Fuga, debuted a high-profile sustainable collection at the 8th edition of Nairobi Fashion Week (NFW) this week in a landmark moment for West African fashion on the continental stage. Representing Nigeria as a headline international designer, Wabara’s showcase aligned with the 2026 event theme, “Decarbonize,” which challenged creators to merge high-end aesthetics with environmental accountability and circular design principles. The collection, showcased at the Sarit Expo Centre in Nairobi, received critical acclaim for its “polished craftsmanship” and signature “soft-structured” silhouettes. Industry analysts noted that the pieces successfully translated Wanni…
Manny Ita The Nigerian fashion industry witnessed a pivotal moment on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, as the elite of Nollywood gathered in Lagos to celebrate the 40th birthday of actress Bisola Aiyeola. The event, which transitioned from an intimate celebration to a major industry fashion statement, served as a definitive showcase for 2026 red-carpet trends. Guests abandoned traditional subtle elegance in favor of “unapologetic” style choices, characterized by bold architectural cuts and highly saturated color palettes that have come to define the current season. Leading the fashion vanguard were industry heavyweights Funke Akindele and Mimi Onalaja, whose appearances ignited immediate…
Manny Ita The 2026 edition of the Creative Retail Weekend concluded recently in Ikoyi, Lagos, marking a significant milestone for the “Made-in-Africa” movement through a high-profile exhibition of fashion, beauty, and lifestyle products. Held at the British Council premises, the two-day event served as a strategic marketplace designed to connect indigenous creative entrepreneurs with global retail standards and a diverse consumer base. Organized by Coconut Africa with the formal backing of the British Council, the showcase featured over 50 homegrown brands, emphasizing the intersection of traditional African craftsmanship and modern commercial viability. The event focused heavily on circularity and sustainability,…
Manny Ita The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced a strategic shift in its approach to national tourism, with preparations for the 2026 festive season—widely known as “Detty December”—set to commence as early as March. Minister of Art, Culture, and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, confirmed this week that the early start is intended to transform the year-end celebrations from a social trend into a structured “national asset.” By initiating the planning phase ten months in advance, the Ministry aims to present a comprehensive proposal to the Federal Executive Council that coordinates inter-ministerial efforts across aviation, security, and infrastructure. A…
Manny Ita In a significant shift within the African digital landscape, Nigerian content creators have officially claimed the majority of spots in the 2026 rankings of the continent’s most-followed live streamers. According to industry data released in late January, Nigerian streamers now occupy six out of the top ten positions across platforms like Twitch and Kick, signaling a decisive move of the continent’s “streaming capital” to West Africa. Leading the Nigerian contingent is Carter Efe, who has successfully transitioned from comedy and music to become the most-followed Africa-based creator on Twitch with over 560,000 followers. His growth was bolstered by…
Manny Ita In a pointed critique that has ignited a firestorm across the Nigerian entertainment landscape this week, veteran actor Gideon Okeke has publicly called out the nation’s top musical exports for failing to support the domestic film industry. Taking to his social media platforms on Sunday, January 25, 2026, the Slum King star specifically addressed the “Big Three” and “Big Five” of the Afrobeats world—including global icons Wizkid, Burna Boy, and Davido—accusing them of maintaining a one-sided relationship with the creative community. Okeke argued that while Nollywood actors and filmmakers are consistently the loudest voices celebrating the international milestones…
Manny Ita Tensions have escalated in Sokoto State following reports that at least six villagers were killed in a fresh terrorist attack, occurring in the same region recently targeted by a high-profile United States military operation. The local government areas of Tangaza and Silame have become the epicenter of a complex security crisis involving the “Lakurawa” insurgent group, an affiliate of ISIS in the Sahel. While the Nigerian government initially described the joint airstrikes as a strategic success, the subsequent retaliatory violence against local communities has raised urgent concerns about the protection of civilians in the volatile border region. The…
Manny Ita The Federal Government of Nigeria yesterday concluded a landmark ₦501 billion inaugural bond issuance under the Presidential Power Sector Debt Reduction Programme (PPSDRP), achieving a 100% subscription rate from institutional investors. The bond, executed through NBET Finance Company Plc, marks the most significant fiscal intervention to date aimed at resolving the liquidity crisis that has crippled the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) for over a decade. Special Adviser to the President on Energy, Olu Arowolo Verheijen, speaking at the signing ceremony in Lagos, described the capital raise as a “decisive reset” of the electricity market. She noted that…
Manny Ita The corruption trial of Nigeria’s former Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, formally commenced this week at the Southwark Crown Court in London, with prosecutors detailing a decade of alleged bribery and “industrial-scale” corruption. The 65-year-old, who served under President Goodluck Jonathan and was the first female president of OPEC, faces five counts of accepting bribes and one count of conspiracy to commit bribery, all of which she denies. Prosecutor Alexandra Healy told the jury that the defendant “enjoyed a life of luxury in London” that was entirely underwritten by oil industry figures seeking lucrative contracts with the Nigerian National…