Author: Ifetayo Adeniyi

Manny Ita The 98th Academy Award nominations have solidified a landmark moment for the Nigerian diaspora as Zaria-born actress Wunmi Mosaku officially secured a nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Mosaku’s recognition stems from her role in Ryan Coogler’s supernatural thriller Sinners, which emerged as the morning’s biggest victor with a record-breaking 16 nominations. In a performance described by critics as the “spiritual heartbeat” of the film, Mosaku portrays Annie, a hoodoo practitioner whose grounded, ethereal intensity provides the emotional stakes for the Mississippi Delta-set horror. Reflecting on the significance of the character, Mosaku stated in a recent interview that the…

Manny Ita The Nigerian gospel music industry is in mourning following the death of prominent evangelist Bunmi Akinnaanu, popularly known as Omije Ojumi, who passed away on January 12, 2026, at a Lagos hospital. Her death followed a prolonged illness that had generated significant concern among her followers and colleagues in the ministry. The news was officially confirmed via social media by fellow gospel artist Ayo Melody, who issued a statement on behalf of the family, saying, “With great sadness, we announce the passing of Evangelist Olubunmi Akinnaanu Adeoye OMIJE OJUMI… May God grant her eternal rest.” ​The announcement has…

UI emerges best varsity in Nigeria, UNILAG, Covenant, UNN, OAU follow The University of Ibadan (UI) has emerged as Nigeria’s highest-ranked institution in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2026. According to the rankings published on Thursday on THE’s official website, UI was placed in the 801–1000 global band, making it the top-ranked Nigerian university in the 2026 edition. The achievement marks a return to the summit for UI, which last held the position in 2023. The 2026 rankings assessed 2,191 universities across 115 countries, using 18 performance indicators grouped under five key areas: teaching, research environment, research…

NELFUND covers loans of 6,308 students in UNILAG, disburses N1.33bn The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) on Friday said it has disbursed N1,326,550,000 to the University of Lagos (UNILAG) for the 2025/2026 academic session. The agency said the fund was in line with the approved disbursement schedule for the 2025/2026 academic session. In a statement signed by the Director, Strategic Communications, Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), Mrs. Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, the agency said disbursement covers 6,308 eligible UNILAG students who have met all requirements under its student loan programme. The statement said, “As is standard procedure, student beneficiary lists are…

NBMA commences 7th edition, calls for nominations Introduces Media Studies, Broadcasting and related disciplines for youths. Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Awards (NBMA) have announced the commencement of nominations for the 7th edition of the awards The organizers of the Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Awards (NBMA) have announced the commencement of nominations for the 7th edition of the awards, scheduled to be held in May 2026. The Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Awards is an annual platform dedicated to recognizing and celebrating excellence, professionalism, innovation, and societal impact in Nigeria’s broadcasting and media industry. The awards honour outstanding individuals, programs, stations, and organizations…

Manny Ita President Bola Tinubu has formally approved a series of “investment-linked” incentives specifically designed to unlock Shell’s Bonga South West deepwater oilfield, a project estimated to involve $20 billion in total expenditure. Following a high-level meeting with Shell CEO Wael Sawan, the Presidency confirmed late Thursday that these regulatory concessions are part of a broader strategy to revitalize Nigeria’s crude oil production through targeted fiscal reforms. President Tinubu emphasized that the measures are not “blanket concessions” but are instead “ring-fenced and focused on new capital, incremental production and strong local content delivery.” The President further clarified his mandate for…

Manny Ita Nigeria was plunged into a nationwide blackout on Friday, January 23, 2026, after the national electricity grid suffered a total system failure at approximately 1:00 PM. Data from the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) confirmed that power generation across all 23 connected power plants plummeted from nearly 4,000MW to zero megawatts within minutes, leaving all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory without electricity. ​The collapse occurred shortly after grid operators had recorded robust demand in major urban centers, with the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company receiving 639MW and Ikeja Electric drawing 630MW just before the shutdown. By 1:30…

Manny Ita The Supreme Court of Nigeria has officially dismissed the appeal seeking to reopen the trial of Major Hamza Al-Mustapha (rtd) for the 1996 murder of Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, bringing a final legal conclusion to a case that has spanned nearly 30 years. In a unanimous ruling delivered on Thursday, January 22, 2026, a five-member panel of justices led by Justice Uwani Aba-Aji affirmed the discharge and acquittal of the former Chief Security Officer to the late General Sani Abacha, citing “abandonment” and a “gross lack of interest” by the Lagos State Government. ​The apex court’s decision followed the…

Manny Ita The Pediatric Association of Nigeria (PAN) and a coalition of health advocacy groups have issued a sharp critique of the Federal Government’s 2026 budgetary allocation to the health sector, characterizing the 4.3% provision as a significant failure to invest in the nation’s human capital. Speaking ahead of the association’s 57th Annual General Meeting in Abeokuta, PAN President Professor Ekanem Ekure warned that the N2.48 trillion earmarked for health—out of a total N58.47 trillion national budget—is insufficient to address the high rates of preventable childhood deaths across the country. The advocates emphasized that this figure falls drastically short of…

Manny Ita Nigeria’s Super Eagles have consolidated their status as the continent’s most successful third-place finishers, defeating Egypt 4–2 on penalties to claim the bronze medal at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Casablanca. The victory, secured on Saturday, January 17, 2026, marks Nigeria’s ninth AFCON bronze medal and preserves an unblemished historical record of never losing a third-place playoff match. ​The contest at the Stade Mohammed V remained goalless through 90 minutes of regulation time, characterized by tactical caution from both sides following grueling semi-final exits. In the ensuing shootout, Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali emerged as the…