Author: Ifetayo Adeniyi

Manny Ita Renowned Nigerian novelist and two-time Caine Prize finalist Elnathan John is set to release his first foray into children’s literature with the upcoming title Hassan and Hassana Share Everything. Published by Cassava Republic Press, the 40-page full-color picture book signals a notable departure from John’s established body of work in political satire and gritty fiction. The narrative follows eight-year-old twins whose relationship is tested on their birthday when they receive gifts—a bicycle for Hassan and drums for Hassana—that trigger a confrontation with traditional societal expectations. ​The plot centers on a pivotal moment of peer pressure when Hassan’s friends…

Manny Ita The Republic of Turkey and the Federal Government of Nigeria have reached a significant milestone in cultural diplomacy following the identification of 76 wooden and metal artifacts belonging to Nigeria. Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mehmet Poroy, confirmed the development during a diplomatic visit to the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, in Abuja on Thursday. Ambassador Poroy stated that while the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in Turkey has flagged the items, formal discussions for their return are currently underway, noting that the repatriation process will commence once the Nigerian government officially submits a…

Manny Ita The United Nations and the Federal Government of Nigeria officially launched the 2026 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (HNRP) in Abuja on Thursday, requesting $516 million to combat a rapidly escalating food security crisis. The appeal comes as the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mohamed Malick Fall, warned that the situation has reached a critical tipping point, noting that the projected numbers are “not just statistics; they represent lives and futures.” According to the report, nearly 35 million Nigerians are expected to face acute hunger during the 2026 lean season, with roughly 3 million children under the age…

Manny Ita The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has officially disbursed ₦1,326,550,000 to the University of Lagos (UNILAG), marking a significant milestone in the federal government’s initiative to expand access to tertiary education through interest-freei students who had previously paid their fees out-of-pocket may be eligible for refunds from the institution. ​Beyond the direct coverage of tuition and mandatory fees, the 6,308 beneficiaries remain eligible for a monthly upkeep stipend of ₦20,000, which is paid directly into their personal bank accounts to assist with living expenses. This disbursement to UNILAG contributes to a broader national figures; as of early January…

FIFA will present $2.3m prize money for women’s club football The inaugural FIFA Women’s Champions Cup™️ is set to make history by offering record-breaking prize money, with the champions earning USD 2.3 million, the largest single payout ever in women’s club football. According to a post obtained from FIFA’s X handle on Friday, the runners-up will receive USD 1 million for reaching the final, scheduled at Arsenal Stadium on Sunday, February 1, 2026. Semi-finalists will each earn USD 200,000, while the two clubs eliminated in the opening rounds, Auckland United FC (New Zealand) and Wuhan Chegu Jiangda WFC (China…

CBN to end ATM congestion, plans new debit card rules The Central Bank of Nigeria has made public plans to introduce a new regulatory policy aimed at sanitising debit card issuance and ATM operations across Nigerian banks, in a bid to address persistent cash access challenges. The announcement was made by CBN Governor Yemi Cardoso through his Special Adviser, Fatai Karim, at the 2026 Committee of Heads of Bank Operations Conference on Friday. According to the apex bank, the policy will ensure that the number of cards issued by banks corresponds with their deployed ATM infrastructure, helping to reduce…

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…