Author: Ifetayo Adeniyi

Manny Ita The Federal Government of Nigeria has formally launched the first phase of Project BRIDGE (Building Resilient Digital Infrastructure for Growth), a massive technical undertaking designed to revolutionize the nation’s digital landscape. Underpinned by a $500 million concessional credit from the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA), the project has moved into its active stage this January with the release of an initial ₦460 million ($6 million) tranche. This foundational funding is designated for the incorporation of a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) and the commencement of critical route surveys across the country. ​Unlike traditional infrastructure loans, Project BRIDGE utilizes…

Manny Ita The digital rift between the purists of the legendary Afrobeat movement and the fanbases of contemporary Afrobeats has reached a boiling point. In a series of viral, high-energy videos on Sunday, January 11, 2026, Seun Kuti—the Grammy-nominated son of the late Fela Anikulapo-Kuti—launched a scathing critique of “Wizkid FC.” He warned the fanbase to stop the “disrespectful and ahistorical” practice of labeling Wizkid as the “New Fela,” arguing that such comparisons are rooted in “complete ignorance.” ​The friction was sparked by a social media debate celebrating Wizkid’s recent milestone of 10 billion Spotify streams, with fans claiming the…

Manny Ita In a significant retreat following a public legal threat, X influencer Dami Foreign has issued a formal apology to Afrobeats icon Tiwa Savage, claiming he never intended to cause harm to her or her 10-year-old son, Jamil Balogun. The apology, posted on January 6, 2026, came hours after Savage warned that her patience with his “repeated attacks” had reached a breaking point. “I want you to know that I don’t mean bad or de@th for you or your son,” the influencer wrote, attempting to de-escalate a confrontation that appeared headed for a courtroom under Nigeria’s Cybercrimes Act. ​The…

Manny Ita The Lagos State Government has confirmed it is on track to complete a total of 14,022 housing units by the end of March 2026 as part of a strategic effort to reduce the state’s significant housing shortfall. Commissioner for Housing, Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, disclosed that the administration has already delivered approximately 11,000 homes over the past six years, with the remaining units under construction to meet the first-quarter deadline. This initiative, part of the “Renewed Hope” housing agenda, utilizes a combination of direct budgetary funding and public-private partnerships to scale up the availability of affordable homes for low- and…

Manny Ita The Lagos State Government has progressed with the development of the Lagos Boardwalk project along the Wole Olateju waterfront as part of a strategic initiative to transform the city’s shorelines into global tourism hubs. Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Dayo Bush-Alebiosu, confirmed the advancement in early January 2026, describing the project as a centerpiece of the state’s efforts to leverage aquatic assets for “creative diplomacy” and economic expansion. Located along the Lekki-Ikoyi axis, the pedestrian-friendly, wooden-planked promenade is designed to integrate the state’s waterways with commercial and recreational activities, following standards seen in international coastal destinations. ​Economic projections…

Amanda Azubuike Attains Brigadier General in the US Army, Makes History as First Nigerian Woman … achievement signifies historic moment for Nigerians in the diaspora. A Nigerian woman, Amanda Azubuike, has made history as the first Nigerian woman to be promoted to the rank of Brigadier General in the United States Army. Azubuike, who was born in London, United Kingdom, to a Nigerian father of Igbo descent and a Zimbabwean mother, recently achieved the milestone. Her journey into the military began early after she moved to the United States with her mother and sister, eventually becoming a U.S. citizen in…

AFCON 2025: Osimhen, Akor lead Nigeria to 2-0 victory over Algeria, advance to semi-finals The Super Eagles will have to face Morocco for the semi-finals clash. Nigeria’s Super Eagles have reached the semi-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with a convincing 2-0 win over Algeria at the Stade de Marrakech. The victory sets up a last-four clash against Morocco after their win against Cameroon in the quarter-final. The Eagles came into the match after a 4-0 win over Mozambique in the Round of 16, having scored 12 goals in four games, the tournament’s highest tally. Algeria, unbeaten before…

Manny Ita Maranello has officially moved into the final testing phase for its first fully electric vehicle, currently referred to by the placeholder name Ferrari Elettrica, as it prepares for a mid-2026 launch. Disclosed in technical detail during a recent workshop at the company’s headquarters, the model is being positioned as a high-performance Luxury Grand Tourer intended to offer the utility of the Purosangue while providing acceleration performance that exceeds the brand’s current internal combustion models. With a projected starting price of approximately $580,000, the vehicle is aimed at a demographic of high-net-worth collectors seeking a combination of traditional prestige…

Manny Ita ​Lagos State has reinforced its position as Africa’s “Creative Capital” as the 9th All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) enters its final phase. To herald the main ceremony, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu hosted a series of diplomatic soirees, convening international delegates, policymakers, and over 1,216 creative industry professionals. Supported by partners including the British High Commission, these engagements are intended to utilize “creative diplomacy” to position the music industry as a driver of continental economic integration and peace-building. The week-long festival previously featured the Africa Music Business Summit and a 25-artist “Music Village” concert at Ikeja City Mall, leading up…

Manny Ita Grammy-winning Nigerian artist Damini Ogulu, popularly known as Burna Boy, has officially set a new record for the highest-grossing tour by an African artist. Data released by the analytics platform Touring Data confirms that his “I Told Them” world tour generated a total of $30.5 million in gross revenue from 302,801 tickets sold across 22 shows in Europe and North America. “@burnaboy’s ‘I Told Them…’ is officially the highest-grossing tour by any Afrobeat artist in history, with $30.5 million from 302,801 tickets sold in 22 shows,” the platform reported. The revenue was nearly evenly split between the two…