Miss World Africa 2026, Romanda Hombir, following her national crowning as Miss World South Africa. Photo Credit: Romanda Hombir/Instagram 

South Africa’s Romanda Hombir has another reason to celebrate! The 27-year-old has been crowned Miss World Africa 2026 after making it to the Top 6 at the 73rd Miss World grand finale in Nha Trang, Vietnam, on Saturday, 5 September 2026. The global crown ultimately went to Joheirry Mola of the Dominican Republic.

Hombir’s journey to the Top 6 was quite the run. The clinical audiologist and community health advocate from Mpumalanga secured her place in the initial Top 40 after winning the African continental Head-to-Head Challenge earlier in the festival. From there, she kept advancing, moving through the Top 20 and Top 12 before earning her spot among the final six.

And that finish comes with a little extra history for South Africa. Hombir recorded the country’s highest placement at Miss World since 2014, adding another milestone to an already memorable pageant journey.

Beyond the competition, Hombir also used the Miss World 2026 platform to spotlight a cause close to her heart. Her Beauty with a Purpose project, operated through the Caring Purpose Foundation, focuses on providing mobile health screenings and raising awareness about women’s healthcare in underserved communities.

Romanda Hombir wrapped in the South African national flag prior to departing for Miss World 2026. Photo Credit: Romanda Hombir/Instagram 

But Hombir wasn’t the only African delegate making history in Vietnam.

Eritrea’s Snit Habteab Tewoldemedhin also reached the Top 6, marking the country’s debut appearance at Miss World. The 27-year-old neuroscience graduate and educator earned her place on the final leaderboard after winning the global fan vote with more than 13 million votes.

Tewoldemedhin’s advocacy project, Designing for Diversity, focuses on creating more inclusive educational environments for children with disabilities, bringing another important cause to the Miss World 2026 stage.

Eritrea’s Snit Habteab Tewoldemedhin performing at the Miss World 2026 Dances of the World showcase. Photo Credit: Romanda Hombir/Instagram 

And then there was Nigeria’s Tamunosoye Karibi-George, who also gave us plenty to cheer about. After winning Miss World Africa Top Model, Karibi-George advanced through the competition to finish in the Top 12.

With Hombir taking the Miss World Africa 2026 title, Tewoldemedhin making history for Eritrea and Karibi-George reaching the Top 12, the African continent certainly had plenty to celebrate at the Miss World 2026 finale in Vietnam.

Top 12 finalist Tamunosoye Karibi-George wearing her environmental advocacy gown at Miss World 2026 in Vietnam. Photo Credit: Tamunosoye Karibi-George/Instagram 

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Miss World 2026 Top 12 finalist, Tamunosoye Karibi-George, at the Vietnam Flag Hoisting Ceremony. Photo Credit: Tamunosoye Karibi-George/Instagram 

Nigeria’s Tamunosoye Karibi–George has wrapped up an impressive run at the 73rd Miss World pageant in Nha Trang, Vietnam, placing in the Top 12 on Saturday, 5 September 2026. The global title went to Joheirry Mola of the Dominican Republic, who succeeded Opal Suchata Chuangsri of Thailand.

Representing Nigeria on the international stage, the 26-year-old communications specialist and former Miss World Nigeria winner earned an early spot in the Top 40 after securing the title of Miss World Africa Top Model during the Vietnam Beauty Fashion Fest. She went on to advance into the Top 20 and ultimately reached the Top 12 round during the live finale.

Miss World 2026 continental Top Model winners celebrating their automatic qualification for the Top 40 quarter-finals.

Throughout the month-long festival, Karibi-George highlighted her advocacy initiative, Beyond Labels. The project works to build accessible resources, social support, and inclusive spaces for children living with disabilities across Nigeria. Her presentation aligned with the pageant’s Beauty with a Purpose component, joining other global delegates focused on community-based initiatives.

The Miss World 2026 proceedings concluded with Spain’s Elisabeth Reynés taking first runner-up and Malaysia’s Taanusiya Chetty named second runner-up. Karibi-George’s Top 12 finish marks another strong performance for Nigeria at the pageant, following Joy Mojisola Raimi’s Top 20 placement at the previous edition.

Top 12 finalist Tamunosoye Karibi-George wearing her environmental advocacy gown at Miss World 2026 in Vietnam. Photo Credit: Tamunosoye Karibi-George/Instagram 

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Contextual world map on the Mercator projection.

The United Nations General Assembly adopted a non-binding resolution titled “Correct the Map: Rebalancing global cartographic representation and promoting equitable representation of the world’s regions, particularly Africa” on Friday, September 4, 2026. The initiative, submitted as draft resolution A/80/L.104, encourages governments, educational systems, media organisations, and digital platforms to transition away from the 16th-century Mercator map projection in favour of equal-area projections such as the Equal Earth map. According to official voting records, the measure passed with 164 votes in favour, six abstentions, and a single vote against.

According to UN documents, the diplomatic campaign was spearheaded by Togo on behalf of the African Group and supported by the African Union along with advocacy groups such as Africa No Filter. Ahead of the General Assembly vote, Togo’s Foreign Minister Robert Dussey stated that maps shape education, guide public perception, and influence global understanding, adding in separate remarks reported by BusinessTech that “a fair world begins with a fair map”. Supporting delegation statements confirmed that French Foreign Minister Jean–Noël Barrot announced France will discontinue the Mercator projection in its national school curriculum, remarking in an Indian Express report that correcting a distorted visual representation serves as an “act of truth”.

Togo’s Foreign Minister Robert Dussey addressing the African Group at the UN regarding resolution A/80/L.104. Photo Credit: Robert Dussey/Instagram

The traditional Mercator projection was created in 1569 by Flemish cartographer Gerardus Mercator, primarily to assist European sailors in plotting straight-line nautical compass routes across spherical oceans onto flat surfaces. Geographers explain that representing a three-dimensional globe on a flat plane causes linear distortions that enlarge landmasses closer to the North and South Poles while shrinking equatorial landmasses. As a consequence of this projection formula, standard classroom maps depict Greenland and Africa at roughly identical visual sizes, whereas official land area measurements show Africa spans 30.3 million square kilometres, making it approximately 14 times larger than Greenland’s 2.1 million square kilometres.

According to documentation from its creators Bojan Šavrič, Tom Patterson, and Bernhard Jenny, the Equal Earth projection was developed in 2018 as an equal-area map designed to retain the relative visual proportions of continents while preserving their recognisable shapes. By maintaining accurate surface areas, the projection places Africa, Latin America, South Asia, and Oceania in their proportional geographic sizes relative to North America and Europe. Togo’s foreign ministry clarified that the UN resolution does not legally prohibit or ban the Mercator projection for maritime or aerial navigation, for which it remains mathematically suited, but instead encourages adoption of equal-area maps for general education, atlases, and digital location services.

Fact sheet demonstrating the necessity of the UN “Correct the Map” resolution.

Official assembly proceedings reported by Newscord reveal that the United States cast the sole vote against the resolution, with American representatives characterising the measure as an ideological distraction from core international security and economic priorities. Assembly records further show that six nations—Estonia, Georgia, Lithuania, Moldova, Serbia, and Ukraine—abstained. Meanwhile, statements from Togo’s foreign ministry confirm that African Union delegates plan to meet with textbook publishers and technology companies over the coming six months to review implementation strategies for digital maps and educational materials.

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Visuals created with AI for illustrative purposes.

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Akin Faminu and Kiky Festus at their traditional wedding ceremony, styled by The Style Infidel.

Ladies and gentlemen, it is time! Time to get hooked on the Faminus because Akin Faminu and Kiky Festus are officially in their traditional wedding era, and if this first look is anything to go by, we may need to clear our schedules for everything else coming our way.

We have followed this stylish couple from their civil wedding to this moment, and now the traditional wedding has arrived with culture, colour and plenty of fashion to admire.

Akin and Kiky are celebrating their traditional wedding today, September 5, 2026, as part of their wedding celebrations, under the now-familiar hashtag #HookedOnTheFaminus. Akin, a medical doctor and menswear fashion influencer, and Kiky, a dentist and fashion influencer, have already given us plenty to look forward to, and this first traditional look is another beautiful chapter in their wedding story.

Kiky Festus and Akin Faminu showcasing traditional coral beads and custom attire styling by The Style Infidel.

For this first look, the couple lean into rich Nigerian heritage, with warm brown, metallic gold and ruby-red tones setting the mood.

Kiky wears a metallic gold mermaid gown by Emagine By Bukola, with a corseted bodice covered in ruby-red beadwork and linear embroidery. The fitted silhouette gives way to structured ruffles and sculpted draping across the skirt, all finished with fine red trim and a subtle sweep train.

She keeps the accessories rooted in tradition, wearing a red coral bead necklace with a central drop pendant and matching coral beads around her wrists. A coral bead cap sits over her long, loose waves, while a long black horsetail completes the look.

Kiky Festus in a custom metallic gold gown by Emagine By Bukola, styled by The Style Infidel.

Akin takes a rich brown direction in a warm brown velvet outer garment layered over a cream embroidered shirt and tailored trousers. White wave-pattern embroidery runs along the borders and down the front panels of the outerwear, adding detail to the look while keeping its structure clean.

He finishes with layers of white coral beads, a rust-brown velvet cap decorated with white feathers and a sculpted white traditional staff of office. Formal loafers complete his look.

Akin Faminu in a custom brown velvet Agbada by Deji & Kola, styled by The Style Infidel.

The couple’s first-look styling comes courtesy of The Style Infidel, with Kiky’s gown made by Emagine By Bukola and Akin’s traditional outfit created by Deji & Kola.

Their fashion story has already taken us through their April civil wedding in Lagos. Now, they are bringing custom traditional fashion to the forefront, setting a high standard for the rest of the day’s celebrations.

Akin Faminu and Kiky Festus in custom traditional outfits styled by The Style Infidel.

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Photo Credit: Akin Faminu/Instagram 

The post It’s Time to Get Hooked on the Faminus: See Akin and Kiky’s First Traditional Wedding Look appeared first on BellaNaija - Showcasing Africa to the world. Read today!.

The Caine Prize for African Writing is one of the most coveted awards for any African literary writer because it celebrates some of the best stories published by African writers in the past year. First awarded in 2000 to Sudanese writer Leila Aboulela, the prize has so far been awarded to 25 African writers across different regions.

The 2026 shortlist has been announced, and Nigerian Akinwande Jordan is one of the five African writers shortlisted this year. Akinwande is shortlisted for his story, So Long It’s Starting To Look Like Eternity, published by Naira Books.

Bola Mosuro, the Chair of Judges for the 2026 Caine Prize for African Writing, said, “These five shortlisted stories stood out with their originality. Each author packed a powerful punch in their storytelling with tales that were poignant, shocking, moving and even quirky. Congratulations to them all.”

See the 2026 shortlist below:

The post See the Shortlisted African Writers for the 2026 Caine Prize for African Writing appeared first on BellaNaija - Showcasing Africa to the world. Read today!.

Hilda Baci wearing a white ruched halterneck mermaid gown with a vintage updo and fringe bangs.

We’ve seen so many gorgeous looks from the A Mama Deola Wedding Story premiere, but we simply had to come back to Hilda Baci. When it comes to fashion and style, you know how the saying goes: Naija no dey carry last. The fashion was fashioning and the style was styling, so much so that we had to bring your attention to Hilda’s look.

The chef and entrepreneur stepped out for the Lagos premiere of Folagade Banks’ A Mama Deola Wedding Story on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, dressed in a white halterneck mermaid gown that fit right into the evening’s Wedding Couture theme.

The fitted dress featured fine pleats and ruching across the bodice and hips, with a plunging V-shaped halter neckline adding a modern touch. The skirt then opened into an asymmetric pleated hem that fanned out towards the floor, giving the gown an elegant finish. Hilda paired the dress with sheer white opera gloves decorated with scattered pearl beads, while embellished pointed-toe pumps completed the look. Her hair was styled into a high vintage-inspired updo, with soft fringe bangs framing her face.

Hilda Baci wearing a ruched halterneck gown paired with pearl-embellished opera gloves.

The whole look had us looking twice, especially the combination of the opera gloves, pearls and vintage-inspired hair with the modern silhouette of the gown. It felt bridal without being too traditional, making it an easy source of inspiration for anyone who wants something a little different for their big day.

And if you’re currently planning your wedding and still searching for gown inspiration, this is definitely one to save. From the mermaid silhouette to the gloves and accessories, there are plenty of details here that could make their way onto a bride’s moodboard.

Hilda Baci in a custom white halterneck mermaid gown with pearl opera gloves.

Hilda Baci showcasing a white mermaid gown featuring an asymmetric pleated hem and embellished heels.

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Photo Credit: Hilda Baci/Instagram 

The post Hilda Baci’s Take on Wedding Couture at the “A Mama Deola Wedding Story” Premiere Is So Good appeared first on BellaNaija - Showcasing Africa to the world. Read today!.

Prudent Gabriel, Jemima Osunde, and Simi Sanya displaying distinct interpretations of bridal wear at the movie premiere.

The Lagos premiere of Folagade Banks’ A Mama Deola Wedding Story came with one very clear dress code: Wedding Couture. And on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, guests took the theme seriously, turning the red carpet into what felt like a bridal fashion editorial.

There were sweeping trains, cathedral veils, pearls, corsetry and gorgeous white gowns, with each look offering a different take on what bridal glamour can look like. From classic silhouettes to more dramatic and fashion-forward choices, there was plenty to admire.

Osas Ighodaro on stage in custom Veekee James wedding couture. Photo Credit: Osas Ighodaro/Instagram

And the bridal inspiration did not stop there. Toyin Abraham, Shaffy Bello, Mercy Aigbe, Jemima Osunde, and Hilda Baci each brought their own interpretation of the theme, while Mo Bimpe stepped out in coordinated bridal glamour with her husband, Lateef Adedimeji.

Lateef Adedimeji and Mo Bimpe bring bridal style to the A Mama Deola Wedding Story premiere. Photo Credit: Lateef Adedimeji/Instagram 

With so many different takes on the theme, the premiere served up ideas for almost every kind of bride. If you’re planning your wedding and still haven’t decided what your dream gown should look like, we bet you’ll find a few looks here worth saving for your bridal inspiration board.

See the bridal looks we loved seeing at the premiere below.

Omowunmi Dada opting for a vintage-inspired bridal aesthetic with a mesh birdcage veil. Photo Credit: Omowunmi Dada/Instagram 

Fashion designer Prudent Gabriel in a sleek halterneck bridal silhouette with a halo headpiece. Photo Credit: Prudent Gabriel/Instagram

Kate Henshaw wearing a classic fitted lace gown and full veil at the movie premiere. Photo Credit: Kate Henshaw/Instagram

Jemima Osunde wearing an architectural white organza corset dress. Photo Credit: Jemima Osunde/Instagram

Toyin Abraham in a modest white lace kaftan bridal look for the Lagos premiere. Photo Credit: Toyin Abraham/Instagram 

Mo Bimpe choosing a playful short tweed bridal look complete with a mini floral bouquet. Photo Credit: Mo Bimpe/Instagram

Mercy Aigbe embracing full bridal couture in a white gown detailed with 3D florals. Photo Credit: Mercy Aigbe/Instagram 

Diadem wearing a heavily embellished silver-and-white corset gown with a tiered tulle train. Photo Credit: Adeola C Adeyemi/Instagram

Shaffy Bello making a bold fashion statement in a structured white bridal creation. Photo Credit: Shaffy Bello/Instagram 

Simi Sanya wearing a long-sleeved lace corset gown with an overskirt train and a floral bouquet. Photo Credit: Simi Olusanya Dapson/Instagram 

The post Pearls, Veils & Dramatic Trains: The Bridal Looks We Loved at “A Mama Deola Wedding Story” appeared first on BellaNaija - Showcasing Africa to the world. Read today!.

Yemi Alade and Don Jazzy go head-to-head in the comedic music video for Ala Bekee.

Who knew a pre-wedding photoshoot could turn into a full-blown competition between Yemi Alade and Don Jazzy? The Afropop stars go head-to-head in the music video for Ala Bekee, and their rivalry gives this wedding story a hilarious twist.

The song is all about choosing your person, again and again, and looking forward to everything that comes with a life together. Yemi Alade sings about a love that lasts forever, while Don Jazzy joins in with prayers for a life filled with prosperity, travel and plenty of reasons to celebrate.

Ala Bekee, an Igbo expression associated with foreign land or life abroad, brings that idea into the couple’s honeymoon plans, with the lyrics dreaming of a holiday in the Maldives and even hinting at the arrival of a bouncing baby after nine months. It is romantic, cheeky and very much rooted in the excitement surrounding Nigerian weddings.

That same spirit carries into the music video.

Nollywood stars Destiny Etiko and Nosa Rex play an engaged couple preparing for their pre-wedding photoshoot. Yemi Alade and Don Jazzy both offer to handle the shoot, but things quickly become competitive when the couple decides that whoever takes the better photographs will get the contract for the actual wedding.

And neither of them is willing to lose. Yemi Alade and Don Jazzy turn the photoshoot into a playful battle, each trying to outdo the other while quietly attempting to sabotage their rival’s plans. What should have been a straightforward pre-wedding shoot soon becomes a contest involving elaborate setups, glamorous bridal party looks and plenty of behind-the-scenes chaos.

The video also leans into its Igbo wedding setting, with traditional attire and cultural details adding to the celebration. Destiny Etiko and Nosa Rex play the couple at the centre of it all, while Yemi Alade and Don Jazzy bring the rivalry to life as two competing photographers determined to win.

The track arrives ahead of Yemi Alade’s seventh studio album, It’s Yemi Alade, scheduled for September 11, 2026. Following the romance, humour and wedding celebrations of Ala Bekee, the visualiser offers a playful glimpse into the new era she is stepping into.

Watch the music video for Yemi Alade featuring Don Jazzy – “Ala Bekee” below.

Watch below

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A reflective moment with Greatman Takit on the set of his latest release, ADML.

What happens when a struggling artist, Lagos traffic, a destiny helper and a room full of wealthy art collectors collide? Greatman Takit has given us the answer in the visualiser for ADML, directed by TG Omori.

The Afrogospel sensation has officially released the visualiser for the track from his latest album, Flames Of A Wildfire, bringing a story of struggle, faith and an unexpected change in fortune to the screen.

If you have been following the contemporary Nigerian gospel scene, Greatman Takit is no stranger to you. The singer-songwriter has built a distinct sound around Afrobeats, rap and worship, and his 23-track album Flames Of A Wildfire, released on July 24, 2026, continues that sound.

Among the tracks is ADML, a personal song whose title is derived from “Ademola”, part of Greatman’s birth name. The track reflects on seasons of hardship and the help, mercy and faithfulness of God, drawing from the experience of holding on when human strength is no longer enough.

The visualiser brings that message to life through the story of a young artist trying to survive in Lagos. He takes his artwork to the streets, hawking his pieces in traffic to make ends meet, until an encounter with a destiny helper changes the direction of his life.

From there, the story takes an unexpected turn. The struggling artist finds himself at an exclusive art auction, where high-society bidders compete for his work. The same artwork he once hawked in traffic is suddenly commanding serious attention, transforming his circumstances in a matter of time.

Pastor Emmanuel Iren making a special cameo appearance to lay hands on Greatman Takit in the ADML visual.

But the visualiser goes beyond the artist’s material transformation. His spiritual journey unfolds alongside it, with scenes of baptism in open waters, prayer and preaching. In one particularly significant moment, Pastor Emmanuel Iren lays hands on him in prayer.

Adding to the cast are Pastor Emmanuel Iren and Nollywood actor Daniel Etim Effiong, alongside other appearances that bring the auction and celebration scenes to life.

TG Omori’s direction gives the visualiser a cinematic feel, while Yoruba cultural elements are woven into the story. Together, the different scenes capture the contrast between where the artist begins and where his journey takes him, reinforcing the message at the heart of ADML.

Watch Greatman Takit’s “ADML” visualiser below.

Watch below

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Stephanie and Isabel Offor graduated with first-class degrees in the UK

In the same year, Stephanie and Isabel Offor have both graduated with first-class honours from the University of Leicester and Nottingham Trent University, respectively.

Stephanie, who studied Mechanical Engineering, had already won the 2025 Goldsmith Prize in recognition of excellent work done during her placement year, while Isabel was just one of 11 students to attain a first-class result in her cohort of 47 students.

According to several reports, UK first-class degree rates fell to 28.8% in 2023–24 from 37.7% in 2020–21, but achieving top honours remains highly competitive. Ogo Ogbata, Director at Creativity and Sense Consulting, who was present at the celebration, said, “Having two sisters graduate with first class honours in entirely different, rigorous disciplines (Mechanical Engineering and Law with Business) is an incredibly rare academic double feat.”  The success of both sisters speaks of resilience, sacrifice, and the power of believing that dreams can be reached, she said. 

Their father, Mr Chidi Offor, said the likelihood seemed almost too good to be true. He said he had been told they were on track to achieve this, but it was only when letters arrived from the universities that the moment became real. Their mother, Mrs Oluchi Offor, said her daughters had given her “wings to fly.” 

Their achievement has become more than a family celebration but a moment that reflects the hopes of church families, cultural groups, and wider communities in both Nigeria and the UK that watched them grow.

Following an internship, Stephanie has already taken a bold step into the future with Caterpillar (known as the world’s largest maker of construction and mining equipment), commencing work as a manufacturing engineer soon. Isabel, with the same grace that helped her excel, urges people to dream boldly, work hard, and never let anyone make them feel inadequate.

Congratulations to the Offor sisters!

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A Lagos commuter views an official shutdown message on her Uber app, processing the news of the service’s exit. (Illustration: AI-generated)

When Uber abruptly pulled the plug on its Nigerian operations on Wednesday, 2 September 2026, the reaction across social media was swift. For 12 years, the platform had been a staple for daily commutes, midnight runs, and logistics dispatch services. Seeing the app go dark virtually overnight left riders, dispatch users, and tech commentators processing a mix of shock, frustration, and nostalgia.

The most immediate reactions focused on the suddenness of the announcement. Many Nigerians were surprised that Uber announced its exit and stopped operations on the same day, leaving little room for riders and drivers to prepare. One social media user summed up the disbelief, writing, “Uber announcing and leaving same day is actually insane.”

For older users who woke up to the notification in their inbox, the news was particularly difficult to believe. Others said they were still trying to process how quickly a service they had used for years could disappear almost overnight.

For a significant number of daily commuters, particularly women travelling at night, Uber was considered a safer alternative among e-hailing options. The sudden loss of features such as the in-app PIN verification system also raised concerns among riders who had come to rely on them for added security.

Beyond passenger rides, small business owners and vendors who relied on Uber Package and motorcycle dispatch services expressed concerns about how they would manage deliveries and track multiple orders following the platform’s exit. Some users also reflected on how much they would miss the convenience of Uber’s bike and dispatch services.

The timing of the departure has also sparked concerns about how urban transport will handle peak-season demand in major hubs like Lagos, particularly with the festive period around the corner. Some Nigerians are already predicting increased pressure on other ride-hailing platforms as December approaches.

Taking a broader perspective, tech observers and social commentators have questioned Uber’s decision to leave without a longer transition period. Some have described the abrupt exit as another example of the challenges African users can face when global technology companies make major decisions about their operations, while others have called for stronger regulatory oversight around how multinational platforms exit local markets.

One social media user described the decision as disrespectful to Nigerian customers, particularly given how dependent some riders and businesses had become on the platform.

See how Nigerians are reacting below.

Ending operations so abruptly, without warning, while drivers and riders were mid trip is incredibly insulting and disrespectful to Nigerians, a market it was in for 14 years.

Cancelling my @Uber One subscription and will use Lyft wherever available. It’s not much, but it’ll…

— femi (@femiprdx) September 2, 2026

The Uber rapture is wild! Drivers and riders were mid-trip when it happened. Insane!

— Anita Eboigbe (@eboigbeanita) September 2, 2026

I find it ridiculous that Uber just stopped randomly, for a brand that deals with real life situations.

Imagine I’m on a round trip to somewhere I don’t know, then you just turn off like that mid trip????

Dem no rate Nigeria sha. Doubt they can do it in highly-regulated states. https://t.co/6Dfmwe3l8x

— Miloh (@oyinakindele) September 2, 2026

Uber leaving Nigeria screws us all. Bolt is already obscenely priced and their drivers & riders are allowed to be super unruly. At least uber pretends to have customer service.

Bold price is gonna sky rocket and their riders and drivers will become even more incorrigible.
Urgh!

— Aunty Teda (@imoteda) September 2, 2026

I’ll miss uber dispatch mehn. It’s so safe especially with the pin.

— CHAMPIONS OF ENGLAND (@DammyOA_) September 2, 2026

uber announcing and leaving same day is actually insane

— Demotivational Speaker (@OdunEweniyi) September 2, 2026

December is going to be a right mess in Lagos with this news from uber.

— Hauwa (@Hauwa_L) September 2, 2026

I will really miss the uber bikes. We were able to send out multiple orders while tracking them.

— Gbemi O-O (@GbemiOO) September 2, 2026

Sorry I am an old Aunty.

PLEASE TELL ME THIS MESSAGE ABOUT UBER LEAVING NIGERIA WE ALL GOT IS FAKE!!!!!

— Aunty Teda (@imoteda) September 2, 2026

~ This is actually worrisome for me because I use Uber 90% of the time when I’m going out. I feel safer whenever I use Uber compared to Bolt. It’s so crazy how these things just happen, and we can’t do anything but adjust. Very, very frustrating.

— Diji (@dijiaderogba) September 2, 2026

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Dreamland Outreach Nigeria will host its Bright Beginnings Back-to-School Outreach 2026 on September 9, 2026, in Igando, Lagos, with an initiative focused on supporting children, widows and families as a new academic session begins.

Built around the theme ‘Equipping Every Child to Learn, Dream & Thrive,’ the outreach aims to provide children with practical back-to-school support while creating an encouraging environment centred on learning, confidence, good character and hope for the future.

Participating children will receive educational materials and other back-to-school essentials, alongside engaging activities designed to encourage creativity, confidence and a positive attitude towards education.

The programme will also incorporate motivational and character-building sessions, encouraging children to embrace values such as kindness, discipline, honesty, compassion and respect for others.

Dreamland Outreach welcomes children and families from Christian and Muslim backgrounds, with the programme encouraging faith, peaceful coexistence, mutual respect and love for humanity.

Beyond the children’s activities, Bright Beginnings will also recognise widows and mothers within the community, with practical assistance and special presentations intended to encourage women who continue to care for their families through challenging circumstances.

The outreach will feature children’s activities, motivational sessions, refreshments and community support presentations in an atmosphere designed to inspire hope and dignity.

Through Bright Beginnings, Dreamland Outreach Nigeria hopes to help children approach the new school year feeling prepared, encouraged and confident about their future, while extending care and support to women and families within the communities.

Sponsored Content for Dreamland outreach Nigeria 

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Uber ceases operations in Nigeria after 12 years of ride-hailing services across major cities.

After 12 years of driving through traffic in Lagos, Abuja, and across the country, Uber is officially taking its final bow in Nigeria. The tech giant sent out a sudden notice to users and drivers, confirming that operations across Nigeria were officially wound down on Wednesday, 2 September 2026.

Nigeria was not the only market affected by this sweeping decision. Uber announced a simultaneous, immediate exit from Uganda, following previous exits from Tanzania and Ivory Coast over the past couple of years. Across Africa, the platform now operates exclusively in Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa.

The abrupt exit caught many off guard. Unlike standard corporate exits that include a gradual grace period for offboarding, the platform went offline almost instantly on 2 September 2026.

The sudden withdrawal is tied to a combination of global restructuring and tough local market conditions. Internationally, Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi announced a massive pivot, cutting roughly 3,300 jobs (about 10% of its global workforce) to streamline corporate operations and redirect capital toward high-margin projects like autonomous vehicles and robotaxis. On home soil, the economic terrain became increasingly difficult to navigate. Rising fuel prices, currency devaluation, and persistent driver disputes over low fares and high commission fees squeezed margins significantly. Fierce local competition from platforms like Bolt and inDrive, which offered more flexible pricing and driver terms, further reduced Uber’s market share.

In an official email addressed to Nigerian riders and partners, Uber expressed gratitude for the journey that began in Lagos back in 2014:

We are writing to share some difficult news. After a thorough review of our business, we have made the tough decision to wind down our operations in Nigeria, effective 2 September 2026. Since we first launched in Lagos in 2014, it has been an absolute privilege to be a part of your daily life, connecting you with independent transportation providers. We know this may cause disruption to your routine, and we sincerely apologise for the inconvenience.

Uber clarified that its customer support and help centres in Nigeria and Uganda will remain open until 23 September 2026 to resolve pending account queries, rider balances, and driver offboarding details. Company representatives emphasised that while operations in Nigeria and Uganda have ceased, Uber remains active in its remaining African markets.

The post Uber Nigeria Shutdown: Why the Ride-Hailing Company Is Leaving After 12 Years appeared first on BellaNaija - Showcasing Africa to the world. Read today!.

Veekee James served as her own muse in a bespoke white ballgown designed for the wedding couture dress code.

You know when the person responsible for dressing everyone else decides it is finally their turn? That was Veekee James at the A Mama Deola Wedding Story premiere. She designed her own gown for the wedding couture-themed evening, added a long veil, and showed up looking very much like a bride who had somewhere to be.

The Nigerian fashion designer and creative director is known for her couture creations and custom looks for celebrities, and this time, she put all that creativity into her own premiere look. Veekee chose a white ballgown with a structured basque-waist corset and a full, floor-sweeping skirt.

The bodice was where things got particularly interesting. It featured a sheer illusion yoke and cap sleeves, with rows of crystals and beads arranged across the chest in a swirling architectural pattern. The skirt kept its shape with soft pleating at the waist, while the textured white fabric gave the gown a subtle finish.

Veekee James spreading her tulle veil to complete her wedding couture premiere look.

Then came the veil, because if you are going to lean into wedding couture, you might as well go all the way. Veekee wore a long tulle veil attached at the crown of her head, extending to the floor and spreading out behind her. It gave the ballgown a proper bridal finish without taking away from the gown itself.

Her jewellery kept things equally luxe, with long silver drop earrings featuring stacked rectangular-cut diamonds, a tennis bracelet, a circular statement ring and a large diamond wedding ring set. She kept her nails classic with a neat French manicure.

Intricate crystal beadwork and fine diamond jewelry on Veekee James’ bespoke premiere gown.

Veekee’s hair came in a half-up, half-down style, with the hair at the crown shaped into a structured bow while sleek, straight lengths fell down her back. Her makeup featured a defined winged cat-eye, warm bronzed cheeks, rosy blush and a glossy nude-brown lip.

And there is something particularly fitting about seeing Veekee in a look she created herself. She has become one of the familiar names behind some of Nigerian celebrities’ biggest red-carpet appearances, creating couture gowns for actresses, musicians and public figures, while also building her own fashion label around custom and bridal designs.

For this premiere, though, she was her own muse. And given the wedding couture theme, a Veekee James-designed ballgown, veil and diamonds made quite a lot of sense.

Veekee James pairing a beaded illusion corset with a sculpted bow hairstyle and diamond drop earrings.

Veekee James making a dramatic statement in a custom ballgown and floor-length veil at the A Mama Deola Wedding Story premiere.

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Photo Credit: Veekee James/Instagram

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Lateef Adedimeji and Mo Bimpe bring bridal style to the A Mama Deola Wedding Story premiere.

If it had not been that we know the theme of A Mama Deola Wedding Story is wedding couture, we would have assumed that the Adedimejis decided to get married all over again, and you wouldn’t blame us. Because why else would Lateef Adedimeji and Mo Bimpe show up to a movie premiere looking this much like a bride and groom?

The couple brought their own take on the dress code to the Lagos premiere, with Mo Bimpe going for an off-white bridal-inspired mini dress and Lateef stepping out in an off-white pinstripe suit. Together, they looked very much like they had come straight from their own wedding ceremony and simply taken a little detour to the cinema.

Mo Bimpe’s dress, made by Juliet Peters, featured a V-neckline, subtle puff sleeves and a structured bell-shaped skirt, all in off-white tweed. The back was finished with an oversized bow at the waist, giving the mini dress an extra touch that made it even more suited to the evening’s theme.

Mo Bimpe accessorising her Juliet Peters mini dress with a white floral bouquet.

She kept the bridal references going with her accessories, carrying a small floral bouquet tied with a white ribbon and pairing it with pearl statement earrings, a tennis bracelet and a statement ring. Her off-white pointed-toe slingback pumps came with sculptural heels and crystal-embellished bow straps.

Her beauty look featured a high beehive updo with one soft tendril framing her face. Defined cat-eye liner, rosy blush and a glossy brown lip completed her makeup.

Lateef took a more traditional route with his take on wedding couture. He wore a tailored off-white pinstripe double-breasted suit with wide-leg trousers, paired with a light blue dress shirt and navy patterned tie. Black leather dress shoes completed the outfit, while gold stud earrings, a gold bracelet and a signet ring added his finishing touches.

A detailed look at Lateef Adedimeji’s luxury watch and gold accessories styled by Zack Styling.

The Adedimejis were styled by Zack Styling, and their coordinated appearance comes shortly after another special celebration for the couple. Lateef and Mo recently held a thanksgiving party following the arrival of their triplets, making their appearance at the A Mama Deola Wedding Story premiere another outing for the family.

For those who may need a quick reminder, Lateef Adedimeji and Mo Bimpe are both Nollywood actors, with Lateef also working as a filmmaker and producer, while Mo Bimpe is an actress, filmmaker and entrepreneur. The couple got married in 2021 and have continued to build their careers individually while also working together in the Nigerian film industry.

Mo Bimpe pairing a classic beehive updo and rosy glam makeup with her bridal-inspired premiere look.

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Photo Credit: Lateef Adedimeji/Instagram

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Osas Ighodaro channels wedding couture in Veekee James at the A Mama Deola Wedding Story premiere.

There’s something we need to tell you, and we want you to take it seriously. In fact, sit somewhere nice for this one. Have you seen the looks from the A Mama Deola Wedding Story premiere? Don’t worry, we’ve got you. We’re going to give you all the looks until choosing a favourite becomes a genuinely difficult task.

But first of all — and we mean first of all — there is Osas Ighodaro!

If the dress code was wedding couture, Osas clearly understood that this was not the time for a regular red-carpet gown. She arrived at the Lagos premiere looking every bit like someone who had been invited to the wedding and somehow became the bride.

Her custom gown was designed by Veekee James, and the designer-muse relationship between these two has given us quite a few memorable fashion moments over the years. This latest creation came in a warm nude tone beneath layers of ivory lace, starting with a sheer illusion corset bodice. The structured top featured boning and crystal and pearl embellishments that continued down the fitted, long sleeves, while floral lace appliqués travelled down the floor-length skirt.

And because a wedding couture theme apparently calls for a proper train, the gown extended into a sweeping chapel-length lace train that followed behind Osas. A matching floor-length veil, finished with floral lace edging, completed the bridal-inspired look.

Osas Ighodaro displaying the sweeping chapel train and lace-trimmed veil by Veekee James.

Her beauty styling kept things beautifully focused on the gown. Osas wore her hair in a high, sleek half-up ponytail with loose waves cascading down, while soft side-swept bangs framed her face. Bronze-toned makeup, defined cat-eye liner, sculpted cheeks and a glossy nude-brown lip finished the look, with small drop earrings adding just enough jewellery.

Osas Ighodaro pairing bronze glam makeup and a sleek ponytail with her Veekee James premiere look.

As for the film itself, A Mama Deola Wedding Story expands Folagade Banks’ popular Mama Deola character into a feature-length comedy centred on Demilola and Femi’s wedding, with family antics and wedding chaos along the way. Directed by Femi Adebayo, the film stars Omowunmi Dada and Rotimi Salami alongside Shaffy Bello, Bukky Wright, Iya Rainbow, Erica Nlewedim, Toyin Abraham and Akin Lewis. The Lagos premiere took place on Wednesday, September 2, ahead of its exclusive Kava release on September 3, 2026.

As for Osas, she arrived dressed for the occasion, and that wedding couture dress code certainly gave her plenty to work with. One thing about Osas and Veekee James: when they decide it is time for a bridal-inspired look, they are not coming halfway.

See more looks below

Osas Ighodaro accessorising her Veekee James look with an embellished bridal bouquet.

Osas Ighodaro in custom Veekee James for the Lagos premiere of A Mama Deola Wedding Story.

Osas Ighodaro on stage in custom Veekee James wedding couture.

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Photo Credit: Osas Ighodaro/Instagram

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Models Laura Ajayi and David Uruka posing with Folagade Banks as Mama Deola for A Mama Deola Wedding Story. Photo Credit: Folagade Banks/Instagram 

If your September plans currently look like work, eat, sleep and repeat, Nigerian cinema would like a word. This month comes with a fresh crop of films ready to give us reasons to leave the house, cancel plans or simply stay glued to the sofa.

There are big-screen releases, highly anticipated streaming arrivals, familiar faces, new pairings and stories spanning comedy, crime, romance and everything in between. In other words, your watchlist is about to get very busy. Here are the Nigerian films coming your way this September.

A Mama Deola Wedding Story

If you have ever laughed out loud at Folagade Banks’ iconic Mama Deola skits, you are in for a total treat as the character makes a grand leap into a feature-length film. The story unfolds around the hilarious chaos of Demilola and Femi’s big day, where family drama, endless antics, and colorful wedding guests threaten to completely derail the celebrations.

Folagade Banks shines as the writer, producer, and star of the film, bringing the beloved Mama Deola character to life under the brilliant direction of veteran filmmaker Femi Adebayo. The star-studded cast features Omowunmi Dada and Rotimi Salami as the central couple, alongside Shaffy Bello, Bukky Wright, Iya Rainbow, Erica Nlewedim, Toyin Abraham, and Akin Lewis. You can stream this hilarious family comedy exclusively on Kava, where it premieres on September 3, 2026.

The ensemble cast of A Mama Deola Wedding Story dressed in traditional attire. Photo Credit: Folagade Banks/Instagram 

Confusion Na Wa

For cinema lovers who appreciate a classic dark comedy, the acclaimed 2013 hit Confusion Na Wa makes a very welcome return to our screens this month. The narrative follows a chaotic chain of random, intertwined events over twenty-four hours in a Nigerian city, all set off when a lost mobile phone falls into the wrong hands. Written and directed by Kenneth Gyang, the award-winning film features an extraordinary ensemble cast including Ramsey Nouah, Ali Nuhu, OC Ukeje, Tunde Aladese, and Tony Goodman. Produced by Kenneth Gyang and Tom Rowlands-Rees, this clever piece of storytelling is available to stream on Kava from September 3, 2026.

Ordinary People

If high-stakes drama and pulse-praise suspense are your thing, Moses Inwang’s crime thriller series Ordinary People needs to be at the top of your list. The story delves into a quiet neighbourhood where a hidden web of stolen money, deceit, and deep-seated paranoia begins to unravel, forcing everyday residents into extraordinary circumstances. Directed and produced by Moses Inwang, who spent six years conceptualising the project, the production boasts an incredible cast featuring Ramsey Nouah, Chidi Mokeme, Adunni Ade, Michelle Dede, Sharon Ooja, Lasisi Elenu, Uche Montana, and Jackie Appiah. You can catch this gripping eight-part series globally on Netflix starting September 4, 2026.

19

Taking an insightful look into the roots of cybercrime in Nigeria, 19 offers a gripping exploration of ambition, technology, and the choices that define a generation. The plot centres on Ndubuisi Madueke, a brilliant young man whose rise in the early days of tech-driven crime leads to his eventual arrest and a sobering reckoning with his past. Written and directed by Tola Odunsi, the film features standout performances from Ademola Adedoyin, Enado Odunsi, Williams Benson, Stan Nze, Bisola Aiyeola, Sola Sobowale, Deyemi Okanlawon, and Charles Okafor. Produced by Urban Vision, this thought-provoking crime drama debuts exclusively in cinemas nationwide on September 11, 2026.

The official theatrical poster for Tola Odunsi’s crime drama 19, opening in cinemas September 11, 2026. Photo Credit: Tola Odunsi/Instagram

One Gidi Night

Lagos nights are known for being unpredictable, and One Gidi Night captures that intense energy in a stylish neo-noir crime thriller. The story unfolds over one desperate night in the bustling metropolis, where a good man finds himself pushed to the edge and forced to make impossible choices just to survive. Written, directed, and produced by James Abinibi, the film brings together a powerhouse cast starring Gabriel Afolayan, Uzor Arukwe, Wumi Toriola, Ibrahim Yekini, Idia Aisien, and Kelvin Ikeduba. Distributed by FilmOne Entertainment, this gripping thriller hits cinemas nationwide on September 11, 2026.

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All through the year, Amstel Malta has encouraged people to be their best, and when the women of Abia State gathered for their annual August Meeting at the New Government House, Umuahia, on Friday, August 28, the brand was right by their side, reaffirming this message and giving them more reasons to look and feel good.

Across the South East, August is a time when women at home and abroad return to their matrimonial hometowns to reconnect with their communities and celebrate the heritage and traditions that shape their lives. The reason for this annual homecoming is the annual August Meeting, a longstanding tradition where women unite to support one another, deliberate on community matters, and contribute to the development of their communities.

This year in Abia State, Amstel Malta added to that celebration by creating memorable experiences for women at the August Meeting, recognising not only their contributions to their communities but also the importance of taking a moment to celebrate themselves.

Earlier in August, Amstel Malta similarly brought its celebration of women to the August Meeting in Enugu State, honouring women for their achievements and recognising the important role they play in keeping families and communities thriving. The brand’s continued presence across these gatherings shows its commitment to celebrating women beyond a single occasion and showing up in the spaces that matter to them. 

In Abia, Amstel Malta awarded business grants to five women, providing support to grow their businesses, pursue their ambitions, and be their best as entrepreneurs. Also present at the event were the Governor of Abia State, His Excellency, Dr Alex Otti; the First Lady of Abia State, Her Excellency, Mrs Priscilla Chidinma Otti; and the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Abia State, Dr. Mrs Maureen Ijeoma Aghukwa, who also awarded business grants to female entrepreneurs, further reinforcing the spirit of empowerment and community support that defines the August Meeting.

Beyond grants, Amstel Malta also partnered with Zaron cosmetics to gift attendees specially curated beauty packs. Building on last year’s August Meeting collaboration, the partnership celebrates the confidence that comes from looking and feeling your best, reinforcing Amstel Malta’s belief that being your best also means feeling confident in who you are.

Speaking at this year’s August Meeting, Francis Obiajulu, Senior Brand Manager, Amstel Malta, said, “August Meeting is a great example of what happens when women come together with purpose and a shared commitment to their communities. At Amstel Malta, we are proud to be part of moments like this that celebrate women beyond their everyday responsibilities and give them an opportunity to feel seen, appreciated, and celebrated. Our partnership with Zaron adds another dimension to that experience, reminding women that while they continue to show up for their families and communities, they should also make time to celebrate themselves. We are delighted to bring this experience to the women of Abia and to continue creating meaningful moments that encourage them to look good, feel good and be their best.”

Speaking on the partnership, Aderinsola Adetunji, Senior Manager, Marketing and Communication, Zaron Cosmetics, said, “We are delighted to continue our partnership with Amstel Malta to celebrate the women who make the August Meeting such a meaningful tradition. Women give so much to their families, communities, and the people around them, and moments like this are an opportunity to remind them to also take time for themselves.”

Amstel Malta has consistently championed women through platforms and partnerships that recognise their resilience and achievements, while creating opportunities for them to celebrate and feel supported. From its August Meeting activities last year to this year’s celebrations in Enugu and Abia, the brand continues to bring this commitment to life in ways that are meaningful to women.

Sponsored Content

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Usaku Bantai (Bluethopia) wearing a structured brown two-piece suit from her modeling portfolio. Photo Credit: Bluethopia/Instagram

Before Bluethopia became one of the housemates in Big Brother Naija Season 11, she was already building a creative life around fashion, photography and modelling. Now that she is in the Show Ya Sef house, there is a lot more to discover about the 22-year-old beyond the name we see on screen.

Born in Adamawa State and raised in Kaduna, Bluethopia, whose real name is Usaku Keren Bantai, comes from a Fulani and Cuban background. She describes her upbringing as tough, and says growing up in that environment taught her to be street-smart, appreciate what she has and learn how to avoid being taken advantage of. That background is part of what shaped the woman she is today: someone who describes herself as authentic, hot and stylish.

Bluethopia reflecting her Adamawa roots and northern Nigerian upbringing in traditional patterned attire. Photo Credit: Bluethopia/Instagram

Creativity runs through almost everything Bluethopia does. Before BBNaija, she was working as a model, photographer, fashion designer and stylist, while also pursuing her education as a student. So, while the Big Brother Naija platform may be introducing her to millions of viewers, she is certainly not new to expressing herself through fashion and visual creativity.

In fact, self-expression is a big part of why she decided to enter the house. Bluethopia sees BBNaija as the biggest platform in Africa and, having reached the eligible age to participate, she wanted to use the opportunity to build a name for herself while allowing people to meet Usaku beyond the carefully curated version they might see elsewhere.

“I want the world to see me, Usaku, for what and who I am, pure and unfiltered,” she said, explaining that she hopes the platform will allow her to showcase her authenticity, talent and creativity.

Usaku Bantai (Bluethopia) showcasing her fashion styling and modeling background ahead of BBNaija Season 11. Photo Credit: Bluethopia/Instagram

Away from work, Bluethopia enjoys cooking, watching movies and hanging out. She also has a rather unexpected hidden talent: speed reading. So, while she may be spending plenty of time navigating conversations, relationships and tasks in the Big Brother Naija house, she could probably get through a book much faster than most of us.

Bluethopia also knows herself well enough to admit that she can be a lot to handle. She describes herself as talkative and hyperactive, and says her habits can sometimes irritate people. Given that she is now living with a house full of equally strong personalities, it will be interesting to see how that side of her plays out over the course of the season.

Creative designer and stylist Bluethopia demonstrating her visual perspective before joining BBNaija Season 11. Photo Credit: Bluethopia/Instagram

Her answers about her past also show that she has always had a bit of a mischievous streak. Asked about the worst thing she has ever done, Bluethopia recalled getting revenge on a bully at school by spitting into the water the girl was supposed to use. Not exactly the sort of school story anyone would put in a yearbook, but it certainly gives us another glimpse into her personality.

There is also a softer side to the model and creative. Bluethopia revealed that she has felt insecure about her legs because she considers them thin, even though people often compliment them. It is a reminder that even someone who spends so much time in fashion and modelling can have the same little insecurities many of us carry.

When it comes to romance, Bluethopia entered the Big Brother Naija house single. She said she is not currently talking to anyone, but she is open to possibilities. So, no, there is no boyfriend waiting outside the house according to what she shared, and whether that changes during her time in Show Ya Sef is another story entirely.

Usaku Bantai (Bluethopia) posing in a yellow halter maxi dress prior to her Big Brother Naija debut. Photo Credit: Bluethopia/Instagram

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Pablo and Aanu in Uganda

The common narrative today often centres around Nigerians relocating abroad in search of better lives. It’s rare to hear stories about Nigerians moving back to Nigeria, let alone non-Nigerians choosing to return. However, when Pablo and Aanu married in 2017, they envisioned a peaceful, family-oriented life that they felt the United States could not provide. Their ultimate dream was to lead a self-sustaining lifestyle, grow their own tropical food, and raise their children without being trapped in a gruelling work-until-you-die corporate culture. This felt impossible for them in America.

In 2023, they decided to move to Uganda. While Uganda initially offered them the peace they needed to heal, it soon became evident that it wasn’t their forever home. They faced challenges with their investments, their land was not ready, and they realised that as a Nigerian-American family, they would always be seen as outsiders, navigating complicated visa processes just to remain in the country.

In 2025, they moved to Nigeria. In this conversation, they talked to us about their previous life, what it looked like, their experience in Uganda and what living in Nigeria has been for them as a family of seven.

Pablo and Aanu in the United States

Before Nigeria became home again, what did life look like for you and your family?

We were living in the American Midwest, where Pablo worked as a university professor, and we had purchased a cosy home in the countryside. Around that time, Anu made the decision to leave her career in healthcare to become a full-time stay-at-home mother. By the time we decided to leave the United States, our family had grown to include four beautiful children—two girls and two boys.

Even though we were physically in America, our home was a vibrant microcosm of our cultures. We would drive for hours just to source authentic Nigerian food, and our days were soundtracked by Nigerian music and Nollywood movies. From birth, we practised a strict “One-Parent-One-Language” approach: Anu spoke to the children exclusively in Yorùbá, Pablo spoke to them in Spanish, and they absorbed English from the world around them.

Yet, beneath the surface, it became increasingly clear that we needed a radical shift. Opportunities for Anu were stagnant, and the financial returns of academia weren’t keeping pace with the needs of our rapidly growing family. We wanted more out of life than just surviving the daily grind.

So what did you do?

We turned our gaze toward Africa. Pablo had always championed moving to West Africa—specifically Nigeria, Togo, or Benin—so the family could fully immerse themselves in Yorùbá culture. However, having moved to the US as a child, Anu had initially ruled out ever returning to West Africa. Like many in the diaspora, she had been conditioned by the pervasive narrative that nothing good could come out of Nigeria due to insecurity and economic challenges. Her family in the US was equally adamant against the move.

Consequently, we pivoted our search to East Africa and settled on Uganda. It felt like the perfect, quiet sanctuary with a beautiful climate, fertile soil, and a calm, inviting culture.

Pablo and Aanu with family in Uganda

How was your time in Uganda?

Our time in Uganda was a profound season of healing and detoxing from the high-stress Western lifestyle. During our two years there, we looked for farmland, built up our social media presence, and even wrote, produced, and starred in our first feature film, My Love from Another Land. It was also where we launched our popular “How We Met” YouTube series and where we gave birth to our beautiful baby daughter at home on our living room floor.

Uganda seemed like a joyful place for you. Why did you leave?

It happened during a short, open-minded visit to Nigeria while we were still living in Uganda. We quickly realised that the negative hype and fear-mongering spread in the diaspora did not match the vibrant, full-of-potential reality on the ground. When we returned to Uganda from that trip, our eldest daughter looked at us and said she wanted to go back to Nigeria, where there was food, family, fun and sun. That conversation sparked everything.

Another massive catalyst was education. After briefly enrolling our eldest children in school in Uganda, we observed that much of the formal education system on the continent remains deeply colonised. It often stifles creativity, discourages native languages, divides students by encouraging snitching, and uses outdated disciplinary methods like corporal punishment to create compliant followers rather than independent thinkers.

After this experience, we knew we wanted to take 100% control of our children’s education. However, we discovered that Uganda heavily restricted foreigners to specific international schools and prohibited homeschooling. Nigeria, on the other hand, offered us the legal freedom, cultural comfort, proximity of supportive family, and boundless economic potential to build the exact life we envisioned. Our children were so thrilled by the decision that they started packing their bags immediately!

Pablo and Aanu with family in Nigeria

There is often an assumption that moving abroad automatically means a better life. Having lived in Uganda and now Nigeria, what has your experience taught you about what “a better life” actually means?

Our journey completely redefined our definition of success. Having lived in America—Pablo for his entire life and Anu for half of hers—we can confidently say that the Western system isn’t designed for family thriving. It is a cycle built to funnel children into the workforce, teaching them just enough to be compliant cogs in a machine of debt and labour. Because Americans are taught to believe they live in the greatest nation on earth, it creates a unique psychological trap; people feel deeply unfulfilled but assume everywhere else must be worse, so they never try to escape the vortex of 24-hour news cycles and perpetual anxiety.

Uganda showed us a completely different rhythm of existence. Many people there genuinely enjoy where they are. Even when Ugandans move abroad for opportunities, their ultimate goal is usually to bring their earnings back home to build their dreams.

Through these experiences, we realised that “a better life” isn’t about the infrastructure of a Western country. A better life means having the time, peace, and autonomy to design your own day, feed your family clean food, and raise your children in alignment with your values, free from institutional exploitation.

How did your families react when you told them you were moving to these places? Did they immediately understand the decision, or did you have to convince some people that it was the right move for your family?

It was a tale of two very different reactions. On Pablo’s side in the US, our family was sad to see us move further away, but they were incredibly supportive. They gently asked if we had exhausted all options within the States first, but once they saw our clarity, they championed our choice.

Anu’s family, however, required a lot of convincing. Because of the common diaspora mindset regarding West Africa, they were initially 100% against the move.

The breakthrough happened when Anu’s mother came to visit us while we were still in Uganda. The trip triggered a beautiful sense of nostalgia for her, and she got to see firsthand the peace and healing the African continent offers. By the end of her visit, she had a complete change of heart, concluding that if we wanted to build a legacy, we could do it bigger and better in Nigeria. Winning her blessing was a beautiful milestone that made our final journey home feel complete.

Pablo and Aanu in Nigeria

Pablo, coming to Nigeria as a foreigner, what were some of your earliest cultural shocks or unexpected experiences? Were there things you had to learn or unlearn about living here?

The first major hurdle was the language. Having listened to Anu speak to our children for years, I knew a decent amount of Yorùbá—but it was mostly “child Yorùbá.” To make things more challenging, the dialect spoken in our new environment was Ondo, which sounded completely different from what I was used to. For the first few months, I felt entirely lost in translation.

There were also stark culinary and cultural differences that caught me off guard. Coming from the West, seeing dogs—ranging from cages of puppies to a fully grown Boerboel—being prepared as “bush meat” on the side of the road was deeply jarring and something that took a lot of mental processing to witness.

The most profound shock was confronting the local dynamics of colourism and the òyìnbó stereotype. Having lived my entire life in the United States, I understood racism all too well and knew how to combat it. But I was entirely unprepared for the complex system of colourism, colonial baggage, and deep-seated historical scars that exist here.

Because of my skin tone, people automatically assumed I was incredibly wealthy. This made me a constant target for scammers and endless requests for money. The constant cat-calling from all sides multiplied my anxiety, especially because my primary focus was keeping our five children safe in a brand-new environment. Because Anu was quietly battling her own severe reverse culture shock, she didn’t have the emotional bandwidth to guide me through it. I had to quickly learn how to protect my peace, unlearn my Western expectations of privacy, and find my own rhythm in a very loud, vibrant, and intense new world. But, despite all this, I can honestly say I have never felt more grounded and more at home than here in Naija. This is truly where we belong.

Aanu, what was it like watching Pablo experience Nigeria, the parts of the culture, family life, and everyday living that may have been unfamiliar to him?

The truth is, I wish I could have shielded Pablo from his culture shock, but I was quietly drowning in my own reverse culture shock. I left Nigeria when I was only 15 years old, meaning I had never actually navigated adulthood here. Returning two decades later as a spouse and a mother of five—while mentally still processing Nigeria through the lens of my 15-year-old self—was a psychological rollercoaster no one warned me about.

Because I am Nigerian, my family and community naturally expected me to step up as the guide. But the reality was that I felt like a foreigner too. Things had changed, people had moved on, and after living in two different countries back-to-back, I didn’t even fully grasp how the local currency and economy worked anymore. I found myself in the middle of a deep identity crisis. Despite speaking Yorùbá fluently, I was constantly labelled as an òyìnbó (foreigner). I felt out of place in my own homeland—strangely “not Nigerian enough” for the world around me.

On top of that, I had to confront the ugly reality of colourism, and I was not mentally prepared for it. Due to the lingering remnants of colonialism, there is a pervasive bias where lighter skin tones are unconsciously associated with higher class, wealth, and privilege. I faced hurtful ridicule and idiotic comments about my own skin tone, especially in comparison to my children. It stung deeply because I grew up in a society where people are terrified of getting darker.

Because I was processing all of this heavy emotional baggage, I didn’t have the capacity to help Pablo navigate his own culture shock. He was dealing with massive amounts of unwanted attention and being given unearned preferences that he didn’t even want. We were both just trying to find our footing in a country that was simultaneously home and completely brand new.

You both work and have built a life while raising children. What does an ordinary day look like for your family?

An ordinary day in our home is centred around intentional living, sustainability, and togetherness. Because we guide our children’s learning at home and are building a self-sustaining lifestyle, our days are beautifully blended rather than strictly compartmentalised. We spend a significant amount of time cooking wholesome meals from scratch, working the soil on our farm, and reading and learning alongside our children.

How important is it for you to raise children who are fluent in multiple languages?

When it comes to linguistics, raising our children to be multilingual is non-negotiable. To us, languages are intangible, priceless assets that no economy can devalue and no one can ever take away from them. Fluency in Yorùbá, Spanish, and English gives our children a golden key to connect on a deeply human level with over half the population of the globe.

These languages are not just words; they are windows into entirely different worlds, each holding its own unique repository of ancestral wisdom, cultural perspectives, and history. It is our blended heritage, and it is the very first inheritance we are proudly passing down to our children.

Pablo and Aanu in the United States

What would make you both look back years from now and feel that you built the life you hoped for?

Our ultimate dream is to be completely self-sustaining. We envision owning our own land and living closer to the earth—building a home, cultivating the soil, and fully providing for our needs and those of our children. We want to prepare our kids for a truly global life, but one that is firmly anchored in both traditional heritage and modern living. By giving them a healthy appreciation for all walks of life, we want to open doors of opportunity, empowering them to freely choose how they live on their own terms.

For us, food security and self-reliance are the foundation. From this baseline, we can actively reach into society to help build a stronger, more independent, and united community—and ultimately, a better state and nation.

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A clean look at balancing proportions: pairing a relaxed white shirt with structured wide-leg denim.

There is a reason a white shirt and denim jeans remain such a reliable fashion pairing. You can keep things simple, dress them up, or add a few accessories to give the combination a completely different feel. Dorathy Bachor recently showed us another way to wear the classic pairing, and we are taking notes.

The reality TV star styled an unbuttoned white button-down shirt over a black camisole, creating an easy layered look without making it feel too casual. She tucked the shirt into high-waisted, dark-wash wide-leg denim jeans, which came with an asymmetrical belted waist overlay and utility pocket detail for added character.

The beauty of pairing denim with a white shirt is that both pieces give you plenty of room to experiment. A dark wash keeps the jeans sleek, while the white shirt gives you a simple base that works with a camisole, fitted vest or tank top underneath. Leaving the shirt open, as Dorathy did, is also an easy way to make the outfit feel relaxed.

Dorathy Bachor demonstrating how metallic footwear and unique waistline details elevate a classic white shirt and denim outfit.

If you are wondering how to style a white shirt, this is a good place to start. Wear it open over a camisole, knot it at the waist, tuck it fully into jeans, or leave a few buttons undone for a more relaxed finish. With high-waisted wide-leg denim, you can also tuck in the front of the shirt to define your waist while allowing the rest to fall naturally.

Dorathy finished the look with metallic gold open-toe heels, a pendant necklace and stacked wrist cuffs. The gold accessories gave the denim a dressier touch, showing how easily you can take a white shirt and jeans from daytime dressing to an evening look by switching up your shoes and accessories.

And if you are looking for ways to style dark-wash, high-waisted, wide-leg jeans, there is plenty of room to play. Pair them with a white button-down and heels for a dressier outfit, trainers for something more casual, or a fitted top and statement belt when you want the jeans to take centre stage.

The takeaway is that denim and a white shirt do not have to feel predictable. Change the proportions, add a few accessories and play around with how you wear the shirt, and two wardrobe staples can give you several completely different outfits.

Dorathy Bachor shows how to pair a crisp white button-down with dark-wash wide-leg denim for a polished daytime look.

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Photo Credit: Dorathy Bachor/Instagram

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Miss World Nigeria 2026 Tamunosoye Karibi-George wearing three distinct fashion choices during the Miss World 2026 festival in Vietnam.

If you have been keeping up with Miss World 2026, you have probably noticed that Tamunosoye Karibi–George has been giving us one gorgeous look after another. From elegant gowns to sculptural silhouettes and dramatic trains, Miss World Nigeria 2026 has certainly been making her wardrobe count as she represents Nigeria in Vietnam.

Tamunosoye Karibi-George is a 26-year-old communications professional from Port Harcourt, Rivers State, who represented Bayelsa State at the Miss World Nigeria 2026 competition. She was crowned Miss World Nigeria on 6 June 2026, earning the opportunity to represent Nigeria at the 73rd Miss World Festival in Vietnam. Before winning the Nigerian crown, she had already won Miss Africa International 2024 in Accra, Ghana.

Beyond pageantry, Tamunosoye is the founder of Beyond Labels, an initiative focused on inclusion and opportunities for children with disabilities and special needs. She is now competing alongside women from around the world at Miss World 2026, taking part in the Head-to-Head Challenge, Talent Competition, Top Model competition and other official events.

And she already has a major achievement to her name. Tamunosoye won Top Model for Africa, securing her place in the Miss World Top 40. Now, while we wait to see how far Nigeria’s representative goes at the grand finale, scheduled for 5 September in Vietnam, let’s take a closer look at some of the beautiful looks she has worn throughout the competition.

The Opening Ceremony

Tamunosoye Karibi-George opened her Miss World 2026 appearances in a gorgeous high-low gown that paired a sheer, long-sleeved top with a full white ruffled skirt. The high-neck bodice was covered in silver beading, while the skirt fell in cascading layers of white tulle with micro-polka-dot mesh detailing.

The high-low cut gave her silver platform heels room to show, adding a little extra height to the look. It was an elegant introduction to her Miss World wardrobe and a fitting first look for Nigeria’s representative as the competition got underway in Vietnam.

Tamunosoye Karibi-George presenting her opening look featuring a long-sleeved silver beaded high-neck top and a high-low white ruffled tulle skirt at Miss World 2026. Photo Credit: Tamunosoye Karibi-George/Instagram

The Sashing Ceremony

A change of silhouette came at the sashing ceremony, where Tamunosoye stepped out in a fitted metallic column gown. The strapless dress was covered from top to bottom in silver and gold beadwork, creating a textured honeycomb effect across the body.

Its sweetheart neckline featured jagged, crystal-covered peaks framing the décolletage, while soft, side-swept waves kept her beauty look understated. After the softer white gown at the opening ceremony, this was a much sleeker direction.

Miss World Nigeria 2026 Tamunosoye Karibi-George wearing a strapless silver beaded sheath gown for the official Miss World 2026 Sashing Ceremony in Vietnam. Photo Credit: Tamunosoye Karibi-George/Instagram

The Talent Competition

Tamunosoye brought a little more texture to the Talent Competition, where she performed Sia’s “Opportunity” in an avant-garde mermaid gown. The corseted bodice was topped with clusters of golden-ochre feathers that cascaded towards the waist.

The fitted slate-grey satin skirt then took over, with sculpted folds around the hips creating an architectural shape. Between the feathers, structured corset and satin finish, the gown gave her performance a distinctly couture feel.

Tamunosoye Karibi-George wearing a golden feather corseted bodice paired with a dark slate-grey satin mermaid skirt for the Miss World 2026 Talent Competition segment. Photo Credit: Tamunosoye Karibi-George/Instagram

The Vietnam Flag Hoisting Ceremony

Black and metallic gold took over her wardrobe at the Vietnam Flag Hoisting Ceremony. Tamunosoye wore a fitted mermaid gown with a high collar, an asymmetrical sheer illusion sweetheart neckline and long black opera gloves.

The black fabric featured gold branch-like embroidery, with sweeping metallic gold accents running down the bodice and into the voluminous, tiered ruffled hem. The colour combination gave the look a regal feel without taking it too far from the pageant setting.

Tamunosoye Karibi-George wearing a black and gold mermaid gown with high collar, asymmetrical cutout, and black opera gloves for the Vietnam Flag Hoisting Ceremony. Photo Credit: Tamunosoye Karibi-George/Instagram

The Top Model Stage

Then came the white ballgown that would become part of a very important chapter in Tamunosoye’s Miss World 2026 journey. The strapless silhouette featured a structured, boned bodice covered in silver crystals and beadwork, with the embellishment continuing across the voluminous A-line skirt.

A matching crystal-covered high-neck collar and high updo completed the look, giving the gown plenty of room to take centre stage. Tamunosoye would go on to win Top Model for Africa, securing her place in the Miss World Top 40.

Tamunosoye Karibi-George wearing a white satin ballgown with a crystal-embellished corset and choker collar on the Miss World 2026 Top Model stage. Photo Credit: Tamunosoye Karibi-George/Instagram

The Top Model Finale

And she wasn’t done with the fashion. The Top Model finale brought an ice-blue look featuring an asymmetrical ruffled shoulder detail and a heavily beaded mint-green micro-mini skirt underneath a voluminous high-low satin overskirt.

The overskirt flowed into a floor-sweeping train, while silver platform heels completed the look. After taking the Top Model for Africa title, Tamunosoye had the perfect reason to make this final runway appearance count.

Tamunosoye Karibi-George wearing an ice-blue high-low overskirt with an asymmetrical ruffled shoulder and mint-green beaded micro-mini skirt for the Top Model Finale. Photo Credit: Tamunosoye Karibi-George/Instagram

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On November 13 and 14, 2026, the PAWEN Summit & Awards 2026 will bring women from across Africa to Zambia for a Pan-African gathering centred on enterprise, leadership and cross-border networks.

The message behind this year’s gathering is simple and bold: Africa is coming to Zambia.

Hosted across the New Government Complex and InterContinental Hotel Lusaka, the event will feature a free summit, a Pan-African Trade Exhibition and the PAWEN Awards Gala, creating three distinct ways to learn, do business and celebrate African excellence.

For the Pan African Women Empowerment Network (PAWEN), the ambition goes beyond hosting another conference.

“There is extraordinary work being done by women across Africa, but too often we are building within separate markets, networks and ecosystems. We want women to leave Lusaka not only inspired but also with practical insight, meaningful networks and greater clarity about what they need to do next.”
Oluwaseyi Kehinde-Peters, Executive Director, PAWEN

The Summit: Learn, Lead and Network With 2,000+ Entrepreneurs and C-Suite Leaders From 35+ African Countries

At the heart of the gathering is the PAWEN Summit, taking place at the New Government Complex and expected to bring together more than 2,000 entrepreneurs, C-suite executives and business leaders from over 35 African countries.

Across two days, the programme will tackle the questions facing women building businesses and those building from within organisations: how to create stronger enterprises, how to access and deploy opportunity, and how to become the leaders their next level of growth requires.

For entrepreneurs, that means practical conversations around capital, investment readiness and scaling across borders.

For executives and intrapreneurs, it means leadership, governance and executive influence: how to lead change, shape institutions and build the networks required to operate at greater levels of responsibility.

And for both, there is the room itself. A founder could meet her next investor. An executive could encounter a future board opportunity. A business leader could meet a partner from a market she has been trying to enter.

The summit is completely free to attend, with advance registration required because sometimes the most valuable thing you take away from an event is not what was said on stage. It is who you met in the room.

The Exhibition: Showcase, Discover and Do Business Across Africa

Alongside the Summit, the PAWEN Trade Exhibition will create a Pan-African marketplace where businesses can showcase what they have built, buyers can discover new products and services, and decision-makers can find new businesses to work with.

For women-led enterprises, it is an opportunity to get in front of potential customers, distribution partners and corporate buyers from markets beyond their own. A skincare brand could meet its next distributor. A technology company could find a corporate client. A growing consumer brand could discover demand in another African market.

This is African businesses finding African opportunities but the exhibition is not only about products and businesses. Board and executive recruiters will also be part of the ecosystem, creating opportunities for experienced executives and senior professionals to explore their next leadership, executive or board opportunity. Whether you are building a company or building an executive career, the exhibition is designed to put new possibilities within reach.

Exhibition packages start from ZMW 12,000 / US$600 for Micro-SMEs, with Standard, Corporate and Premium options available. A 10% Early Bird Discount runs until September 30, 2026.

The PAWEN Awards: Nominate, Recognise and Amplify Exceptional African Women

Before November, PAWEN is asking Africa one question: Which African woman deserves to be recognised? Perhaps she is an entrepreneur building a remarkable company, an executive transforming her organisation or industry, or a changemaker creating measurable impact and opening doors for others. Perhaps that woman is you.

Nominations are now open for the PAWEN Awards 2026, with 20 categories across Entrepreneurship, Leadership and Impact, recognising exceptional women from across the continent.

Nominations are free, self-nominations are accepted, and there is no public voting. Finalists are selected by an independent panel of judges based on the quality of the nomination and supporting evidence submitted.

Nominations close on September 21, 2026.

The Awards Gala: Celebrate, Network and Experience African Excellence

The gathering will culminate in the PAWEN Awards Gala at the InterContinental Hotel Lusaka, a black-tie evening bringing together award finalists, business and institutional leaders, and guests from across Africa.

Beyond the celebration, the awards are about visibility: recognising women whose work deserves to be seen, amplifying stories that deserve a wider audience and showing the next generation what African women are already making possible. It will also be another opportunity to network across industries and borders, this time in an atmosphere designed to celebrate African excellence. Regular Gala tickets are US$100, with VIP and VVIP tables available.

One City. Three Experiences. A Continent of Possibilities.

For two days, Lusaka will become a meeting point for women building businesses, leading organisations and shaping change across Africa.

Come to learn. Come to network. Come ready for what could happen next.

Attend the Summit for free and sit in a room with entrepreneurs and executives from across Africa. Showcase your business or explore new professional possibilities at the Trade Exhibition. Join the Awards Gala to recognise and celebrate African women whose work deserves a continental stage. Whatever brings you to Lusaka, the premise is the same: meaningful African collaboration begins when the right people enter the same room.

On November 13 and 14, 2026, Africa is coming to Zambia. 

Will you be in the room?

Key Dates & Participation Information

• PAWEN Summit & Awards: November 13–14, 2026 | Lusaka, Zambia

• Award Nominations Close: September 21, 2026

• Exhibition Early Bird Discount Ends: September 30, 2026

• Summit Registration: Free, with advance registration required

• Trade Exhibition: Packages from ZMW 12,000 / US$600

• Awards Gala: Regular tickets ZMW 2,000/US$100

To register for the Summit, nominate an exceptional African woman, book an exhibition booth or purchase Awards Gala tickets, visit thepawenawards.org.

Sponsors and Partners

The PAWEN Summit & Awards 2026 is proudly sponsored by Zanaco and Nugi Technologies, with Grand Palace Hotel, Rideve Media Solutions, EventPadi Technology, Alliance Media, BellaNaija and ProdAfrica joining as event partners.

PAWEN is also welcoming additional organisations interested in partnering with the 2026 gathering and engaging a Pan-African audience of entrepreneurs, C-suite executives and business leaders. Sponsorship and partnership opportunities remain open.

Media & Partnership Enquiries

PAWEN Summit & Awards 2026 Email: awards@pawen.org

BellaNaija is a Media Partner for The PAWEN Summit and Awards 2026

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Nothing interrupts a peaceful night quite like the familiar buzz of a mosquito. In Nigeria, however, mosquitoes are more than just a nuisance; they are a public health concern because they can transmit diseases such as malaria, dengue and yellow fever.

According to the World Health Organization’s World Malaria Report, Nigeria continues to carry the world’s highest malaria burden, accounting for approximately 27% of global malaria cases and nearly 31% of malaria deaths. According to the 2023 World Malaria Report, nearly 200,000 deaths from malaria occurred in Nigeria. This makes protecting families from mosquito bites not just a matter of comfort, but an important public health priority, making mosquito prevention an everyday necessity rather than a seasonal concern. As WHO notes, “Preventing mosquito bites is the first line of defence against malaria.”
If you’re wondering what is the best mosquito solution for Nigerian homes, the answer isn’t a single product. The most effective approach is to combine several mosquito protection solutions that work together. Here are seven smart options worth considering.

Why Nigerian Homes Need Layered Mosquito Protection

No single mosquito control method is perfect. Mosquitoes enter homes through open doors and windows, breed in stagnant water after rainfall and often become active during the evening and throughout the night. That’s why health experts recommend layered protection using multiple methods to reduce both mosquito numbers and your chances of being bitten.

Whether you live in a flat in Lagos, a bungalow in Enugu or a compound house in Kano, combining preventive habits with reliable mosquito repellents offers the best long-term protection.

The Seven Solutions:

• Plug in vaporisers for all-night bedroom protection

For families looking for continuous overnight protection, a plug-in mosquito repellent offers a convenient solution. Plug in vaporizers works by heating a filament in the liquid refill, releasing mosquito-repelling vapour throughout the room while you sleep. .The system is also designed to use low electricity while providing consistent vapour release.

It’s biggest strength is convenience once plugged in, it continues working without requiring constant attention. Most plug-in systems, however, perform best in enclosed rooms and should complement rather than replace other preventive measures.

• Window and Door Nets

Installing mosquito nets is one of the most effective long term investments for any home. Quality mesh nets create a physical barrier that prevents mosquitoes from entering while still allowing fresh air to circulate.

The downside is the upfront installation cost and damaged nets should be repaired promptly. Nevertheless, they’re an excellent passive solution because they work every day without electricity or chemicals.

• Insecticide Treated Nets

Insecticide-treated mosquito nets remain one of the world’s most effective malaria prevention tools, especially for children and pregnant women. They are affordable, widely available and provide direct protection while sleeping.
Their main limitation is obvious, they only protect people who are inside the net. They won’t reduce mosquitoes flying around your living room or kitchen, making them most effective when combined with other methods.

• Knockdown Sprays for Visible Mosquitoes

Sometimes you simply need immediate action. Aerosol insecticide sprays quickly kill mosquitoes already inside a room, making them useful before bedtime or after leaving doors open.

However, their effect is temporary. New mosquitoes can still enter later, so sprays are best used as a quick response solution rather than your primary defence.

• Eliminating Standing Water and Breeding Spots

One of the simplest and most overlooked forms of mosquito control is removing places where mosquitoes breed.
Empty buckets, blocked gutters, flower pots, old tyres, uncovered water containers and puddles can all become breeding sites after rainfall. Regular inspections around your home can reduce mosquito populations before they even become a problem.

• Fans and Airflow as a Low-Cost Deterrent

A standard electric fan won’t kill mosquitoes, but it can make it much harder for them to fly and land on people. Mosquitoes are weak fliers, so strong airflow can significantly reduce bites indoors.
Fans are inexpensive to run and improve sleeping comfort, although they shouldn’t be considered a standalone mosquito protection solution.

• Outdoor to Indoor Habits

Your evening routine matters more than many people realise. Mosquitoes become more active around dusk, so simple habits can reduce the number entering your home.

Close doors and windows before peak mosquito activity, minimise leaving lights on near open entrances and avoid standing outdoors unnecessarily during peak biting periods. These small behavioural changes often make a noticeable difference over time.

How GoodKnight Power Activ+ Works

If you have ever wondered, does plug-in mosquito repellent work? The answer depends on choosing the right product and using it correctly.

GoodKnight Power Activ+ uses an electric vaporiser that warms a specially formulated liquid refill, releasing mosquito repelling vapour continuously throughout the room. The device includes two operating modes:

• Normal Mode for everyday mosquito levels.
• Activ+ Mode for periods of heavier mosquito infestation.

According to the manufacturer, the system contains Dimefluthrin which is 10 times more effective than the previous formulations and is designed for continuous room protection while consuming very little electricity.

To get the best results, switch it on and keep your doors and windows closed for about 30 minutes after switching the device on to allow the vapour to circulate effectively around the room before letting in fresh air. A standard 45ml GoodKnight refill typically lasts for approximately 45 nights (350-400hours) of protection when used for approximately eight hours each night under normal usage, although actual lifespan depends on the selected mode and mosquito infestation levels. Activ+ mode provides stronger protection but naturally consumes the liquid faster.

For families searching for mosquito protection for children’s rooms, the manufacturer states that GoodKnight Power Activ+ has been tested for use around children and families when used according to its instructions.

Building Your Own Protection Combination

The best mosquito protection solutions in Nigeria rarely rely on one product alone. Instead, combine methods based on your home and budget.

For example:

• Budget-friendly: Remove standing water + sleep under insecticide treated + use fans.
• Family homes: Window nets + plug-in vaporisers in bedrooms + regular outdoor clean-up.
• High mosquito areas: Nets + knockdown spray when necessary + plug in vaporisers for overnight protection.

Layering these approaches addresses mosquitoes at different stages from preventing them from breeding to stopping them from entering your home and protecting you while you sleep.

FAQs

What is the best mosquito solution for Nigerian homes?

A layered approach works best. Combining environmental control, physical barriers and indoor repellents provides stronger protection than relying on a single method.

Does plug-in mosquito repellent work?

Yes. When used correctly in enclosed rooms, plug-in vaporisers can provide continuous overnight mosquito protection. Following the manufacturer’s usage instructions improves effectiveness.

How can I prevent mosquito bites at night?

Use insecticide-treated bed nets, keep doors and windows fitted with netting, eliminate breeding sites around your home and consider a plug-in vaporiser for overnight room protection.

Which mosquito protection is best for children’s rooms?

Layered protection works best. Window nets, treated bed nets and properly used indoor vaporisers all help reduce mosquito exposure while children sleep.

Conclusion

Finding the best mosquito repellent for home in Nigeria isn’t about choosing one miracle product. It’s about building a practical defence that fits your household.

Good housekeeping, removing breeding sites, installing nets, sleeping under treated nets and using a reliable plug-in vaporiser together offer stronger protection than any single solution on its own.

If you’re considering adding a plug-in vaporiser to your home’s protection strategy, you can get GoodKnight Power Activ+ from The Diva Shop.

Sponsored Content

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FOLA honours his mother by gifting her a brand-new Lexus SUV and her own church building. Photo Credit: FOLA/Instagram 

Starting the day with that video of FOLA and his mum? We highly recommend it. There is something about seeing a parent receive a gift they once only dreamed about, especially when their child is the one making it happen.

Fast-rising Nigerian singer-songwriter Folarin Odunlami, popularly known as FOLA, gave his mum not one but two very big reasons to celebrate. The singer surprised her with a brand-new grey Lexus SUV and, wait for it, a church building of her own.

In the video shared on social media, his mum could barely contain her excitement when she saw the car waiting for her. She jumped, danced across the lawn and embraced her son, visibly overwhelmed by the surprise. It was one of those moments where you could see the disbelief turn into pure joy.

For FOLA, the gifts were not random. They fulfilled a conversation he had with his mum when his music career was beginning to take off. He once asked her about some of the things she really wanted, and she told him about her dream of owning a church building and a particular Lexus SUV.

As FOLA explained while sharing the special moment, “When things started to align, I randomly asked my mother what she wanted and she said she wanted her own church building and this specific car. I thank God for keeping this running long enough for me to say I’ve done both things.”

Fast-forward a few years, and FOLA has managed to tick both wishes off her list.

The gesture comes at a pretty incredible point in the singer’s career. FOLA has quickly established himself as one of the new voices to watch in Nigerian Afrobeats and Afro-R&B, with songs including “alone”, “you”, “caricature”, “eko” and “fine ting (fine $hit)” helping to grow his audience.

FOLA tops the 18th Headies Awards nomination list with 10 nods, including Next Rated and Best Male Artiste. Photo Credit: FOLA/Instagram 

His 2025 debut album, Catharsis, further introduced listeners to his songwriting and distinct sound, earning him even more attention as his career continued to climb.

Then came the Headies. FOLA led the nominations for the 18th Headies Awards with 10 nominations, including Album of the Year and Best R&B Album for Catharsis, Next Rated, Best Male Artiste and Best Recording of the Year for “you”.

With all that is happening in his career, however, this may be one of the sweetest ways FOLA has chosen to celebrate his progress. He once asked his mum what she wanted, remembered her answer, and years later, was in a position to give her both.

And judging by that reaction, we have a feeling she will remember this one for a very, very long time.

Watch her reaction below

 

View this post on Instagram

 

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Joselyn Dumas celebrates her birthday in a custom red lace corset mini dress featuring draped hip detail.

It’s no joke that red is a beautiful colour, but put it on a mini dress with a corset, plunging sweetheart neckline and floor-length lace trains? Now that’s a birthday look. Cue Ayra Starr’s Hot Body, because Joselyn Dumas brought the heat for her 46th birthday.

The Ghanaian actress, television presenter and producer celebrated her birthday with a stunning photoshoot, wearing a fitted red lace mini dress that gave the colour a seriously gorgeous update.

The dress featured a structured halterneck corset bodice with a plunging sweetheart neckline, while smooth red satin draped across her hips before flowing into long lace trains on both sides. The result was a mini dress with a little extra length and movement, giving Joselyn a striking silhouette without taking away from the shorter hemline.

Joselyn Dumas displays the dramatic cascading side trains on her red lace birthday dress.

She paired the red lace dress with pointed orange slingback heels finished with crystal detailing, alongside a tennis bracelet, subtle rings and teardrop earrings. The orange heels were a particularly fun styling choice, showing that red can work beautifully with another warm shade instead of the more expected black, gold or silver

For anyone wondering how to wear red, Joselyn’s birthday look offers an easy starting point: let the colour take centre stage and keep the accessories simple. And when styling a red lace mini dress, a structured silhouette, understated jewellery and a contrasting pair of heels can give the outfit plenty of personality without making it feel overdone.

Joselyn Dumas pairs her red corset birthday dress with a sleek top-knot updo and glowing makeup.

Her hair was styled into a high, textured top-knot with soft curls framing her face, while warm bronze eyeshadow, defined lashes, contoured cheeks and a glossy nude lip completed her birthday glam.

Joselyn Dumas turned 46 on 31 August 2026. With a career spanning acting, television presenting and producing, she has become a familiar name in Ghanaian entertainment, and this birthday look is another reminder that she knows how to have fun with fashion.

Red lace, a mini dress, orange heels and a birthday photoshoot? We’ll take it.

Joselyn Dumas styles her red lace birthday outfit with embellished orange pointed heels.

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Photo Credit: Joselyn Dumas/Instagram

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The surprise recipients ranged from drivers of green cars and female drivers to parents travelling with children and people sporting a noticeable touch of green, adding a unique flair to the celebration and giving everyday Nigerians unexpected reasons to turn up for Jollof. In light of this, moments that could have ended in another routine stop in traffic became special opportunities to share a meal, experience a moment of delight, and celebrate the beloved dish that brings Nigerians together.

The experience came alive across key locations in Lagos, including Surulere, Yaba, Ikeja and Lekki, while the celebration also extended to Kubwa in Abuja. At various traffic hotspots, Glovo riders delivered Knorr Jollof Food Boxes directly to recipients, bringing the special Jollof celebration right to where people were.

Adding even more flair and energy to the celebration were creators and collaborators Chef Dee, Diary Of A Kitchen Lover and Simi Drey, whose presence helped elevate the #TurnUpForJollof campaign across the cities. From busy hotspots to traffic stops, their interactions put smiles on the faces of everyday Nigerians and sparked lively celebrations of food, culture and community.

Speaking on the campaign, Damilola Dania, Foods Demand Creation Lead at Unilever Nigeria Plc, said,

“Jollof goes beyond a beloved dish for Nigerians. At Knorr, we believe it is also about the culture, joy and connections that happen around it. This year’s World Jollof Day gave us the opportunity to take that belief to the streets and celebrate the goodness of Jollof with the people in a truly memorable way. We wanted to create unexpected moments of joy in the hustle and bustle of living, and seeing the excitement from commuters, families, drivers and everyone who joined in reminded us of just how powerful food can be in sharing joy and bringing people together.”

This World Jollof Day, Knorr did more than celebrate a beloved dish. It celebrated the people, culture and shared experiences that make Jollof special, bringing a little more joy to everyday moments and giving Nigerians more reasons to #TurnUpForJollof.

Sponsored Content

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Habitat Africa, the premium annual coffee table book documenting the continent’s most ambitious architecture, real estate, and urban transformation, announces an open call for essays exploring the evolution of architecture in Nigeria.

Nigerian architecture tells the tale of a country constantly rebuilding itself, from the earthen compounds of the Hausa north to the courtyard houses of the Yoruba southwest, through the tropical modernism of the independence era to the glass towers of Eko Atlantic and the experimental practices redefining Lagos today. Habitat Africa is looking for a definitive essay that summarises this arc, including the origins, influences, and future directions of Nigerian architecture.

In the upcoming edition of Habitat Africa, the chosen essay will be included with photographs and biographies of the cities, people, and developments influencing Africa’s built environment. Developers, architects, institutional investors, legislators, and design aficionados from all across the continent and the diaspora will be among its audience.

What We Are Searching For

Submissions ought to take Nigeria’s architectural history and development seriously. Pre-colonial and vernacular building traditions, the post-independence civic architecture of Abuja and Lagos, the pressures of rapid urbanization and informal settlement, modern Nigerian practices gaining international recognition, and the future of sustainable, climate-responsive
design in West Africa are just a few of the topics that essays may cover.

Guidelines For Submission

Essays should be unpublished and between 1500 and 2,000 words long. Submissions can be submitted using this link here. A brief author biography (no more than 150 words) and, if applicable, links to earlier works should be included.

Submission deadline: 15th September 2026.

The winner will be awarded the sum of N100,000 and given full credit in print and on all Habitat Africa platforms, with second place at N75,000.

Peter Aleoghena

Editor-In-Chief, Habitat Africa

Sponsored Content

The post Habitat Africa Opens Call for Essays On The Evolution of Nigerian Architecture appeared first on BellaNaija - Showcasing Africa to the world. Read today!.

Cassi, Abi, and Flora lead the biggest headlines during Week 5 of Big Brother Naija Season 11.

Big Brother Naija: Show Ya Sef just delivered its wildest seven days yet, and if you thought you had this season all figured out, Week 5 came along to completely flip the script! Have you grabbed your pack of Minimie Chin Chin yet? Because trust us, the only way to digest this level of drama is with a bowl of proper, crunchy chin chin by your side.

Biggie took the “Topsy-Turvy” theme to absolute extremes this week—stripping away basic luxuries, forcing face-to-face reckonings, and quite literally turning the house into a full-blown jungle. Between secret romantic ops, economic shake-ups, and a terrifyingly silent Big Brother, the heat hit an all-time high.

Grab your snack, settle in, and dive into all the madness, the breakdown of the animal kingdom, and the biggest game moves that went down this week!

Cassi Bids Farewell

The live eviction show claimed its fifth housemate as Cassi’s journey in the Show Ya Sef house came to an end. His exit sent shockwaves through the living room, hitting Nomy particularly hard after the close connection the pair had built over the past month.

Chimsom Chuka’s Diplomatic Second Term

Reclaiming the throne for the second time this season, Chimsom Chuka stepped back into the Head of House Loft with a whole new game plan. Opening up during his diary session, he admitted to speaking out of turn during his first tenure and promised to lead with a much more diplomatic touch this time around. But holding together a house teetering on the edge of complete chaos was never going to be a walk in the park.

Face-to-Face Nominations Cause Chaos

Biggie threw a massive spanner in the works by scrapping the privacy of the diary room for nominations. Instead, housemates had to stand before their peers, publicly name the two people they wanted to save, and explain their choices on the spot. Goddessa, Sheba, and Aikou topped the leaderboard with the highest saves, leaving HoH Chimsom Chuka to break a tie between the top contenders—ultimately picking Sheba. The public process instantly blew up quiet alliances, leaving Tram openly questioning his bond with Sheba after she chose not to hand him a lifeline.

Welcome to Biggie’s Jungle

The week took a literal turn into the wild when Biggie stripped away the housemates’ main comforts. Couches, dining chairs, and standard beds were declared completely off-limits, forcing everyone to adapt to jungle living.To top it off, every housemate was assigned an animal identity to embody:

• Lions: Gerard, Keivo, Sheba
• Owls: Aikou, Goddessa
• Leopards: Oyin, Ricky
• Wolves: Flora, Tram
• Zebras: Bells, Chimsom Chuka
• Cats: Abi, Yusuf
• Cows: Araga, Bluethopia
• Parrots: Sultex, Temi Nkem
• Chickens: Barry, Nomy

Cash Rules Everything in the BB Economy

Big Brother injected serious financial power into the game by distributing BB Bucks across the floor. Abi, Chimsom Chuka, and Sheba picked up payouts for their previous HoH reigns, while top performers in the Friday night arena games also padded their wallets. With the upcoming BB Marketplace on the horizon, social politics took a backseat as bartering, trading, and monetary strategy became the primary focus.

Tram and Nomy Attempt a Truce

After weeks of continuous friction, Tram took the initiative to approach Nomy and smooth things over. Pointing out their shared zodiac sign and striking similarities, he confessed that he hated the hostile vibe between them and suggested starting fresh as friends. Whether this truce survives the pressure of the coming weeks remains to be seen.

The Double-Blind Romantic Gambit

Biggie handed secret agents Flora and Aikou their most entertaining mission to date. Operating separately, each was instructed to make the other believe they were catching genuine romantic feelings—without revealing the assignment. Neither Flora nor Aikou realised that their target had been given the exact same directive, resulting in a hilariously strategic game of mutual flirtation.

Wager Failure and Biggie’s Silent Treatment

Wager prep is always a pressure cooker, but things completely unraveled when Ricky and Tram abruptly pulled out of the final performance following last-minute role changes. Unimpressed by the chaos and tired of repeated rule breaks, Biggie handed down a strict wager loss. To drive the point home, Big Brother went completely silent, pulling his voice from the speakers and forcing the housemates to receive all instructions via written notes delivered by the Ninjas.

Bells Claims Arena Victory

The Friday night arena games pushed everyone’s competitive drive to the limit across four intense rounds. Bells put on a stellar performance to conquer the course, finishing at the top of the leaderboard with 195 points, while Keivo secured the runner-up position. Both bagged a fresh stash of BB Bucks for their efforts.

Eviction Roundup: Goddessa and Sultex’s Journey Ends

The Week 5 live eviction show officially brought an end to Goddessa and Sultex’s time in the Show Ya Sefhouse. Their double departure sent massive shockwaves through the living room, leaving the remaining housemates stunned. With two familiar faces exiting the stage, the house received a stark reminder that no matter how well you adapt to Biggie’s jungle, the eviction chopping block spares no one.

In Biggie’s jungle, survival means adapting on the spot. As relationships fracture and new financial strategies take over, Week 5 proved that nobody is ever truly safe on Big Brother Naija: Show Ya Sef!

***

Stay tuned for the recap of Week 6, brought to you by Minimie Nigeria. Don’t forget to connect with Minimie Nigeria across all social platforms so you never miss a moment of the fun!

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Asake performing on stage during the M$NEY tour. Photo credit: asakefp/Instagram

In modern times, only a few Afrobeats artists have the range required to deliver spectacular live performances. In terms of energetically arousing the audience and delivering an immersive experience, Burna Boy has often been praised as one of the finest live performers Afrobeats has ever produced. With his Outsiders band, Burna Boy owns and turns the stage to African music irrespective of wherever he finds himself or which audience he is performing to.

But beyond energy, there are many things that make live performances great. There is the ability to command a stage, connect with an audience, deliver songs with the same or even greater intensity than the recorded versions, and create moments that feel spontaneous and memorable. Great live performances also require musicianship, thoughtful arrangements, strong vocals, and an understanding of how to build and sustain a show from beginning to end. An artist can have all the energy in the world, but without these elements, a performance can still feel flat. Asake has almost everything required.

Using his two famous live performances, the Red Bull Symphonic and Spotify Live Show, we can explore how Asake has mastered the art of live performance and why audiences remain eager to attend his shows.

The first time I saw Asake perform live was in 2023 at the Flytime Fest in Lagos. He has only released Mr Money With the Vibe and Work of Art, but the momentum before releasing the two albums had sealed his name as one of the fastest-rising global stars from Nigeria. What made watching Asake memorable for me was how he performed his songs as though they were yet to be released. Arguably, everyone in the room knew every single song he was performing. Despite this, unlike his peers, he was lip-syncing. He was delivering each line after line, like a Fuji artist at a live show.

Asake in 2023 performing at Flytime Fest. Photo by Ahmad Adedimeji Amobi

And this is what he has maintained and improved upon over the years. Asake performs his already released songs as new songs, which allows the audience to experience a familiar song in a different way. In his Red Bull Symphonic performance, Asake took the audience through his different evolutions across his albums. The performance (which will be addressed in the present tense because it now exists on YouTube) opens with Dull, the opening song from his debut album, and then switches to Why Love, a song off his latest album M$NEY, although it was released in 2025. He performs other songs from his debut album, Sunmomi, Joha, Nzaza, and, as one might be expecting him to perform songs from his sophomore album, Work of Art,  he performs Worldwide, off Lungu Boy, his third studio album. These song arrangements appear scattered but there is orderliness in the disorderliness. Asake always wants his audience to experience and understand that while he has evolved as a person and artist, his songs are still is, and he wants his audience to always experience them at live performances in a way different from how they are used.

Unlike the Red Bull Symphonic, the Spotify Live Show is specifically themed towards his latest album, M$NEY. Yet, there is a similarity between Asake in Red Bull Symphonic and Asake performing at Spotify Live Show. Apart from the orchestra arrangements (which are one of the best inclusions to his live performances), Asake has defined a signature live performance structure that will always make the songs people are familiar with sound different. He treats his live performances like a storyteller building plot layers; you will experience climax and denouement.

The post How Asake Has Hacked Live Performances appeared first on BellaNaija - Showcasing Africa to the world. Read today!.

My name is Ruth Akinwole. I was eight years old when I first noticed the changes on my face. At the time, I did not really understand what was happening. My parents thought it was eczema and believed that, eventually, it would leave my face. So, as a child, I did not have a particular reaction to it. I simply continued with my life.

As I grew older, I began to understand that my skin was changing in a way that made me different from the people around me. The comments started in primary school. One memory that has stayed with me is from Primary 5. One of my classmates started calling me “Coke and Fanta” because of the different colours on my skin. Every time he called me that, I became angry. I did not understand why something I had never chosen had become something other people could use to make fun of me.

One day, out of anger, I told him that what had happened to me would also happen to him. I was simply a child trying to defend myself from words that hurt me. I did not know how to process what I was experiencing or how to respond to the attention my skin was receiving.

Coke and Fanta is not the only name I was called. People also accused me of bleaching my skin. I was referred to as “Ojuju Calabar” and “half-caste.” Though these terms were often used in jest, they affected me deeply. What has developed on my skin is vitiligo.

Vitiligo affected my confidence throughout my primary and secondary education and even into my National Diploma years. There were times when my self-esteem was very low. Whenever I was going out, I would try every possible means to cover my face with scarves. I did not want people staring at me or asking questions. Most of all, I did not want to feel like my skin was the first thing people noticed about me.

For a long time, I struggled with being that different. Then social media changed something for me. I began seeing people online who also had vitiligo. For the first time, I was seeing people with skin like mine confidently showing themselves to the world. They were not hiding their faces behind scarves. They were living fully like everyone else.

That representation meant something to me. I began sharing vitiligo awareness online, and slowly, I started becoming more comfortable with myself. But even then, I would not say that I had completely found my confidence.

My real confidence came when I stopped being shy. I started attending events. I became more comfortable around people. I could relate to people easily and strike up conversations without constantly worrying about how they saw me. I was no longer the person who allowed the opinions of other people to determine how I felt about myself.

Today, I feel happy and excited about having a different skin tone. My vitiligo makes me unique, and I have come to see that uniqueness as part of my beauty. The same skin that once made me feel different is now one of the things that makes me proud of who I am.

My experience has also given me a reason to speak for others. Many people are living with vitiligo but have very low confidence. Some may be experiencing the same kind of comments and judgement that I experienced growing up. Some may be hiding because they have not yet seen enough people who look like them confidently living their lives.

That is one of the reasons I started my advocacy. This is why I am sharing my journey and experience. I believe awareness and representation can make a difference. Sometimes, seeing someone who has the same skin condition as you confidently showing up can remind you that you are not alone. You can still attend events, meet people, have conversations, build a career and pursue the things you love. You do not have to wait until everyone understands your skin before you start accepting yourself.

Today, I want everyone living with vitiligo to know one important thing: you are beautiful and unique. Your skin does not diminish your worth. You do not have to hide because your appearance is different. You don’t need to spend your life trying to fit into someone else’s definition of beauty.

I spent many years feeling shy about something I never chose. Today, I choose to embrace my skin. I choose to see the beauty in being different. Most importantly, I choose to use my story to remind someone else that they can do the same.

The post What Living With Vitiligo Has Taught Ruth Akinwole About Confidence appeared first on BellaNaija - Showcasing Africa to the world. Read today!.

More than a runway event, the show is designed as a business and networking platform that creates meaningful opportunities for designers, brands and entrepreneurs while giving brides, grooms and wedding enthusiasts direct access to the people and products shaping modern weddings in Nigeria.

The Lagos Bridal Show also aims to position Nigeria as a leading destination for bridal fashion across Africa by showcasing the exceptional talent, craftsmanship and creativity of Nigerian designers to both local and international audiences.

Speaking about the vision behind the event, Rhoda Ebun, Founder of The Lagos Bridal Show, said:

“The Lagos Bridal Show was born from a desire to create a platform that recognises the incredible creative businesses behind the designs. Nigeria is home to some of the world’s most talented designers, artisans and wedding professionals. This platform is about giving them the visibility, recognition and commercial opportunities they deserve while creating unforgettable experiences for consumers and industry stakeholders alike.”

The show will attract a carefully curated audience including brides and grooms, wedding planners, luxury consumers, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, media, influencers, diaspora Nigerians and key decision-makers from across the wedding and lifestyle industries.

For brands,  offers a unique platform to engage directly with a high-intent audience at one of life’s most significant milestones. Sponsorship opportunities span
multiple sectors, including beauty, fashion, banking, fintech, automotive, hospitality, jewellery, beverages, consumer goods and luxury lifestyle brands.
With a strong emphasis on innovation, collaboration and commercial growth, The Lagos Bridal Show is poised to become one of Nigeria’s most anticipated annual bridal and lifestyle
events.

The Lagos Show is set to hold on the 24th & 25th of September 2025.

For partnership enquiries, sponsorship opportunities or media accreditation, please contact: info@thelagosbridalshow.com

Attendance to the event is free but registration is compulsory. Visit the website to register.

Follow us on social media @thelagosbridalshow.

BellaNaija is a Media Partner for The Lagos Bridal Show

The post The Lagos Bridal Show Set to Redefine Nigeria’s Bridal Fashion Industry appeared first on BellaNaija - Showcasing Africa to the world. Read today!.

With The Four, Akindele explores a range of creative touchpoints, bringing together fashion, music, and culture as integral parts of the film’s world. The film’s fashion draws from Nigeria’s heritage, with Adire incorporated into the styling, while an original song features within the story, extending its creative reach into the music and fashion landscape. Alongside its language, traditions, and locations, these elements give the film a distinctive visual and cultural identity while opening up different creative entry points into the story.

The Four is an emotionally charged drama about friendship, courage, and resilience. The film follows Esosa and three fiercely loyal women who leave their community for the city to fight for the future of a young man they love. A journey that will test their courage, faith, and loyalty in ways they never imagined.

The film brings together one of Nollywood’s most accomplished ensemble casts, starring Funke Akindele, Bisola Aiyeola, Chioma Akpotha, Richard Mofe-Damijo (RMD), Timini Egbuson, Lateef Adedimeji, Ali Nuhu, Uzor Arukwe, Ronke Oshodi Oke, Antar Laniyan, and Wunmi Toriola. The film also features award-winning singer Waje and Afrobeat star Shoday, alongside entertainment personalities Samuel Banks, Kolapo Omotosho, and Ayomide Iwasokun.

Funke Akindele has become one of the defining forces in African cinema, directing and producing a string of record-breaking theatrical releases, including Omo Ghetto: The Saga, Battle on Buka Street, A Tribe Called Judah, Everybody Loves Jenifa, and Behind the Scenes. Her films have repeatedly rewritten Nigerian box-office history, cementing her position as the country’s highest-grossing filmmaker and one of the continent’s most influential creative voices.

The Four opens in cinemas globally on December 11, 2026, exclusively distributed by FilmOne Entertainment.

About Funke Akindele 

Funke Akindele is an award-winning Nigerian filmmaker, actress, writer, and producer whose work has transformed the commercial landscape of African cinema. Renowned for creating culturally resonant stories with mass audience appeal, she has produced and directed some of the highest-grossing films in Nigerian box office history, including Omo Ghetto: The Saga, Battle on Buka Street, A Tribe Called Judah, Everybody Loves Jenifa, and Behind The Scenes. Through her storytelling, Akindele continues to champion authentic African narratives while expanding the global reach of Nollywood.

About Funke Akindele Network 

Funke Ayotunde Akindele Network Limited (F.A.A.N.) is a 360-degree film production and media house offering full-cycle production, creative development, and PR solutions for cinematic releases. Nigeria’s foremost content production and post-production powerhouse, F.A.A.N., has repeatedly broken box office records, with productions earning over ₦5.2 billion, and is committed to telling authentic African stories at world-class quality for local cinemas and global streaming platforms.

BellaNaija is a Media Partner for The Four

The post The Wait Is Almost Over! Funke Akindele Unveils First Images From The Four, Coming to Cinemas December 11 appeared first on BellaNaija - Showcasing Africa to the world. Read today!.

Thousands of delegates from across Africa gathered in Lusaka as the Africa Creative Market (ACM) 2026 concluded six days of high-level dialogue, strategic partnerships, investment conversations and cultural exchange, reaffirming the continent’s growing determination to build a globally competitive creative economy.

Held from 29 June to 4 July 2026, ACM 2026 was delivered in collaboration with the Creative Industries Business Summit Zambia (CIBSZ) and the Kwimbo National Arts Festival, bringing together participants from Zambia, Nigeria, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Cameroon, Senegal and several other African countries.

The gathering united government officials, policymakers, investors, development partners, entrepreneurs, creatives and industry leaders in one of the continent’s most comprehensive platforms dedicated to advancing Africa’s creative and cultural industries.

Throughout the week, delegates participated in a rich programme of specialiszed summits, conferences, exhibitions, film screenings, awards, business forums, networking sessions and cultural showcases, all centred on a common objective: unlocking the full economic potential of Africa’s creative industries through stronger institutions, strategic investment, innovation and cross-border collaboration.

Opening the event, Founder of Africa Creative Market, Dr. Inya Lawal, described Zambia as the ideal host for this year’s gathering, pointing to the country’s growing commitment to the creative economy.

“People often ask me why we chose Zambia. My answer has always been simple; because Zambia is ready,” she said.

Representing the Government of Zambia, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts, Kangwa Chileshe, underscored the importance of creating enabling systems that allow creative talent to flourish.

“Talent alone is not enough. We must build the structures that allow talent to thrive,” he said.

Those remarks established the central theme that echoed throughout ACM 2026: Africa possesses extraordinary creative talent, but sustained investment, enabling policies, stronger institutions and deeper collaboration will determine the future of the continent’s creative economy.

Investment and enterprise development emerged as major priorities during the Creative Capital Forum, where policymakers, financial institutions, entrepreneurs and ecosystem builders explored practical pathways to financing creative businesses and accelerating economic growth. Discussions highlighted the importance of expanding access to capital, strengthening entrepreneurial capacity, embracing technology and creating long-term support systems capable of transforming creative ventures into globally competitive enterprises.

The conversation extended into policy and legal reform through the Global Creative Legal Summit, where legal practitioners, policymakers and industry stakeholders examined intellectual property protection, collective rights management, cross-border licensing, artificial intelligence and opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The summit also witnessed the unveiling of the African Creative Economy Lawyer (ACEL) initiative and the Entertainment & Creative Law Hub (ECLH), reinforcing efforts to strengthen the legal infrastructure supporting Africa’s creative industries.

Innovation remained a defining focus throughout the week. At the Creative Technology Summit, industry leaders explored how animation, immersive technologies, artificial intelligence and digital innovation are reshaping storytelling and expanding opportunities for African creators within the global digital economy. Earlier, The YouTube Economy: A Creator’s Roadmap to Revenue, brought creators and digital entrepreneurs together to examine audience growth, platform monetisation and sustainable content businesses.

Complementing these conversations, the Digital Creator Africa Summit challenged creators to move beyond viral success by building sustainable businesses through intellectual property, strategic partnerships, technological innovation and diversified revenue streams.

Across the visual arts, fashion, photography, film, theatre and music sectors, participants repeatedly returned to a common message: Africa’s cultural assets represent not only artistic excellence but also significant economic opportunity.

The Art. Craft. Commerce Summit explored how African visual arts can preserve cultural identity while embracing innovation and ethical creative practice.

The Business of Photography Summit examined branding, commercial growth, storytelling and intellectual property, while the Women in Film & TV Africa Conference, Actor Spaces Summit, Theatre & Dance Session, Kingdom Film Festival and Distribution Summit brought together filmmakers, performers, producers and industry executives to address financing, leadership, talent development, audience access and the future of African storytelling.

One of the week’s defining moments came with the Zambian premiere of the feature film 77, drawing acclaimed actors, filmmakers, government officials, media professionals and cinema enthusiasts in a celebration of African storytelling and demonstrating the increasing momentum behind cross-border collaboration within the continent’s film industry.

Fashion also occupied a prominent place within the programme. Through the FashionEVO Summit and the FashionEVO Fashion Show & Awards, designers, manufacturers, investors, policymakers and fashion entrepreneurs examined opportunities in sustainable production, manufacturing, exports, innovation and investment, while showcasing the creativity, craftsmanship and commercial potential of contemporary African fashion before regional and international audiences.

The week also celebrated excellence across the creative industries through the National Association of Media Arts (NAMA) Awards and Gala and the Women in Film & TV Africa Gala & Awards. Recognizing that sustainable industries require healthy creative professionals, ACM 2026 also prioritized conversations around wellbeing through The Activated Creative, which encouraged participants to rethink success beyond productivity by addressing burnout, mental wellbeing, resilience and sustainable creative careers.

Beyond the conference halls, the Kwimbo National Arts Festival transformed Lusaka into a vibrant celebration of African culture, welcoming families, visitors, artists, artisans and entrepreneurs through music, dance, fashion, exhibitions and cultural performances that celebrated Zambia’s rich heritage while expanding public engagement with the creative economy.

The event concluded with the ACM Next Level Music Showcase, where ten emerging artists competed before industry professionals for career-defining opportunities. Philip Mweemba emerged as the overall winner, earning a cash prize alongside international music distribution and publishing support.

Beyond the conversations and showcases, ACM 2026 strengthened new relationships across the continent through collaborations involving programme partners, supporting organisations, exhibitors, media organisations and strategic stakeholders committed to advancing Africa’s creative industries. These partnerships further expanded opportunities for knowledge exchange, investment, market access and long-term institutional cooperation across multiple sectors of the creative economy.

As the curtains closed on the Lusaka edition, organisers described Africa Creative Market as far more than an annual event. It has become a continental platform where policy meets enterprise, culture intersects with commerce and partnerships evolve into long-term opportunities capable of shaping Africa’s creative future.

The conversations initiated, partnerships strengthened and collaborations forged throughout the week reflect a broader shift taking place across the continent. Africa’s creative economy is no longer defined solely by its cultural richness but increasingly by its capacity for innovation, investment and economic transformation.

With renewed momentum, stronger regional networks and a shared commitment to unlocking the full value of Africa’s creative industries, ACM 2026 leaves Lusaka not simply as the conclusion of a successful gathering, but as another decisive step in building a more connected, competitive and globally influential African creative economy.

BellaNaija is a Media Partner for Africa’s Creative Market 

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Amyr “Aikou” Yousufzai rejoins the main competition as a regular housemate on BBNaija Season 11.

Big Brother Naija: Show Ya Sef just flipped the scripts again, and the house dynamic is officially looking very different.

Cast your mind back to Week 2, when viewers voted to drop Amyr “Aikou” Yousufzai and Flora Egbedi into the high-stakes “Gambit” role. Selected with 9.10% and 29.38% of the public vote respectively, the deal came with a massive double-edged sword. On one hand, they snagged guaranteed safety straight to the grand finale. On the other? They were completely stripped of their chance to win the ₦160 million grand prize. For weeks, they operated as Biggie’s undercover instigators, shaping house drama from the sidelines without an actual shot at the money.

That era is officially over. During the latest Sunday live eviction show, host Ebuka Obi–Uchendu rolled out “Operation Release the Gambit,” handing full power back to the fans to decide whether to keep them as agents or toss them back into the main arena. The public voted to bring both of them back into the mix, and organisers have confirmed that Aikou and Flora are officially out of Gambit mode, fully reinstated as regular contestants with their eyes back on the grand prize.

Of course, stepping back onto the main game floor comes with instant heat. While their eligibility for the ₦160 million is back on the table, their invulnerability shield is completely gone. To make things even wilder, Biggie placed almost the entire house up for nomination this week—meaning both Aikou and Flora are immediately exposed to Sunday’s live eviction chopping block.

From safe-zone spectators to fully vulnerable contenders, the game just restarted for this duo, and watching them adjust to life back on equal footing is going to be top-tier viewing all week long.

The post The Gambit Era Is Over: Aikou and Flora Are Back in the BBNaija Main Game appeared first on BellaNaija - Showcasing Africa to the world. Read today!.

Abi becomes the second housemate to win the Head of House title twice in BBNaija Season 11.

It is officially double the reign in the Big Brother Naija: Show Ya Sef house because Abi is back on the throne! She proved that lightning can definitely strike twice, conquering the Week 6 arena games to become the second housemate this season—right behind Chimsom Chuka—to bag the Head of House title for a second time. After powering through the initial rounds, it all came down to a high-stakes Sudoku puzzle battle against Gerard. Keeping her cool under pressure, Abi solved her grid seconds ahead to lock in her victory.

This second win comes with some very sweet upgrades, courtesy of Biggie’s new Week 6 rules. With the Lucky Dip system officially out of the picture, Abi gets to move directly into the luxury HoH Loft by right of victory—no luck required. And because good things are meant to be shared, she picked her close pal, London-born accounting student Temi Nkem, as her Loft Mate to enjoy the private quarters, soft beds, and gourmet snacks for the week.

The timing of this win could not be more perfect. After Biggie canceled the usual nomination saves and put almost the entire house on the eviction chopping block, Abi bagged total immunity from Sunday’s live eviction. She stands alongside Sheba (who was voted Most Influential Player) as the only two housemates completely safe this week. Even though she doesn’t have a veto save-and-replace power this time, she’ll be allowed to play in next week’s arena games to defend her crown.

With zero eviction stress, a trusty sidekick in the Loft, and full control of the house, Queen Abi is sitting pretty at the top! Viewers are definitely in for an entertaining week as she leads wager preparations and brings her energy to the house dynamics from the comfort of the executive suite.

The post Abi Is Back on the Throne! She Wins BBNaija Week 6 Head of House appeared first on BellaNaija - Showcasing Africa to the world. Read today!.

Damilola Feyide, founder of Let It Shine Academy.

By the middle of our virtual interview, I had lost count of two things: how many times Damilola Feyide had been interrupted, and how many times I had said “wow”.

Our call was taking place across a screen, but her laptop offered a clear window into a working day that refused to pause. Her office looked much like any other school administrator’s desk, except for the transparent glass walls surrounding it. From where she sat, Dami could see everything happening outside, and it did not take long before the world outside her door stepped into our conversation.

Every few minutes, a student would pop into the office. Dami would turn to them—sometimes firm, sometimes amused, always familiar—answer a quick question, and seamlessly pivot back to our discussion. What was meant to be a formal interview quickly stopped feeling like one. It became an intimate observation of a founder whose life and institution were moving in real time around her.

Listening to her explain how Let It Shine Academy (LISA) grew from an idea she could barely articulate into Nigeria’s first free boarding secondary school, the numbers were impressive. But the numbers were not what stayed with me. It was the sheer weight of responsibility behind them: more than 300 children living on site, over 50 staff members, three meals a day, accommodation, security, electricity, water, books, uniforms, healthcare, examinations, safeguarding, parents, and university applications.

And Dami, who had initially arrived in Nigeria intending to complete her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) year and leave, found herself responsible for all of it. “I was just to do NYSC and go back,” she told me candidly. “I was to go finish, if I’m being honest. I was going to do that thing where somebody would sign for me while I japa’d.”

Damilola Feyide, whose weekend outreach expanded into a sanctuary of learning for over 300 students.

Instead, she stayed.

The beginning of LISA was much smaller than the institution it would become. During her NYSC year, Dami visited a remand home after missing an outreach organised by her church. Her driver mentioned another facility nearby, and she decided to stop there. She returned on Valentine’s Day with friends, expecting a brief afternoon of activities. Instead, she found children who dreamed of becoming lawyers, designers, and models, but lacked access to the basic tools that might make those futures feel achievable.

Dami had brought art supplies on a whim, only to realise that several of the children had never used materials she had always taken for granted.

The experience unsettled her. “I just couldn’t sleep,” she said.

She began returning every Saturday—first with a single instructor, then with friends who could teach practical skills: crochet, bead-making, hairdressing, carpentry, mechanics, ballet, and visual art. The premise was straightforward: expose children to possibilities they might otherwise never encounter.

At first, Dami thought that would be enough. Then she visited a correctional centre for boys in Oregun.

What she saw there reframed the issue entirely. Some boys were idle; others had received only primary education or had been out of school for years. Dami had initially planned to introduce her creative vocational academy, but she found herself asking what would happen after the boys left. How were they being prepared to return to society? What happens to a teenager who spends years outside formal education and is then expected to navigate adulthood?

She asked if she could bring in a teacher to begin secondary-school lessons. They agreed. She found a teacher who would eventually become the principal of LISA Academy.

They started with 12 boys. Then 40. What began as two hours on a Saturday expanded to lessons on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. As Dami shared updates online, an employee from Access Bank reached out regarding a corporate social responsibility contribution. A classroom was renovated, more teachers were hired, and the small tutorial centre began to reshape itself.

Dami still did not call it a school.

Then came access to another facility intended for vocational training. Dami did not need another space, but during a period of prayer, she felt a conviction to start a free secondary school.

Her initial reaction was disbelief. “I was like, ‘I don’t think that’s how it works. I can’t just wake up and say I’m starting a school.’”

There was also the question of who the school was for. Having grown up in London where public secondary education is compulsory and free, Dami assumed the numerous public schools in Nigeria meant free secondary education already existed. When she saw children out of school, she assumed they were enrolled elsewhere or simply chose not to attend.

To resolve the internal battle, she made a deal with God: she would run a flyer campaign, and if no one showed up, it meant she had misheard. Alongside her principal and a friend, she walked through the local streets announcing a free secondary school.

Children came. Parents came. Some parents wept. One mother shared how she had lost her husband and was forced to pull her son out of school because she could no longer afford it.

That outreach laid bare systemic fractures in a country where UNESCO estimates over 20 million children are out of school. Dami learned that while public secondary schools do not charge official tuition, mandatory peripheral expenses—uniforms, textbooks, PTA levies, and daily transport—place them far beyond the reach of families earning Nigeria’s ₦70,000 national minimum wage. Furthermore, due to severe population pressures in Lagos, children can remain on public school waiting lists for up to two years, while other parents keep them home simply because the surrounding environment feels unsafe.

In October 2021, LISA opened its doors as a free secondary school in that centre. By 2023, seeing that day schooling alone could not fully insulate vulnerable children from unstable home environments, the academy transitioned into a full boarding school—making it Nigeria’s first free boarding secondary school. Today, 70 to 80 per cent of the academy’s senior class are the exact children Dami met on the streets during that first flyer walk.

Students gather for morning assembly in front of the main campus building at Let It Shine Academy in Lagos.

Removing those daily burdens entirely requires continuous funding. Dami is pragmatic about the work. Support comes through sponsor-a-child drives, corporate partnerships, grants, and local contributions—a bakery donates bread, a farm provides produce, a dairy partner contributes regularly, and the solar power system was gifted. Yet, some months remain tight. Salaries are occasionally delayed, generator repairs arise, uniforms need replacing, and feeding over a hundred boarders three times daily remains a heavy expense.

Boarding students complete chores outside their residential quarters at Let It Shine Academy.

Dami balances accounting ledgers with faith, aware that conviction alone does not pay vendors. “I’ll drop the ball,” she admitted. “There’s no way I won’t drop the ball.” Balancing a corporate role at Providus Bank, personal health, friendships, and wedding planning alongside running a boarding school leaves little space for rest.

“It has cost me tremendously in every way,” she reflected. Running the academy is a physically and mentally exhausting endeavour—one that has cost her personal relationships, peaceful sleep, and the comfort of her old life in London. The weight of her decisions carries real consequence, from managing staff to carrying the daily responsibility of feeding, protecting, and counselling children navigating deep trauma.

Yet, when asked what the work returns to her, she speaks not of prestige, but of affection.

“It has given me an immense amount of love,” she shared. “I wasn’t historically a very maternal person, but now I have the genuine pleasure of raising these incredible children. Being a part of their future and watching who they are becoming is unquantifiable. Despite the heat and stress, the pure joy and family environment we’ve built makes me realise I wouldn’t change a single thing.”

It is why she resists the word “charity.”

“I don’t like the word charity,” she said. “I call it an intervention organisation, because I feel like I am intervening in a situation.” For Dami, housing, safety, and learning are not generous gifts handed down to the poor; they are human rights.

Privilege has a way of insulating us from realities that feel too uncomfortable to acknowledge. When you move through life shielded by comfort—behind tinted glass, behind gated walls, behind economic security—it becomes easy to look past the child working on the street who ought to be sitting in a classroom. Distance makes the discomfort outside easy to ignore.

I put this to Dami during our call. Unlike many social founders who build interventions out of their own lived experience with poverty, Dami comes from privilege. How does someone who grew up shielded from that kind of struggle learn to see across the divide so clearly, and choose not to look away?

“The answer is to take yourself out of the equation and look at them the way you would look at yourself, your own child, or your sibling,” she told me. “They were strangers when I started, but now they are my children and they call me mommy. God gave me a new heart. As a believer, the mandate is simple: love your neighbor and love the stranger. Christ says what you do for the least of them, you do for Him. We are not here to be served, but to serve.”

That shift in perspective turned a social intervention into a family. Many of the children at LISA had been deemed unmanageable or difficult by the world around them. Today, Dami has legally adopted about 30 of them.

“They are incredibly sensitive and just need love,” she explained. “My house and my car are not my own; they belong to them because I am here to serve them. When you stop focusing entirely on yourself, you can actually see and care for people.”

The real impact of LISA Academy is written in individual lives.

Take Azeez, who came to Dami from a juvenile correctional centre in Yaba at fifteen. When he failed the placement test, Dami initially hesitated to admit him. But Azeez begged for a single term to prove himself. She took the risk, and by the end of that term, Azeez had posted some of the top results in his year. Today, he reads effortlessly, ranks consistently in the top ten, excels in sports, and serves as a school prefect.

Then there is the girl rescued from child marriage in the North, whose younger sister had already been married off. She arrived completely withdrawn and silent. Today, she is a confident, bright student who plays football, excels academically, and brings warmth into the classroom.

Inside the classroom at Let It Shine Academy, where street-connected youth receive free secondary education.

I understood those stories differently when I attended the school’s graduation ceremony.

After listening to Dami speak about the children across our virtual call, standing among the students and their families made the reality hit home. Parents stood beside their children, posing for photographs in graduation gowns with deep pride. During the closing prayers, the emotion of what had been built was overwhelming: these children were being given a real chance at life—backed by hot meals, safe beds, proper care, teachers who believed in them, and an environment designed to help them thrive.

Students in school uniforms performing with traditional African musical instruments including talking drum and shekere at Let It Shine Academy.

For Dami, that path extends far into the future. The academy’s pioneer class is currently preparing for their JAMB and SAT examinations, supported by pathways she has spent years forging—including partnerships with Pan-Atlantic University and the Mastercard Foundation for full tertiary scholarships, alongside international consultants helping her top students secure university placements abroad.

Looking toward the next decade, her vision for LISA Academy demands even greater space. Beyond operating on leased land, she is working toward building a permanent campus complete with standard science laboratories and sports facilities. Ultimately, the goal is not just to sustain one institution in Lagos, but to replicate this free boarding intervention model across other regions in Nigeria where children remain cut off from education.

Founder Damilola Feyide and a school teacher celebrate student Fashola Tosin as he receives his Junior High School Diploma at Let It Shine Academy.

Yet, even as the scale of her ambition grows, the core of the work remains fiercely intimate. For Dami, the thousands of children she hopes to reach will never be just statistics on a ledger. The focus remains on the individual life—ensuring every child is given room to breathe, safe memories, proper care, and a clear view of their own potential.

“My daily prayer is for God to keep my heart tender, soft, and filled with compassion so the wickedness of the world doesn’t taint how I see people,” Dami told me. “I also pray for the love needed to help Nigeria and its system.”

Damilola Feyide celebrates with graduating students during the Let It Shine Academy graduation ceremony.

To help LISA continue funding tuition-free education and full-time care for vulnerable children, join those sponsoring a child’s full term of learning and living for ₦300,000 at lisa.com.ng/sponsor-a-child.

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Photo Credit: Damilola Feyide

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Iyabo Ojo lets her cow-print faux-fur coat pool onto the ground during Rakeem’s birthday shoot.

If you’ve ever doubted it when Iyabo Ojo calls herself the sexiest glamma, you might want to reconsider.

Because while her grandson Rakeem was busy celebrating his first trip around the sun, his grandmother was busy making sure the birthday photos had plenty of fashion moments of their own. Iyabo Ojo joined her daughter Priscilla Ojo and son-in-law Juma Jux for Rakeem’s first birthday celebration over the weekend, and she arrived ready for the Western-inspired dress code.

Rakeem turned one on 24 August 2026, having been born on 24 August 2025, and the family marked the occasion with a series of celebrations and photos that leaned heavily into cowboy style. Iyabo’s first look was perhaps the most committed interpretation of the theme.

Iyabo Ojo showcases full Western luxury styling in a chocolate brown catsuit and faux-fur chap boots.

She wore a chocolate-brown catsuit with a high neckline, long sleeves and thumbholes, then layered on a floor-length cow-print faux-fur coat. The coat came in black, white and brown and was worn off one shoulder, giving the otherwise fitted look a much looser silhouette.

The boots deserve their own mention. Iyabo wore textured brown faux-fur boots that reached above the knee, with subtle cow-print panels, over black pointed boots. She topped it all with a distressed tan leather cowboy hat featuring a dark hatband and a metallic longhorn skull at the front.

Gold jewellery helped bring everything together, from the chunky Cuban-link choker to the low-slung butterfly chain belt and stacked bracelets. Her honey-blonde bob, flipped out at the ends, kept the hair soft and voluminous, while smoky eyes and a glossy nude lip finished the look.

Iyabo Ojo highlights her distressed leather cowboy hat and heavy gold jewellery for Rakeem’s Western-themed shoot.

Then came the after-party, and apparently one cowboy look was not enough.

Iyabo swapped the brown leather and cow print for an orange mini dress with gold studs, a high neckline and a very noticeable structured shoulder. Orange tassel fringe fell from the extended shoulder cap, while black fan-shaped embroidery sat around the hips.

This time, she kept the accessories pared back with black strappy heels and stacked silver and gold bangles, adding long metallic silver nails for another little detail. Her platinum blonde hair was styled half-up with soft curls, paired with defined eye makeup, highlighted cheeks and a glossy nude-pink lip.

Iyabo Ojo poses in a custom orange mini dress featuring tassel fringe and gold embellishments for Rakeem’s birthday party. Photo Credit: Iyabo Ojo/Instagram 

If you are wondering how to approach cowboy style yourself, Iyabo’s birthday look offers a few routes. You can go all in with a cowboy hat, cow print, boots and fringe, or borrow just one element and let it work with what you already own. A Western belt can transform jeans and a simple top, cowboy boots can work with a skirt or dress, and a hat can do plenty of the heavy lifting on its own.

Iyabo Ojo layers a floor-length cow-print faux-fur coat over her chocolate brown catsuit.

The bigger lesson from Iyabo’s two birthday looks is that there is no rule saying you have to pick one aesthetic and stay there all night.

For those unfamiliar with the family, Iyabo Ojo is the Nollywood actress and filmmaker who is also mother to Priscilla Ojo and grandmother to Rakeem. Rakeem is her first and only grandchild, so his first birthday was certainly one for the family album.

And if the birthday boy gets to have a cowboy-themed first birthday, his glamma apparently gets to have two very different looks.

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Photo Credit: Iyabo Ojo/Instagram 

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From the day we’re born, religion informs us that our lives are already planned out – what we will become, how we will become it, when we will become it and when what we become will all end. Even the smallest things like what we eat, say, and do seem like a part of a big plan. Religion tells us that our successes and struggles aren’t just random; they’re all written in a special script. It’s like we’re characters in a story, playing out our parts from beginning to end. So, every little thing we do, every word we say, religion supposes that it’s all been decided long ago, whispered into the wind of forever. It’s like choreographed movements in the dance of fate. From the cradle to the grave, we live out our lives – each word, each action, and each heartbeat has been written and meant to happen.

This brings about the question of the worth of our existence. If everything has been written and destined, why should we struggle to gain importance or relevance in life? Some people say they do not desire to become popular or famous, but it is undeniable they also wish to make their mark in this life. Whether they want fame or popularity or not, they desire to live a life that is, at least, enjoyable. They want to be able to afford freedom from poverty and oppression, and be free from worry. Whether life is worth living or not, no one wants to pass through the earth like a snake strolling through the rock’s surface, impactless. No matter how little, they want to not only make life comfortable for themselves but also impact lives.

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, honourable, compassionate, and have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.” Everyone seems to be fixated on living a purposeful life, but as there are people who purposely live to become accomplished, there are also a lot of people who live for the sake of living. They do not live for their existence to inspire anyone else, because they want to make a difference in this world, or so the coming generation could get inspired. They simply want to live because existence is a practice on earth. They can attain success and luxury but they do not own them to inspire someone else to aim for success or luxury. They simply live. In so doing, their existence could inspire someone else.

NYAD, an Oscar-nominated documentary, explores the life of Diana Nyad, an American writer and long-distance swimmer. When she was young, Diana attempted to swim from Cuba to Florida but failed due to many sea hindrances like wind waves, dangerous sea habitats and many other things. So she stopped attempting. But when she was over 60 years of age, she told her friend, Bonnie, that she’d love to attempt what she failed to finish when she was young. Bonnie thought she was crazy, but she was ready to challenge herself. The first, second, third and fourth attempts failed, but at her fifth attempt, she became the first person ever to swim from Cuba to Florida at 64 years old. When asked why she wanted to do it, she said she wanted to fulfil her desire. It wasn’t really to inspire anyone or to expect her name to be etched in history. She just wanted to live.

Arsène Lupin is a book by Maurice Leblanc that tells the story of a gentleman thief who uses many tricks to steal without getting caught by the police. This book inspired the creation of the 2021 series, Lupin, a series about a Black Italian man who tries to get justice for his father, who is falsely accused of theft, jailed, and later commits suicide. When Maurice Leblanc was writing the book, he never imagined that the book would become so grand that it would inspire many films. Arsène Lupin was published in 1907, but here it is, inspiring a movie in the 21st century.

Yes, religion tells us that our successes and struggles aren’t just random, that they’re all written in a special script but I believe whether life is meant to be a purposeful quest or just a meandering journey,  the truest wisdom lies in embracing the present moment. Like characters in a sprawling novel, we each play our part in the unfolding narrative of life. It’s important to live without the weight of legacy, without the burden of what is yet to come. Let us savour the dance, the laughter, the tears, and find solace in the simple act of being alive, here and now, under the vast expanse of the sky. Because in the end, it is not the grand finale that defines us, but the grace with which we move through each fleeting chapter of existence.  

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Priscilla Ojo mounts a prop saddle while Juma Jux carries birthday boy Rakeem in matching Western attire.

If your social media timeline felt a little cowboyish over the weekend and you’re wondering what in the cowboy outfits is going on, we’ve got some explanation for you.

It turns out Priscilla Ojo, her husband Juma Jux and their son Rakeem had a very good reason to suddenly look like the coolest family to ever ride into town. The couple were celebrating Rakeem’s first birthday, and for his big one, they went all in on a Western-inspired photoshoot.

Rakeem turned one on 24 August 2026, exactly a year after Priscilla gave birth to him on 24 August 2025. Naturally, the birthday boy needed a cowboy look of his own, and his parents made sure he was not left out.

Priscilla Ojo, Juma Jux, and baby Rakeem walk together in coordinated brown leather and fringe cowboy outfits.

His miniature outfit included a dark-brown leather jacket with horseshoe and lasso embroidery, a white shirt and tailored beige trousers. Tiny brown leather boots and a matching belt gave the look its Western finishing touches, while a beaded necklace and small black cowboy hat with gold star details made it even cuter.

Priscilla took the theme and gave it a grown-up spin. She wore a chocolate-brown leather corset top with a matching high-waisted skirt, complete with a thigh slit and long leather fringe. A cowhide-print cropped jacket sat over her shoulders, while a brass-and-leather Western belt added another layer to the look.

Priscilla Ojo poses in a custom leather fringe dress near the Western-themed birthday cake for son Rakeem.

The cowboy hat was very much part of the plan, as were her open-toe lace-up suede boots. She finished the look with her full honey-blonde curls, keeping the rest of the styling within the rich brown colour palette.

Juma’s version came with a little more jewellery. He wore a dark-brown leather vest covered in metallic grommets and studs over a white ribbed tank top, then paired it with deep-brown corduroy bootcut trousers featuring subtle flame embroidery.

Juma Jux showcases detailed Western styling featuring a gold horse buckle and embellished hat for son Rakeem’s birthday.

His black wide-brim cowboy hat had an embellished leather band with teal and gold details, while stacked diamond chains, a cross pendant, iced-out bracelets and a gold belt buckle with a running horse kept the accessories coming. Snake-skin patterned Western boots finished the look.

So, how do you actually wear cowboy outfits without looking like you have just walked off a film set? The easiest route is to choose one Western piece and let it do the talking. Cowboy boots with jeans, a cowboy hat with a simple dress or a Western belt with trousers can be enough. If you want to go further, leather, fringe and cowhide prints will take you there.

Priscilla Ojo and Juma Jux share a lighthearted moment with son Rakeem during his Western-themed first birthday shoot.

The Ojo-Jux family went much further for Rakeem’s first birthday, combining those classic Western details with tailored pieces, rich brown shades and statement accessories. It was less “everyone wear a cowboy hat” and more “let’s give the whole family a Western wardrobe”.

And for a first birthday photoshoot? We are certainly not complaining.

Priscilla Ojo and Juma Jux model matching brown leather Western attire at son Rakeem’s first birthday celebration.

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Photo Credit: Priscilla Ojo/Instagram 

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Burna Boy and Shakira perform the official anthem “Dai Dai” during the 2026 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony in Mexico City.

In hindsight, music doesn’t essentially have a relationship with football. And perhaps if it does, as a global sport, it can be somewhat difficult to find Nigerian music there in modern times. But music is a universal language; it has crept into several industries in the world. Nigerian music, like Nigeria itself, doesn’t carry last. Nigerian artists in recent times have performed on football’s biggest stages in the world. From World Cup Finals to the Ballon d’Or to being included in EA Sports games, Nigerian artists have continued to show the world the immense pool of talent emerging out of the country.

Here’s a brief highlight of some Nigerian artists who have performed on football’s biggest stages:

Burna Boy — 2026 FIFA World Cup Opening Show

In the history of the World Cup, Burna Boy took up a nudge. He joined Shakira at the opening ceremony in Mexico City, where they performed “Dai Dai,” the official song of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. They were both joined by the Ugandan Ghetto kids who went to perform with Shakira on other stages.

Burna Boy — 2026 FIFA World Cup Final Halftime Show

More than a month after the opening show, Burna Boy and Shakira reunited at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey for the World Cup’s first-ever World Cup Final halftime show, again performing “Dai Dai.” In doing so, Burna Boy became the only Nigerian artist on this list to perform at both the opening and final stages of the same World Cup.

Rema — 2023 Ballon d’Or

Rema performed “Calm Down” at the Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris in October 2023, performing at the Théâtre du Châtelet in front of football’s biggest stars. His performance was a significant moment for Afrobeats, making him the first Afrobeats artist to perform at the prestigious awards ceremony.

Burna Boy — 2023 UEFA Champions League Final

In 2023, Burna Boy took Afrobeats to one of the biggest nights in European club football when he co-headlined the UEFA Champions League Final Kick Off Show with Brazilian star Anitta. At Istanbul’s Atatürk Olympic Stadium, they performed before Manchester City faced Inter Milan in the final. Manchester City won the final.

Davido — 2022 FIFA World Cup Closing Ceremony

At the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Davido performed at the tournament’s closing ceremony ahead of the final between Argentina and France. He joined Aisha on “(Hayya Hayya) Better Together,” one of the songs from the tournament’s official soundtrack, performing to the crowd at Lusail Stadium and a global television audience.

Tems — 2025 FIFA Club World Cup Final

In 2025, Tems became the first African artist to perform at a FIFA Club World Cup Final halftime show. She joined J Balvin and Doja Cat for the inaugural halftime performance at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where she performed her Grammy-winning song “Love Me JeJe.” The show was part of FIFA and Global Citizen’s effort to use the tournament to support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund.

Yemi Alade — 2024 AFCON Opening Ceremony

Yemi Alade performed at the opening ceremony of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, held in January 2024 in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. She performed “Akwaba,” the tournament’s official song, alongside Ivorian group Magic System and Egyptian singer Mohamed Ramadan. The performance took place at the 60,000-capacity Alassane Ouattara Olympic Stadium.

D’banj — 2013 AFCON Closing Ceremony

D’banj brought his energetic pop sound to Africa’s biggest continental tournament, performing at the closing ceremony of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in Johannesburg. He performed hits including “Oliver Twist” and “Top of the World,” the latter serving as the tournament’s theme song. Nigeria had won the competition by defeating Burkina Faso in the final.

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Sultex exits Big Brother Naija Season 11 as the first housemate evicted during tonight’s Sunday live show.

Sunday live shows are always a cocktail of nerves and anticipation, but tonight’s episode brought an extra layer of drama to the Big Brother Naija house.

Before the votes were revealed, the atmosphere shifted sharply as Big Brother delivered a firm, no-nonsense warning to the housemates. Biggie called out the recent wave of disobedience and disregard for house rules, setting a serious tone for the evening and reminding everyone that staying in the house requires strict discipline, no matter how high the stakes get.

That initial tension quickly gave way to genuine shock when host Ebuka Obi–Uchendu stepped in to deliver the eviction results. The first blow fell on Sultex (Sultan Aderohunmu), who looked utterly stunned the moment his name was announced. Known for bringing energy and movement to the space as a dancer and choreographer, his sudden exit left both him and his close allies visibly processing the reality of the game.

Just as the housemates were trying to catch their breath, the evening took another decisive turn with Goddessa (Goddess Offodile) being announced as the second evicted housemate of the night. Leaving with her characteristic poise, the musician said her final goodbyes, bringing an end to her run in the competition and cementing tonight as a true double eviction.

With both Sultex and Goddessa now out of the running, the landscape inside the house has shifted dramatically. Their departures leave exactly 18 housemates behind, each now acutely aware that the buffer is shrinking and the race for the grand prize is getting far more intense.

Goddessa becomes the second housemate evicted during the Big Brother Naija Season 11 Sunday live show.

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Ebuka Obi-Uchendu adjusts his woven bead cuff while wearing a white pleated Japanese hat and gold-rimmed sunglasses.

Let us tell you one thing you should never do when it comes to Ebuka Obi–Uchendu’s style: never underestimate him. Never assume you have seen enough of his style. Never assume that because he made us gasp last week on the Sunday eviction night show, you might not be quite as surprised this week. Ladies and gentlemen, we put it to you that you will be utterly surprised.

This Sunday, Ebuka is taking us all the way to Japan with a Japanese-inspired cultural look, while bringing some serious Nigerian flavour along with him. The look, created by Nigerian designer Ugo Monye, brings together Japanese-inspired tailoring and distinctly Nigerian details for tonight’s Big Brother Naija Sunday eviction show.

Ebuka Obi-Uchendu hosts the Big Brother Naija live eviction show in a Japanese-inspired outfit styled with traditional Nigerian accessories.

Ebuka stepped out in a white tunic-and-robe look with broad kimono-style sleeves and clean, flowing lines. It is a departure from the traditional Nigerian Agbada silhouette we often see him in, and somehow, Ebuka has found a way to make this one feel completely at home on him.

The outfit features a prominent vertical accordion-pleated panel that falls along one side, giving the otherwise minimalist look some texture and movement. The wide sleeves and relaxed shape keep things fluid, while the white colour allows all the cultural details layered into the look to have their moment.

Ebuka Obi-Uchendu showcases the fluid silhouette and broad kimono sleeves of his Ugo Monye white tunic set.

And then came the Nigerian touches.

Ebuka paired the outfit with layers of chunky coral and gold beads, with matching off-white woven bead cuffs on both wrists. He also carried an ornate horsetail whisk, featuring a crystal-encrusted handle and blonde horsehair, adding another distinctly Nigerian detail to the Japanese-inspired styling.

The headwear stayed firmly within the Japanese inspiration of the look. Ebuka wore a structured white Japanese-style hat with a rounded crown and broad, gently curved brim, giving the outfit a distinctly East Asian finishing touch. In some shots, the hat appears in a soft cream tone, keeping the headwear in step with the rest of the neutral palette. Dark sunglasses and a simple gold ring completed the styling.

Multi-strand coral and gold neckbeads layer over Ebuka Obi-Uchendu’s pearl-embellished tunic placket.

And the shoes? Fur-lined mule slippers, because apparently, even when you are hosting Big Brother Naija’s Sunday eviction show, comfort can still be part of the plan.

There is a lot happening here, but the look never loses its simplicity. The white-on-white styling gives Ebuka room to play with shape, texture and cultural references, while the coral beads and horsetail whisk bring it right back to Nigeria.

At this point, Sunday nights on Big Brother Naija come with two things we can always count on: someone will be leaving the house, and Ebuka Obi-Uchendu will give us something to talk about.

Tonight, he has once again made his entrance one of the things to watch.

Ebuka Obi-Uchendu pairs an ornate crystal-handled horsetail whip with multi-strand coral neckbeads and woven cuffs for Big Brother Naija.

The rear view of Ugo Monye’s design highlights clean Japanese-inspired tailoring and fluid white drapery.

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Photo Credit: Ebuka Obi-Uchendu/Instagram

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Slovan Bratislava head coach Yaya Touré becomes the first African manager to qualify a team for the UEFA Champions League main phase. Photo Credit: Yaya Touré/Instagram

African football has just hit a major milestone in Europe, and the man at the centre of it is none other than Ivorian legend Yaya Touré! The former midfield maestro has officially made history, becoming the first African head coach to guide a club into the league phase of the UEFA Champions League.

Taking charge of Slovak champions Slovan Bratislava for his very first senior managerial role, Touré steered his side through a nerve-wracking qualifying run. The historic qualification was sealed in dramatic fashion with a 3-2 aggregate win over Slovenian side NK Celje, thanks to a 100th-minute extra-time winner from Cristian Martínez.

Slovan Bratislava squad and coaching staff gather on the pitch after securing UEFA Champions League qualification against NK Celje. Photo Credit: Yaya Touré/Instagram

Born in Bouaké, Ivory Coast, the 43-year-old is widely remembered as one of the finest midfielders of his era. Long before taking the seat in the dugout, he was busy lifting major silverware on the pitch. He won the Champions League with Barcelona in 2009, claimed three Premier League titles with Manchester City, and captained the Ivory Coast Elephants to glory at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, alongside earning four African Player of the Year awards.

Yaya Touré leads Slovan Bratislava into the UEFA Champions League, setting a landmark record for African managers in European football. Photo Credit: Yaya Touré/Instagram

Since hanging up his boots in 2020, Touré has been building his coaching credentials. He spent time developing young talent at Tottenham Hotspur’s academy before working as an assistant coach with Standard Liège and the Saudi Arabia national team.

Now leading Slovan Bratislava, Touré has already made his mark. On top of their European success, his squad remains undefeated in their domestic league. This milestone also takes him a step further than Nigerian coach Ndubuisi Egbo, who famously guided Albanian side FK Tirana through qualifiers in 2020. With the Champions League draw just around the corner, all eyes will be on Touré as he steps out on Europe’s biggest stage.

Yaya Touré celebrates with his Slovan Bratislava players on the pitch following their historic UEFA Champions League playoff victory. Photo Credit: Yaya Touré/Instagram

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Lead cast members Tosin Adeyemi, William Benson, and Bimbo Akintola for Damilola Orimogunje’s period drama, Dear Ajayi.

Nollywood is officially heading to the historic canals of Venice, and it is bringing a story deeply rooted in home.

Filmmaker Damilola Orimogunje’s upcoming feature, Dear Ajayi, has been selected for its World Premiere in Competition at the 23rd Giornate degli Autori (Venice Days), held during the 83rd Venice International Film Festival. Scheduled to run from 2 to 12 September 2026, the festival marks a historic moment for Nigerian cinema: Dear Ajayi becomes the first Nigerian production to enter the Giornate degli Autori competition.

Written, directed, and produced by Damilola Orimogunje, the period drama journeys back to 1990s southwestern Nigeria. It tells the story of two estranged sisters, Ade and Titi Ajayi, whose vastly different paths collide when life forces them under one roof to care for their paralysed mother. Reunited in their family home, the sisters are forced to face past grief, examine their personal faith and ambitions, navigate love, and rebuild their relationship from the ground up.

Lanre Hassan Adesina (Mama Awero) and Bimbo Akintola during production of Dear Ajayi in southwestern Nigeria.

The film brings together an impressive, multi-generational cast, starring Bimbo Akintola, Uzoamaka Power, Antar Laniyan, Tosin Adeyemi, Michelle Dede, Lanre Hassan Adesina (Mama Awero), William Benson, Chioma Omeruah (Chigurl), Tope Tedela, and Baaj Adebule.

This selection builds on Damilola’s established reputation on the global festival circuit. He previously made waves with his acclaimed 2020 debut feature, For Maria Ebun Pataki, which earned six African Movie Academy Award (AMAA) nominations, and he served as a producer on Babatunde Apalowo‘s Berlin International Film Festival hit, All the Colours of the World Are Between Black and White. His earlier directorial short works include Losing My Religion and Heaven Baby.

Tosin Adeyemi in a scene from Damilola Orimogunje’s upcoming feature drama Dear Ajayi.

Reflecting on his latest milestone, Damilola shared his excitement about bringing the project to life after years of development:

Thrilled to share that Dear Ajayi has been selected to World Premiere in Competition at the 23rd Giornate degli Autori, at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival. This film has been years in the making, a journey shaped by so many extraordinary people who believed in it and gave so much of themselves to bring it to life.

I’m deeply grateful to the selection committee, our remarkable cast, crew, producers, partners, supporters, and everyone who has walked this journey with us. This moment belongs to all of you. I can’t wait for audiences in Venice and around the world to experience Dear Ajayi.

See you in Venice.

Uzoamaka Power and Tosin Adeyemi in Damilola Orimogunje’s period drama, Dear Ajayi.

Watch the trailer below

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Photo Credit: Damilola Orimogunje/Instagram

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Sharpsix debuts his new six-track EP, Rhythm of Love, available on all major streaming platforms via Spectrapals Entertainment.

Afrobeats artist Sharpsix is opening a new chapter with his latest EP, Rhythm of Love, a six-track project centred on the many emotions that come with falling in love. The EP is out now on all major streaming platforms via Spectrapals Entertainment.

Following his previous single, Wasibi, which introduced listeners to his distinct sound and honest approach to music and storytelling, Sharpsix continues to build on that introduction with a project that gives listeners a closer look at his artistry. Rhythm of Love follows the journey from the first spark of attraction and playful exchanges to the point where those feelings become impossible to ignore.

The project brings together Afrobeats rhythms and the smoothness of R&B, with guitar running through the songs as a defining musical element. The result is a warm, intimate sound that gives each song room to explore a different part of the experience of falling for someone.

“Rhythm of Love is a six-song journey through the different stages of falling in love. From playful teasing, attraction, and back-and-forth that come with discovering feelings for someone, then moves through the moment when you stop fighting those emotions and finally embrace them. I wanted every listener to hear a piece of their own story in these six songs, to remember someone they loved, a moment they shared, or the feeling of finally knowing, ‘this is the one,’” says Sharpsix.

That personal approach also comes through in Sharpsix’s songwriting and performance across the EP. His vocal style carries the songs while the production allows the guitar-led elements to complement the different moods explored throughout the project.

From the playful tension of getting to know someone to the vulnerability that comes with admitting how you feel, Rhythm of Love follows the emotional shifts that can turn an attraction into something deeper. Each track tells its own part of that journey, while the songs come together to form a cohesive project.

The EP features Bother You, The One, Philomina, Aye, I’m In Love and Fall, with each song capturing a different dynamic of love and the feelings that come with it.

Listen below

The post Sharpsix’s New EP “Rhythm of Love” Takes Listeners Through the Stages of Falling in Love | Listen appeared first on BellaNaija - Showcasing Africa to the world. Read today!.

King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, Omukama of Tooro, who passed away at age 34 after leading the kingdom for over three decades. Photo Credit: Ron Kazooba Kawamara/X

Uganda is coming together to honour the life of King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, the Omukama of the historic Tooro Kingdom, who passed away on 27 August 2026 at the age of 34. The news was officially shared by Tooro Kingdom Prime Minister Calvin Armstrong Rwomiire Akiiki, who described the monarch’s passing as an immense loss for the royal family, the kingdom, and the nation.

Born on 16 April 1992, King Oyo stepped into global prominence in September 1995 following the death of his father, King Patrick David Matthew Kaboyo Olimi III. At just three years old, he was crowned Omukama, earning a place in the Guinness World Records as the youngest reigning monarch on earth. During his early childhood, a council of regents guided the traditional administration until he took full direct leadership upon reaching adulthood in 2010.

Three-year-old King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV following his historical coronation in September 1995. Photo Credit: Gaetano Kagwa/X

Situated in the scenic landscape of western Uganda, Tooro is a traditional cultural kingdom with a history spanning over two centuries. While political governance rests with the central government, traditional institutions hold deep cultural significance, with the Omukama serving as the custodian of heritage for over two million Batooro people. Throughout his reign, King Oyo focused on youth leadership, vocational training, environmental sustainability, and healthcare initiatives, including partnering with international bodies to champion HIV/AIDS awareness across the region.

King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV in traditional Tooro royal vestments. Photo Credit: Gaetano Kagwa/X

Reactions have continued to pour in from across the continent, with Ugandan President Yoweri K. Museveni taking to X to pay tribute to the late monarch. Writing on behalf of himself, his wife Janet Kainembabazi Museveni, and the nation, President Museveni expressed deep sadness at the loss of the young king, reflecting on how unfair life can be after King Oyo was orphaned at a young age and passed away so early.

President Museveni revealed that the king had been battling an aggressive form of cancer, with the government supporting his treatment in Germany and later the United States, where he passed away. In his tribute, the president praised King Oyo for working closely with both central and local governments to drive development, noting that he avoided using cultural institutions to promote division. He also shared reassuring news for the kingdom, confirming that Queen Mother Best Kemigisa told him King Oyo leaves behind a young boy heir who will be introduced to the public at the appropriate time. President Museveni has directed that King Oyo receive an official burial, with flags across Uganda flying at half-mast for three days to mark the mourning period.

The late Omukama of Tooro, King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, whose reign focused on youth leadership, education, and healthcare access. Photo Credit: Tooro Kingdom/X

The post Uganda Mourns King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV: World’s Youngest Reigning Monarch appeared first on BellaNaija - Showcasing Africa to the world. Read today!.

Angélique Kidjo links up with Pharrell Williams and Quavo for the official “Bando” music video.

Five-time Grammy winner Angélique Kidjo is bringing “Bando” to life with a new video featuring Pharrell Williams and Quavo.

The track first arrived on streaming platforms earlier this year as part of her album project, HOPE!!, bringing three major names from different corners of global music together on one record. Produced alongside Pharrell Williams, “Bando” centres on cross-cultural connection, community resilience and the joy found in coming together.

Now, the accompanying video takes those ideas to the streets, placing everyday community life and street style at the heart of the story. Young people take centre stage throughout the visuals, with kids kicking a football around residential blocks and dancers taking over cobblestone steps, giving the video a strong sense of movement and community.

Angélique gets her own fashion moments too. In one sequence, she wears custom dark denim covered in metallic hardware, safety pins and floral brooches, finished with black sunglasses, stacked gold chokers and a structured headwrap. She later switches things up in a burgundy leather suit and platform loafers, while Pharrell joins her on screen in bright yellow sunglasses and a white T-shirt as he delivers his verses.

The release arrives at a particularly significant point in Angélique Kidjo’s career. The Beninese music icon recently made history as the first African musician to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a recognition of her four decades of music and her continued contribution to bringing African culture to audiences around the world.

From the streets featured in “Bando” to one of Hollywood’s most famous landmarks, it has been another major chapter for an artist whose career has consistently crossed borders, generations and musical worlds.

Watch below

The post Angélique Kidjo Takes “Bando” to the Streets in New Video With Pharrell Williams & Quavo appeared first on BellaNaija - Showcasing Africa to the world. Read today!.

There’s a very specific kind of silence that happens in Lagos rooms. Someone mentions equity, or an algorithm, or “the numbers,” and half the room nods along while quietly Googling under the table later. Dumb It Down: The Clarity Lab just ended that silence for good.

Atlas 777 Media’s debut production officially launched. If the energy in the room is anything to go by, this is the show everyone’s going to be talking about by the time Season One is out. The premise is deceptively simple; one guest, one hour, one honest question that strips away whatever disguise their industry usually wears. No jargon left standing. The name is a dare while the method is the opposite of what it promises, making things finally make sense.

Fronting the series is Abimbola Craig – actress, producer, and the woman millions know as Tiwalade from Skinny Girl in Transit, bringing the same instinct that once took her from law school to the screen: the most complicated things are usually the ones most worth explaining properly. She asks the question everyone in the room was too polite to ask. Every single time.

Here’s what is what is frequently thought about; Season One goes beyond the lineup of the usual suspects giving the usual answers. It’s the Lagos shortlet founder who has to hand her sense of “home” to strangers every week and take it back before the next guest checks in. It’s the inDrive Nigeria executive asked whether the city’s endless transport options are proof the system works, or proof it’s broken. It’s the events queen who built an empire, and then personally trained the competitors coming for it. It’s the top lawyer who quietly decides how a company’s ownership will fall apart, months before anyone else sees it coming. It’s the stylist-turned-philosophy-graduate finally saying the quiet part about what fashion actually pays. It’s the visual storyteller who started out writing a love column and never stopped studying people. It’s the founder asking why two people on the same salary end up with completely different futures. And it’s the self-taught chef who built a career on removing people’s fear of their own kitchen. Every episode ends the same way: not with a résumé, but with the person underneath it, in a closing segment that has nothing to do with their job title at all.

Think of it less as an interview show and more as a series of very well-dressed interrogations, where well-dressed also means the guest leaves having actually said something.

Season One is officially here. If you missed the launch, you are about to feel like you did not.

Follow @Atlas777Media across all platforms and get ready.

Dumb it down, we bring it down!

Sponsored Content

The post Atlas 777 Media: Launched Season One On The Series ‘Dumb It Down The Clarity Lab’ appeared first on BellaNaija - Showcasing Africa to the world. Read today!.

For this edition of BN Meet The Star, Adunni Ade sits down with us to trace her evolution—from her unforgettable breakout in Date Gone Bad to stepping into production and preparing for her next chapter in Ordinary People. Photo Credit: Adunni Ade/Instagram

When Adunni Ade’s character walked into the restaurant in a fitted green gown, flawless makeup and a crisp American accent, her blind date (played by Joseph Jaiyeoba) clearly thought he had hit the jackpot. What followed in her iconic 2014 viral skit, Date Gone Bad, was a masterclass in letting a man impress himself: her date putting on airs of corporate grandeur, complete with fake phone calls from a supposedly frantic “personal assistant”, while she played along with soft-spoken, foreign-accented charm.

Little did he know that beneath the refined persona sat a full-fledged Yoruba woman ready to channel pure, no-nonsense Isale Eko spirit. As he bragged on the phone in Yoruba about his plans to take complete advantage of her, assuming the “American girl on a vacation in Lagos” couldn’t understand a syllable, Adunni calmly let him dig his own grave. Then, without missing a beat, she delivered a scorching reality check that left him utterly unravelled.

Adunni Ade reflects on effortlessly bridging the gap between mainstream English blockbusters and Yoruba cinema without losing her identity. Photo Credit: Adunni Ade/Instagram

It was a skit that would introduce her to Nollywood, where audiences would be introduced to many different layers embedded in the actress who has proved that she is here and she is to stay. Over a decade later, Adunni has evolved from that viral breakout moment into one of the most versatile figures in African cinema. From executive producing box-office hits like Soólè to commanding roles in Ijogbon, Tòkunbò, and Funmilayo Ransome–Kuti, she moves between high-budget English blockbusters and Yoruba cinema with complete ease.

Now, with Ordinary People, her latest film with Moses Inwang, set to arrive on Netflix on September 4, and a new season of motherhood with her baby girl, Sal, Adunni sits down with BellaNaija for an intimate BN Meet The Star conversation. She talks about how her career has evolved, protecting her peace, balancing family and work, and reaching a point where she no longer feels the need to prove that she belongs in any room she enters.

Adunni Ade channels classic Old Hollywood glamour in a custom Ann Cranberry corset gown at the 10th Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA). Photo Credit: Adunni Ade/Instagram

Hey Adunni Ade! How are you doing?

I’m doing really well. I’m in a very interesting season of my life right now. Motherhood, work, family, everything is happening at once. It can get a little crazy, but I’m genuinely grateful. I feel like I’m learning to enjoy life a little more and not put so much pressure on myself.

First off, huge congratulations on sharing your sweet blessing with the world! How is Baby Sal doing, and what has raising a toddler been like this time around?

Baby Sal is doing amazing. She definitely keeps me on my toes! And I think this time around I’m much more present. This is not me saying I wasn’t with my boys but I was trying to figure out life and my career at the same time. Now, I’m more settled within myself, so I’m able to slow down and really enjoy all those little moments. Although, let me tell you, toddler energy is no joke! It definitely feels like starting over.

Adunni Ade talks up about stepping into a fresh season of motherhood with her baby girl, Sal on BN Meet The Star. Photo Credit: Adunni Ade/Instagram

Having already navigated raising two teenage boys, what feels different or surprising about mothering a baby girl now?

Everything! With the boys, I thought I knew what I was doing, and then this little girl came and said, ‘Start again.’ There’s definitely a different softness that comes with raising her. Having such a big age gap between her and her brothers makes it even more special because I get to watch them love and protect her too. I’m also discovering this whole girly side of motherhood. I’m talking clothes, the hair, all of that and I’m enjoying it.

The ladies want to know, Adunni—you’ve got to share your secret to looking so radiant in your 50s! The glow is glowing and the skin is skinning, so what beauty secrets do you swear by?

First of all, thank you! But I don’t think there’s one big secret. I’m very big on skincare and I’m consistent with it. I love taking care of my skin, I try different products, but I also pay attention to what actually works for me. And as I’ve gotten older, I’ve realised beauty is also about what’s happening internally not just outside. Rest, hydration, what you’re putting into your body, and just being at peace.

My peace can never be tampered with. I’m not trying to look younger; I’m trying to look good at every age.

Adunni Ade embodies her signature radiance as she discusses prioritising hydration, self-care consistency, and absolute peace of mind in this season of her life. Photo Credit: Adunni Ade/Instagram

That glowing energy certainly translates onto the screen as well. You’re part of the stellar ensemble cast in Moses Inwang’s upcoming project, “Ordinary People.” What was your experience like on set, and what hints can you drop about your character?

I had such a good experience working on Ordinary People. Moses is very intentional about his work, and being surrounded by such a person really pushes you as an actor. I don’t want to give too much away about my character because I want people to experience her properly when they watch it. But I’ll say she gave me something interesting to play with. There are layers to her, and I think people might have opinions about her, which I actually love. I’m excited to see the audience reaction.

Speaking of characters, you’ve built an incredible run: from “Soólè” to “Ijogbon,” “Tòkunbò,” “Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti,” and now “Ordinary People.” When you trace your journey from your breakout days with the viral skit “Date Gone Bad” to where you are today, how would you describe your evolution as an actor?

I think the biggest difference is confidence, not confidence in the sense of thinking I know everything, but confidence in knowing that I belong here. When Date Gone Bad went viral, I couldn’t have predicted where that moment would take me. Over the years, every project has stretched me differently. I’ve worked with different directors, played completely different women, made mistakes, learned, unlearned and grown.

In Ramsey Nouah’s Tokunbo, Adunni Ade delivers a compelling performance as the gritty Iya Mulika, the titular character’s confidante. Photo Credit: Adunni Ade/Instagram

Today, I’m much more intentional about the characters I take on. I don’t just want people to see Adunni on screen; I want you to forget about Adunni for a moment and believe the woman I’m playing. You see this in Tokunbo and will see it in Ordinary People. I’m no longer trying to prove that I belong in the room. I’m focused on what I can bring to the room.

One of the major power moves in your career was taking the reins as executive producer on Soólè. How did stepping into that producer role shape your perspective as a filmmaker, and are you planning to produce another project anytime soon?

Producing Soólè gave me an entirely different respect for filmmaking. As an actor, you come in and you’re focused primarily on your character and doing your job well. As a producer, suddenly you’re thinking about everything—the story, casting, locations, logistics, budget, marketing, and all the things happening behind the camera that the audience never sees. It was challenging, but I loved having that level of creative responsibility.

It also made me a better actor because now when I walk onto somebody else’s set, Im understand what it took to get that production to that point. And yes, I absolutely want to produce more, I mean I never stopped. A few more on YouTube. I’m just at a stage where I don’t want to create something simply because I can. The story has to be worth telling.

Adunni Ade took on creative responsibility behind the camera as executive producer for the hit film Soóle released in November 26, 2021. Photo Credit: Adunni Ade/Instagram

Whether producing or acting, you move between mainstream English blockbusters and Yoruba cinema seamlessly. How have you navigated both spaces so effortlessly throughout your career?

For me, I’ve never wanted to put myself in one box. I’m Yoruba, that culture is part of me, but I’m also an actor who wants to tell great stories regardless of the language.I love that I can move from a Yoruba project into an English-language film and still feel at home in both spaces. They challenge me differently. Language, culture and even the rhythm of performance can change, but ultimately my job remains the same: make the audience believe me.

I think Nollywood is becoming more global, so those lines are becoming less important. A good story can travel anywhere. I don’t want language to define the kind of actor I am. I want the work to do that.

Having experienced the industry from so many distinct angles, what are your biggest hopes for Nollywood’s future?

My biggest hope is that we continue to grow without losing what makes our stories uniquely ours. Nollywood has come such a long way, and the world is paying attention now. I want to see even more investment in our industry, stronger structures, better opportunities for us behind the scenes, and our filmmakers having the resources to execute their visions at the highest level. I also want us to keep telling authentic African stories. We don’t always have to change our stories to make them understandable to the rest of the world. Let the world come and meet us where we are.

From viral skits to cinema blockbusters, Adunni Ade continues to prove her range across Nollywood. Photo Credit: Adunni Ade/Instagram

We’ve seen your hilarious side in skits and roles, but what is one hidden talent, skill, or quirk that fans would be completely surprised to learn about you?

I can’t think of any o! Too busy working!

When you’re not on set or tending to Baby Sal, where are we most likely to find you, and what is bringing you the absolute most joy these days?

Honestly? At home. People probably think my life is much more glamorous than it actually is. If I’m not working, I really enjoy being home, spending time with my family and just doing normal things. I’m also very much in my content-creator era, so you might find me somewhere filming, editing, testing a beauty product, putting an outfit together. I influence for brands here. These days, the simple things genuinely bring me the most joy. My children, family, peace, being able to work on things I enjoy and just appreciating where I am in life.

Adunni Ade alongside cast members on set for the biographical film Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti produced by Bolanle Austen-Peters. Photo Credit: Adunni Ade/Instagram

To wrap up our chat on a high note, what are the top 5 tracks currently on heavy rotation on your playlist, and what is one book you’d recommend to everyone

I’m not much of a reader, visuals do it for me. Songs on rotation? It has to be more than five! Faouzia’s Unethical, Zikiri Sourakata Kone’s An Ka Ta, Amada and Ibejigi, Mr P’s I Can’t Look Away, Olamide’s YBNL album, you see that album? On replay! Tiwa Savage’s Energy, and Davido and Chris Brown’s Hmmm.

“I’m no longer trying to prove I belong in the room,” notes Adunni Ade for her BN Meet The Star feature as she discusses her evolution as an actor and filmmaker. Photo Credit: Adunni Ade/Instagram

The post From Date Gone Bad to Ordinary People: Adunni Ade on How Far She’s Come | BN Meet The Star appeared first on BellaNaija - Showcasing Africa to the world. Read today!.