Feature Archives

Feature

Explainers, analyses, and essays on government policies, and political trends and movements around the continent

Faridah Folawiyo’s Year of Yes

A recurring theme in Folawiyo’s discussion of her work is accessibility, not as a marketing term but as something closer to a personal correction.

Anjola Akinmade

3 weeks ago

Taiwo “Ogogo” Hassan, The Custodian of Action and Nollywood’s Voice of Reason

Nollywood actor Taiwo “Ogogo” Hassan, who has died aged 66 of an unnamed cancer, inspired Nigerian film audiences and industry practitioners with his commanding performances and recorded goodwill. The actor who has stayed away from mainstream attention and conversation was the face of recent conversation after one of his daughters posted a video detailing the […]

Seyi Lasisi

12 hours ago

“Starrgirl”: Ayra Starr Trades Becoming for Being

In Starrgirl, Ayra Starr does not ask you to reconsider Ayra Starr. She assumes you already know who she is and expects you to keep up. The title alone sends listeners a message before they press play. Her first two records were titled around age — 19 & Dangerous introduced a fearless, fast-talking teenager; The […]

Anjola Akinmade

4 days ago

Mid-Year Review: The 10 Best Nigerian Songs of 2026

In the spirit of culture curation, Culture Custodian has put together a list of the best songs of 2026, so far.

John Eriomala

2 months ago

What Exactly Is All This Sex Doing in Blood Sisters?

Blood Sisters Understands That Sex Can Tell a Story. It Just Doesn’t Always Know What Story It’s Telling.

Naomi Ezenwa

3 months ago

My Life In Nollywood: KC Obiajulu

Every week, The Culture Custodian grants you an all-access backstage pass into the lives of Nollywood rock stars. You get to learn about their fascinating backgrounds, the behind-the-scenes stories, and more. This episode features ace cinematographer KC Obiajulu. KC Obiajulu’s first name is Kenechukwu, but he prefers to be called “KC”—as a matter of style. […]

Adedamola Adedayo

2 years ago

Who Really Belongs in Lagos?

It’s 1990 and there’s an uprising in the streets. Three hundred thousand Lagosians have been forcibly displaced from their homes in Maroko community by the Nigerian military government without provision for alternative housing. Helpless and suddenly homeless, many move to find temporary shelter with relatives while others become friends with the shadows of Lagos, sleeping […]

Deborah Oludimu

2 years ago

Foluso Agbaje’s “The Parlour Wife” Is An Ode to Women Battling for Selfhood

Foluso Agbaje paints colonial Lagos with masterful strokes, breathing life into every scene. The colonial administrators stride through the streets of Ikoyi and Lagos Island, casting long shadows over the indigenous life below. The rhythmic tides near the sea where Baba Kehinde dies whisper ancient stories, while the Ereko market pulses with raw life: the […]

Shalom Tewobola

2 years ago

Nigerian Lives: 5 Nigerians on Their Worst Interview Yet

These experiences, while amusing in hindsight, point to deeper issues within Nigeria’s corporate culture—the sometimes arbitrary nature of hiring processes, the blurred lines between professional and personal spheres, and the often unexpected criteria candidates must navigate. Yet they also showcase the resilience and adaptability of Nigerian job seekers, who often must think on their feet […]

Shalom Tewobola

2 years ago

How Nigerian International Stars Are Set to Transform the NPFL

It was a moment that echoed through the bustling streets of Kano, a triumphant homecoming and a signal to football fans across the country that the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) was entering a new era. The familiar face of Ahmed Musa, the former Super Eagles captain, had returned once more to Kano Pillars, donning […]

Tobi Ayinde

2 years ago

The Right Approach Towards Inclusivity in Fashion

On an otherwise nondescript day in September, Alexandra Obochi, a candidate for the GTCO fashion week, posted a video that set social media ablaze. The video initially appears akin to the standard fare of entry videos—Obochi dons a white vest and blue jeans, her hair packed into a bun—but upon closer inspection, several peculiarities come […]

Chibuzo Emmanuel

2 years ago

“By Any Minz” is a Mellow Sonic Journey Blighted by a Lack of Substance

If rising to prominence in the Afropop tapestry is a game of accumulating momentum, in 2022 Minz understood the assignment. Lady, released in mid-2022, attained anthem status on TikTok and established the languid, melody-centric style that would become characteristic of his music. He quickly doubled down with Wo Wo, which enjoyed commercial success. With that […]

Chibuzo Emmanuel

2 years ago

Why Haven’t New Popstars Broken into The Mainstream This Year?

In 2020, Nigeria’s Afropop bore the trappings of a scene bristling with momentum- a scene at the cusp of permeating the global consciousness. Burna Boy released Twice as Tall to global acclaim, making history as the first winner of the newly-created Best Global Music Album category at the Grammys the next year. Wizkid’s Made in […]

Chibuzo Emmanuel

2 years ago