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

2 months 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

1 month 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

1 month 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

3 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

4 months ago

Is the Nigerian Government Enabling Terrorists?

The Nigerian government’s culture of helping terrorists escape accountability is not new.

Zainab Nasreen Muhammad

6 months ago

Confronting The Byline Fraud Crisis in Mainstream Nigerian Media

Culture journalists can log off the internet knowing the scope of their portfolio, returning to articles and their bylines in pubs they’ve not worked for.

John Eriomala

6 months ago

Rashad Ghani on Uyoyou Adia’s “Evi” and Canon’s Interest in Nigerian and African Cinema

In 2016, Canon established its presence on the continent with the formation of Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA). To reinforce its ‘closer to customer’ strategy in West Africa, it launched operations in Nigeria. According to Roman Troedthandl, the then Managing Director of CCNA, launching operations in Nigeria is a testament to the company’s commitment […]

Seyi Lasisi

6 months ago

The Great -ification: Why Everyone Is on Substack Now

Let’s call it “The Great -ification”

Naomi Ezenwa

6 months ago

Demilade Akingbe Needs A TikTok Support Group

Over the last couple of years, Demilade Akingbe has created content around food and culture, which captures the soul of Lagos. This has helped her make the transition into a full-time content creator whose impact has steadily compounded. This forms the backdrop of her feature on Obasanjo’s Internet. Who are you? What do you do? […]

Oluwamayowa Idowu

6 months ago

Why are Africans Not Watching African Cinema?

Six decades later, African cinema is still in its infancy when it comes to distribution and industry structures. Pioneering African filmmakers, including Ousmane Sembène, Djibril Diop Mambéty, Ola Balogun, Thérèse Bella Mbida, Safi Faye, and others, despite the financial and structural challenges they faced, started making artistically ambitious and politically conscious narratives that will be […]

Seyi Lasisi

6 months ago