Explainers, analyses, and essays on government policies, and political trends and movements around the continent
Epileptic power supply has forever been a blight on Nigeria, ferociously hobbling the already beleaguered economy and undermining the quality of life of citizens. But this year, the situation has taken a grislier turn. Grid collapses—instances where the entire nation, or a significant proportion, is plunged into darkness on account of infrastructural failure—have become frequent, incessant. […]
3 days ago
Ayo Maff’s very first trip outside the country was to go perform at London’s O2 arena. This was for Asake’s concert in September, an experience that he describes as “a dream come true.” In truth, the entire year has been nothing short of dreamlike for the 19 year old christened Ayorinde Mafoluku. His two-pack of […]
6 days ago
What would be an ordinary street on an ordinary road in Ibadan is much more than that. Behind one of the many wooden stalls lined up at the side of the road is a bare land transformed into the studio of Adewale Kolawole John, a young artist whose works have crossed the continent’s shores and […]
5 months ago
Since the dawn of time fashion and the entertainment industry have been inextricably connected. Clothing represents a tangible medium for expression and for bolstering the make-believe of show business. In the Nigerian music scene, still coming of age, fashion is being deployed anew, and to interesting effect, through method dressing. Rema, since releasing his obsidian-inflected, […]
11 hours ago
In 2014, Ifeoma Fafunwa, one of Nigerian theatre directors who can fittingly be described as a “social-impact theatre maker” wrote and directed HEAR WORD! From its seemingly inauspicious beginning, the play has been performed for local and international audiences to raving reviews. Inspired by the lived realities of Nigerian women, HEAR WORD! which tells female–driven […]
2 days ago
Odunlade Adekola is the poster boy for star roles in Yoruba films of the home video era. One such archetype, which he has embodied in different so-called Yoruba Nollywood productions over a career spanning decades, is the conceited, “bad boy” protagonist. This protagonist, full of irredeemable pride, is usually a rogue who possesses some form […]
2 weeks ago
America’s place in the world as a superpower makes her politics quite an intriguing subject. Her decisions cause a ripple effect that could be felt across the world. Thus, it is no wonder that many have their eyes glued to the upcoming elections. This year’s election has seen the reentry of former president, Donald Trump […]
2 weeks ago
Hijack ‘93 begins in an unusual way for what is supposedly a historical drama—with a disclaimer that states that the film is a fictionalized interpretation of real events. An attempt to ward off some of the criticism of the film’s handling of real life events, but it wasn’t really necessary: Hijack ‘93’s many problems as […]
2 weeks ago
Very few artists in Afrobeats’ dazzling history boast of debut years on par with Kizz Daniel’s introduction to the scene in 2014. Following a run of explosive singles that includes Woju, Laye, Mama, and Jombo, he released his debut album A New Era. If at the time of release, cynics regarded the album’s brazen title […]
2 weeks ago
When Funke Akindele first graced our screens as Jenifa, few could have predicted her meteoric rise to become one of Nigeria’s most celebrated filmmakers. Akindele’s career took flight with the late 90s series I Need to Know, but it was the beloved Jenifa franchise that truly captured the nation’s heart. Her portrayal of the titular […]
2 weeks ago
Ayanfe is a captivating personality. She is genteel and yet uncompromising; spirited but measured; equal parts eclectic and hyper-focused. Within the first few minutes of speaking to her, I fell in love with her buoyant ambiance. This, I would soon learn, is a fairly common reaction to Ayanfe; everyone who meets her falls a little […]
3 weeks ago
By Victoria Mendizabal “You will no longer be able to have children in any way,” they told María Eugenia Zapatero. She was 38 years old and had gone to the gynecologist after a long time of noticing symptoms she didn’t recognize. Although motherhood was already out of her plans, she felt a knot […]
3 weeks ago
This year in Nigerian music has been defined by momentous shifts and abrupt adjustments to the vagaries of global and local headwinds, such as the jousting between labels and social media leviathan TikTok, and the apparent expiration of Amapiano. The scene is changing. Music’s influence on the fashion of 2024, in Nigeria, has however been harder to pin down.
3 weeks ago
