OJAJA Soft Drinks: Ooni Ogunwusi’s Vision for an African Brand with Global Confidence

In a landmark moment that blends royal heritage with modern innovation, His Imperial Majesty, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Babatunde Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has unveiled OJAJA Soft Drinks, a proudly African beverage brand conceived to stand tall on the global stage.

For the Ooni of Ife, this launch is not merely a business milestone; it is the materialisation of a long-held vision, one rooted in identity, self-belief, and Africa’s capacity to build world-class products from within.

“It has always been my dream to build a powerful brand born from the soul of Africa, one that rises from our continent to command a confident place on the global stage,” says the Ooni.

This conviction underpins OJAJA Soft Drinks, a brand that positions refreshment as both a lifestyle choice and a statement of purpose. According to the monarch, the Africa of tomorrow must be shaped deliberately by Africans themselves, through intentional advocacy for Made-in-Africa excellence, innovation, and self-sufficiency. OJAJA is designed as a practical response to that call.

A Brand Rooted in Heritage, Built for the Future

Named after the royal appellation Ojaja, OJAJA Soft Drinks draw symbolic strength from Africa’s sacred soil. The brand is presented not simply as a beverage, but as a declaration that African creativity, enterprise, and production standards can compete confidently with the best the world has to offer.

“Rooted in the sacred soil of Africa, this brand is more than a beverage; it is a declaration that Africa can create and deliver world-class products defined by excellence and innovation,” the Ooni affirmed.

The drinks embody a blend of heritage and modernity, standing as a symbol of cultural renewal and African economic transformation. Beyond refreshment, OJAJA represents pride, resilience, and a renewed belief in indigenous capacity.

Health, Integrity, and Indigenous Value

A defining feature of OJAJA Soft Drinks is its commitment to wholesome local content. Carefully sourced natural ingredients are blended to promote healthier living while preserving authentic African taste. By prioritising indigenous resources and empowering local farmers, the brand aims to strengthen agricultural value chains and reduce dependence on excessive artificial additives.

“By empowering our farmers and drawing from our fertile lands, we offer a healthier alternative… enriched by indigenous resources,” the Ooni explained, noting that the brand sets a new benchmark for quality, nutrition, integrity, responsible production, and authenticity.

In an era of growing consumer awareness around health and sustainability, OJAJA positions itself as a thoughtful alternative, one that respects both the body and the land.

The Visionary Behind the Brand

Since his enthronement in 2015 as the 51st Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has emerged as one of Africa’s most progressive traditional rulers. Widely known for blending tradition with diplomacy, youth empowerment, and economic advocacy, the Ooni has consistently used his platform to champion African unity, investment, and innovation.

Before ascending the throne, he built a reputation as a successful entrepreneur in the real estate and construction sector. He studied accounting and business-related disciplines, experiences that have shaped his practical understanding of enterprise, value creation, and sustainable growth. Today, that blend of royal authority and business insight continues to define his leadership style.

Through initiatives spanning culture, peacebuilding, youth development, hospitality and now manufacturing, the Ooni has remained steadfast in his belief that African prosperity must be locally driven and globally competitive.

More Than a Drink - A Movement

With the unveiling of OJAJA Soft Drinks, the Ooni made it clear that this is only the beginning.

“Today, we launch more than a drink; we ignite a movement,” he declared.

The brand’s vision extends beyond shelves and markets, calling on youth, entrepreneurs, investors, and global partners to rally behind indigenous innovation. It is an invitation to reimagine African brands, not as alternatives, but as standards defined by distinction.

OJAJA Soft Drinks, the Ooni notes, should mark the dawn of an era where African enterprises advance economic sovereignty, shared prosperity, and healthier futures for generations to come.

As tradition and modern enterprise unite in this bold endeavour, OJAJA stands as a refreshing reminder of what is possible when Africa believes in its own capacity and acts on it.

In every bottle, there is more than flavour; 

There is purpose. 

There is pride. 

There is Africa.

Samson Siasia Appointed West Africa Sports Ambassador

For Samson Siasia, football has never been just about goals, tactics, or touchlines but about people, opportunity, and what sport can unlock for young minds. That belief is now set to shape a wider landscape following his appointment as West Africa Sports Ambassador for Region Two of the African Union Sports Council (AUSC).

The role places the former Super Eagles striker and coach at the heart of sports development efforts across 15 West African countries. Beyond symbolism, the position carries practical responsibility - representation, advocacy, and coordination of regional programmes aimed at strengthening sports as a vehicle for youth empowerment and social progress.

The African Union Sports Council announced the appointment in Abuja, describing it as a strategic decision rooted in Siasia’s long-standing visibility and credibility in African football. According to the council’s leadership, his journey from elite international competitions to grassroots academy work offers a rare blend of influence and hands-on experience.

Rather than operating behind the scenes, Siasia is expected to serve as the public voice of AUSC activities in the region. His mandate includes engagement with political leaders, sports administrators, and development partners, as well as active involvement in major regional events such as the West Africa Games scheduled to hold in The Gambia later this year.

A distinctive element of the assignment is its social focus as Siasia will lead charity-driven initiatives designed to respond to youth-related challenges across different countries, with resources raised channelled directly into local communities. The approach, according to AUSC officials, is to ensure sports development remains closely tied to social impact.

For Siasia, the appointment represents more than a title, it signals a renewed sense of purpose after years outside mainstream sports administration. He views the role as a demanding responsibility that calls for commitment, structure, and collaboration.

“This is a challenge that pushes me to do more,” he said, noting that the scale of the assignment requires collective effort rather than individual ambition. He also revealed plans to work with a wider team and support the introduction of additional ambassadors to improve coordination across the region.

The council has also named Segun Makun as Consultant for West Africa, bringing in expertise from sports business, technology, and international exposure. Makun believes the combination of his background and Siasia’s influence provides a solid foundation for repositioning West Africa as a leading force in continental sports development.

As the region prepares for its next phase of sporting growth, Siasia’s return marks a shift from personal accolades to regional legacy, one that seeks to use sport not just as competition, but as a catalyst for unity, opportunity, and long-term development across West Africa.

At the heart of Mai Shayi is a simple question: why shouldn’t Nigeria grow its own great coffee?

Most Nigerians drink coffee without thinking much about its journey. It shows up in the morning, keeps people alert through traffic, deadlines, and long days, then quietly disappears. For years, that was where the story ended. The beans were imported, the labels foreign, and the idea that Nigeria could grow premium coffee felt distant, almost unnecessary.

That quiet dependence went unquestioned until Mai Shayi Coffee Roasters entered the conversation in 2019, not as a loud disruption but as a deliberate response to a gap that had been ignored for too long. At the centre of that response is Ibrahim Samande, a creative entrepreneur whose path to coffee began far from farms and roasting drums.

Samande’s professional roots are in the creative arts. He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Messiah University in Pennsylvania and later a Master of Fine Arts from Miami International University of Art & Design, building a career that blended strategy, design, and storytelling. His early work as a communications intern at UPS in the United States sharpened his understanding of structured systems, while later roles as an Art Director in Reykjavik, Iceland, and Associate Creative Director at Prima Garnet Ogilvy in Nigeria deepened his experience in branding, leadership, and execution at scale.

In 2016, he founded Yerima Design Limited, a branding and advertising firm that went on to work with major public and private institutions, including the Lagos State Electricity Board and the Rural Electrification Agency. His firm also managed high-profile brand transitions such as the repackaging and market relaunch of Farm Fresh dairy products. These experiences shaped Samande’s understanding of value chains, how products are built, presented, and trusted.

By the time Nigeria’s café culture began to accelerate, he saw coffee not only as a beverage but as a missed opportunity. Nigerians were consuming more coffee every year, yet local farmers remained disconnected from the value of that demand. Rather than approach coffee purely as retail, Samande chose to approach it as infrastructure.

Mai Shayi, named after the Hausa term for a traditional tea vendor, was conceived as a fully integrated coffee company, designed to control every stage of production from planting to processing to roasting and service. To ground that vision in technical knowledge, Samande undertook specialty coffee training in Kenya, gaining firsthand exposure to professional coffee farming, processing standards, and quality control systems used in established coffee-producing countries.

The real work began on the Jos Plateau, one of the few regions in Nigeria with the altitude and climate suitable for Arabica coffee. There, Mai Shayi developed its farming operations, now consisting of two owned Arabica coffee farms in Plateau State, including a long-established 25-year-old coffee farm and a purpose-developed plantation spanning about 20 hectares. Combined with expansion plots and surrounding operations, the company’s Arabica footprint covers roughly 30 hectares. The region’s cool temperatures, fertile volcanic soil, and elevation made it a natural choice, but success was never guaranteed. Arabica coffee is sensitive, slow-growing, and unforgiving of shortcuts.

Farming alone, however, was never enough. One of the biggest historical weaknesses of Nigerian coffee has been what happens after harvest. Poor post-harvest handling and inadequate processing facilities often destroyed quality before beans could reach the market. Mai Shayi addressed this structural problem by establishing Nigeria’s first dedicated coffee processing plant, a custom-built facility capable of processing up to 100 tons of coffee per week through modern wet and dry milling systems. This single investment changed the trajectory of the operation, allowing full control over fermentation, drying, sorting, and storage.

With processing standards in place, consistency followed. Bean quality improved, defects dropped, and flavour profiles became clearer. Nigerian Arabica, once dismissed as unreliable, began to show balance, sweetness, and clarity that could compete in the specialty market.

Roasting became the next layer of precision. Mai Shayi invested in commercial roasting and packaging facilities attached to its café locations, ensuring tight feedback loops between roasting, tasting, and consumer experience. Roast profiles were developed deliberately, tested repeatedly, and refined to highlight the natural character of the beans rather than conceal flaws. The approach treated coffee as a craft supported by engineering, not guesswork.

Today, Mai Shayi operates two flagship café locations, one in Asokoro, Abuja, and another in Victoria Island, Lagos, each functioning as both retail spaces and production hubs. These cafés are designed to feel familiar rather than foreign, blending modern brewing methods such as pour-over, Chemex, AeroPress, and siphon brewing with Nigerian-inspired cuisine and hospitality. The goal is not to perform coffee culture, but to integrate it naturally into everyday life.

Beyond retail, the company has also built a cooperative of over 100 Arabica coffee farmers, supporting them with training, improved planting material, and fairer pricing structures. Through tissue culture propagation and better agronomic practices, Mai Shayi is working to improve yields and quality across its supply base, creating income opportunities in rural Plateau communities while strengthening the long-term viability of Nigerian coffee production.

In 2021, the company secured an equity investment that accelerated its expansion, enabling further farm development, processing capacity, and operational scale. Since then, Mai Shayi has attracted growing attention from policymakers, industry leaders, and development stakeholders interested in practical models of agricultural value addition.

In a country where coffee consumption continues to rise but production has long lagged behind, Mai Shayi represents a shift in thinking. It demonstrates that Nigerian coffee does not have to be an experiment or a novelty and with the right systems, discipline, and patience, it can be a serious product built for both local pride and global relevance.

Every cup served tells that story quietly. It speaks of land on the Plateau, of hands that harvest and process with care, and of a belief that Nigeria does not need to import excellence to enjoy it. Mai Shayi is not rushing to rewrite Nigeria’s coffee story, it is rebuilding it carefully, one harvest, one roast, and one cup at a time.

Nigeria elected chair of the UN Peacekeeping Committee for a record 54th time

Nigeria’s record-breaking return to the chairmanship of the United Nations Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations (C-34) reflects a depth of institutional trust built over decades of engagement in global peace operations, rather than a symbolic rotation of roles.

That trust was reaffirmed at the opening of the committee’s 2026 session at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, where Nigeria was elected to chair the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations for the 54th time, with the country’s Chargé d’Affaires and Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Syndoph Endoni, chosen by acclamation to lead the body. Established in 1965, the committee is widely regarded as the UN’s most strategic forum for reviewing peacekeeping mandates and shaping policy direction for missions worldwide.

Nigeria’s leadership of the committee dates back to 1972, a continuity that has few parallels in multilateral diplomacy. Its repeated re-election is closely tied to sustained operational commitment. According to data cited by the News Agency of Nigeria, the country ranks among the world’s top 15 troop-contributing nations to UN peacekeeping missions and eighth within Africa, with personnel deployed across operations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mali, the Central African Republic, and Lebanon.

Beyond its global footprint, Nigeria’s influence is deeply anchored in regional security leadership. In the 1990s, Nigerian forces formed the backbone of the ECOWAS Monitoring Group (ECOMOG), playing decisive roles in restoring order in Liberia and Sierra Leone at a time when international intervention was limited. Those missions helped shape West Africa’s collective security framework and reinforced Nigeria’s position as the region’s primary stabilising force.

That operational experience continues to inform Nigeria’s diplomatic posture at the United Nations. During the General Debate of the 2026 C-34 session, Ambassador Endoni reaffirmed that peace, unity, and dialogue remain central to Nigeria’s national identity and foreign policy. He also highlighted the evolving demands of modern peacekeeping, emphasising the importance of innovation, data-driven decision-making, improved situational awareness, and responsible technology integration in protecting personnel and delivering mandates.

The Nigerian envoy further stressed discipline, accountability, and due process as essential to maintaining the credibility and effectiveness of peace operations, principles shaped by decades of engagement in complex conflict environments where civilian protection and mandate clarity are critical.

As conflicts grow more fragmented and peace operations face increasing political and operational constraints, Nigeria’s continued leadership of the UN Peacekeeping Committee positions it as a bridge between troop-contributing countries and policy architects. Its 54th chairmanship is therefore not merely a record in longevity, but a reflection of relevance, anchored in experience, regional leadership, and sustained commitment to international peace and security.

Nigeria’s Airports Enter the Cashless Era

Cash is about to disappear from Nigeria’s airport business environment.

Beginning at the end of February 2026, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) will no longer accept physical cash for any transaction carried out within its operations nationwide. The change marks a decisive step in the Federal Government’s long-running drive to digitise public-sector payments and tighten financial controls.

Rather than a gradual phase-out, the policy represents a hard stop. From the effective date, payments linked to airport services, commercial activities, or administrative dealings must be completed exclusively through approved electronic platforms.

The directive follows a formal endorsement by the Federal Executive Council, which has been pushing government agencies to abandon cash-based systems that are viewed as opaque and difficult to track. For FAAN, the approval removes any ambiguity around compliance.

In an internal communication circulated to staff, FAAN’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Olubunmi Kuku, made it clear that the authority is expected to fully align with the national cashless framework. She noted that government agencies had previously been warned against bypassing electronic payment systems, a practice that has drawn increasing scrutiny from fiscal authorities.

To ensure the policy takes hold across the aviation network, FAAN has instructed all directors and airport managers to finalise the deployment of alternative payment channels before the deadline. The aim, according to the memo, is to eliminate cash handling entirely from FAAN’s official business processes.

The agency has also attached consequences to the directive. Any department or personnel that continues to accept cash after the cutoff date risks sanctions, a move designed to discourage resistance and enforce uniform adoption across all airports.

By removing cash from its transaction chain, FAAN is positioning Nigeria’s airports within a broader government strategy focused on transparency, efficiency, and improved financial oversight, signalling a clear shift in how public institutions manage revenue in the digital era.

UN Signals Confidence In Nigeria’s Industrial Reboot

Nigeria’s latest industrial strategy is being positioned as more than another policy announcement, following a strong endorsement from the United Nations at the unveiling of the Nigeria Industrial Policy 2025 in Abuja. International development partners say the framework signals a turning point in the country’s long-running effort to rebuild its manufacturing base.

The United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohammed Malick Fall, described the policy as a rare convergence of vision and action. According to him, the new framework reflects a conscious attempt to convert national aspirations into measurable economic outcomes, rather than adding to a long list of unimplemented plans.

Designed with technical support from the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), the Industrial Policy 2025 lays out a roadmap for repositioning Nigeria as a competitive manufacturing economy. Its focus spans infrastructure, value-chain development, skills acquisition, access to finance and innovation, all under the guiding principle of moving “from policy to productivity.”

Fall noted that industrialisation remains central to economic diversification, job creation and poverty reduction, adding that the policy aligns closely with global development priorities, including the Sustainable Development Goals. He stressed, however, that its success would depend less on intent and more on consistent execution.

A defining element of the framework is the shift away from raw-material exports toward domestic processing. Recent government measures, such as restrictions on raw shea-nut exports, were cited as early indicators of this new direction. Despite being a leading global producer, Nigeria has historically earned limited value from the shea industry due to weak local processing capacity.

Officials say improved performance in shea butter exports and expanding domestic processing show how targeted industrial actions can deliver tangible results. Additional legislation is also being prepared to require minimum levels of local value addition before export, reinforcing the transition from an extractive model to a manufacturing-driven economy.

The policy is equally tied to Nigeria’s continental trade ambitions with the African Continental Free Trade Area gradually opening a market of over one billion people, strengthening domestic production has become critical. UN officials believe effective implementation could deepen Nigeria’s participation in regional and global value chains while boosting export competitiveness.

Beyond trade and output, the industrial reset is framed as a response to social pressures, particularly youth unemployment. By integrating micro, small and medium enterprises into formal value chains and prioritising skills development, the framework aims to ensure that industrial growth is broad-based and inclusive.

While acknowledging Nigeria’s history of well-designed industrial plans, the issues had been around it's execution. However, government representatives insist the current approach places delivery at the centre. Fall echoed this caution, noting that the real test of the policy will be sustained follow-through rather than the launch itself.

For now, the United Nations’ backing offers a measure of confidence that Nigeria’s industrial agenda is entering a more disciplined phase, one where ambition is increasingly matched by action.

Novig secures $75m to scale its peer-to-peer sports prediction platform across the United States

What began as a student project at Harvard has grown into one of the most ambitious Nigerian co-founded plays in the evolving U.S. sports prediction market, with Novig now valued at half a billion dollars and setting its sights on nationwide expansion.

The sports prediction platform has raised $75 million in fresh funding to accelerate its growth across the United States, underscoring rising investor confidence in alternative betting and prediction models. The round was led by Pantera Capital and reflects a broader shift in how capital is flowing into platforms that sit at the intersection of finance, technology, and sports.

Founded in 2021 by Kelechi Ukah and Jacob Fortinsky, Novig was built around a simple but disruptive premise: eliminating the bookmaker’s advantage. Rather than acting as the house, the platform enables users to trade predictions directly with one another in a peer-to-peer marketplace. By removing the traditional “vig,” Novig positions itself less as a sportsbook and more as a trading exchange shaped by market demand.

The company is prioritising scale over immediate monetisation as Chief Executive Officer Jacob Fortinsky has said revenue generation will take a back seat until the platform reaches significantly higher levels of activity. Novig currently processes around $300 million in monthly trading volume, but its long-term benchmark is $1 billion per month before monetisation becomes a major focus. When that stage arrives, the company plans to earn primarily from institutional traders and liquidity providers rather than everyday users.

Operating in a competitive and fast-evolving sector, Novig is up against well-capitalised rivals and established sportsbook brands experimenting with prediction-style products. While Novig still trails larger competitors in brand visibility, its leadership believes its growth trajectory and commission-free structure give it room to carve out a meaningful share of the market.

The newly raised capital will be channelled into expanding the company’s footprint as plans include increased marketing spend, continued hiring, and the introduction of a loyalty programme designed to deepen user engagement. Over the past year, Novig has expanded its workforce from just 14 employees to about 50, mirroring the steady rise in activity on the platform.

With total funding of $108 million and a valuation of $500 million, Novig represents a growing wave of Nigerian-linked technology companies building globally relevant products from unconventional starting points. 

As regulatory clarity improves and competition intensifies, the company is positioning itself as a challenger determined to reshape how sports predictions are traded in the United States and to demonstrate how African-founded ideas can scale at the highest levels of global markets.

How fintech apps turned everyday Nigerians into investors

Just before the workday begins, thousands of Nigerians unlock their phones for reasons that go beyond messages and social media. What they are checking now are stock prices, portfolio balances, and investment alerts activities that, not long ago, felt distant from everyday life.

Across Nigeria, a subtle but powerful shift is underway. Investing, once the preserve of institutions, high-net-worth individuals, and well-connected insiders, is becoming a habit for everyday Nigerians. The catalyst is not a sudden love for finance, but a blend of economic reality and digital opportunity.

For many Nigerians, simply saving is no longer enough and in response, millions are turning to their phones, not just to spend or transfer money, but to invest.

This behavioural change is unfolding alongside one of the strongest periods in Nigeria’s capital market history. After an exceptional run in 2025, the Nigerian Exchange entered 2026 in rally mode, crossing historic milestones and pulling in new retail participants at a pace the market has rarely seen. But unlike past bull runs, this one is being powered from the bottom up.

Fintech investment apps have become the new gateways especially with minimum entry points as low as a few thousand naira, they have removed the intimidating layers that once defined investing - paperwork, brokers’ offices, insider language. What remains is a clean interface, simplified choices, and the promise that wealth creation is no longer exclusive.

Behind the screens, these platforms are processing enormous volumes as billions of naira move through them each year, alongside millions of dollars flowing into global assets. The numbers tell a story of confidence, but the real story lies in how quickly Nigerians have embraced the idea that investing is no longer optional, it is necessary.

Operators in the space say the growth has forced them to mature faster than planned. Infrastructure that once supported thousands of users now supports hundreds of thousands. Compliance systems have had to evolve just as quickly. For firms like Trove, this meant acquiring licensed broker-dealers and building internal controls that mirror traditional financial institutions, even while maintaining the speed of a tech company.

Others, like Risevest, are betting that Nigeria’s current economic reset presents rare opportunities especially with asset prices still adjusting and fundamentals improving, the company sees a window for retail investors to access opportunities that were once reserved for private capital, real estate, venture-backed businesses, and long-term fixed income. Its strategy reflects a broader belief taking hold across the fintech ecosystem: that Nigeria’s investment story is just beginning.

Bamboo’s rise illustrates the appetite for choice. By offering Nigerians access to both local and international markets, it has attracted hundreds of thousands of users who want diversification without complexity. 

What ties these platforms together is not just technology, but timing. Nigeria’s population is young, mobile-first, and increasingly financially aware. The same generation that grew up with mobile banking is now discovering capital markets. For them, investing is not a distant concept explained in newspapers, it is a daily action, performed between meetings, classes, and commutes.

There are still a few challenges ahead though as regulation evolves. Investor education remains uneven. Market cycles will test the resolve of first-time investors but the direction of travel is clear.

Fintech has not merely made investing easier in Nigeria; it has changed who gets to participate and in doing so, it is quietly rewriting the country’s relationship with wealth, risk, and the future.

In thousands of small decisions made on smartphones every day, a new investment culture is taking root, one tap at a time.

AEO-certified firms drive ₦1.58tn in Customs revenue

Nigeria’s shift towards a trust-based trade system is beginning to show clear results, with the Nigeria Customs Service recording a sharp rise in revenue from companies enrolled in its Authorised Economic Operator programme. Revenue generated by AEO-certified firms increased from ₦1.22 trillion before certification to ₦1.58 trillion after certification, representing a growth of nearly ₦363 billion, or about 30 per cent, from the 51 certified entities as of October 2025.

The AEO programme is a customs initiative that identifies and certifies trusted businesses involved in international trade, such as importers, exporters, logistics firms and customs agents, based on their compliance history, financial reliability and supply chain security. Certified companies are treated as low-risk operators and benefit from faster cargo clearance, fewer inspections and simplified procedures.

According to the Customs Service, AEO companies contributed over 21 per cent of the ₦7.28 trillion collected in customs revenue in 2025, while duties paid by these firms rose by more than 85 per cent. Officials attribute this growth to improved compliance, increased transparency and higher volumes of legitimate trade passing through the ports.

Operational efficiency also improved significantly under the programme as average cargo clearance time dropped from about seven days to less than two, helping companies cut operating costs by more than half and reduce demurrage payments by up to 90 per cent. Customs noted that these gains have supported foreign exchange retention and eased congestion within the port system.

The programme has encouraged a stronger culture of voluntary compliance, with several major companies carrying out self-initiated transaction reviews and remitting over ₦1 billion to the Federation Account. At the same time, the Service stressed that AEO status does not guarantee immunity, revealing that a recently certified company was suspended after being found to have breached programme rules through false declaration.

Customs officials say the AEO framework is built on trust, transparency and continuous compliance, adding that while compliant operators enjoy faster and cheaper trade processes, violations will attract firm sanctions. By aligning Nigeria’s trade processes with global best practices, the Service believes the programme is strengthening revenue protection, improving port efficiency and enhancing Nigeria’s standing in international trade.

Prof. Charles Oluwaseun Adetunji: Nigeria’s Top-Ranked Scholar

In the modern world, where science must solve real problems while advancing knowledge, Professor Charles Oluwaseun Adetunji stands out as a scholar of rare depth, reach, and relevance. Recently ranked Number One among the Top 500 Prolific Authors in Nigeria by Scopus/Elsevier/SCiVal, and listed among the World’s Top 2% Scientists by Stanford University and Elsevier, he represents a powerful blend of national distinction and global scientific influence. A Professor of Microbiology and Dean of the Faculty of Science at Edo State University Uzairue (EDSU), his work reflects both academic excellence and purposeful leadership.

At the heart of Professor Adetunji’s career is a clear mission: to apply biological techniques and microbial bioprocesses to advance the Sustainable Development Goals, strengthen food security, protect the environment, and drive agrarian transformation. Through teaching, research, and community engagement, he demonstrates that science can be both globally competitive and socially transformative.

His journey into applied science began at the Nigerian Stored Product Research Institute (NSPRI), Ilorin, where he rose to the rank of Principal Scientist. There, he worked on functional foods, food safety, shelf-life extension, and the control of foodborne pathogens, building a strong foundation in research designed to solve everyday problems. He later joined Landmark University, Omu-Aran, before moving to Edo State University Uzairue, where his influence has helped shape research culture and academic standards.

At EDSU, Professor Adetunji has served in several key leadership roles, including Head of the Department of Microbiology, Sub-Dean, Dean of the Faculty of Science, Acting Director of Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer, Director of Research and Innovation, and currently as Chairman of the University Grant Committee. A defining academic milestone came when he delivered the 11th Inaugural Lecture of the University, becoming the first Microbiology academic at EDSU to do so, with a lecture titled “Microbial Biosphere: The Global Impact and Underexplored Currency.”

His scholarship has been strengthened by international exposure. Professor Adetunji has served as a Visiting Fellow at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, undertaken research engagements at the Wageningen Centre for Development and Innovation in the Netherlands, and holds visiting and distinguished professorships at several institutions, including the University of Johannesburg, South Africa.

The scale of his academic impact is exceptional. Professor Adetunji has authored over 900 scholarly works, including more than 60 books and over 600 book chapters, alongside high-impact journal articles, conference papers, and scientific patents, with publications appearing in leading journals such as Nature Medicine and The Lancet. His work is widely cited, reflected in a Google Scholar i10-index of 287.

It is this sustained output and influence that underpin his recent rankings. Beyond being Nigeria’s No. 1 ranked author, he has emerged as Number One in Agricultural and Biological Sciences across Africa, among 500 prolific authors from 58 countries, in 2024 and 2025. He has also been named a Highly Ranked Scholar™ by ScholarGPS (USA), placing him among the top 0.05–0.5% of scholars worldwide across life sciences and microbiology.

Beyond publishing, Professor Adetunji plays a key role in shaping global scientific discourse. He is Series Editor of The Microbiome in Health and Diseases (Elsevier), a Book Series Editor with CRC Press/Taylor & Francis, Wiley, Springer, and Elsevier, and serves on the editorial boards of Frontiers in Microbiology, Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, and Frontiers in Environmental Science. He also reviews for over 100 international journals, including Nature, and several of his studies have been recognized for their alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

A committed scientific leader, he serves as the Immediate Past President and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Nigerian Bioinformatics and Genomics Network Society, President of the Mycotoxicology Society of Nigeria, Vice President and Nigerian Country Director of the Genetics Society of West Africa, and Vice President of the Biotechnology Society of Nigeria. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology (UK) and several leading Nigerian scientific bodies, and an Affiliate Member of the African Academy of Sciences.

Rooted in Nigeria yet globally respected, Professor Charles Oluwaseun Adetunji exemplifies a new generation of African scientists, those whose work commands global attention while remaining deeply connected to local needs. His story is a reminder that when science is guided by purpose, excellence naturally follows.

Abia rolls out digital learner ID system to overhaul education tracking

Abia State has rolled out a digital learner tracking framework as part of efforts to strengthen education data management and improve oversight across schools. The reform combines a centralised Education Management and Information System (EMIS) with a unique learner identification scheme known as the Abia State Basic Learning Identity Number (ABSLIN).

The initiative was disclosed by the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Goodluck Ubochi, following a State Executive Council meeting in Umuahia. Under the new system, every child enrolled in basic and secondary education in the state will be assigned a unique identification number that remains with the learner from entry until completion of basic education, enabling authorities to track academic progress and school transfers.

According to Ubochi, unregulated movement of pupils between public and private schools has long disrupted record-keeping. With ABSLIN, the Ministry of Education will oversee and regulate such transfers, ensuring continuity of learning records. The EMIS platform will serve as a central warehouse for education data, supporting better planning, monitoring, and policy decisions.

The state also provided updates on staffing and inclusion programmes. In the second phase of its teacher recruitment exercise, Abia received 36,415 applications, with 24,023 candidates shortlisted for a computer-based test. The government has already employed 5,394 teachers and plans to recruit an additional 4,000. The Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education Programme for the 2025-2026 academic session has resumed across all local governments, alongside a sensitisation campaign targeting school dropouts, traders, and artisans.

Officials noted that Abia recently emerged as the overall best performer at the National Basic Education School Sports Games, winning eight gold medals, and has ranked first in NECO examinations for three consecutive years. The state’s move aligns with a broader national shift toward data-driven education governance, with similar digital systems already deployed in Kaduna and Katsina states, and ongoing federal efforts to establish a national education databank and repository.

Eniola Bolaji rises to World No. 1 in women’s SL3 para-badminton

The climb to the very top of world para-badminton has been gradual, calculated, and relentless. This week, that journey culminated in Eniola Bolaji being confirmed as the world’s No. 1 player in the women’s SL3 category, according to the latest rankings released on Tuesday by the Badminton World Federation (BWF).

The new ranking places the Nigerian star ahead of Indonesia’s Qonitah Ikhtiar Syakuroh, ending the Indonesian player’s reign at the summit and marking a significant milestone for both Nigeria and African para-badminton.

Bolaji’s ascent was powered by a series of high-level international outings rather than a single breakthrough. Central to that rise was her campaign at the 2026 World Para Badminton Championship in Bahrain, where she progressed to the final. The gold medal ultimately eluded her, as she fell 2–0 (21–12, 21–17) to Japan’s Shino Kawai, the world No. 7, in the championship match held at New Capital Hall on February 14. Even so, the silver-medal finish delivered crucial ranking points.

Momentum had already been building weeks earlier especially in January when Bolaji returned to the Egypt International and once again emerged champion, successfully defending her title for the second consecutive year, a result that significantly strengthened her standing in the global rankings.

Commenting on the achievement, Francis Orbih, President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria, described Bolaji’s emergence as world number one as a defining moment for the sport. He noted that she had regained full competitive stability last season and has since carried that form into 2026, already competing in two major tournaments with strong results.

Orbih added that Bolaji’s current ranking could have been achieved earlier had she featured in more competitions last year, but praised her consistency and resilience since returning to full rhythm following the 2024 Paralympic Games.

He further highlighted the role of strategic backing in sustaining the athlete’s progress, acknowledging the contributions of the National Sports Commission, the Abia State Government, and GIG Logistics. According to him, their support has provided the structure and resources necessary for Nigerian para-badminton athletes to train, compete, and excel internationally.

A multiple national and African champion as well as an Olympic medallist, Bolaji’s elevation to the top of the world rankings now stands as one of the most significant achievements in Nigerian para-sport, underscoring the country’s growing influence on the global para-badminton stage.

Jessica Oji switches allegiance to Nigeria, sets U20 shot put record

Nigeria’s athletics team may have found a major new force in the throwing circle, and her first appearance has already justified the excitement around her name.

Jessica Oji made her debut for Nigeria at the Tiger Paw Invitational in Clemson, delivering a strong performance in the women’s shot put to finish second with a best throw of 17.74 metres. The competition marked her first outing under the Nigerian flag following her recent switch of sporting allegiance from the United States.

Still only 18, Jessica’s performance carried added significance beyond the podium finish as her throw established a new Nigerian U20 record, underlining both her youth and her growing status as one of the most promising shot put talents in the world. After opening her series with a foul, she settled quickly, producing her best mark on her third attempt in a field that included top collegiate throwers.

Jessica competes as a freshman at the University of Pennsylvania, where she has already built an imposing résumé. A former USA U20 shot put champion, she has seamlessly transitioned into collegiate athletics, breaking the all-time Ivy League record four times in a single meet earlier this season. Her personal best of 18.45 metres not only tops the Ivy League record books but also places her second overall in the NCAA rankings.

That mark carries continental weight as well as Jessica’s personal best stands two centimetres beyond the long-standing African record of 18.43 metres set by Nigeria’s Vivian Chukwuemeka, a distance that situates her within touching range of African athletics history. She is also the current U20 world leader by a clear margin, highlighting her dominance at age-group level.

Shot put itself is among athletics’ oldest field events, blending explosive power with refined technique and while Nigeria is more widely known for sprinting excellence, the country has a proud, if quieter, tradition in the throws, one that Jessica now appears poised to extend.

Nigeria’s Stock Market Is Back on Global Investor Radar

Nigeria’s stock market is making a strong return after a tough few years, and the numbers are now hard to ignore. According to Bloomberg, Nigerian equities are delivering the second-highest dollar-denominated returns worldwide in 2026, with gains of about 31 per cent so far this year.

This rise has helped the market recover roughly $21 billion in value that was lost after the sharp naira adjustment in 2024. The total market value of companies listed on the Nigerian Exchange now stands at about $84 billion, which is nearly 60 per cent higher than levels before the currency reset.

Bloomberg data shows that Nigeria’s benchmark stock index has outperformed both emerging and frontier markets by a wide margin. While the main emerging-market index is up around 11 per cent this year, and frontier markets have gained about 6 per cent, Nigeria’s market has surged far ahead.

The rally is being supported by real improvements in company performance. Many firms that were hurt by the weaker naira have restructured their operations, adjusted pricing, and returned to profit. Analysts say investors are now buying Nigerian stocks based on growth expectations, not just short-term recovery.

Currency movements have also played a key role as Bloomberg reports that the naira has risen by more than 7 per cent against the US dollar in 2026, making it the second-best performing currency globally among those tracked. For foreign investors, this has reduced exchange-rate risk and boosted dollar returns.

Data from the Nigerian Exchange Group shows that non-Nigerian investors traded about ₦2.65 trillion worth of equities in 2025, nearly three times the ₦852 billion recorded the previous year. This represents the highest level of foreign equity trading in almost 19 years.

According to market estimates cited by Bloomberg, potential listings of Aliko Dangote’s refinery and fertiliser businesses could lift the market’s total value beyond $100 billion. Some analysts believe this could deliver additional gains of up to 34 per cent if the listings materialise.

Bloomberg notes that the market’s recovery is closely linked to wider economic reforms, especially the government’s move to unify and liberalise the foreign-exchange market. While the policy initially caused volatility, it has improved transparency and helped attract fresh investment.

For investors searching for markets with improving fundamentals and strong returns, Nigeria is increasingly being viewed as a serious option and no longer just a rebound trade, but a market benefiting from clearer policies, stronger companies, and rising global interest.

A Rare Double First: How Two Nigerian Sisters Made History in Ghana

In the 2025 graduation cycle, a Nigerian family achieved a milestone that remains rare in academic settings anywhere in the world.

Sisters Isoken Omonigho Edokpolo and Irawienguosa Efetobo Edokpolo both graduated with First Class honours from the University of Ghana, Legon, becoming the first known Nigerian family to have two daughters earn First Class degrees at the institution in the same year.

Isoken earned a BA in Marketing and Chinese, while Irawienguosa completed a BA in Psychology, each graduating at the highest level of distinction in their respective fields.

At most leading universities, First Class honours typically account for a small percentage of graduating cohorts, often estimated at under five percent. Achieving this level is difficult; doing so simultaneously within the same family places the achievement in particularly rare territory.

Nigerian Talent in a Global Academic Ecosystem

The Edokpolo sisters’ achievement reflects a broader reality of Nigerian academic strength operating within an increasingly interconnected global education system.

Nigerian universities continue to attract growing numbers of international students, particularly from other African countries, while Nigerian students also participate actively in academic exchange and overseas study. According to UNESCO and OECD education mobility data, student movement today is largely bidirectional, driven by collaboration, specialization, and global exposure rather than institutional weakness.

In countries such as the United Kingdom, United States, and Canada, Nigerian students consistently rank among the top-performing international cohorts, according to data from bodies including the UK Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). Many graduate with honours, distinctions, and postgraduate awards, reinforcing Nigeria’s reputation for producing academically competitive talent.

This global presence complements, rather than diminishes, the strength of Nigeria’s domestic higher education sector, where institutions continue to produce graduates who excel locally and internationally.

Discipline, Consistency, and Family Support

Behind the sisters’ 2025 success lies a story defined by planning, consistency, and sustained support. Their academic journey required careful coordination, frequent travel, and financial discipline during a period marked by currency volatility and rising global education costs.

There were also early disruptions and personal challenges, underscoring the uncertainty that often accompanies long-term academic plans. Yet, through focus and structure, both sisters maintained steady academic progress.

Those familiar with their path point to disciplined study habits, resilience under pressure, and a strong support system as key factors in their success.

Beyond Individual Achievement

While the record itself is notable, its significance, extends beyond one family. At a time when narratives around Nigerian youth often focus on constraint, stories like this highlight a different reality, one of preparation, capability, and competitiveness within global academic standards.

For Isoken Omonigho Edokpolo and Irawienguosa Efetobo Edokpolo, the 2025 graduation marks not an endpoint, but a foundation. Their training in psychology, marketing, and language studies positions them for future roles across research, business, policy, and international engagement.

Their story reinforces a clear message: Nigerian talent continues to perform at the highest levels at home and abroad within a global academic landscape that increasingly values excellence over geography.

Cross River State’s return to oil-producing status is now in sight

Cross River State is edging toward a long-awaited reversal of fortune, with fresh scientific findings placing it firmly back on Nigeria’s oil-producing map after nearly two decades in limbo.

At the centre of this shift is a comprehensive technical report recently submitted to the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), following a nationwide audit of crude oil and gas locations. The document affirms that commercially viable oil reservoirs exist within Cross River’s recognised maritime and territorial boundaries, an outcome that strengthens the state’s claim to oil-producing status lost in 2008.

Unlike earlier efforts that relied heavily on administrative records, the latest assessment was driven by empirical evidence. Federal agencies jointly conducted extensive field checks, geospatial mapping, and reservoir analysis to determine the true location of oil and gas assets across the country. The process prioritised geology over paperwork, a shift that proved critical for states whose resource claims had remained contested for years.

For Cross River, the findings are transformative. Verified data point to more than 100 producing oil wells linked to its offshore assets, particularly within Oil Mining Lease 114. This places the state in line for reinstatement into the group of oil-producing states eligible for the 13 percent derivation allocation.

The broader exercise also recalibrated Nigeria’s oil map as several overlapping claims between neighbouring states were resolved through shared attribution where reservoirs straddle boundaries, reflecting a deliberate move away from zero-sum decisions. Officials involved in the process say technical accuracy and equity guided outcomes, not political bargaining.

Although Cross River submitted the highest volume of coordinate data during the verification, existing legal constraints mean a portion of the wells identified will, for now, remain credited elsewhere. Even with those limitations, insiders describe the state’s geological case as decisive, noting that the strength of the reservoir evidence leaves little ambiguity about its producing status.

The momentum behind Cross River’s return was not accidental. After earlier attribution efforts failed to translate into implementation, the state refined its approach, anchoring its submissions on advanced hydrographic and subsurface data rather than surface claims alone. That strategic shift, experts say, made the difference in the latest round.

All that now stands between verification and formal recognition is presidential approval. Once assent is granted, RMAFC is expected to activate the new attributions and update the national register of oil-producing states.

If implemented, the decision will close a chapter that has spanned nearly 20 years for Cross River, one marked by dispute, persistence, and eventual scientific clarity and reaffirm a growing national preference for evidence-based resource governance.

Jeremiah Nnanna Makes History as Africa’s First Male Para-Badminton World Championship Medallist

Africa reached a historic milestone in global para-badminton as Jeremiah Chigozie Nnanna delivered a performance that will be remembered for generations. Competing in the fiercely contested men’s SL4 category, the Nigerian star secured a bronze medal at the Para-Badminton World Championship, becoming the first African male athlete ever to stand on the podium at the world championships.

Nnanna’s journey to the podium was anything but easy as the SL4 category, which features athletes with lower-limb impairments who compete standing, is known for its speed, physical intensity, and tactical demands. At the championship, Nnanna proved he belonged among the world’s best, displaying resilience, discipline, and composure against some of the sport’s most experienced players.

His historic bronze was sealed after a tough semi-final battle against India’s Naveen Sivakumar, one of the leading figures in global para-badminton. Though narrowly missing out on a place in the final, Nnanna’s performance earned him a place on the podium and firmly announced Africa’s arrival in a discipline long dominated by Asia and Europe.

The significance of Nnanna’s achievement goes far beyond a single medal. Para-badminton was only introduced to the Paralympic Games in Tokyo 2020, making the sport relatively young on the world stage and African representation at topmost level has been limited, largely due to funding challenges, limited exposure, and fewer competitive pathways. Nnanna’s breakthrough therefore marks a turning point, proving that African athletes can compete and succeed at the highest level.

For Nigeria, the medal is another significant statement of progress in para-sports. In recent years, Nigerian para-athletes have consistently punched above their weight across multiple disciplines, and Nnanna’s success adds fresh momentum to that rise. His achievement also serves as inspiration for young athletes across the continent who are now able to see a clear pathway from local courts to the world stage.

By winning bronze at the Para-Badminton World Championship, Jeremiah Chigozie Nnanna has not only written his name into history, he has opened a new chapter for African para-badminton.

Nigeria Soars as Bolaji Wins World Para-Badminton Championship Silver

Nigeria rose to its feet in celebration as Eniola Bolaji delivered another unforgettable performance on the global stage, claiming a silver medal at the 2026 Para-Badminton World Championship in Bahrain.

The final was tough, intense, and full of heart but Bolaji fought with courage and belief, pushing herself to the limit before settling for second place against Japan’s Shino Kawai. Though the gold slipped away, the moment marked something far greater which is her first medal at the World Championship level and a powerful statement of her growth as an elite athlete.

From the opening rounds in Bahrain, Bolaji played with confidence and calm, moving through the tournament like a champion in waiting. One opponent after another fell as she defeated players from Australia, Brazil, France, and Turkey, including a stunning win over the world number five. Each match showed her hunger, discipline, and refusal to be intimidated by big names.

Her run reached a high point in the semi-finals, where she produced a commanding display against China’s Gaoying Yuan, winning in straight sets and earning her place in the final. It was a performance that spoke of experience, belief, and a player who knows she belongs among the very best.

Bolaji turned the championship into a historic chapter for Nigeria and Africa. The medal was more than a podium finish, it was a symbol of progress, courage, and possibility. The silver shines even brighter when placed alongside her earlier breakthrough at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, where she became the first African to win a para-badminton medal at the Games. Step by step, tournament by tournament, she continues to raise the bar.

In Bahrain, Nigeria was not just represented, the country was celebrated and yet again reminded the world that its talents are competitive, ready, and fearless. 

Nigeria’s Voice on the World Stage: Maryam Bukar Hassan Makes Olympic History as Flag Bearer for Peace

Maryam Bukar Hassan has made history as the first Nigerian ever chosen to carry the Olympic flag at an opening ceremony. The milestone moment took place on February 6, 2026, during the opening of the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy.

The Olympic flag is carried by individuals whose lives reflect the ideals of peace, unity, and service to humanity. Maryam Hassan was selected by the International Olympic Committee in recognition of her global influence as an advocate, artist, and cultural leader.

The ceremony, held at the iconic San Siro Stadium, featured a select group known as the Flag Bearers of Peace. Hassan’s presence among them placed Nigeria at the centre of a powerful global symbol watched by millions around the world.

Widely known by her creative name, Alhanislam, Hassan is an acclaimed performance poet, storyteller, and social advocate. In 2025, she was appointed the United Nations’ first-ever Global Advocate for Peace after years of using spoken word and storytelling to promote justice, inclusion, and human connection. That same year, she was also recognised among the 100 Most Reputable Africans.

In 2025, she opened the United Nations General Assembly, highlighting the role of art in shaping global dialogue. She has also performed at major gatherings such as the Summit of the Future and COP28, where she brought African perspectives into conversations on humanity and global responsibility.

Beyond global stages, Hassan is committed to empowering others. She founded True My Voice, a digital advocacy and storytelling platform that supports poets and creatives in amplifying African narratives. The initiative was named a United Nations SDG Award Finalist in 2024 for its impact in promoting advocacy through creative expression.

She also hosts the podcast What Makes You Human, where she explores shared human experiences through conversations that connect art, identity, and social change.

Although she did not compete as an athlete at the Winter Olympics, her role during the opening ceremony carried strong symbolic meaning showing that influence at the Games extends beyond sport to include voices that shape values and inspire unity.

For Nigeria, Hassan’s historic appearance was more than ceremonial as it was a clear reminder that Nigerian voices continue to shape global conversations on peace, culture, and humanity at the highest levels.

Joshua Babatunde Aiyenuro sets Guinness World Record for longest barbering marathon

What began as a trade learned on the bustling streets of Lagos has now become a global symbol of grit and ambition. Joshua Babatunde Aiyenuro, better known as T-Jos Signature, has carved his name into history after emerging as the Guinness World Record holder for the longest professional barbering marathon.

The record-breaking performance took place in Nassarawa State on 29 January 2026, drawing attention not only for its physical intensity but for what it represents especially as it reflects the strength of purpose that can rise from skill, discipline, and unwavering belief in one’s craft.

Long before international recognition, Joshua’s life unfolded in Aguda, Surulere Lagos, where barbering became more than a means of income but a pathway. Years of consistency and refinement transformed his passion into professionalism, eventually earning him national trust as a barber to Nigeria’s Super Eagles.

The Guinness World Record was not secured on the first try. An earlier marathon, lasting 154 relentless hours, ended in disappointment after it failed to meet technical requirements. As if that setback were not enough, Joshua soon faced a devastating personal loss with the passing of his mother, a moment that tested his resolve in ways no record attempt ever could.

Rather than surrender, he paused, reflected, and returned with renewed focus. That return culminated in a successful second attempt, one that delivered global recognition and affirmed his belief that persistence outlasts failure.

For Joshua, the achievement carries meaning beyond headlines and certificates. He sees it as a declaration of respect for skilled trades and a challenge to outdated perceptions about vocational professions. In his view, talent, when properly nurtured, can be just as powerful as any academic credential.

Motivated by this philosophy, he has launched a nationwide skills empowerment programme aimed at young Nigerians as the initiative targets 1,000 youths in every state, offering practical training in barbering, hairdressing, tailoring, and other trades. Through partnerships with government bodies, private organisations, and individual supporters, the programme will provide tools, mentorship, and startup resources designed to foster independence and economic stability.

“Our aim is to replace limitation with possibility,” Joshua said. “When young people are equipped with skills, they don’t just earn a living, they help build a stronger nation.”

Joshua Babatunde Aiyenuro’s journey is not simply about endurance or records. It is a story of how commitment to craft, resilience in the face of loss, and faith in one’s ability can transform ordinary work into extraordinary legacy. 

Victor Osimhen Puts Nigeria on Football’s Global Scoring Map

Victor Osimhen has achieved what only the very best in world football manage, which is sustained relevance at the highest level. The Nigerian striker has been officially ranked among the most prolific international goalscorers of the current decade, standing shoulder to shoulder with the sport’s most recognisable names and flying Nigeria’s flag on a global stage dominated by European and South American icons.

Recognised by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS), Osimhen’s inclusion in the decade-long international scoring rankings confirms his status as one of the defining forwards of modern football. Since 2021, he has delivered 27 goals for the Super Eagles, a return that places him among the top international scorers worldwide and underlines Nigeria’s continued relevance in the global football conversation.

What makes Osimhen’s rise particularly compelling is the consistency behind the numbers. Across multiple seasons, through injuries, tactical changes and intense international schedules, he has remained Nigeria’s most reliable source of goals. His international output has grown steadily, peaking in 2025 when he produced his most prolific year yet in national colours, reinforcing his reputation as a striker who rises when responsibility is highest.

Globally, the IFFHS rankings are led by Erling Haaland, with Harry Kane, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappé completing an elite group of football’s most efficient scorers. Osimhen’s presence among such company is not symbolic, it is earned. In a decade measured by goals alone, the Nigerian forward has outscored dozens of celebrated attackers from traditional football powerhouses.

Since breaking into the Super Eagles in 2017, Osimhen has scored 35 goals in just over 50 appearances, making him Nigeria’s second-highest goalscorer of all time. In doing so, he has surpassed legends who defined earlier generations of Nigerian football, leaving only Rashidi Yekini ahead of him and within touching distance.

At club level, his impact has been equally emphatic. In 2025, Osimhen finished joint fifth worldwide for total goals scored across club and country, recording 46 goals and emerging as Africa’s highest goalscorer for the year and it was a reminder that Nigerian footballers are not merely participants in elite competitions, but leading contributors.

While major international silverware might have so far eluded him, Osimhen’s journey remains unfinished. With future continental tournaments on the horizon, the striker carries both experience and expectation, determined to translate personal excellence into collective success for Nigeria.

In an era where global football narratives often overlook African excellence, Victor Osimhen has forced recognition through relentless output and unmistakable presence. 

He is not just scoring goals, he is asserting Nigeria’s place among football’s elite, one decisive finish at a time.

Nigeria at the Global AI Table: Prof. Rita Orji Appointed to UN Scientific Panel as the Nation’s Sole Representative

Following the recommendation of the United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, Professor Rita Orji has been formally appointed to the United Nations Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence, a high-level global body established to guide international understanding and governance of artificial intelligence. 

Her appointment places her among only 40 experts selected worldwide and makes her the sole Nigerian on the panel, a distinction that underscores Nigeria’s growing intellectual presence in one of the most influential technological arenas of our time.

A Professor of Computer Science at Dalhousie University in Canada, Prof. Orji will serve a three-year term, contributing expertise in human-centred, equitable, and responsible AI. 

A Nigerian scholar with a global footprint, she has built a career around ensuring that technological progress aligns with human values rather than overriding them. Her research focuses on how intelligent systems interact with behaviour, culture, and trust, particularly within diverse and underrepresented contexts. 

As the Canada Research Chair in Persuasive Technology and Director of the Persuasive Computing Lab, she has led innovative work on AI-enabled systems for health, wellbeing, and social impact, grounded in ethical design and cultural sensitivity.

The Independent International Scientific Panel on AI was created in response to widespread recognition that the pace of AI development has outstripped existing mechanisms for oversight. Established by the United Nations in 2025, the panel serves as an independent scientific authority tasked with examining AI’s capabilities, limitations, and societal consequences, and with supporting informed global dialogue on how the technology should be governed in the public interest.

The competitiveness of Prof. Orji’s appointment further highlights its significance as her nomination emerged from a global pool of more than 2,600 highly qualified candidates, from which just 40 individuals were selected. The final panel reflects a deliberate balance of disciplines, regions, and perspectives, ensuring that guidance on AI governance is informed by a wide spectrum of scientific, social, and cultural insight. 

AI technologies are increasingly deployed in societies that have limited influence over their design, often reinforcing existing inequalities and Prof. Orji’s work has consistently pushed back against this pattern, advocating for systems that are inclusive by design, culturally adaptive, and accountable to the people they affect. Through her role on the panel, perspectives shaped by lived realities beyond dominant tech hubs are brought directly into global AI governance discussions.

Prof. Orji is a Fellow of the African Academy of Sciences and the Royal Society of Canada, honours that reflect long-term international impact. She has received several of Canada’s most competitive research awards and fellowships, alongside numerous distinctions recognising innovation, leadership, and mentorship. Beyond formal honours, she is widely respected for advancing diversity and inclusion in science and technology, and for championing equitable access to digital opportunities.

Prof. Orji’s research is widely published and cited, shaping discourse across artificial intelligence, human-computer interaction, digital health, and ethics. She is regularly invited to contribute to policy initiatives, serve on strategic advisory bodies, and deliver keynote addresses at major international forums. Equally notable is her mentorship legacy, through which she has helped cultivate a new generation of researchers from diverse backgrounds, expanding global participation in AI scholarship.

The panel’s work will feed directly into the UN’s Global Dialogue on AI Governance, supporting governments as they confront complex questions around innovation, safety, ethics, and long-term societal impact. 

Alongside Prof. Rita Orji of Nigeria, the other members appointed to the Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence are;

Adji Bousso Dieng (Senegal),

Aleksandra Korolova (Latvia),

Alvitta Ottley (Saint Kitts and Nevis), 

Andrei Neznamov (Russian Federation), 

Anna Korhonen (Finland),

Awa Bousso Dramé (Cabo Verde), 

Balaraman Ravindran (India),

Bernhard Schölkopf (Germany), 

Bilal Mateen (Pakistan),

Carlos Coello Coello (Mexico), 

Girmaw Abebe Tadesse (Ethiopia), 

Haitao Song (China), 

Hoda Heidari (Islamic Republic of Iran), 

Jian Wang (China), 

Joëlle Barral (France),

Johanna Pirker (Austria),

Joyce Nakatumba Nabende (Uganda), 

Juho Kim (Republic of Korea),

Leslie Teo (Singapore), 

Lior Rokach (Israel), 

Loreto Bravo (Chile), 

Maria Ressa (Philippines),

Mark Coeckelbergh (Belgium), 

Martha Palmer (United States of America), 

Maximilian Nickel (Germany),

 Melahat Bilge Demirköz (Türkiye), 

Mennatallah El-Assady (Egypt), 

Piotr Sankowski (Poland),

Qinghua Lu (Australia),

Román Orús (Spain), 

Silvio Savarese (Italy), 

Sonia Livingstone (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland), 

Tegawendé Bissyandé (Burkina Faso), 

Teresa Ludermir (Brazil), 

Tuka Alhanai (United Arab Emirates), 

Vipin Kumar (United States of America), 

Vukosi Marivate (South Africa), 

Yoshua Bengio (Canada), 

Yutaka Matsuo (Japan).

As artificial intelligence continues to reshape societies and global power structures, Prof. Rita Orji’s appointment stands as a clear affirmation of Nigeria’s forward momentum. It reflects a country whose scholars are not merely adapting to the future, but actively helping to shape it.

For Nigeria, it is a moment of confidence and pride; for the world, it is a reminder that the most durable global solutions emerge when excellence from every region is recognised and empowered.

Three Nigerians. Three Grammys. A moment nearly missed.

When the lights dimmed at the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles and the final applause faded, Nigeria had quietly secured one of its most significant cultural moments in recent years. Three winners a prestigious music stage carried Nigerian heritage with them, an outcome that, in ordinary circumstances, would have dominated national conversation, instead, the moment passed with little fanfare.

The muted response was shaped largely by the emotional weight of unmet expectations. Much of the public mood revolved around the disappointment surrounding highly anticipated contenders whose absence from the winners’ list dominated post-ceremony discussion. In that atmosphere, victories that arrived from less familiar corners of the global music industry were easily overshadowed. The silence was not dismissal, but distraction.

Shaboozey, born Collins Obinna Chibueze, stood among the night’s defining figures after claiming a Grammy in a genre where few expected a Nigerian name to emerge. His work, which blends country, hip-hop and Americana, has redrawn musical boundaries in the United States, while his personal story remains closely tied to Nigeria, where he spent part of his formative years. His acceptance speech, centred on migration, sacrifice and inheritance, resonated with experiences shared by many.

Cynthia Erivo’s win added further weight to the evening. Her career, spanning Broadway, film and music, has already placed her among the most accomplished performers of her generation. Beneath the global acclaim lies a lineage unmistakably Nigerian, carried with quiet confidence rather than declaration and her success reflects how cultural roots can travel widely without losing their depth.

Completing the trio was Tyler, the Creator, born Tyler Gregory Okonma, whose influence extends beyond music into fashion, design and film. His Grammy win for creative excellence reinforced a career defined by reinvention and originality, while his open embrace of his Nigerian heritage underscored a truth often overlooked: distance does not erase origin, and global success does not dilute identity.

Taken together, the victories told a clear story; Nigerian talent is not confined by geography, accent or genre but does thrive wherever opportunity allows it to grow, often in forms that challenge expectation.

Nigeria, in reality, has never struggled to recognise its diaspora. Across fields and continents, Nigerians abroad are regularly claimed and celebrated. What happened on Grammy night was not tension, nor a rejection of identity, but a moment when expectation eclipsed outcome and attention was fixed on what many hoped would happen, rather than on what quietly did.

Yet achievement does not lose its value because it arrives unexpectedly or from outside familiar frameworks. Cultural triumphs remain triumphs, regardless of where they are produced or how they fit prevailing narratives. The wins in Los Angeles were not consolation prizes; they were statements of Nigerian excellence expressed on a global scale.

As Nigeria’s footprint continues to expand across continents, such moments will recur, sometimes loudly, sometimes quietly but what matters is the willingness to pause, recalibrate, and recognise success in all its expressions. This is essential because a nation’s story is shaped not only by its expectations, but by its ability to acknowledge achievement wherever it appears.

In the end, the Grammy victories were a reminder that Nigerian talent does not compete for relevance, it already has it. The applause may come late, but the achievement stands, undiminished and unmistakably Nigerian.

FG plans internet access for 55,675 schools and hospitals

In today’s digital age, access to the internet is no longer a luxury for Nigerian students and health workers, it is a basic requirement for learning, research, innovation and service delivery. From virtual classrooms and digital textbooks to telemedicine and data-driven healthcare, connectivity now sits at the heart of modern education and public health systems.

It is against this backdrop that the Federal Government has unveiled plans to extend broadband internet to tens of thousands of public schools and health facilities across the country, particularly in communities that remain largely cut off from reliable digital access.

According to official project documents, the initiative is expected to connect 55,675 public institutions nationwide, including 38,803 schools and 16,872 health facilities, by September 2030. If fully delivered, it would represent one of the most far-reaching public digital infrastructure interventions in Nigeria’s history.

Reliable internet access opens the door to digital libraries, online curricula, teacher training platforms, global academic collaboration and skills development tailored to a rapidly changing job market. For students in underserved areas, it could help narrow the widening digital divide that increasingly mirrors existing inequalities in income and opportunity.

The health sector stands to gain just as much as broadband connectivity enables telemedicine services, faster access to patient records, remote diagnostics and continuous training for medical personnel, tools that are especially critical in rural and hard-to-reach communities where specialists are scarce.

Beyond schools and hospitals, the government’s plan also covers thousands of public institutions. By the end of the project, the number of broadband-connected public facilities is expected to rise to over 59,000, up from fewer than 34,000 recorded in 2025. This includes local government offices, which are often the closest point of contact between citizens and the state.

At the centre of the initiative is a nationwide fibre-optic rollout, with plans to deploy about 90,000 kilometres of cable, most of it designed to withstand climate-related risks. The expansion is expected to lower wholesale broadband costs by about 20 per cent and significantly improve internet speeds, making digital services more affordable and reliable across the country.

The programme also places emphasis on human capacity, with plans to provide digital literacy training to 37,000 Nigerians, the majority of them women and to generate gender-disaggregated data that can guide future broadband policy. Project targets include high service satisfaction rates and timely resolution of user complaints once operations are fully underway.

While the scale of ambition is clear, the funding model reflects the realities of large infrastructure projects as the initiative is backed by a $500 million concessional loan from the World Bank’s International Development Association, with the bulk of the funds set aside to capitalise a new fibre infrastructure company. The company will operate as a special purpose vehicle, majority owned and managed by the private sector, while the Federal Government participates as a minority shareholder through the Ministry of Finance Incorporated.

The structure is designed to crowd in private investment,  potentially exceeding $1 billion over the project’s lifespan and limit direct government control, while ensuring open-access wholesale services for licensed telecommunications operators.

As of early 2026, the loan had not yet been disbursed, though preparatory work is ongoing and implementation is expected to begin in earnest this year. The World Bank has rated progress so far as satisfactory, even as it flagged political, institutional and fiduciary risks that could affect delivery.

Ultimately, the success of the initiative will be measured not by kilometres of fibre laid or funds committed, but by whether Nigerian students can learn without digital barriers and whether health workers can deliver care with modern tools at their disposal. 

In a world increasingly driven by data, connectivity has become foundational infrastructure as essential as roads, power and water and Nigeria’s development trajectory will depend on how effectively it is deployed.