Nigeria Returns to J.P. Morgan Bond Index After 11 Years

Nigeria’s government bonds have returned to a major international bond benchmark after more than 11 years, securing a 7.4 per cent weighting in J.P. Morgan’s newly introduced Government Bond Index–Emerging Markets Edge.

The inclusion, disclosed in J.P. Morgan’s Global Index Research report dated September 14, 2026, was confirmed by Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele.

The development brings naira-denominated Federal Government of Nigeria bonds back into a benchmark followed by international fixed-income investors and portfolio managers. It also places Nigeria among the markets represented in index designed to capture the growing importance of emerging and frontier local-currency debt.

Nigeria’s allocation is close to the 8 per cent maximum weighting permitted for an individual country. The index includes $17.47 billion worth of eligible Nigerian government bonds across 16 instruments. These securities have an average yield to maturity of 17.1 per cent, an average duration of 3.38 years and a B- sovereign credit rating.

The composition of the index underscores the growing representation of frontier markets. Frontier African markets account for 44.5 per cent of the benchmark, while Asian markets represent 31.5 per cent.

Vietnam, Egypt, Morocco, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Kazakhstan each have the maximum 8 per cent weighting. Sri Lanka has 7.5 per cent, followed by Kenya at 6.91 per cent, Tunisia at 5.32 per cent and Uganda at 4.84 per cent.

Across the participating markets, the GBI-EM Edge tracks approximately $328 billion in local-currency government debt through 425 instruments spanning 26 markets and 24 currencies.

J.P. Morgan said the expansion reflects the increasing importance of frontier local-currency debt markets and improvements in bond issuance, auction processes, post-trade infrastructure and access for foreign investors.

Nigeria’s latest entry also revives a connection that began in October 2012, when the country was first admitted to J.P. Morgan’s Government Bond Index following the development of a more active domestic Federal Government bond market. That progress was supported by market makers, a two-way quote system and a significant investor base.

The return places Nigeria’s domestic debt market once again within a widely followed international benchmark and gives its government securities renewed visibility among investors assessing opportunities across emerging and frontier economies.

Nigeria’s Maritime Security Progress Ends 12-Year US Shipping Restriction

For 12 years, Nigerian-flagged vessels arriving at American ports operated under an additional layer of security requirements imposed through a Condition of Entry (CoE). That restriction is now gone.

The United States Coast Guard’s decision to lift the measure marks a major development for Nigeria’s maritime industry, removing a longstanding regulatory burden from vessels engaged in Nigeria-US trade and strengthening the country’s position in international shipping.

The change has immediate commercial implications. Shipping operators are expected to face lower security-related costs and fewer procedural requirements, while vessel turnaround times and schedule reliability are expected to improve.

More importantly, Washington has linked the decision directly to Nigeria’s progress in port security and anti-terrorism compliance.

That recognition was formally conveyed in a letter dated August 26, 2026, from the US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Frank W. Garcia Jr, to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola.

Garcia congratulated Nigeria on the lifting of the restriction, describing the achievement as evidence of the country’s “sustained strengthening of port security and anti-terrorism compliance.”

The letter came after the US Coast Guard announced in August that it had removed the 12-year security restriction on Nigerian-flagged vessels calling at American ports.

Garcia also underscored the commercial value of the decision, noting that it would reduce security-related requirements and the associated costs for vessels operating between the two countries. He said the change would also contribute to better turnaround times and more dependable shipping schedules.

“Please allow me to join you in welcoming the US Coast Guard’s decision to lift the 12-year security restriction on Nigerian-flagged vessels calling at American ports. This achievement reflects Nigeria’s sustained strengthening of port security and anti-terrorism compliance,” he wrote.

The senior US diplomat said Washington values its maritime and economic partnership with Nigeria and looks forward to continued cooperation in advancing secure, efficient and mutually beneficial trade.

He also commended the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) for its years-long engagement with the US Coast Guard and its continued efforts to address the current high-threat security environment.

NIMASA’s role is significantly important because the lifting of the restriction follows years of engagement and work on maritime security compliance. The outcome provides a measure of international recognition for those efforts and for the reforms undertaken within Nigeria’s maritime sector.

For a sector whose competitiveness depends heavily on security, efficiency and international confidence, the lifting of the Condition of Entry removes one more obstacle between Nigerian ports and the global shipping market.

Dangote Refinery IPO Draws N1.48 Trillion in First Hour as Nigerians Flood Market

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals (DPRP) has opened its historic Initial Public Offering (IPO) with an extraordinary wave of investor interest, recording N1.476 trillion in subscriptions from 402,634 transactions within the first hour of the offer opening on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX).

The strong early response on Monday, September 14, 2026, places the offer on course to become Africa’s largest public share offering and represents one of the most significant moments in the history of Nigeria’s capital market.

The refinery is offering 4.1 billion new ordinary shares at N525 each, with the transaction targeting approximately N2.15 trillion, equivalent to about $1.6 billion. The offer will remain open until October 13, 2026, subject to the terms contained in the prospectus.

Data released by the Nigerian Exchange Group showed that before midday, investors had already completed 402,634 transactions worth exactly N1,476,171,994,112.

The pace of subscriptions prompted the NGX to describe the development as evidence of an “IPO OF THE PEOPLE,” reflecting the unusually broad participation recorded through the opening hours.

A major factor behind the reach of the offering is its extensive digital distribution network. Applications are available through approximately 55 approved electronic channels, representing the largest digital distribution network ever deployed for a Nigerian IPO.

The network includes applications operated by 20 banks, two mobile money companies, the NGX’s own Invest platform and 32 fintech and investment firms. Receiving banks include Zenith Bank and FirstBank, while FSDH Capital is among the Joint Issuing Houses supporting the transaction.

The entry point has also been deliberately positioned to make participation accessible to ordinary Nigerians. Investors can subscribe for as few as 10 shares, costing N5,250 before applicable charges.

Beyond the base offer of 4.1 billion shares, the transaction includes a greenshoe option of up to 30%, providing room to accommodate additional demand if subscriptions exceed the initial allocation.

At the “Facts Behind the Offer” presentation and ceremonial Gong Striking ceremony at the NGX headquarters in Lagos, Dangote Group President Aliko Dangote said the transaction was designed to achieve more than raising capital.

According to Dangote, the  objective is to expand participation in Nigeria’s capital market and allow more Nigerians to share in the value created by one of the country’s most significant industrial investments. He said the group had already raised more funds than it needed and that the public offer was intended to democratise access to the exchange and broaden ownership.

Sources familiar with the transaction indicated that Dangote had pushed for the IPO to reach as many as 10 million subscribers, with the extensive electronic application infrastructure built largely to make that ambition possible.

Importantly, the transaction is a primary offering of new shares rather than a sale of existing holdings. This means the proceeds from the IPO will go directly to the refinery rather than to Dangote or other existing shareholders.

Investors who do not already have a Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) account may be required to provide additional information during the application process to create or identify an account.

The public offering comes after a series of major financial developments surrounding the refinery. In July 2026, the company separately raised $2.5 billion through a private placement, resulting in 7.148 billion shares currently classified as “Others” in the refinery’s ownership structure.

The refinery also secured a $1 billion underwriting programme in August. This comprised a completed $600 million private placement and an additional $400 million underwriting commitment designed to support the IPO.

The ownership strategy had been taking shape even earlier. In May 2026, Dangote disclosed that he had rejected a proposal from NNPC to increase its stake in the refinery, pointing instead to plans to broaden ownership through the public listing.

For investors, the offer comes with several features intended to support long-term participation. Dividends will be denominated in US dollars, providing shareholders with a structure designed to offer protection against the effects of naira devaluation.

Retail investors who subscribe and retain their shares may also become eligible for bonus shares through a Retail Investor Incentive Programme, subject to regulatory approval.

Dangote used the opening ceremony to outline an even larger industrial ambition for the refinery. The group plans to increase refining capacity to 2.1 million barrels per day by 2030, while targeting a market capitalisation of at least $350 billion within four years.

He also announced plans for a new facility in Kenya by September 30, with the facility expected to become operational within two years.

The scale of the IPO, combined with the speed of its opening-day participation, marks a notable development for Nigeria’s capital market. A refinery of continental significance is now being placed within reach of a much larger pool of Nigerian investors, with technology being used to bring the offering far beyond the traditional boundaries of the stock market.

What began on September 14 as the opening of a major corporate transaction has therefore become a major test of how widely ownership of Nigerian industrial assets can be distributed.

With the offer still running until October 13 and a potential additional 30% available through the greenshoe option, the first-hour figure of N1.476 trillion may prove to be only the opening chapter of one of the most consequential public offerings in Nigeria’s financial history.

South-West Rail Network Moves Closer to Reality as SWDC Secures Provisional Licence

The South West Development Commission (SWDC) has secured a provisional licence to establish a regional passenger and freight railway network linking the six states of the South-West, advancing efforts to build an integrated transportation system for the region.

The commission’s Managing Director, Dr Charles Akinola, disclosed this during a strategic meeting with regional stakeholders at Cocoa House in Ibadan.

Akinola said the SWDC would work with Odu’a Investment Company Ltd. and the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission to develop the rail network, which is expected to facilitate the movement of passengers and freight across the region.

“We have secured provisional licence for rail for freight and passengers. We will work with Odu’a and DAWN to connect the Southwest with rail,” he said in a statement.

The rail project is part of a regional infrastructure agenda being considered by the commission. Akinola said plans were also underway to strengthen energy security and develop an integrated road transportation system.

One of the proposed road projects would link Ore in Ondo State to the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, creating a connection that the commission believes could improve movement and open up more of the region to economic activity.

The SWDC is also considering a South-West infrastructure development fund to complement Federal Government financing for major projects.

Akinola said the commission was open to partnerships that could help advance the development ideals associated with the region’s founding leaders, including Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Alhaji Lateef Jakande. He commended Odu’a Investment Company for repositioning its operations and delivering billions of naira in dividends to its six owner states.

The strategic meeting also provided an opportunity for the Association of Retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries in the South-West to present its proposed economic development plan for the region.

The association’s Regional President, Demola Badejo, said the publication was presented to Odu’a Investment Company and SWDC as the association’s contribution to the development conversation. He noted that DAWN Commission had collaborated in producing the document.

Badejo described Odu’a as a symbol of the collective economic interests and aspirations of the six South-West states, while pointing to ongoing efforts to reposition the company, unlock the value of its assets and maximise their benefits to the people.

He also acknowledged DAWN Commission’s role in promoting cooperation and coordinated development among the six states, while describing the emergence of SWDC as “a new and important platform” for regional intervention and infrastructure development.

According to Dr Oluseye Oyeleye, Director-General of DAWN Commission, the current push must be measured against the ambition demonstrated by earlier generations of South-West leaders.

He cited Cocoa House, Liberty Stadium, Odu’a Investment Company and the first television station in Africa as examples of what he called the “audacity of thinking” of the region’s forebears.

He urged a shift from divisive politics to the “politics of development”, identifying Odu’a Investment Company, SWDC and DAWN Commission as institutions with important roles to play in shaping the region’s future.

Oyeleye further disclosed that DAWN Commission had collaborated with Egbe Omo Odu’a in the diaspora to establish funds providing start-up capital for businesses across the region, with applications being invited from interested beneficiaries.

The meeting was attended by regional development stakeholders, including Yinusa Abdulraman, Group Managing Director of Odu’a Investment Company; Badejo; Oyeleye and other representatives.

With the provisional rail licence secured, the South-West now has a formal regulatory foothold for pursuing a regional rail system that could reshape the movement of people and goods across its six states, provided the next stages of financing, partnership and implementation match the ambition behind the plan.

Dangote Refinery IPO Puts N2.15 Trillion Ownership Opportunity Before Investors

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery is entering a new phase today, September 14, 2026, as the company opens its ownership to investors through an Initial Public Offering (IPO) that could raise approximately N2.15 trillion.

The offer will be formally launched on the trading floor of the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) in Lagos, giving investors an opportunity to acquire shares in Africa’s largest refinery and one of the continent’s most significant industrial projects.

A total of 4.1 billion new ordinary shares are being offered at N525 per share. The minimum subscription is 10 shares, valued at N5,250, while the offer is expected to close on October 13, 2026, subject to the terms contained in the Prospectus.

The transaction is open to retail and institutional investors as well as eligible African investors. At its expected value, it ranks among the largest equity offerings ever undertaken in Africa.

Opening ownership to investors

The proceeds are earmarked for the refinery’s long-term growth plans, operational expansion and strategic investments, with the company also targeting sustained value creation for shareholders and other stakeholders.

The development gives investors a direct financial interest in an enterprise that has assumed a strategic role in Nigeria’s energy sector.

Since commencing commercial operations, Dangote Refinery has supplied premium-quality petroleum products to domestic and international markets. Its growing refining capacity has helped strengthen energy security, reduce dependence on imported refined products and conserve foreign exchange, while supporting industrial activity and economic transformation across the region.

For Aliko Dangote, President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, bringing investors into the business represents an extension of the refinery’s original ambition.

“Today marks the beginning of a new chapter in the history of Dangote Refinery and, indeed, in the economic future of our nation,” Dangote said.

He said the offering goes beyond raising capital, providing ordinary Nigerians, Africans and investors globally with an opportunity to participate in an industrial project he described as one of the most transformative ever built on the continent.

Dangote said the refinery was established to transform Africa’s energy landscape, create jobs, conserve foreign exchange and unlock shared prosperity. He added that broad-based ownership could help build wealth, strengthen the capital market and accelerate economic inclusion.

“We invite investors to join us as partners in building a globally competitive enterprise that will continue to shape the future of energy, manufacturing, and economic development in Africa,” he said.

NGX sees a test for wider participation

The IPO is also significant for the Nigerian capital market, according to Temi Popoola, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Exchange Group.

Popoola said the importance of the transaction lies not only in its size but in the opportunity it creates for Nigerians to participate in the value generated by major domestic businesses.

“Our capital market must increasingly become a place where Nigerians can participate in the value created by our country’s most important businesses,” he said.

He cited NGX Group’s efforts to make market participation more accessible through NGX Invest and a network spanning more than 50 distribution channels, including stockbrokers, banks and fintechs.

Popoola described the objective as building an “ownership economy” where Nigerian businesses can secure long-term capital while more citizens participate in their growth.

The Dangote offer provides a major test of that proposition, particularly given its combination of scale and a minimum retail subscription of N5,250.

How investors can participate

Dangote Refinery said the subscription process has been structured to be accessible, transparent and technology-enabled.

Eligible investors can subscribe through approved channels, including NGX Invest, designated commercial banks and authorised investment platforms, in line with the provisions of the Prospectus.

The company has also reaffirmed its commitment to operational excellence, corporate governance, sustainable growth and long-term value creation as it moves into this new phase.

The IPO consequently adds a capital-market dimension to a refinery that has already become central to Nigeria’s efforts to expand domestic refining, reduce import dependence and strengthen its position as an exporter of petroleum products.

With subscriptions open from September 14 until October 13, 2026, subject to the terms of the Prospectus, investors now have the opportunity to take a stake in one of Africa’s most consequential industrial enterprises.

Abia Builds Investment Case Around Industry, Infrastructure and Seven Growth Frontiers

Aba’s long-standing reputation for manufacturing and commerce is at the centre of Abia State’s latest push to attract investment, with Governor Alex Otti seeking to turn the city’s entrepreneurial strength into sustained industrial growth across the state.

The administration has identified seven sectors as the main drivers of that effort: agribusiness and agro-processing; trade and markets; the creative and digital economy; manufacturing and industrialisation; small and medium enterprise growth; inclusive finance and diaspora investment; and innovation.

Otti presented the strategy at the Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce’s Meet the Governor Series in Lagos, held under the theme, “Repositioning Abia for Enterprise, Industrialisation and Sustainable Economic Growth.”

The governor said his administration had spent the past 39 months addressing obstacles to productivity and creating conditions that would encourage businesses to invest, expand and add value within the state.

Lower Costs, Better Infrastructure

A central part of that effort has been public investment in infrastructure.

Abia’s 2026 budget stands at N1.016 trillion, with 80 per cent devoted to capital expenditure. Otti described the allocation as the highest capital spending per resident in the country, based on available national expenditure figures.

The state expects internally generated revenue of N223.4bn to cover recurrent expenditure. It was also ranked fourth in the BudgIT States Fiscal Transparency League for the fourth quarter of 2025.

On the physical infrastructure front, Otti said 414 roads had been completed, while 82 others were under construction. More than 10,000 solar-powered streetlights have also been installed across Aba, Umuahia and Ohafia.

The governor said the investment in roads and green shuttle buses had helped give Abia the lowest public transportation cost per kilometre in Nigeria, reducing transport expenses and the time businesses spend moving goods and people.

Those changes, he said, are already influencing business decisions. Companies that had previously moved out of the state are returning, encouraged by lower transportation, rental and security costs. Population growth and increased public spending are also strengthening consumer demand.

Aba’s Industrial Base

The next task is to build on Aba’s established manufacturing culture and connect it to new areas of production.

Garment manufacturing, ceramics and leather works have been identified as industrial opportunities. Agriculture offers another substantial field, with prospects in livestock ranching, dairy, cashew, cocoa and rubber spanning production, processing and off-take.

The approach gives investors room to participate at different stages of the value chain rather than limiting opportunities to the production of raw materials.

Trade and logistics are also expected to gain from the proposed Azumini-Obeaku Seaport, which Otti described as a potential gateway for commerce. The administration is also planning an industrial park and a medical city.

Tourism forms part of the investment proposition as well, with Enyimba Hotels and Ibom Waterfall among the attractions and assets identified by the governor.

Seven Sectors, One Economic Strategy

The seven priority sectors provide the framework for bringing these opportunities together.

Agribusiness and agro-processing are aimed at expanding agricultural production and local processing. Trade and markets remain important to Abia’s commercial economy, while the creative and digital economy offers opportunities beyond traditional manufacturing.

Manufacturing and industrialisation sit alongside support for small and medium enterprises, which form a major part of the state’s business community.

The inclusion of inclusive finance and diaspora investment reflects the need to widen access to capital, while innovation is expected to support new businesses and productive technologies.

Health, Security and Public Finance

Otti also pointed to improvements outside the commercial sector as part of his case for investment.

Healthcare receives 15 per cent of Abia’s budget, an allocation the governor said helped the state top the national chart for health emergency preparedness.

A security assessment by Phillips Consulting also ranked Abia favourably on the safety of lives and property.

For businesses considering long-term commitments, these conditions can affect operating costs, workforce stability and the ability to plan with confidence.

What Investors Expect

Abia’s plans have attracted interest, but the private sector will ultimately determine how much capital follows the government’s investment drive.

Abimbola Olashore, President of the Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce, said Aba’s manufacturing heritage gives the state a strong platform for industrial development.

He, however, stressed that investors require more than a history of enterprise or a list of promising projects. They need predictable policies, functional institutions and quality infrastructure before committing capital.

Olashore said government’s responsibility is to establish an enabling environment, while the private sector must bring the capital and expertise needed to develop businesses.

For Abia, the immediate challenge is to convert its infrastructure spending, fiscal reforms and investment plans into factories, productive enterprises, stronger supply chains and jobs.

The state already has the entrepreneurial base. Its next chapter will depend on how effectively that base is connected to capital, infrastructure and markets.

Falconets Crush New Caledonia 10-1 to Storm Into World Cup Knockout Stage

Nigeria’s Falconets produced a breathtaking attacking masterclass, dismantling New Caledonia 10-1 to book their place in the Round of 16 of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.

With their tournament survival at stake, the Falconets responded in emphatic fashion, taking complete control from the opening whistle and racing into a commanding four-goal lead within the first 27 minutes.

Nigeria showed no signs of easing off after the interval, adding six more goals to complete a resounding victory and underline their attacking strength on the world stage.

Ramotalahi Kareem and Winner Onajite David were the standout performers, both completing hat-tricks in a devastating display of finishing. Rebecca Adegbemile also found the net twice as Nigeria overwhelmed their opponents from start to finish.

The commanding result secured Nigeria second place in Group F and propelled the Falconets into the knockout rounds. They now stand as the only African team left in the competition, carrying the continent’s hopes into the next stage.

Nigeria’s title pursuit continues in the Round of 16, where the Falconets will face England as they chase a historic first FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup triumph.

Ugo Ugochukwu Makes History as 2026 FIA Formula 3 Champion

At 19, Ugo Ugochukwu has reached a landmark moment in his young racing career, becoming the 2026 FIA Formula 3 champion after a dramatic season finale in Madrid, Spain.

The Nigerian-American driver sealed the championship on Sunday at the newly built Madring circuit with a second-place finish in the Feature Race for Campos Racing. The result not only secured his first FIA Formula 3 crown but also made him the first American to win the championship.

It was a fitting end to a season in which Ugochukwu had to withstand a sustained challenge from British driver Freddie Slater before producing when the title was on the line.

The championship had remained unsettled until the final weekend. Slater had taken control after the Budapest round in July, where he defeated Ugochukwu in the Feature Race and opened an eight-point advantage heading into the summer break. By the time the championship reached Madrid, Slater's lead had stretched to 15 points.

Ugochukwu needed a major response, and his qualifying performance gave him the platform to mount one. While he delivered a strong showing, Slater struggled in the opening session, leaving the championship finely poised for the final race.

Finland's Tuukka Taponen ultimately won the Madrid Feature Race, but it was Ugochukwu's second-place finish that decided the championship. Slater could manage only eighth, allowing Ugochukwu to overturn the deficit and finish the season 14 points clear at the top of the standings.

The achievement crowns a campaign that had announced Ugochukwu as one of the leading young talents in the FIA's junior single-seater ranks.

Born in New York and of Nigerian descent, Ugochukwu has pursued a racing career with the ambition of reaching Formula 1. His progress had already attracted the attention of McLaren, where he was previously part of the McLaren Driver Development Programme, placing him among the young drivers identified by the British Formula 1 team as potential future stars.

His 2026 campaign with Campos Racing began with an early statement of intent. In March, he claimed his maiden Formula 3 victory in the Melbourne Feature Race. He later added another victory at Silverstone, producing one of the season's emphatic performances when he dominated the Sprint Race and won by 17 seconds.

Those victories were part of a campaign that demanded more than outright pace. The Budapest setback put Slater in front, and the growing points deficit meant Ugochukwu entered the final round needing to recover ground against a rival who had held the advantage for much of the closing stages of the championship.

With the title still within reach, Ugochukwu kept his focus through the decisive race. He did not need to chase the winner at all costs; second place was enough, provided Slater remained behind him. When Slater finished eighth, the calculations fell in Ugochukwu's favour.

As the first driver representing the United States to win the FIA Formula 3 Championship, Ugochukwu has secured a place in the history of a series that has long served as an important proving ground for drivers aspiring to Formula 1.

The championship has previously been won by drivers who went on to reach Formula 1, among them Oscar Piastri and Gabriel Bortoleto. Formula 3 remains a critical stage in the progression towards Formula 2 and, ultimately, the world's highest level of single-seater racing.

The Nigerian-American teenager now leaves Formula 3 as its champion, having turned a 15-point final-round deficit into a 14-point championship margin. At 19, he has already crossed one of the significant thresholds in the long journey towards Formula 1.

Yoruba film puts Nigeria on the frontier of AI-powered cinema

A Nigerian Yoruba-language film is making an ambitious entry into the global conversation about artificial intelligence and the future of cinema.

Asiri Ilu Awon Osu (Mystery of Osu Land), produced by Tanwa Hammed, is being described by its makers as the world’s first photorealistic AI feature film. The production blends artificial intelligence with conventional filmmaking while maintaining a distinctly Nigerian cultural identity.

Completed in September 2025, the film predates the public announcement of the American AI movie Deep Frame by several months, according to the Nigerian production team. The filmmakers say the timeline forms a key part of their claim to an early place in the development of AI-powered feature filmmaking. The project has also received recognition at the G-Spark Tech Summit.

At the heart of the production is a hybrid filmmaking model. Rather than relying entirely on artificial intelligence, Asiri Ilu Awon Osu comprises approximately 80 per cent AI-generated or AI-assisted material and 20 per cent live-action performances.

The technology was integrated across the creative process, with the filmmakers using AI in developing the storyline, characters and cinematic environments rather than limiting its application to individual images.

The film is entirely in Yoruba and incorporates Nigerian cultural elements, bringing a local identity to a project exploring technology at the cutting edge of modern filmmaking.

Hammed said the team intentionally delayed a major publicity campaign after completing the movie because the production had already been submitted to Guinness World Records and was awaiting verification.

“We deliberately delayed the public media campaign because we had already submitted our breakthrough to Guinness World Records and were waiting for official verification,” she said.

The producer believes the production date strengthens the film’s claim, arguing that it was completed before other documented projects that have subsequently been associated with similar AI filmmaking milestones.

“This distinct timeline proves that no other documented feature film had successfully merged artificial intelligence with traditional cinema before the Nigerian team’s September completion date,” Hammed said.

Hammed also pointed to the production method as another distinction between the Nigerian film and Deep Frame, which she described as a completely automated American production.

“Beyond its historical head start, Asiri Ilu Awon Osu stands out from the completely automated American film by utilising a distinct hybrid filmmaking model,” she said.

The project has also drawn attention to questions about whether AI can produce convincing, photorealistic cinema without visible distortions in human faces, backgrounds and other visual details.

Hammed has challenged critics to judge the finished production rather than base their assessment solely on assumptions about the technology’s limitations.

The filmmakers are inviting industry professionals and audiences to examine the film’s trailer and production records as they pursue wider recognition for the project.

Although Guinness World Records is yet to complete its verification, Asiri Ilu Awon Osu has already placed a Nigerian production within an increasingly important global conversation about AI and cinema.

More importantly, the project shows how emerging technology can be used alongside human performance and indigenous storytelling without abandoning cultural identity. Through Yoruba language, Nigerian themes and a blend of live-action and AI-assisted production, the filmmakers have taken a distinctly Nigerian approach to an evolving form of cinema.

If the Guinness World Records claim is verified, the achievement could further strengthen Nigeria’s place in the history of AI filmmaking. Regardless of the outcome, the production has demonstrated that Nigeria’s creative industry can engage with new filmmaking technologies on its own terms and contribute to the direction in which cinema is heading.

Nigerian Scientist Co-Leads US Study Uncovering Bacterial Weakness

A Nigerian scientist, Kehinde Adebiyi, has co-led a study at Indiana University in the United States that has uncovered an unexpected weakness in the way bacteria build the structures they use to move.

The finding centres on flagella, the whip-like structures that propel bacteria, and the cell wall, the protective layer that keeps bacterial cells intact.

Working with American researcher Caroline Dunn, Adebiyi, a researcher in the Department of Biology at Indiana University, Bloomington, found that assembling flagella can place unexpected stress on the bacterial cell envelope.

The researchers made the discovery while working with Bacillus subtilis, a harmless soil bacterium widely used as a model organism in studies of bacterial growth, movement and cell biology.

The importance of the work lies in the link it establishes between two processes that are often considered separately. As a bacterium constructs the machinery required for movement, that same activity can put pressure on the structure responsible for protecting the cell.

Adebiyi said the result underscores the value of fundamental research, particularly studies built around basic questions about how microorganisms function.

Speaking with Diaspora Tales, he said, “The exciting part of this work is that a structure we normally think about only in terms of movement can actually create vulnerability in the bacterial cell envelope. Our findings show that flagella assembly and cell-wall maintenance are much more connected than we previously appreciated.”

The research, published in the prestigious Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, was partly supported by the United States National Institutes of Health.

For bacterial cells, movement is not simply a matter of propulsion. The construction of the machinery that makes movement possible has consequences for the cell’s physical integrity. That relationship, brought into sharper focus by the Indiana University study, adds an important detail to scientists’ understanding of bacterial biology.

It is also a reminder of what careful basic science can yield. A question about how a harmless soil bacterium moves has led researchers to a previously unrecognised connection between locomotion and the upkeep of the bacterial cell wall.

Queen Temi-T Earns International Recognition After 17 Years in Media

Seventeen years into a career that has taken her through several areas of the media industry, Nigerian broadcaster Temitope Chikezie, popularly known as Queen Temi-T, has earned her first victory at the GX Awards.

Chikezie was named Outstanding International Radio Presenter of the Year at the 2026 GX Awards held in Birmingham, United Kingdom.

The international recognition adds to a career built across radio presentation, news reporting, red-carpet hosting, writing, media consultancy and media management.

It also marks a remarkable moment in a journey that has included several nominations without a corresponding win at some of the industry’s major award platforms.

At the Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Awards, Chikezie received nominations for Indigenous Newscaster of the Year in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2016. She returned to the awards in 2026 as a nominee for Best Indigenous Language Radio Presenter. Her name also featured in the Female OAP category at the All Radio Awards in 2025 and 2026.

One of her notable successes came in 2025 at the Kingdom Achievers Awards, where she was nominated for Gospel Presenter of the Year and went on to win the category.

Now known as “The Jolijoli Queen,” Chikezie continues to practise her craft on Lasgidi 90.1FM in Lagos, presenting daytime broadcasts from Sundays to Fridays.

For her, the Birmingham honour reflects a professional philosophy shaped by years of working in an industry where recognition does not always arrive at the same pace as effort.

She believes consistency, discipline, professionalism, resilience and continuous self-development can eventually open doors, even when earlier attempts appear to have gone unrewarded.

“Sometimes, you will be nominated and you won’t win. Sometimes, you will work incredibly hard and somebody else will take the recognition but you must keep going. Your consistency may be preparing you for the moment when your name will finally be called,” she said.

The broadcaster described the latest award as an encouragement to remain committed to her work, particularly during periods when recognition is not immediate.

She expressed gratitude to the GX Awards organisers and judging panel, while acknowledging her family, fans, colleagues, industry friends, bosses, and past and present management teams for their contributions to her journey.

Rather than viewing the international award as the peak of her career, Chikezie considers it another reason to keep improving and creating an impact through the media.

“Seventeen years in, I am grateful for how far I have come, and I am even more excited about what lies ahead,” she said.

The award therefore arrives not as a full stop to Queen Temi-T’s media story, but as another marker in a career that continues to evolve.

At 68, Nigerian grandfather proves that dreams have no expiry date

“Your dreams do not expire because of your age.”

For Chris Osagbaekhoe, those words are not a motivational slogan but they are the lesson he has drawn from a journey that has taken him from Nigeria to south-east London, through academic setbacks and personal challenges, and ultimately to a first-class university degree at the age of 68.

The Nigerian-born grandfather has graduated from Goldsmiths, University of London, with first-class honours in Social Work, completing a four-year course he undertook as a mature student after enrolling at the age of 64.

His achievement is particularly important because the qualification is closely connected to experiences that have shaped his own life.

Osagbaekhoe is a father of four, grandfather of 12 and a person living with a disability. Rather than allowing his circumstances to define his limitations, he has turned his lived experience into a reason to advocate for others, particularly people whose struggles often leave them without a strong voice.

“There are abilities in disability. My lived experience has given me empathy, understanding and the determination to empower others,” he said in a report published by Goldsmiths.

That desire to empower people was also at the heart of his decision to pursue Social Work.

“Part of the inspiration was to empower people to empower themselves, and part of the motivation was to be a voice to the voiceless – that was my inner drive,” Osagbaekhoe told the BBC.

His path to the first-class degree was not a straightforward one.

Osagbaekhoe began his Social Work degree in 2022, but Goldsmiths said he later transferred to the university in 2024 after experiencing setbacks in his academic journey.

Yet the difficulties did not persuade him to abandon the goal and by the time he walked across the graduation stage, the qualification represented not only years of study but also the resilience required to continue when circumstances could easily have provided an excuse to stop.

“I’m happy there were challenges along the way, but because of resilience and faith, and the support from Goldsmiths University, we are celebrating success today,” he said after receiving his degree.

For a man who had already studied Psychology and Counselling between 2013 and 2015, returning to higher education was another chapter in a continuing pursuit of knowledge. Born and raised in Nigeria, Osagbaekhoe now lives in Thamesmead, south-east London but education for him, has never been simply about collecting qualifications.

Goldsmiths said his experience has strengthened his commitment to supporting vulnerable people, protecting families and helping individuals overcome difficult circumstances. He has found particular satisfaction in seeing people recover their confidence and regain their dignity.

“Nothing gives me greater satisfaction than seeing people overcome adversity, regaining confidence and living with dignity,” he said.

Now, even after reaching a milestone that many would regard as the end of an academic journey, Osagbaekhoe is already looking ahead.

Goldsmiths said he is seeking his first position as a qualified social worker. According to the BBC, he also hopes to establish a community project for young people, with the intention of helping them stay away from crime.

He also hopes his story will resonate particularly with mature students and people living with disabilities, encouraging them to reconsider the limits they may have placed on their own ambitions.

His message is rooted in the value of experience. Osagbaekhoe believes that the qualities accumulated through life including resilience, compassion and wisdom, can become powerful assets rather than obstacles.

“If I can achieve this at 68, others can too,” he said.

“People are often far stronger and more capable than they realise. Life experience builds resilience, compassion and wisdom, qualities that are invaluable in social work and in life.”

Dr Carmen Yau, a Lecturer in Social Work at Goldsmiths, described his journey as one of “extraordinary determination, courage, and hope.”

Yau said his experience demonstrates the transformative power of education at any stage of life and reflects core values of social work, including a belief in people's potential, resilience and hope.

For Osagbaekhoe, those principles are no longer merely academic concepts but have become part of a life story that began in Nigeria, continued through years of learning and challenges, and has now produced a first-class degree at 68.

His graduation may have marked the completion of one course, but the message he leaves behind is considerably bigger than the certificate he received.

Age may measure how long a person has lived but it does not determine how much more they can achieve.

Tobi Amusan Secures Silver at World Athletics Ultimate Championship

Tobi Amusan has added another international podium finish to her decorated career, taking silver in the women’s 100m hurdles at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest, Hungary, on Friday.

The Nigerian crossed the finish line in 12.34 seconds to secure $75,000 in prize money, finishing behind American Masai Russell, who stormed to victory in 12.22 seconds and collected the $150,000 winner’s purse.

For Amusan, the final was the culmination of a demanding route through the championship. She had booked her place in the medal race after running 12.49 seconds to finish second in her semi-final.

Devynne Charlton won that semi-final in 12.45 seconds, edging Amusan by four hundredths of a second. But the Bahamian could not carry that advantage into the final, eventually finishing fourth in 12.40 seconds.

Russell, meanwhile, maintained the momentum that had seen her record the fastest semi-final time, producing another commanding performance when the medals were at stake.

The result also brought Amusan’s season-long battle with Russell into sharper focus.

Friday’s final marked the third consecutive occasion this season on which Russell has finished ahead of the Nigerian. Their rivalry reached a defining moment at the Zurich Diamond League, where Russell not only defeated Amusan but also ended her four-year reign as the world-record holder.

At the Letzigrund Stadium in Zurich, Russell clocked a stunning 12.09 seconds, taking three hundredths of a second off Amusan’s 12.12-second world record.

Amusan had set that mark in the semi-finals of the 2022 World Championships in Eugene, Oregon, and held the world record for four years before Russell’s breakthrough.

Russell also finished ahead of Amusan at the Diamond League Final in Brussels, where the Nigerian placed fourth.

Yet, even with the world record now under new ownership and Russell establishing herself as the athlete to beat, Amusan’s consistency at the summit of global hurdles remains unbeatable.

Her silver medal in Budapest closes the season with another major international honour and a $75,000 reward, reinforcing the Nigerian hurdler’s enduring place among the elite of world athletics.

Nigeria Set to Deploy Four New Satellites for Security, Agriculture, Others

From tracking changes on the ground to improving how the country responds to security and environmental challenges, Nigeria is preparing to expand the amount of information it can obtain from space.

The Federal Government has approved the development and deployment of four new satellites, a move expected to strengthen the country’s ability to observe its territory and apply space-generated data to important national priorities.

The new satellites will be developed and deployed through the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), with applications spanning national security, agriculture, environmental monitoring, disaster management and urban planning, among other areas of national development.

At the heart of the project is a combination of technologies designed to give Nigeria greater flexibility in gathering information. The constellation will consist of three optical satellites and one Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite.

The SAR component is quite strategic because it can gather information in conditions that may restrict conventional optical observation. It can operate at night and through cloudy conditions, giving Nigeria an additional means of obtaining timely information about its land and environment.

For a country as large and diverse as Nigeria, stronger earth observation capabilities can provide government institutions with a clearer picture of developments across different parts of the country. Such information can support security operations, agricultural activities, environmental assessment, disaster response and the planning of growing urban areas.

The project also points to a departure in how Nigeria is building its technological capacity. Rather than limiting satellite technology to scientific exploration, the government is positioning space-based systems as practical tools for addressing challenges and improving the quality of information available to decision-makers.

The approval signifies Nigeria’s continued investment in science, technology and innovation, while reinforcing the strategic role of NASRDA in developing the country’s space capabilities.

With the planned four-satellite constellation, Nigeria is seeking to strengthen not only what it can see from space, but also how effectively that information can be turned into better planning and evidence-based decision-making on the ground.

Samuel Ayeloja Takes Fourth Place at Manhunt International 2026 in Sri Lanka

Samuel Ayeloja has finished fourth at the 24th Manhunt International competition in Colombo, Sri Lanka, giving Nigeria another strong result on the global male pageantry circuit.

The Lagos-born model reached the final four after progressing through three successive cuts, moving from the Top 20 to the Top 10 and then the Top 5 before taking the 3rd Runner-Up position.

The final was held on Wednesday, 9 September 2026 and Dylan Palmerini of France won the title, securing a second consecutive Manhunt International victory for his country. India and Puerto Rico occupied the other positions ahead of Ayeloja, while Vietnam finished as 4th Runner-Up.

Ayeloja had already distinguished himself before the final night. During the preliminary rounds, he won the Best Fashion Model Award, recognising his performance in the fashion and runway segments of the competition.

His appearance in Sri Lanka followed his national pageantry career in Nigeria. Ayeloja first competed as Mr Kwara at the Misters of Nigeria pageant before becoming Manhunt International Nigeria 2026, earning the right to represent the country at the international competition.

He arrived in Sri Lanka ahead of the official programme, allowing time to acclimatise and complete his training. His preparation focused on runway performance, physical presentation and the demands of the various stages of the contest.

The fourth-place finish also adds to Nigeria’s growing record at Manhunt International. Samuel Nwajagu made history by winning the title in 2024, while subsequent Nigerian representatives have continued to record notable results at the competition.

Ayeloja is expected to return to Nigeria in the coming days and The Misters of Nigeria Organisation is also expected to organise a reception following his return.

His final ranking, alongside the Best Fashion Model Award, gives Nigeria two crucial results from the 2026 edition and places Ayeloja among the leading contestants at this year’s competition.

Nigeria Begins Local Production of Dual-Active Mosquito Nets

Nigeria has begun producing advanced insecticide-treated mosquito nets locally, marking a new development in the country's efforts to strengthen malaria prevention while expanding domestic manufacturing of essential healthcare products.

The facility behind the initiative, Health Textiles Nigeria FZE, is wholly owned by Vestergaard Sàrl and is the first facility in Nigeria to manufacture dual-active ingredient insecticide-treated mosquito nets.

Its production line will manufacture PermaNet Dual, a Vestergaard mosquito net developed in response to the growing problem of insecticide resistance. The product received prequalification from the World Health Organisation in 2023.

The new manufacturing capacity is expected to have a meaningful economic as well as public health impact. At full operation, the facility is projected to produce approximately 10 million nets every year and create more than 600 jobs.

So far, about 80 employees have been recruited and are being trained in manufacturing excellence, product quality, occupational health and safety, and regulatory compliance.

The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare announced the development in a statement issued on Thursday and signed by its Assistant Director, Information and Public Relations, Ado Bako.

The project emerged from a 2024 Memorandum of Understanding between Vestergaard and the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain, an agreement aimed at expanding Nigeria's ability to manufacture essential health products locally.

The timing is particularly important for Nigeria as the country continues to carry a substantial share of the world's malaria burden, while the effectiveness of some insecticide-based interventions is increasingly challenged by resistance.

The World Health Organisation estimates that malaria caused 282 million cases and 610,000 deaths worldwide in 2024 and the African Region accounted for the overwhelming majority of those cases and deaths.

Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, said the investment supports the objectives of the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, which seeks to unlock opportunities across the healthcare value chain through investment, local manufacturing and stronger domestic capacity.

Pate described the development as an example of how government policy, private-sector investment and technology transfer can combine to strengthen Nigeria's healthcare industry.

He said the commencement of production would improve the country's capacity to manufacture essential health products and contribute to a more resilient health system.

Health Textiles Nigeria is expected to fulfil its first commercial orders in the coming months. Once production reaches its projected capacity, the facility will provide Nigeria with a substantial domestic source of malaria-prevention commodities while creating opportunities for employment and skills development.

BOI Raises N274.18bn in Record Domestic Bond Issuance

The Bank of Industry (BOI) has raised N274.18bn through its first domestic naira-denominated bond, surpassing its original N250bn target and setting a new benchmark for Development Finance Institutions in Nigeria.

The five-year fixed-rate bond, which matures in 2031, is the largest debt capital markets issuance by a Development Finance Institution in the country, based on publicly available market data.

Strong investor demand allowed BOI to increase the size of the offering by N24.18bn, with participation coming from a wide range of institutional investors. Pension fund administrators, banks, insurance companies, asset managers, development finance institutions and other institutional investors subscribed to the issue, while Rand Merchant Bank Nigeria served as the Joint Issuing House for the transaction.

The successful fundraising is important not only for BOI but also for Nigeria’s domestic financial market, demonstrating the ability of local investors to support sizeable funding requirements over extended periods.

Chidi Iwuchukwu, Executive Director and Head of Investment Banking, Broader Africa, at RMB Nigeria, said the transaction showed that Nigeria’s capital markets could mobilise substantial resources for institutions seeking to finance economic activity.

He also highlighted BOI’s contribution to industrialisation, enterprise growth and job creation.

“This transaction demonstrates the ability of Nigeria’s capital markets to mobilise long-term capital at scale,” Iwuchukwu said in a statement on Thursday.

“BOI plays an important role in advancing industrialisation, enterprise growth, and job creation. We are pleased to have partnered with the Bank on this issuance and remain focused on delivering financing solutions that support sustainable economic growth in Nigeria and across the broader African continent.”

The bond is the latest development in a longstanding relationship between RMB and BOI. RMB previously acted as financial adviser to the bank on its inaugural Eurobond issuance and also supported the establishment of BOI’s domestic bond programme.

Laju Atake, Head of Debt Capital Markets at RMB Nigeria, said the transaction reflected the continued evolution of Nigeria’s capital markets and the importance of efficient access to funding for major institutions.

“Supporting inaugural issuers and significant capital markets transactions is a core strength of RMB’s debt capital markets franchise,” Atake said.

He disclosed that RMB had advised five distinct issuers on their debut debt capital markets transactions in Nigeria over the preceding nine months.

According to RMB, the level of demand for BOI’s offering also highlighted the liquidity within Nigeria’s domestic capital markets and the ability of local investors to participate in large-scale financing transactions.

The execution involved the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Central Bank of Nigeria, professional advisers, transaction parties, investors and other market participants.

RMB expressed its appreciation to all those involved in completing the transaction and congratulated BOI’s Board, Management and staff on the outcome. The bank also thanked BOI for its continued trust.

The latest issuance further extends RMB’s work with BOI across both domestic and international capital markets, while giving the Bank of Industry another funding avenue for its development-focused activities in Nigeria and the African continent.

NNPC Plans 70 Smart Self-Service Stations Across Nigeria

The traditional filling station may soon look very different in Nigeria as the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited begins reshaping its retail network around technology, alternative energy and greater convenience for motorists.

The company plans to deploy between 50 and 70 smart, self-service filling stations across the country within the next six months, building on a new retail model that brings petrol, gas, electric vehicle charging and other customer services together in a single location.

The direction of the transformation became clearer in Abuja on Thursday when NNPC commissioned a technology-driven service station along Bill Clinton Drive, Airport Road. The facility, described as one of the first of a new generation of outlets, is designed to operate 24 hours a day and incorporates electric vehicle charging into a conventional fuel retail environment.

Speaking at the commissioning, NNPC’s Executive Vice President, Downstream, Mumuni Dagazau, said the company was moving away from the idea of a filling station as simply a place to buy petrol.

He said NNPC already had about four or five similar smart stations in Abuja, while another two were being launched in Kano. The company, he added, expects to take the concept to a much larger number of locations over the next six months.

At the heart of the new model is the idea of an energy hub capable of serving motorists using different energy sources. Petrol and gas will remain part of the offering, while electricity and electric vehicle charging will increasingly become features of NNPC’s retail network.

The newly commissioned Abuja facility provides a practical example of how that model is expected to work. It has storage capacity for 180,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit and 45,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil, with 16 PMS pumps and two AGO pumps.

Six electric vehicle points have been installed in partnership with African Motor Works, while the entire station is powered by solar energy through a system with a capacity of more than 200 kilowatts.

The facility is also being developed as a mobility and convenience centre. Its services include a quick-service restaurant, coffee shop, automated car wash, modern service bay and LPG dispensing facilities. NNPC also plans to introduce CNG and a vehicle conversion centre.

For motorists, one of the most noticeable departures from the conventional station experience will be self-service fuel dispensing. Customers who choose to serve themselves will be able to purchase fuel through a mobile application and dispense the exact quantity paid for directly into their vehicle.

The digital system is not intended to shut out customers who are less comfortable with technology. Shettima Baba-Kukawa, Executive Director, Retail Operations and Mobility, NNPC Limited, said attendants would remain available to provide assistance.

That balance between automation and human support also addresses concerns about the effect of self-service stations on employment. Dagazau dismissed the suggestion that the new model would eliminate jobs, arguing that the range of services would create additional roles.

Workers would be needed to support the automation and integration of the different systems, assist customers using electric vehicles and maintain the technology behind the energy hubs. In his assessment, such facilities could require more personnel than conventional filling stations because they provide substantially more services.

For NNPC, the ambition is clear: to ensure that its retail network evolves with the energy market and with the expectations of the Nigerian consumer. The next six months will provide an important test of how quickly that vision can move from a handful of showcase facilities to a nationwide reality.

Students to Access Educational Platforms Without Data Charges as Government Plans Under-16 Internet Rules

For millions of Nigerian students, the cost of internet data remains an overlooked barrier to accessing educational opportunities beyond the classroom.

The Federal Government is seeking to remove that barrier with a new initiative that will allow students to access approved educational platforms and content without paying data charges, widening the reach of digital learning across the country.

The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, unveiled the Initiative for Zero-Rated Access to Educational Platforms and Content in Nigeria on Thursday, saying it would help ensure that the cost of connectivity does not determine which Nigerian children can access quality educational resources.

“This initiative goes beyond connectivity. It is about putting learning within reach of children who may otherwise be unable to afford the data required to access it,” Alausa said.

The announcement comes at an important point in Nigeria’s education journey, as digital platforms continue to create new pathways for learners. UNICEF estimates that millions of Nigerian children are still outside the formal school system, making technology an increasingly valuable means of extending educational opportunities, particularly in communities with limited access to learning resources.

Alausa said a mobile phone, tablet or computer could become an extension of the classroom, providing access to lessons, curriculum materials and wider learning opportunities.

Nigeria has previously taken steps in this direction. UNICEF reported that data charges were removed for users accessing the Nigeria Learning Passport through whitelisting on an Airtel SIM, while connectivity was also extended to schools in hard-to-reach communities.

Developed by the Federal Government, UNICEF and other partners, the Nigeria Learning Passport provides digital curriculum content to learners and teachers, extending education beyond the conventional classroom.

The new initiative forms part of the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative, through which the Federal Ministry of Education is pursuing digitalisation and strengthening education management and delivery.

Among the systems being developed or strengthened are the Nigeria Education Data Infrastructure, Digital Nigeria Education Management Information System and Learner Identification Number.

Alausa said the success of these reforms would ultimately be measured by their impact on learners.

“The real measure of digital transformation would be its ability to reach the learner and improve the quality of education,” he said.

The government is also preparing measures to protect children as their use of digital platforms expands.

Alausa announced plans for regulated internet access for children below the age of 16, citing online child protection concerns, including cyberattacks and other forms of harm.

“At some point, there would be regulated internet access for every child below the age of 16 years as part of measures to strengthen online child protection,” he said.

He called for sustained cooperation among the Federal Ministry of Education, state governments, the Nigerian Communications Commission, telecommunications operators, technology companies, development partners, educational institutions and teachers.

Alausa also said Nigeria must move beyond producing young people who merely consume technology and develop a generation capable of creating technology, innovating and solving problems.

If effectively implemented, the initiative could give more Nigerian learners a fairer chance to benefit from the opportunities of the digital age, while laying the foundation for a generation equipped not only to access knowledge but to create, innovate and shape Nigeria’s future.

Nigerian Professor Andrew Agbaje Wins €1.5m ERC Grant for Youth Vaping Study

Professor Andrew Agbaje, a Nigerian researcher at the University of Eastern Finland, has received a €1.5 million European Research Council (ERC) Starting Grant to lead a five-year study into the long-term health effects of vaping among young people.

The VAPE-HABIT project will examine how vaping affects the heart, brain, kidneys, liver and metabolic health. The award is the first ERC Starting Grant secured by the Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition at the University of Eastern Finland, where Agbaje is a Senior Researcher and Associate Professor of clinical epidemiology and child health.

The new project adds to a body of work examining how health behaviours and changes during childhood and adolescence can influence cardiovascular and metabolic health later in life.

A global ranking in arterial stiffness research

The grant follows Agbaje's ranking as the world's No. 1 scholar in arterial stiffness research in the November 2025 ScholarGPS global ranking.

He was also ranked first in Europe and the Nordic countries in the specialty and placed in the top 0.01 per cent of scholars worldwide in arterial stiffness research over the preceding five years, based on productivity and quality.

His research has linked childhood tobacco smoking with premature cardiac damage and found that smoking prevalence increases 15-fold between the ages of 13 and 17.

He has also identified arterial stiffness as a novel risk factor for paediatric obesity and insulin resistance, while finding adolescence to be a critical period for interrupting the pathological cycle between increasing fat mass and insulin resistance.

Other studies have shown that light-intensity physical activity can help reverse excessive fat deposition associated with childhood sedentariness.

Agbaje has also identified waist-to-height ratio as a specific surrogate for fat mass rather than muscle mass, suggesting it could replace BMI in assessing childhood obesity. The finding led to a live BBC World News interview.

VAPE-HABIT takes the research into vaping

The new ERC-funded study turns attention to youth vaping and its possible consequences across several vital systems of the body.

VAPE-HABIT will investigate the effects of vaping on young people's heart, brain, kidneys, liver and metabolic health over five years.

The subject fits within Agbaje's broader research into childhood and adolescent health, while addressing a different form of exposure from the tobacco smoking examined in his earlier work.

Recognition from the American Heart Association

Agbaje's research has been selected by the American Heart Association among major cardiovascular advances in two successive years.

In December 2024, one of his studies was named among the world's most significant advances in cardiovascular research for the year. Another was selected in December 2025 among the world's cutting-edge advances in cardiovascular medicine.

His research has also performed strongly in citation rankings. Clarivate's Web of Science placed two of his publications among the top 1 per cent of highly cited papers in Clinical Medicine in October 2023, while a third reached the top 1 per cent in Biology & Biochemistry.

He has published single- and first-authored original research in JACC, Diabetes Care and Nature Communications and is the main supervisor of seven PhD candidates.

A reach extending beyond academia

Agbaje's research generated more than 2,500 media mentions between 2022 and 2024.

The coverage appeared in international outlets including CNN, BBC, and many others.

The reports had a potential global reach of more than 4.5 billion people, with an estimated equivalent advertising value exceeding US$30 million.

His broadcast appearances included BBC Radio Devon on 16 January 2024, BBC World News on 14 March 2024 and the BBC World Service Radio Newsday programme on 15 December 2023.

The US Endocrine Society featured his research in its March 2024 Endocrine Magazine and produced a podcast interview with him. He also participated in a press conference at the ENDO 2024 congress in Boston.

The European Association for the Study of Obesity, representing professional associations from 36 European countries, has interviewed him and featured his work at the European Congress on Obesity.

Awards and international scientific work

Agbaje received the inaugural American Society of Nutrition Foundation-Novo Nordisk Foundation Flemming Quaade Award for Innovative Approaches to Childhood Obesity, worth 500,000 Danish kroner, approximately €67,000 or US$70,000.

He also received the 2024 EASO-Novo Nordisk Foundation New Investigator Award in Childhood Obesity, worth 300,000 Danish kroner, approximately €40,000 or US$44,000.

His other honours include the Paul Dudley White International Scholar Award, received five consecutive times; the Jeremiah and Rose Stamler Research Award, received twice; and the Elizabeth Barrett-Connor Research Award in Epidemiology and Prevention and Early Career Investigator Award for Preventive Cardiovascular Medicine, each received once.

He has also received an Endocrine Society Award for Outstanding Abstract, while the European Heart Journal designated him a Rising Star in Preventive Cardiology.

Agbaje leads the urFIT-child research group at the University of Eastern Finland and is principal investigator of the PAFSMEVAC project, which runs from 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2035.

His research collaborations include Nigeria, Canada, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States. He was an Honorary Research Fellow at the Children's Health and Exercise Research Centre at the University of Exeter from 2023 to 2026.

He is an elected Fellow of the American College of Cardiology, European Society of Cardiology, American Heart Association and New York Academy of Medicine, as well as an elected member of Sigma Xi. He is also an expert adviser to the World Health Organization and a member of the US Endocrine Society's task force on preventing childhood obesity.

A Finland-Nigeria scientific connection

The VAPE-HABIT project places a Nigerian researcher at the head of a major European study on youth vaping, while his existing research network includes collaborators in Nigeria.

Its focus also extends a line of inquiry that has run through Agbaje's work: understanding health risks early enough to identify their consequences before they become established later in life.

The €1.5 million ERC award now places youth vaping at the centre of Agbaje's next major research effort, five years after his work on childhood health began attracting international scientific and media attention. The VAPE-HABIT study will determine how far the effects of the habit extend, from the heart and brain to the kidneys, liver and metabolic system.

Nigeria Moves Closer to Unlocking Badagry’s Deep-Sea Port Potential

Nigeria’s plan to strengthen its position in global maritime trade has taken another important step, with the Federal Government opening exclusive negotiations with APM Terminals for the development of the proposed Badagry Deep-Seaport in Lagos State.

The development followed discussions in Copenhagen, Denmark, between APM Terminals and a Federal Government delegation led by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola. The engagement resulted in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with Badagry Port Development Limited for exclusive negotiations on the project.

Oyetola described the agreement as a major step towards a new phase in Nigeria’s maritime and economic development.

“Yesterday in Copenhagen, Denmark, we took an important step towards unlocking a new chapter in Nigeria’s maritime and economic development,” he said.

The proposed Badagry port is expected to provide additional deepwater capacity and accommodate larger container vessels, while increasing cargo-handling capacity and creating room for transshipment serving Nigeria and the wider West African market.

Its potential economic impact also extends beyond port operations. The project is expected to support jobs, skills development, investment and enterprise across the maritime value chain, particularly in logistics, transportation, manufacturing and warehousing.

Badagry is part of the Federal Government effort to expand deep-sea port infrastructure along Nigeria’s coastline. Similar projects are underway or being considered in Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Ogun, Ondo and Rivers states.

The strategy is aimed at improving Nigeria’s ability to handle growing maritime traffic and strengthening its connectivity with international and regional shipping networks. Deep-sea ports, built around naturally deep-draft channels, are designed to receive larger vessels and handle greater volumes of cargo.

At the same time, attention is being given to existing ports as the Nigerian Ports Authority is prioritising the rehabilitation of Apapa and Tin Can Island ports, while supporting Lekki and Badagry. The government is also pursuing the revitalisation of Eastern ports and the deployment of digital infrastructure, including the Port Community System and National Single Window.

The urgency of these investments is underscored by the growth recorded across Nigeria’s ports in 2026.

In the first quarter, cargo throughput rose 11.6 per cent year-on-year to 32.38 million metric tonnes, while the gross registered tonnage of ocean-going vessels increased 19.5 per cent to 46.75 million tonnes.

The second quarter recorded further growth. Cargo throughput climbed 12.3 per cent to 35.74 million metric tonnes, up from 31.83 million metric tonnes in Q2 2025.

Ocean-going vessel calls rose 14.4 per cent to 1,201, while their gross registered tonnage increased 22.2 per cent to 49.95 million tonnes, indicating increased calls by larger vessels.

Container traffic also grew by 11.3 per cent to 602,392 twenty-foot equivalent units, or TEUs. Transshipment reached 29,038 TEUs, compared with zero recorded in Q2 2025.

The performance follows an equally strong 2025, when total cargo throughput increased 24.8 per cent to 129.3 million metric tonnes and container traffic rose 25.7 per cent to more than 2.1 million TEUs.

With cargo volumes and vessel activity already rising, the Badagry project comes at a critical moment for Nigeria’s maritime economy. If the negotiations translate into a well-executed port, the project could help Nigeria capture more regional trade, attract investment and turn its growing maritime activity into more economic opportunities.

Lagos Teachers Are Raising a New Generation of Problem-Solvers

A student who once missed school to pursue vocational training elsewhere is now learning those skills within the school system. Another, after leaving junior secondary school, carried an idea for a Changemakers Club to his new senior secondary school. Elsewhere, students are turning waste into useful products, teaching one another digital skills and holding menstrual-health awareness activities.

These examples have emerged from the Changemaker Teacher Activation Programme, known as CTEACH, which recently graduated its third cohort in Lagos.

Rather than introduce another subject, CTEACH encourages teachers to build critical thinking, empathy, leadership, collaboration and problem-solving into regular classroom activities. The aim is to help students move from identifying problems to developing practical responses.

The change has also affected the way teachers interact with their students.

Shalewa Ololade, an Assistant Director in Education District 3, said she became interested in the programme after observing participating teachers give students more confidence to express their views, raise concerns and suggest improvements in their schools.

“We are not teachers anymore who just come to the classroom just to teach and let the students memorise. That is not our work anymore,” Ololade said.

“Our work now is to bring up ambassadors. To bring up changemakers. To bring up voices that are heard.”

The results can be seen in a range of student-led activities. Some pupils have beautified classrooms, converted waste into useful products and developed anti-bullying games designed to promote empathy. Others have supported classmates experiencing difficulties.

At Araromi Junior Secondary School, CTEACH ambassador and teacher Okeinde Omoyuwa said the programme helped the school respond to absenteeism linked to vocational training.

Some students had been regularly missing classes because they left school to acquire vocational skills. Teachers responded by introducing vocational and entrepreneurship training within the school.

Omoyuwa also recalled a former junior secondary school student who continued the initiative after moving to senior secondary school. The student later contacted her with plans to establish a Changemakers Club at the new school.

At Badore, Ajah, another participant, Alamu Oluwadamilare, said CTEACH had helped teachers create opportunities for students to connect classroom lessons with real-life challenges.

Students at his school formed a change advocates club, organised digital-skills training for classmates and conducted menstrual-health awareness activities. They were also taught how to link their solutions to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

“Education is not just about reading and writing. It is meant to develop the potential of these children and make them useful citizens to themselves, their community and the nation,” Oluwadamilare said.

The programme was implemented as a three-year pilot under the global Time for Change partnership involving Ashoka, First Book and Teach For All. In its final cohort, 400 teachers were trained, while 200 graduated at the Lagos ceremony.

Angelou Ezeilo, Programme Director and Co-President of Ashoka Africa, said students need skills beyond literacy and numeracy to navigate an increasingly complex society. She said the programme had encouraged teachers to guide students towards taking action rather than merely recognising challenges.

Although the pilot has ended, Ezeilo said CTEACH would continue through a train-the-trainer model. Ten educators were recognised as ambassadors at the ceremony and will help extend the approach to other teachers alongside representatives of previous cohorts.

The organisers also plan to expand the model across Nigeria. Ezeilo said similar initiatives were being developed in Johannesburg, South Africa; Senegal; and Nairobi, Kenya.

She called for greater support from private-sector organisations and other partners to sustain the programme, particularly in public schools where access to educational resources remains limited.

A student who learns to confront bullying, teach a classmate a digital skill, turn waste into something useful or organise others around a community concern is acquiring capabilities that extend well beyond the examination hall.

That is the larger promise of changemaking in education: giving young people not only knowledge, but the confidence and practical skills to put it to work.

Nigeria Takes Academic Certificate Verification Into the Digital Age

The Federal Government has fully automated the evaluation and authentication of academic certificates, ending the need for applicants to visit the Federal Ministry of Education physically to complete the process.

The Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, announced the development on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, describing it as another step in the government’s digital transformation of education administration.

Applicants can now complete the evaluation and authentication of their academic credentials online through the Ministry’s dedicated platform. The official portal is essverify.education.gov.ng, while enquiries can be directed to ess1@education.gov.ng.

According to the Ministry, the new system is intended to reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks, speed up processing and improve transparency while making the service more accessible to Nigerians and applicants outside the country.

The reform is also aimed at strengthening the integrity of Nigeria’s academic certification system. Alausa said institutions, employers and otherwise stakeholders would have access to a more structured and reliable process for verifying qualifications.

The Ministry said the initiative reflects its commitment to using technology to modernise education governance, improve institutional efficiency and deliver more citizen-centred services.

For graduates, employers, institutions and other stakeholders, the immediate change is straightforward: academic certificate evaluation and authentication can now be completed online.

For the education sector, the reform represents another step towards a system in which academic records are digitally managed, easier to verify and less dependent on physical documentation.

Golden Francis Carries Nigeria’s Hopes to Miss Elite World in Egypt

Golden Francis has arrived in Somabay, Egypt, carrying Nigeria’s hopes at the 5th edition of the Miss Elite World pageant, where contestants from more than 35 countries are competing for the international crown.

The 24-year-old runway and commercial model entered the competition with an established pageantry background, having won the Miss Steph International Queen 2025 title before she was appointed Miss Elite Nigeria in May 2026.

Francis is now among the international delegates taking part in the competition at the Red Sea luxury resort, where activities began on September 8 and will continue through the grand finale on September 19.

The programme includes rehearsals, cultural tours and preliminary evaluations as contestants make their case for a place in the final stage.

At 175 cm, Francis has attracted attention within the pageant community for her runway walk and swimsuit presentation. She is managed by the Miss Steph Pageant organisation, with a campaign that combines modern sophistication with structural African grace.

Her appearance in Egypt gives Nigeria an opportunity to claim a title it has never won before. Francis is seeking to become the country’s first Miss Elite World winner, adding another international achievement to her pageantry journey.

The competition will reach its defining moment on September 19, when the winner is crowned in Somabay.

For Francis, the coming days will be about turning the experience, preparation and attention surrounding her campaign into a performance capable of taking Nigeria to the top of the competition.