Mary Adebayo Emerges Nigeria’s Overall Best Teacher for 2026

 

Dr. Mary Oluwaseun Adebayo, a teacher at Nawair-Ud-Deen Grammar School (Senior), Obantoko, Abeokuta, Ogun State, has emerged Nigeria’s Overall Best Teacher for 2026 at the Federal Government’s President’s Teachers’ and Schools’ Excellence Awards.

Adebayo received the national honour during the 2026 World Teachers’ Day celebration in Abuja, where she was presented with a brand-new car as the star prize. She first won the Best Public Senior Secondary School Teacher category before emerging as the overall winner among the award recipients.

Her recognition celebrates her contribution to teaching and places her among the educators whose work has earned national distinction. The awards recognise outstanding teachers, school administrators and schools across different categories.

Reflecting on her achievement, Adebayo recalled that her teaching career began in a private school. She said she had continued carrying out her responsibilities without expecting the recognition and reward that eventually came her way.

“I started this work in a private school. I kept doing the work, I did not know the Lord will reward me this way,” she said while receiving her prize.

Her emergence as Nigeria’s top teacher has also brought recognition to Nawair-Ud-Deen Grammar School, Obantoko, and community. The school’s old students association, Nawair-Ud-Deen Grammar School, Obantoko Old Students Association (NUDGOSA), described her achievement as a source of pride for the institution.

In a congratulatory statement, the association said Adebayo’s success reflected her commitment to teaching and the advancement of education in Nigeria. Its National President, Hon. Fasiu Bakenne, congratulated her on behalf of the national executive and members, extending the goodwill to the school’s management and staff and the Ogun State Teaching Service Commission. The statement was signed by the association’s National Public Relations Officer, Sanni Damilola.

Lawmaker Nasir Gboyega Isiaka also congratulated Adebayo, describing her achievement as a source of pride for Afon, Imeko-Afon and constituency.

In a message titled “Celebrating Excellence: Congratulations to Nigeria’s Best Teacher,” Isiaka described her as an illustrious daughter of Afon, Imeko-Afon, and said her success demonstrated the excellence that can emerge from local communities.

He also emphasised the importance of investing in education and supporting professionals committed to the development of young people.

“Dr. Adebayo’s achievement therefore resonates deeply with the work we have continued to pursue in strengthening education and supporting those who dedicate their lives to it,” he said.

The 2026 World Teachers’ Day celebration was held under the theme, “Standing with Teachers: 60 Years of Protecting the Profession, Advancing the Status and Shaping Our Future.”

Adebayo’s emergence as Nigeria’s Overall Best Teacher for 2026 brings national attention to her work at Nawair-Ud-Deen Grammar School in Abeokuta and recognises her contribution to the teaching profession.

FUNAAB Student Wins ₦500,000 at National Veterinary Competition as 11 Finalists Take Part

Oluwafemi Kehinde, popularly identified as Kehinde Mercy, a 600-level Veterinary Medicine student at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), has emerged First Runner-Up in the VITAL 2 Project National Veterinary Students’ Competition, earning a ₦500,000 cash prize among 11 finalists drawn from accredited veterinary schools across Nigeria.

Held on September 16, 2026, in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, the competition focused on ruminant vaccines and vaccination, bringing veterinary students into a national contest centred on animal health and disease prevention.

Janet Galadima of the University of Jos took the grand prize of ₦1 million, while Kehinde secured second place with ₦500,000. Asonibare Ayomipo of the University of Ilorin finished as Second Runner-Up, receiving ₦300,000.

The event formed part of the Veterinary Innovations Transforming Animal Health and Livelihoods (VITAL) 2 project, organised by GALVmed in partnership with Ikore International. The initiative seeks to improve ruminant vaccination rates, strengthen disease awareness and promote sustainable private-sector veterinary service delivery across Nigeria, Kenya and Tanzania.

A defining moment came when all 11 contestants signed the Ruminant Vaccination Pledge, committing themselves to advancing livestock health and disease prevention. The pledge placed the competition’s emphasis beyond academic performance, calling attention to the role future veterinary professionals can play in improving vaccination practices and protecting livestock.

Kehinde’s national placement was subsequently celebrated at FUNAAB. On October 8, 2026, a delegation from the university’s College of Veterinary Medicine (COLVET), led by its Dean, Professor Michael Takeet, visited the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Babatunde Kehinde, to present the award plaque and acknowledge management’s support for the student’s participation.

Professor Takeet said the Vice-Chancellor had approved Kehinde’s participation in the competition. He noted that her performance had brought distinction to the student and strengthened the university’s visibility on a national platform.

Professor Morenike Dipeolu, a former Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), also expressed appreciation for the Vice-Chancellor’s sustained support for COLVET, noting that management had consistently backed the College’s academic and professional initiatives.

In response, Professor Babatunde Kehinde described the result as a source of immense joy, commended the College for projecting FUNAAB positively and urged the student to sustain her performance. He also assured the delegation of continued management support, reminding Kehinde and the visitors that “the reward for hard work is more work.”

The competition placed students from different accredited veterinary institutions alongside one another in a field with direct implications for livestock health and agricultural livelihoods. Kehinde’s result brought a ₦500,000 award to FUNAAB, while the vaccination pledge signed by all 11 finalists underscored the responsibility the initiative seeks to promote among Nigeria’s emerging veterinary professionals.

Kano Tailor Targets Guinness World Record With 120-Hour Sewing Marathon

Abdulkadir Hassanul Basari, a Kano-based tailor and entrepreneur, has embarked on a 120-hour sewing marathon aimed at setting a Guinness World Record while producing school uniforms for disadvantaged pupils in public schools.

The five-day challenge, tagged Sew for the Nation, began on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at the sports complex of Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria in Kano. Basari, Chief Executive Officer of Basari Apparels and Textiles Nigeria Limited, is scheduled to conclude the exercise on Monday night, October 12.

Basari announced the initiative in a video shared across his social media platforms on October 1, presenting it as an opportunity to combine his professional craft with support for children who may struggle to afford school uniforms.

“Because I’ll be sewing school uniforms to support the less privileged pupils at the public schools,” he said.

The target is to surpass the existing record of 106 hours, 55 minutes and 20 seconds, reportedly achieved by fellow Nigerian tailor Oluwaseun Kuforiji in January 2025. Basari's proposed 120-hour run would extend that benchmark by 13 hours, four minutes and 40 seconds.

Introducing the project, Basari said: “My name is Abdulkadir Hassanul Basari, I’m the CEO of Basari Apparels and Textiles Nigeria Limited. I am here to announce Sew for the Nation, a Guinness World Record attempt.”

He has also described the exercise as a statement about the possibilities of craftsmanship and ambition among young Nigerians.

“This is more than a record, this is for every dreamer, every artisan and every young Nigerian with a vision,” he said, inviting the public to support the initiative.

Basari's achievement will depend on more than completing the marathon. Guinness World Records must assess the attempt against its evidence and verification requirements before any new record can be officially recognised.

Beyond the record books, the project places a practical cause alongside Basari's ambition: using his tailoring skills to provide school uniforms for pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Tunde Onakoya Takes Lagos Chess Ambition Global with New International Festival

Lagos is set to host a new international chess festival that will bring competitive play into contact with art, fashion, cultural heritage and entertainment, as Nigerian chess master Tunde Onakoya prepares to launch the Lagos International Chess Festival in October 2027.

The initiative places Lagos at the centre of an effort to position chess's appeal beyond traditional tournaments, with a programme designed to attract children, professional players, celebrities, artists and other enthusiasts. Its organisers intend to create an experience that reflects the city's cultural energy while giving the game a better public platform.

Onakoya unveiled the project on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at the Mikano Motors showroom in Lagos, during an event celebrating his birthday. The presentation offered the first public look at the festival, which he described as an idea entering its practical phase.

“This is the starting point, the visual reality of the first edition,” he said, acknowledging both his excitement and the uncertainty that comes with launching a project of this scale. “I’m excited, a bit nervous and very curious, but I know that, like everything else we’ve done, we have to have faith in our ideas.”

The planned activities will take the festival beyond conventional chess competition. Organisers expect to stage an exhibition combining chess and art, a large-scale children's tournament, grandmaster matches and a celebrity chess contest. The programme will also feature a chess and fashion event, a celebration of Lagos and a chess game aboard a boat.

The city's identity is also built into the festival's branding. Its logo brings together the Eyo masquerade, an emblem associated with Lagos culture, and the chess rook, a piece recognised by players around the world. The colours were selected to reflect the vibrancy of the city, giving the festival a visual identity rooted in its host location.

Representatives of Mikano, Landmark Africa Group, Lufthansa, Hennessy, The Plug Global Agency and Chess in Slums Africa attended the unveiling. Their presence at the event brought together interests spanning business, lifestyle, international travel and chess advocacy.

The festival draws on Onakoya's conviction that has informed his work for years: chess can create opportunities for people who might otherwise have limited access to them. He founded Chess in Slums Africa, a non-profit organisation that uses the game to provide educational opportunities for children from disadvantaged communities.

“Chess has given me a way to find my place in the world, and I want to share that. It is a beautiful game, and it has the power to bring people together,” he said.

That outlook has helped define his public work beyond the competitive chess circuit. In April 2024, Onakoya gained international recognition after setting a Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon with Puerto Rican chess master Shawn Martinez.

The record attempt took place in New York's Times Square between April 17 and 20. The two players competed for more than 61 hours, surpassing the previous record of 61 hours, three minutes and 34 seconds, set by Norwegian players Hallvard Haug Flatebø and Sjur Ferkingstad in June 2024. Although the marathon was initially intended to last 70 hours, it ended after Onakoya and Martinez secured the record.

The achievement brought global attention to Onakoya and his work, while the forthcoming Lagos festival represents a different undertaking: building an event that connects chess with the cultural life of a major Nigerian city.

Its first edition is scheduled for October 2027. The festival's eventual reach will depend on its execution and ability to attract participants and audiences, but its announced programme sets out an ambition that extends beyond the chessboard, using a game played across continents to showcase Lagos culture and create new avenues for participation.

Ayra Starr Makes NFL History as First African Artist to Headline International Games Halftime Show

Nigerian singer Ayra Starr has added a new distinction to her international career, becoming the first African artist to headline a halftime show at an NFL International Game.

The performance took place on Sunday, October 11, 2026, at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, where the Philadelphia Eagles faced the Jacksonville Jaguars. During the break in the game, Starr took centre stage on a temporary platform erected in the middle of the pitch, performing her hit songs Rush and Heaven Baby for the stadium audience.

Her appearance brought Afrobeats into the heart of one of American football’s international fixtures, placing a Nigerian performer at the centre of an event that combines professional sport with global entertainment.

The milestone comes as the National Football League continues to extend its reach beyond the United States through regular-season games hosted in international markets. London has become an important venue in that expansion, attracting audiences to matchups that also provide a platform for music and other forms of entertainment.

Arya Starr’s selection represents another opportunity to reach audiences through a global sporting institution with a substantial international following. Afrobeats has steadily expanded its presence across international stages, and her performance at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium adds the NFL’s international programme to the list of platforms carrying the sound beyond Africa.

The appearance also strengthens Starr’s growing international profile. Known for songs including Rush, the singer has continued to build a career that connects Nigerian music with listeners across different markets.

By becoming the first African artist to headline an NFL International Game halftime show, Ayra Starr has secured a place in the history of the league’s international entertainment programme while extending the visibility of Nigerian music before a global sporting audience.

Ondo Signs $362m Deal for Nigeria’s First Integrated Titanium Plant

Ondo State has signed a $362 million investment agreement to establish West Africa’s first fully integrated titanium value-chain processing plant and Africa’s second, positioning Nigeria to process more of its mineral resources locally and supply materials to international markets.

The agreement between the state government and PyVee Limited, a Nigerian company with links to U.S. industrial and technical expertise, was signed on Saturday, October 10, 2026. The project will process Nigeria’s ilmenite ore into higher-value products rather than export it in its raw form, with the aim of reducing dependence on imported titanium products and connecting the country’s critical-minerals industry to aerospace and defence supply chains in the United States.

The facility will occupy 100.079 hectares allocated by the state government at Alape, along the Igbokoda–Ugbonla Road in Ilaje Local Government Area. The site was selected for its access to lagoon water, gas infrastructure for captive power generation and proximity to the Deep-Sea Port and export logistics along the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Corridor.

The agreement was facilitated through the Ondo State Development and Investment Promotion Agency (ONDIPA) and signed at the office of the Secretary to the State Government in Alagbaka, Akure.

The project will be developed through PyVee Nigeria Titanium Limited, a joint-venture Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), in two phases. The first involves a $12 million commercial pilot plant, followed by a full-scale titanium processing complex. The total capital requirement is estimated at $362 million, with the combined investment in the two phases exceeding $350 million.

Peter Oladipupo, founder and chief executive officer of PyVee Limited, said the immediate priorities were mobilisation and construction of the pilot facility. Commercial operations are targeted to begin approximately 21 months from the date of the agreement.

The plant is expected to produce titanium dioxide pigment and titanium sponge. Its integrated chemical-processing system will also provide a platform for future production of niobium-titanium alloys and selected rare earth products.

The proposed investment carries substantial economic projections. According to Oladipupo, the two phases could generate more than ₦300 billion in annual gross economic value for Ondo State and over ₦480 billion nationally. The project is expected to create more than 150 direct jobs during the pilot phase, over 800 direct jobs in the second phase, and more than 5,000 additional indirect and induced jobs. These remain projections, with their realisation dependent on implementation and the development of commercial operations.

PyVee Limited designs, develops, deploys and operates modular chemical manufacturing plants for critical materials and chemicals. Its work spans process development, engineering, feasibility studies, financing and commercial partnerships, with a focus on modular facilities that can be deployed across Africa to diversify global supply chains.

Oladipupo, a native of Ogun State, described the agreement as a step towards implementing the project and building the industrial capacity required to derive greater value from Africa’s mineral resources. He said the company also intends to establish partnerships that connect African critical-mineral value chains with global markets.

Under the agreement, the Ondo State Government will facilitate access to raw materials, support the acquisition of required licences, permits and regulatory approvals, provide critical infrastructure within the project area and coordinate the resolution of host community-related matters. These responsibilities are intended to support the project's implementation and long-term sustainability.

A notable feature of the transaction is the equity-for-land arrangement, under which Ondo State will receive a stake in the project's SPV rather than a one-off cash payment for the land.

Emmanuel Omomowo, chief executive of ONDIPA, said the agency helped structure the transaction and conduct due diligence on PyVee's technical and financial capacity. He explained that the equity arrangement gives the state a direct interest in the venture's performance, adding that the government intends to replicate the model in future public-private partnership projects.

Taiwo Fasoranti, the Secretary to the Ondo State Government, linked the agreement to Governor Aiyedatiwa's industrialisation agenda, which seeks to convert the state's mineral resources into local employment, technology transfer and sustained revenue.

“This is exactly the kind of partnership our administration has been working toward, one where Ondo State’s resources stay home long enough to create value, jobs, and lasting revenue for our people,” Fasoranti said.

He reaffirmed the government's commitment to supporting the project from land allocation through commissioning and to attracting foreign direct investment into Ondo's mining and materials-processing sector.

The immediate milestone is the construction of the $12 million pilot plant, which will precede the proposed full-scale processing complex. The targeted commercial launch, approximately 21 months after the agreement, will be an important step in determining how quickly the project can begin delivering on its industrial and economic projections.

ABUAD Pushes Nigerian-Made Herbal Medicines in Bid to Cut Imports

Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD), is seeking to expand the market for Nigerian-made herbal medicines, calling for stronger support for products developed locally rather than continued dependence on traditional remedies imported from countries such as India and China.

The university's effort centres on turning its pharmaceutical research into products that can reach more Nigerians, backed by effective marketing and partnerships with industry stakeholders.

At a two-day AB Pharmaceuticals Business Summit held in Ado Ekiti on Saturday, ABUAD presented three of its pharmaceutical products namely; AB Mal, ABUAD Virucidine and AB Health Animation 250mg, as part of efforts to increase their visibility and distribution. The summit was organised in collaboration with pharmaceutical marketers.

Oluwatoyin Afolabi, Deputy Director of AB Pharmaceutical Services, said Nigeria's reliance on foreign herbal products represented both economic and medical dependence, particularly given the country's indigenous medicinal resources and growing research capacity.

She recalled that Nigerian communities relied on remedies derived from local resources before orthodox medicine became widespread. Yet, she argued, locally developed products have not received the same enthusiasm as their foreign counterparts.

“We have served the Indians enough, and we have served the Chinese enough,” Afolabi said, criticising the extensive promotion of imported traditional medicines by Nigerians.

She explained that the summit was intended to establish a marketing strategy and business relationships that would help ABUAD's products reach consumers. The initiative, she added, reflects the vision of the university's founder, Aare Afe Babalola, who wants Nigerians to increasingly rely on medicines developed and produced within the country.

Afolabi warned that the volume of imported medicines entering Nigeria daily represents a substantial drain on the country's economic resources. She called for greater investment in locally developed medicines, alongside stronger production and marketing efforts, to reverse the pattern.

She also argued that changing established attitudes did not necessarily require a mass movement, noting that one determined individual could initiate a transformation.

ABUAD Vice-Chancellor, Professor Smaranda Olarinde, said reducing pharmaceutical imports would require closer cooperation across the healthcare and research sectors. She advocated a system in which universities, industry, regulators, healthcare professionals, investors and consumers work together to move promising innovations from laboratories into the marketplace.

Peter Ajayi, Chairman of the Association of Pharmaceutical Products Marketers of Nigeria in Ekiti State, commended Aare Afe Babalola for his vision across different fields. He pledged that the association would do what it could to help the university's products reach prospective consumers.

ABUAD's campaign highlights a challenge facing Nigeria's pharmaceutical industry: developing local medicines is only part of the task; building the partnerships and market access needed to bring them to consumers is equally important. The university's latest initiative seeks to close that gap and give Nigerian-made products a stronger place in the country's medicine market.

Ogbuenyi Seeks FIFA Over-40 World Cup to Bring Football Legends Back to the Pitch

What happens to football legends when their international careers end? For Nosike Ogbuenyi, the answer could lie in a new FIFA competition that gives retired stars another opportunity to play before a global audience, earn from their sporting reputation and remain active in the game they helped shape.

The former spokesperson of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has proposed an Over-40 World Cup for retired international footballers aged between 40 and 65, an initiative he believes could extend the playing careers of some of the sport’s most recognisable names beyond their established retirement years.

Ogbuenyi submitted the proposal to FIFA through the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) secretariat in Abuja on Thursday. His plan would create a separate international competition for former senior national-team players, giving supporters another chance to watch footballers whose performances have earned them lasting recognition.

The proposed age category could bring together Nigerian stars such as Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha, Nwankwo Kanu, Victor Ikpeba, Emmanuel Amunike, Obafemi Martins, Vincent Enyeama and John Obi Mikel. Their international careers have connected them with different generations of Nigerian football supporters, and Ogbuenyi believes a dedicated tournament could renew that connection on the pitch.

The potential field would also extend to some of the biggest names in world football. Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Angel Di Maria, David Beckham, Andres Iniesta, Sergio Ramos, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Ronaldinho, Ronaldo de Lima, Didier Drogba, Samuel Eto’o and Zinedine Zidane are among the players he identified as possible attractions for fans who would welcome the opportunity to see former greats compete again.

Beyond the prospect of familiar names returning to action, Ogbuenyi sees the competition as a means of giving retired footballers a continuing role in the sport. He argues that participation would encourage them to maintain their physical fitness, provide an additional source of income and keep them in the public eye after leaving senior international football.

The tournament could also create a direct connection between experienced former internationals and younger players. According to Ogbuenyi, retired stars would have opportunities to contribute to the development of emerging talent and football in their respective countries, drawing on the experience they accumulated during their playing careers.

He has further argued that establishing a recognised competition for players over 40 could help discourage age cheating in youth and senior football. With an organised category available to older players, he believes, there would be another legitimate route for them to continue competing after reaching the age threshold.

Ogbuenyi has proposed two principal eligibility conditions. Players must have represented their countries at senior international level, and they must retire from senior international football before representing their nations in the Over-40 category. The proposed competition would therefore be reserved for former senior internationals rather than opened to all players within the specified age range.

Commercial viability is another consideration behind the proposal. Ogbuenyi believes television broadcasting rights and corporate partnerships could generate sufficient revenue to make the tournament financially sustainable. A competition featuring several generations of internationally recognised players could offer broadcasters and sponsors a distinct football product, although its commercial prospects would depend on FIFA's assessment and the eventual format.

The idea has been on his mind for approximately 15 years. Ogbuenyi said he first began considering it following Okocha's retirement, describing the former Nigerian playmaker as the country's most adored football prodigy. He held back from formally presenting the proposal until he believed the circumstances offered a stronger opportunity to attract worldwide attention.

The reported retirement of Argentina captain Lionel Messi, an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, became the trigger for that decision. Ogbuenyi said he anticipated that the development would generate global interest capable of drawing attention to his proposal.

“I first started nursing this idea when Jay Jay Okocha, Nigeria’s most adored football prodigy, retired about 15 years ago but I had to wait for this moment of Messi’s retirement to submit the proposal because of the anticipated global momentum,” he said.

Ogbuenyi, who previously served two terms as a special assistant on media to the FCT minister, has stressed that he is not seeking personal recognition for the initiative. He describes the proposal as an expression of his passion for football and his desire to give supporters more opportunities to enjoy the game.

“I am not making any claims for bringing up this idea and putting it across through this proposal to FIFA. I am just writing as a football fan who wants the world to be happier through more football games entertainment,” he said.

FIFA's response to the proposal remains unknown. If adopted, the idea would introduce another category of international competition built around players whose senior careers have ended but whose names still carry recognition among football audiences. Whether the concept can progress from a proposal into an organised tournament will depend on FIFA's consideration of its sporting structure, eligibility framework and commercial potential.

Nigeria Celebrates Double Triumph as Oma Osele Wins Miss Continental World 2026

Nigeria secured a double victory at the Continental World pageants in Thailand, with Lagos-born Oma Osele claiming the Miss Continental World 2026 crown and Unwana Sambo Essien finishing among the leading contestants in the men’s competition.

The two achievements came at the grand finale in Ayutthaya, where Osele emerged ahead of delegates from around the world to take the women’s ultimate title. Essien, competing at the Mister Continental World 2026 finals held on the same night, finished third runner-up, won the King of Kings title and received the Best National Attire award in the male category.

Osele’s victory was the culmination of a campaign that brought her several distinctions beyond the main crown. Before the final announcement, she had earned the Queen of Africa title as the highest-placing African delegate and secured the Best National Attire award for the competition’s most outstanding cultural costume. The honours gave Nigeria further recognition in a contest that brought together representatives of different countries.

At 28, Osele combines a background in medical laboratory science with entrepreneurship and modelling. She entered the international competition after winning EliteGlam Pageant Nigeria 2025, which earned her the opportunity to represent the country on the global stage.

Her campaign had already attracted international attention in September, when she won the World Premiere Award following a worldwide fan vote on Eventista’s 1Vote platform. She finished ahead of India’s Monica Konjengbam and Thailand’s Pornpaya Rianju in the voting, adding another distinction to her growing list of achievements before the final night in Ayutthaya.

The World Premiere Award came with a media package that included an official social media promotional campaign and an AP News press release, providing additional publicity for her participation and success.

The outcome in Thailand adds another chapter to Nigeria’s record of strong performances in international pageantry. Chidimma Adetshina’s first runner-up finish at Miss Universe 2024 remains among the country’s notable recent achievements in the global competition circuit. Osele’s latest victory further extends that record, placing a Nigerian contestant at the top of another international pageant.

Beyond the headline title, the combined results of Osele and Essien gave Nigeria multiple honours at the same event, spanning the women’s and men’s competitions as well as cultural presentation awards.

Osele’s win places her among the Nigerian women who have claimed top honours in international pageantry, following a competition in which she also secured recognition for her cultural attire and performance.

Ogaga Ifowodo Claims $100,000 Nigeria Prize for Literature as 2026 Awards Celebrate Nigerian Excellence

Nigeria's literary, creative and scientific communities took centre stage at the 2026 Nigeria LNG (NLNG) Grand Award Night in Lagos, where achievements spanning poetry, documentary filmmaking and artificial intelligence received national recognition. Among the evening's major honours, poet and acclaimed writer Ogaga Ifowodo emerged as the winner of the $100,000 Nigeria Prize for Literature with his collection, Why Does God Need a Gun?

Announced on Friday night, October 9, the award recognised a work that examines religious and political violence through the imagined voice of someone caught in its devastating consequences. The collection prevailed over an initial field of 223 submissions, earning the highest distinction in one of Nigeria's prominent literary competitions.

Professor Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, Chairman of the Advisory Board for The Nigeria Prize for Literature, described Ifowodo's winning entry as a deeply sensitive portrayal of the country's experience of religious and political violence. Her assessment placed particular emphasis on the collection's human perspective, bringing the suffering associated with conflict into focus through poetry.

The judges' evaluation also underscored the strength of the other shortlisted collections. Adimora-Ezeigbo praised their technical mastery, maturity of language and thematic depth, noting that the works addressed concerns extending beyond Nigeria's borders.

“These are works deeply rooted in the Nigerian experience, yet they reach far beyond our borders,” she said.

She identified recurring themes across the shortlisted entries, including identity and belonging, the promises and disappointments of nationhood, the consequences of extremism and displacement, and the enduring effects of conflict on individuals and communities. Although the writers approached these subjects through different voices and styles, their works collectively explored questions with relevance to societies around the world.

The recognition of Ifowodo's collection placed literature at the heart of a ceremony that also introduced a new platform for Nigerian documentary filmmakers. Peter Oghenetega Oke and Feranmi Abiola emerged as joint winners of the inaugural Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts, sharing a $20,000 award between their respective films, Beyond Tarkwa Bay and Mara Mania.

The two entries were selected from 98 documentary submissions, marking the first time the newly established prize recognised winners in the creative arts category.

Joel Kachi Benson, Technical Adviser to the Advisory Board for the Creative Arts category, praised the films for drawing attention to communities that receive limited visibility, safeguarding cultural memory and deepening public understanding through visual storytelling. Their recognition broadened the scope of the Nigeria Prizes, bringing documentary filmmaking alongside literature and science as fields deserving of national distinction.

Scientific innovation had already produced another landmark achievement in the 2026 awards season. Mary-Brenda Akoda was previously announced as the winner of The Nigeria Prize for Science and Innovation for GenScan AI (GenMRI/C-MORE), an artificial intelligence innovation designed to accelerate magnetic resonance imaging.

Akoda's achievement broke new ground in the prize's history. She became its first Generation Z recipient and the first woman to win the science prize as an individual awardee, adding two significant milestones to the recognition of her work.

The three award categories reflect different approaches to addressing human needs and understanding society. Ifowodo's poetry examines the consequences of violence and the experience of those affected by it; the winning documentaries preserve stories and cultural experiences through film; and Akoda's innovation applies artificial intelligence to a medical imaging process. Together, the achievements demonstrate the range of ideas and expertise emerging from Nigeria's intellectual and creative communities.

NLNG Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Adeleye Falade addressed the wider purpose of the awards in his opening remarks, explaining that the Nigeria Prizes were established to nurture excellence that contributes directly to national development.

He highlighted the role of the literature prize in giving Nigerian authors a platform to present stories of identity and resilience to international audiences. The recognition of writers, filmmakers and scientists forms part of a broader effort to connect achievement in different disciplines with the country's development ambitions.

Nobel laureate Professor Wole Soyinka brought another dimension to the occasion, arguing that imagination should not be treated as the exclusive territory of writers and artists. He emphasised that scientific disciplines, including physics and mathematics, depend on visionary thinking just as strongly as the humanities do.

Soyinka called for closer collaboration across disciplines in the service of humanity, challenging the notion that scientific inquiry and artistic expression occupy separate intellectual worlds. His remarks placed creativity and scientific discovery within a shared framework of curiosity, imagination and the pursuit of solutions to human challenges.

The 2026 Grand Award Night thus recognised more than individual victories. It brought together a poet examining the human cost of violence, filmmakers documenting communities and cultural memory, and a scientist applying artificial intelligence to medical imaging. Each achievement represented a different contribution to how people understand their world and respond to its challenges.

For Ifowodo, the $100,000 Nigeria Prize for Literature places Why Does God Need a Gun? among the year's most celebrated Nigerian literary works. His recognition, alongside the inaugural creative arts winners and Akoda's scientific breakthrough, gave the 2026 awards season a wider significance: Nigerian excellence is being expressed through multiple disciplines, each with the capacity to shape public understanding, preserve experience and contribute to progress.

Nigerian Researcher Oluwaseyi Amisu Secures $63,000 in US Funding for AI Energy Innovation

Nigerian researcher Oluwaseyi Amisu has secured $63,000 in combined US funding to advance an artificial intelligence-powered energy management system from early-stage development towards commercial application.

A doctoral student in Energy Science and Engineering at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Amisu is leading the development of a hybrid microgrid control system that coordinates renewable energy sources, battery storage and other power resources to meet changing electricity demands. The technology is designed to improve the integration of renewable energy into microgrid systems.

The project first received $13,000 through the Tennessee Technology Advancement Consortium's Proof-of-Concept programme to support its initial development and validation. Following this award, Launch Tennessee named Amisu among its 2026 Proof-of-Concept awardees.

The research subsequently advanced to the US National Science Foundation's National I-Corps programme, where Amisu and his team secured an additional $50,000 to investigate the technology's commercial potential. The two awards bring the total funding to $63,000.

The latest support marks a further stage in the project's development, extending beyond technical validation to an assessment of its prospects in the marketplace. This process will help the team examine the innovation's potential for practical application.

By combining artificial intelligence with the coordination of multiple energy resources, Amisu's work addresses a key challenge in microgrid management: balancing different sources of electricity to respond to fluctuating demand.

Nigerian Researcher Peter Akor Wins Double Honours in UK Competition With Epilepsy Prediction Research

The ability to anticipate an epileptic seizure before it happens could change how people living with the condition prepare for and manage its effects. That possibility formed the centre of Nigerian researcher Peter Akor’s presentation at a major UK academic competition, where he secured two of its top honours.

A postgraduate researcher at Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU), Scotland, Akor won both the Judges’ Choice and People’s Choice awards at the 2026 Vitae Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition, distinguishing himself among postgraduate researchers from across the United Kingdom.

His presentation, titled “The Minutes That Matter: Transforming Epileptic Seizure Care from Reaction to Prediction,” examined how technology and data could be used to predict epileptic seizures before they occur. The approach has the potential to improve safety, support treatment decisions and enhance the quality of life of people living with epilepsy.

Rather than focusing solely on responding to seizures after they begin, the research explored the possibilities of anticipating them. Such a shift could give patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals valuable time to prepare, although the practical benefits would depend on how effectively seizure prediction methods can be developed and applied.

Akor represented the School of Science and Engineering at Glasgow Caledonian University in the final, where he competed against five other postgraduate researchers. His presentation had to communicate the substance of his research within the competition’s three-minute format, a challenge that requires participants to make specialised academic work accessible to a diverse audience.

The competition also featured another Nigerian postgraduate researcher from the same university. Abisola Ijaodola, also of GCU’s School of Science and Engineering, presented “Developing a Climate Just Finance Framework for Glasgow.” Her participation brought a second Nigerian researcher into a final featuring work on distinct but socially relevant challenges.

Akor later described the calibre of the competition.

“I competed with researchers from Oxford, Kings College, Surrey, Reading and Westminster in the finals,” he said.

Akor’s double victory placed his presentation at the top of both the judges’ assessment and the audience vote.

Vitae is a UK higher education organisation that supports researchers. Its Three Minute Thesis competition challenges postgraduate researchers to explain their work clearly and compellingly within a tightly limited presentation time, allowing audiences beyond their specialist fields to understand the purpose and potential value of their research.

Akor’s success brings attention to research exploring how technological advances could address practical healthcare needs. Epilepsy affects the daily lives of people who must manage the uncertainty of seizures, making the prospect of better prediction an important area of investigation.

His achievement, alongside Ijaodola’s participation, also highlights the breadth of research being undertaken by Nigerians in international academic institutions. Their work spans healthcare technology and climate-related financial frameworks, demonstrating how Nigerian researchers are engaging with questions that have implications for individuals, communities and public policy.

Winning both awards at the 2026 Vitae Three Minute Thesis competition marks an important academic accomplishment for Akor. His presentation has also brought more attention to a vital research question: whether data and technology can help transform epilepsy care by providing earlier indications of seizures and creating more opportunities for preparation and intervention.

J.P. Morgan Plans Nigerian Merchant Bank as Country Re-enters Its Emerging Markets Index

J.P. Morgan is preparing to establish a merchant bank in Nigeria before the end of 2026, subject to regulatory approval, opening a new chapter in its engagement with the country’s financial sector. The plan comes as Nigeria secures a place in the global financial institution’s new emerging markets bond index, nearly 11 years after its removal from an earlier benchmark.

Dapo Olagunji, managing director of J.P. Morgan West Africa, announced the proposed banking operation on October 8 at the Nigeria–Asia Financial Connectivity Dialogue in Singapore. The planned establishment would expand J.P. Morgan’s presence in Nigeria as the country seeks to develop its financial markets and strengthen access to international capital.

Nigeria’s inclusion in the new Government Bond Index–Emerging Markets Edge (GBI-EM Edge) was announced on September 15, with the country assigned a weighting of 7.4 per cent. Launched at the end of September, the index tracks local-currency government bonds across frontier markets. Nigeria’s allocation places it among the benchmark’s largest represented markets and could increase the visibility of its government securities among global fixed-income investors.

The inclusion heralds a new begining following Nigeria’s removal from J.P. Morgan’s GBI-EM in 2015. Its return to a J.P. Morgan emerging markets benchmark comes after almost 11 years, creating fresh scope for international investors to assess the country’s domestic debt market.

The merchant bank announcement formed part of the financial engagements in Singapore involving Nigerian officials and international market participants. The dialogue was convened by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in collaboration with J.P. Morgan, Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX) and FMDQ Group.

CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso also held a series of meetings with financial institutions and market stakeholders in Singapore ahead of the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank in Bangkok.

The proposed bank’s opening remains dependent on regulatory approval, with operations expected to begin before the close of 2026. Its establishment, alongside Nigeria’s inclusion in the new bond index, could strengthen the country’s links with international finance. Its lasting value will depend on how these developments translate into investment activity and greater depth in Nigeria’s domestic financial markets.

Nigerian Programmer Wins Silver at International High-Tech Championship in Russia

Olaniran Taiwo Sikiru has secured second place at the 2026 High-Tech Championship Final in Veliky Novgorod, Russia, giving Nigeria a strong result at its first appearance in the international competition. The Nigerian software programmer earned silver in the specialised Quality Control Specialist for Transport Logistics Processes category, competing against professionals at an event dedicated to advanced technical and industry skills.

Sikiru’s achievement brings attention to a field where technology and operational expertise intersect. His competition category focuses on applying professional and technological methods to maintain quality and efficiency across transport and logistics operations. These processes are essential to the effective management of modern transportation systems, where performance standards and operational reliability matter.

With a professional background in software programming, Sikiru brought his technical experience into a discipline extending beyond conventional software development. His second-place finish placed him among the leading performers in his category and gave Nigeria a notable result on its introduction to the championship.

The competition ran from September 14 to 18, 2026, attracting more than 15,000 participants from 30 foreign countries, alongside representatives from all 89 regions of the Russian Federation. Its programme covered 20 high-tech competencies, bringing together participants across a range of specialised professional and technological disciplines.

Sikiru was accompanied by Ojetimi Abdulfatai, a fellow Nigerian who served as his mentor, expert and technical specialist throughout the event. While Sikiru competed as Nigeria’s official representative, Abdulfatai provided technical support, making their participation a joint effort to present Nigerian expertise on an international platform.

Their appearance marked the first time Nigeria had sent a delegation to compete at the High-Tech Championship Final. Sikiru’s silver-medal result gave that debut a competitive distinction, establishing an initial Nigerian presence at an event that draws participants from across national boundaries and professional fields.

The result also highlights the breadth of international competitions available to Nigerian professionals beyond more familiar technology disciplines. Sikiru competed in a specialised area connecting technical knowledge with transport logistics and quality management, demonstrating how professional expertise can be applied across different sectors.

Nigeria’s debut in Veliky Novgorod has now produced a concrete result and an entry point for future participation. With Sikiru finishing second in his discipline, the country has established its presence at the championship and recorded an achievement that could encourage more Nigerian professionals to pursue opportunities in international high-tech skills competitions.

The Nigerian Mind Feeding Mars

Chinyere Ukeje, 25, has won the $300,000 grand prize in NASA's Deep Space Food Challenge, a global competition to find the best way to feed astronauts on long journeys through space. Her winning design, the Adaptive Nourishment Infrastructure (ANI), beat entries from 33 countries, and it may one day decide what the first crews bound for Mars sit down to eat. Picture the scene: months into the dark between Earth and Mars, an astronaut drops a small cube into a portable electric lunchbox and minutes later enjoys a good meal.

Why does NASA need such an idea? A one-way trip to Mars takes at least nine months. Pre-packaged meals cannot be the main plan for a journey that long, because shelf life runs out, nutrients degrade, and a spacecraft's weight limits leave no room for waste.

So NASA set a hard task. Competitors had to build an operational model able to feed a 15-person crew for 500 Martian sols, about 513 Earth days. Alexander Meyers, head judge of Mars to Table, said the difficulty was deliberate. "The criteria we laid out for this competition were challenging, but intentionally so," he said. "This challenge spotlights the complexity of a complete space food system and the human ingenuity required to solve these problems. Every new idea presented in this challenge represents a possible new tool in NASA's plans for the future of space exploration."

The contest drew 113 submissions in the 2026 edition. NASA chose five winners and shared $650,000 among them. Ukeje took first place, ahead of four other teams.

Her entry stood out for how it thinks. Ukeje is a computer scientist, and she treated the problem as one of connection. "The problem of feeding astronauts on Mars is more than just growing crops," she told The Philadelphia Inquirer, adding that she "completely poured myself into this project." She explained her method this way: "I approached the challenge through the lens of computer science, looking at how these standalone food production technologies could be connected, how their data could be synthesised, and how that information could help the crew make the decisions they need to survive."

NASA describes ANI as "a modular food ecosystem combining controlled-environment agriculture, fermentation and fungi cultivation, and closed-loop nutrient recycling through bioreactors with limited Earth-provisioned foods to produce 50% of the food away from Earth." In simple terms, half of the crew's food would be made in space, using a mix of plants, fermentation, fungi and recycling. The agency says the system can cook fresh meals every day while adjusting to power shortages, scarce water, equipment trouble or a crew short on time.

Ukeje also kept astronauts' comfort in mind. The meals come from nutrient-dense bio-cubes and turn into familiar favourites like tacos and pasta. For a crew far from home, that matters as much as the calories.

The name ANI carries a message of its own. It honours the Igbo goddess of harvest and fertile ground, bringing Nigerian heritage into a field where it is rarely seen.

Her own path stretches across two countries. Ukeje spent much of her early childhood in Maryland, moved to Nigeria for high school, then returned to the United States for a bachelor's degree in Computer Science at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). She is now a graduate student at Johns Hopkins University.

There are no restrictions on how she spends the prize, and her mind is made up: the money goes back into research on food technology and deep-space innovation. It is a fitting next step for a young woman whose story shows what Nigerian talent, culture and resilience can offer when the world sets its hardest problems on the table. The next time humanity looks to the stars and asks how it will survive the journey, a Nigerian name may well be part of the answer.

EbonyLife Brings Nigerian Cinema, Fashion and Culture Under One Roof in London

Nigerian creativity is making more than a statement in London’s cultural landscape with the opening of EbonyLife Place London, a multi-storey destination bringing Nollywood, African fashion, cuisine, visual art and live entertainment together in the British capital.

Located near Nine Elms in south-west London, the centre was inaugurated on Thursday, October 8, 2026, at a ceremony attended by Mo Abudu, founder and Chief Executive Officer of EbonyLife Group, and London Mayor Sadiq Khan. Its opening also coincided with the London Film Festival.

Rather than operating solely as a cinema, the facility has been designed to bring different creative industries into one setting. Its attractions include a Nigerian restaurant, a bar, a lounge named Fàhinti, a boutique showcasing designers from Africa and the diaspora, and artworks celebrating the African diaspora. The centre will also host masterclasses, industry panels and live performances involving established and emerging talents.

Film remains central to the project as its screening programme will focus primarily on Nollywood productions, alongside films exploring Black experiences. The accompanying activities are intended to create opportunities for audiences to engage with filmmakers and other creative professionals beyond the viewing experience.

The establishment of the London centre addresses a concern raised by Abudu about the availability of venues dedicated to Black and African cinema in the United Kingdom. Speaking at the inauguration, she argued that African filmmakers need spaces where audiences can discover their work and appreciate the quality of their storytelling.

“We don’t have enough spaces to serve black cinema in the United Kingdom… representation is so important to us,” she said.

Abudu also highlighted the interest among younger audiences in compelling narratives, stressing the need to create experiences that bring viewers closer to African productions.

“I do think there is a younger audience of young people now that just want to see great storytelling.

“We make great films, and I think we need to create experiences where people can come, and they can see the great work that we do in black cinema, in African cinema,” she said.

The centre’s cultural offering reflects an approach that places cinema alongside fashion, food and art. By featuring African and diaspora designers, Nigerian cuisine and artworks celebrating the diaspora, the venue gives visitors several ways to encounter African creativity within a single location.

Its opening also brings the project into a city with an established film production industry. At the inauguration, Khan described London as a major centre for filmmaking and said the city would continue investing in culture.

EbonyLife Place London creates another avenue through which local productions and creative talent can reach audiences abroad. Its long-term contribution will depend on the strength of its film programme, the audiences it attracts and the opportunities it creates for professionals working across the industry.

The centre’s significance will therefore extend beyond the number of films screened. Its ability to sustain interest in Nollywood, provide a platform for other African stories and connect different creative disciplines will determine how firmly it establishes itself within London’s cultural scene.

Enugu Secures $200 Million Investment for 100MW Solar Power Project

Enugu State has secured a $200 million investment to develop a 100-megawatt (MW) solar power project aimed at improving electricity supply to homes, businesses, agricultural processors and other enterprises. The development adds to Nigeria’s growing portfolio of renewable energy projects designed to expand access to electricity beyond the national grid.

Governor Peter Mbah announced the investment during a meeting with a delegation from Eauxwell Nigeria Ltd., led by its Managing Director, Edwin Enwegbara, at the Government House in Enugu on Thursday, October 8, 2026.

The proposed facility will combine distributed solar generation with battery storage to provide a more dependable source of electricity for residential and commercial users. Small businesses and agricultural processors stand to benefit from improved access to power, which is essential for production, storage and other daily operations.

Beyond securing the investment, the Enugu State Government is reviewing the project's financial model to ensure that the eventual electricity tariffs remain affordable. Mbah said the assumptions presented by the investors required further examination to balance their need to recover costs with the ability of households and businesses to pay.

The governor also called for a shorter implementation timeline and pledged government support to remove bureaucratic and institutional obstacles that could delay the project. His administration's stated objective is to establish an electricity market that delivers reliable power at a cost consumers can sustain.

Enwegbara said the final tariff would be determined in consultation with the relevant regulators, taking both investment recovery and consumer affordability into account.

Olufemi Akinyelure, Head of the Nigeria Electrification Programme at the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), participated virtually in the meeting, explaining the structure, objectives and implementation of the Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES) programme.

Enugu's investment comes amid similar efforts in other parts of the country. Niger State secured a $150 million loan from the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) in July 2026 to finance a separate 100MW solar project. Mustapha Abubakar, Chairman of the New Niger Development Project, said the state would contribute an additional $10 million, bringing the announced funding to $160 million.

First announced in January 2026, the IsDB-backed Niger State Solar Electrification Project is valued at approximately $163 million. The proposed facility will occupy about 200 hectares in Maikunkele and supply electricity to households, businesses, agricultural activities and industries. It will also include social intervention programmes for surrounding communities and is intended to reduce dependence on the national grid.

Solar generation, battery storage and decentralised mini-grids offer opportunities to serve communities and businesses that continue to face unreliable grid supply.

The expansion of renewable energy is also creating opportunities for Nigerian manufacturers. In April 2026, REA Managing Director Abba Aliyu disclosed that domestic solar panel manufacturing capacity had risen to 300MW from 120MW two years earlier. Nigeria also had a project pipeline of 3.7 gigawatts.

Renewable energy investments reached approximately $425 million in 2025, supporting eight manufacturing facilities. Nigerian-made solar panels are being exported to Ghana, while other African countries have expressed interest in Nigeria's electricity access model.

Regulatory changes are helping to widen the scope for decentralised power generation. The 2026 Mini-Grid Regulations permit interconnected mini-grids of up to 10MW and simplify licensing procedures and environmental assessments, easing some of the requirements for developing smaller electricity systems.

The REA has also secured a ₦100 billion revolving credit facility with Lotus Bank to extend electricity access in underserved communities. In a separate initiative, the agency partnered with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to solarise 15 public institutions.

At the national level, the DARES programme aims to connect 17.5 million Nigerians through more than 2.5 million household connections and 1,350 mini-grids, including 250 interconnected systems. The programme is backed by $750 million in funding and is expected to attract a further $1.1 billion in private investment.

Enugu's project adds substantial capital to this expanding sector, but its ultimate value will be determined by delivery. Timely construction, affordable tariffs and dependable electricity will be critical to ensuring that the investment translates into tangible benefits for residents and businesses.

With domestic manufacturing capacity increasing and state governments pursuing new renewable energy projects, Nigeria has an opportunity to strengthen electricity access while building a larger role for local industry. The priority is to turn announced investments into functioning infrastructure that supports enterprise, agricultural production and economic growth.

Naira Ranks Among Africa’s Strongest Currencies as World Bank Records Limited Q2 Decline

The naira has emerged among Africa’s more resilient currencies after weathering a period of significant pressure on the continent’s foreign exchange markets, with the World Bank recording a maximum depreciation of 2.6% between March and June 2026.

The finding is contained in the World Bank’s October 2026 Africa Economic Update, which examined currency movements across 22 African countries outside the CFA franc zone.

The period brought a combination of higher energy prices, geopolitical uncertainty, capital outflows and stronger demand for the US dollar. The escalation of conflict in the Middle East initially placed pressure on African currencies, although the impact varied considerably between economies.

Nigeria’s experience stood out. While the naira weakened to N1,425/$ on March 9, data from the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM) show that the currency began strengthening soon afterwards. It closed at N1,390.50/$ on March 10 and N1,387/$ by March 31.

The recovery gathered pace over the following months. The naira closed at N1,365/$ on August 3 and N1,360.15/$ on August 12. By August 24, it had reached N1,349.99/$ before ending the month at N1,335.50/$.

The currency closed at N1,329/$ on September 1 and reached N1,320/$ on September 7. It ended September at N1,329.50/$ and closed October 7 at N1,332.75/$.

The October 7 rate was N92.25 stronger than the March 9 level, representing an appreciation of approximately 6.5%. That longer-period comparison is separate from the World Bank’s March-to-June measurement, but illustrates the naira’s movement after its March low.

The bigger African picture was considerably more uneven.

Seven of the 22 currencies assessed by the World Bank recorded maximum depreciations of more than 5% during the period. Ghana’s cedi recorded the sharpest decline among the highlighted currencies, falling by as much as 10%.

South Africa, Lesotho, Namibia and Eswatini recorded maximum declines of up to 7.2%, while the currencies of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda fell by 6% and 5%, respectively.

The World Bank linked the different outcomes partly to the structure of individual economies and their external positions.

Nigeria’s position as a major crude oil exporter provided some support as higher oil prices increased export earnings and foreign exchange inflows. Angola benefited from the same rise in crude prices, while South Africa gained from stronger demand for gold and platinum.

Energy-importing economies faced a different challenge. Rising oil and other energy prices increased import bills and demand for US dollars, while countries with limited foreign exchange buffers and high debt-service obligations faced additional strain.

Capital reallocation away from emerging and frontier markets also added to depreciation pressures as geopolitical uncertainty intensified. At the same time, higher fertilizer and other agricultural input costs contributed to imported inflation.

The World Bank further noted that depreciation can increase fiscal vulnerabilities in countries with significant dollar-denominated debt because the local-currency cost of servicing external obligations rises.

By August, the naira was among the currencies that had recovered from the pressure experienced earlier in the year. Only 10 of the 22 currencies monitored remained weaker than their end-February positions.

Ghana’s cedi remained 2.5% below its end-February level, Uganda’s currency was 3.1% weaker, while South Sudan recorded one of the largest remaining declines at 5.5%. Nigeria and Angola were among the economies where stronger crude oil receipts helped cushion exchange-rate pressures.

The currency performance also comes as the World Bank improves its outlook for Nigeria’s economy.

The bank has raised its 2026 growth forecast for Nigeria to 4.3%, compared with 4.0% in 2025, and projects growth of 4.4% in both 2027 and 2028.

The latest currency figures therefore place the naira in a notable position within the World Bank’s African assessment: it was exposed to the same global shocks affecting the continent, but its maximum second-quarter depreciation was limited to 2.6%, followed by a recovery that carried the currency substantially above its March weakness.

Lagos Airport Set for Rail Connection as Red Line Extension Plans Five Stops

Lagos’ international gateway is undergoing a major transformation, with plans to extend the Lagos Red Line into Murtala Muhammed International Airport and create about five stops within the airport complex.

The proposed stations will serve Terminal 1, Terminal 2, Hadron Cargo, airport offices and another location around Bisam, according to the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Olubunmi Onabanjo-Kuku.

The project is being initiated by the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and will extend the Red Line from its current terminus around Ikeja into the airport, creating a direct rail connection between the aviation hub and the Lagos transport network.

The objective is to give passengers and airport users an alternative to road transportation when travelling between the airport and other parts of Lagos.

“The whole idea is to connect the city to the airport. So from the airport, you should be able to get into Marina almost immediately. You shouldn’t have to use cars,” Onabanjo-Kuku said.

The project is still in its preparatory phase as environmental impact assessments, design reviews and procurement procedures are being undertaken before construction can begin.

The proposed rail connection forms part of the transformation taking place at the airport, where Terminals 1 and 2 are undergoing extensive rehabilitation and expansion.

One of the major milestones is the overhead bridge connecting the two terminals. FAAN said the final concrete work has been completed, while the canopy and structural work are substantially finished and the rails have been installed.

The authority expects the bridge to be ready in earnest with the aim of opening it before the December travel rush.

“I’m extremely excited to see the level of progress. I’ve just engaged some of the consultants and the engineering team on the project, and I’ve been informed that in the next couple of months this will be ready for use,” Onabanjo-Kuku said.

Work is also progressing on Terminal 1, including its canopy structure and façade. The redevelopment covers baggage-handling systems, check-in technology, retail facilities and other systems designed to modernise passenger processing.

Accessibility is another component of the redevelopment. FAAN has provided two ambulifts, while a ground-handling company has supplied another for passengers who require mobility assistance.

The renovated facilities will also feature wheelchair-accessible ramps, elevators and improved passenger separation. Flight information systems are being developed to better accommodate travellers with hearing and visual impairments.

“We want to make sure that this is an inclusive project for all of our passengers,” Onabanjo-Kuku said.

When completed, the combination of terminal upgrades and the proposed Red Line extension will give Lagos airport a different transport and passenger environment. The rail project, in particular, could establish a direct public transport link between the airport and the city, reducing reliance on road journeys along one of Lagos’ most important travel corridors.

Fidson Takes Nigerian Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Into Global Influenza Supply Chain

A Nigerian pharmaceutical company is joining an international effort to expand access to influenza treatment, with Fidson Healthcare Plc selected to develop and manufacture a generic version of Roche’s antiviral drug, baloxavir marboxil, for supply across 129 countries.

Fidson is one of 11 manufacturers from nine countries selected under a voluntary licensing agreement between the Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) and Swiss pharmaceutical company Roche. Its selection places a Nigerian manufacturer among companies being positioned to produce an important influenza medicine closer to the populations that need it.

The programme covers nearly all low- and middle-income countries across Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nigeria, Uganda, Ukraine and Vietnam, subject to regulatory approval.

The development follows the Roche-MPP voluntary licence signed in May 2026 and moves the agreement into product development and manufacturing. Selected companies will work towards regulatory approval of quality-assured generic versions of baloxavir.

The manufacturers were announced during the United Nations General Assembly in New York at an MPP side event supported by Roche, titled “Advancing pandemic preparedness through voluntary licensing, technology transfer, and local production.” Government representatives, industry players, international organisations, manufacturers and civil society groups attended the event.

The manufacturing network combines companies with global reach and regional production capacity. Laurus Labs and MSN in India, and Desano and Guilin Pharma (Fosun) in China, are the four globally focused manufacturers, while seven regionally focused companies are based in Brazil, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nigeria, Uganda, Ukraine and Vietnam.

According to the MPP, the arrangement is intended to diversify influenza medicine supply chains and strengthen production capacity ahead of future health emergencies rather than waiting until an outbreak creates a crisis.

MPP Executive Director Charles Gore said the organisation would support the selected manufacturers through product development and regulatory approval, with the aim of making quality-assured generic baloxavir available as quickly as possible.

Roche Vice President and Head of Global Policy, Tamara Schudel, described the move from the original agreement to the selection of manufacturing partners as an important milestone, saying voluntary partnerships could support faster and more effective responses to future health emergencies.

The programme also has a strong African dimension. Aggrey Aluso, Director for Africa at Resilience Action Network International, said stronger regional manufacturing and diversified supply routes could prevent low- and middle-income countries from being left waiting for essential medical products during a crisis.

Fidson’s selection followed an open Expression of Interest process. Manufacturers were assessed on their technical and regulatory capabilities and their commitment to producing quality-assured baloxavir. They will receive technical data, reference products for bioequivalence studies and other support to aid development and regulatory approval.

Fidson Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Biola Adebayo, said the selection validates the company’s commitment to pharmaceutical manufacturing, innovation and improved healthcare outcomes.

“Being selected by the Medicines Patent Pool as a sublicensee under the Roche-MPP voluntary licensing programme for baloxavir marboxil is both an honour and a validation of Fidson’s longstanding commitment to quality-assured pharmaceutical manufacturing, innovation, and improving healthcare outcomes,” Adebayo said.

He added that Fidson was proud to contribute to regional health security and the growing role of African manufacturers in the global health ecosystem.

The next stage is development, regulatory approval and eventual production. If approved, Fidson’s generic baloxavir will form part of a supply network serving eligible markets across the 129 countries covered by the licence.

The development adds another significant chapter to Nigeria’s pharmaceutical manufacturing story, putting a homegrown company inside a global effort to make essential medicines more accessible and supply chains more resilient.

Lagos Life Crosses One Million Players as Nigerian Developer Turns Lagos Reality Into a Digital World

More than one million people have entered a digital Lagos created by Nigerian software developer Ijeoma Shalom Rayhamen, popularly known online as Shalom Rayhamen, turning her independent browser game, Lagos Life, into one of the most remarkable Nigerian digital entertainment stories of 2026.

Lagos Life crossed the one-million-player mark within days of its launch in early October, with more than 100,000 users reportedly online simultaneously at its peak.

The numbers, however, only tell part of the story. Rayhamen has taken familiar elements of Nigerian life and transformed them into the setting, mechanics and social fabric of a multiplayer game. Instead of creating a fictional city detached from everyday experience, she built around the Lagos that millions of people already know, its money culture, nightlife, food, music, work, social hierarchy, humour, pressures and ambitions.

Players create characters, find jobs, earn and spend money, manage their energy, buy food and work towards improving their circumstances. They can interact with other players and visit recognisable Lagos locations, including Amala Shitta and Quilox.

Even the game's economic system draws from realities familiar to Nigerians. Players are randomly assigned either “Nepo”, representing someone born into wealth and connections, or “Lapo”, representing someone beginning from a more difficult financial position and relying on micro-loans.

From there, players navigate a digital version of the choices and pressures associated with city life: earning money, managing limited resources, pursuing opportunities and attempting to improve their social position.

The game's day follows the real day, while Nigerian music plays in virtual clubs and references to money, work, status and everyday survival are woven into the experience.

The concept grew from Rayhamen's interest in simulation games. She played The Sims 3 while growing up and began imagining what a similar experience might look like if it were shaped around Nigerian culture. Another Nigerian-made browser game, Lagos Run, which allows players to drive a danfo through Lagos traffic, also influenced the project.

Rayhamen eventually took the idea beyond simulating one person's life. Lagos Life became a shared environment where players can see, communicate and compete with one another in real time.

Its browser-first design has helped remove another barrier to participation. Players do not need a console, a downloaded application or specialised gaming equipment. A phone or computer with internet access is enough.

That accessibility has coincided with extraordinary early demand. Lagos Life grew from more than 100,000 users to one million players within days, while millions of visits accumulated and peak simultaneous users rose above 100,000.

Nigeria's global creative presence has long been associated with music, film and fashion, while its technology story has been strongly linked to fintech, commerce and other digital services. Gaming and interactive entertainment offer another route through which Nigerian creators can develop original intellectual property from local experiences.

Lagos Life is an example of what that can look like.

Its appeal does not depend on making Lagos resemble somewhere else. The city itself provides the material. The places, language, humour, music, economic realities and social dynamics become part of the product.

That gives the game a cultural specificity that is difficult to reproduce without an intimate understanding of Nigerian life.

It also creates an interesting bridge beyond Nigeria. Nigerians living abroad can encounter references to familiar experiences, while people who have never visited the country can enter a digital interpretation of Lagos created by someone who understands it from within.

Lagos Life demonstrates that Nigerian experiences can be transformed into digital products capable of attracting mass participation. A local story can become a game. A city can become intellectual property. Everyday culture can become part of a commercially viable digital experience.

Rayhamen's work is still at an early stage, and sustaining the momentum will require continued investment in infrastructure, security, gameplay and community management.

The launch however has already established something important.

A Nigerian developer looked at the world around her, imagined how it could exist inside a game and built it for the web.

More than one million people have now walked into that idea.

Lagos Life has made Lagos more than a setting. It has made the city the story, the culture and the experience and shown just how far a Nigerian idea can travel when it is built for the digital world.

Dear Ajayi Carries Nigeria’s Film Story to the 2027 Oscars

A Nigerian family story set in the 1990s is now headed for one of the world’s biggest film stages, after Dear Ajayi was chosen as Nigeria’s official submission for the Best International Feature Film category at the 99th Academy Awards.

Directed, written and produced by Damilola Orimogunje, the film takes viewers into southwestern Nigeria, where the complicated relationship between two sisters becomes the centre of a story shaped by family, faith, grief and ambition.

Ade and Titi Ajayi have grown into women whose lives have taken different directions but when their ailing mother comes to live with them, the distance between the sisters is no longer something they can easily ignore. Old resentments return, and the choices that have shaped their individual lives come under scrutiny.

That intimate family conflict has now earned the film a place in Nigeria’s Oscar campaign.

The Nigerian Official Selection Committee, the body responsible for choosing the country’s entry for the Academy Awards, selected Dear Ajayi after reviewing eligible submissions. The announcement means the film will proceed to the Academy’s consideration stage, where it will compete for attention alongside submissions from film industries across the world.

NOSC Chairperson Stephanie Linus welcomed the selection and congratulated the filmmakers behind the production.

“We congratulate the filmmakers behind Dear Ajayi on their selection,” Linus said.

She added, “We look forward to presenting the film for the Academy’s consideration and wish the team every success in the next stage of the process.”

The film must first pass through the Academy’s consideration process before the final shortlist and nominees for Best International Feature Film are announced.

The 99th Academy Awards will therefore provide the next test for Dear Ajayi as the Academy weighs submissions from different countries and film industries.

For Nigerian cinema, the significance lies not only in the competition ahead but also in the story being taken to the international stage: a drama rooted in southwestern Nigeria, built around the emotional complexities of family and told through the lives of two sisters confronting the past while dealing with the realities of the present.

Etihad, Ibom Air Deal Expands International Air Links to Five Nigerian Cities

Five Nigerian cities are set to gain a stronger link to the international aviation network as Ibom Air enters an interline partnership with Etihad Airways ahead of the UAE carrier’s planned expansion into Lagos and Accra.

The agreement will bring Abuja, Uyo, Port Harcourt, Calabar and Enugu into Etihad’s booking network, allowing passengers travelling from the airline’s international destinations to reach the five cities through a single itinerary.

The arrangement will also create travel options between Accra and Abuja and between Accra and Uyo. Passengers will not need separate bookings for the connecting journeys, while their baggage can be checked through to the final destination.

The partnership comes as Etihad prepares to launch its new West African services in March 2027. The airline is scheduled to begin a daily service between Abu Dhabi and Lagos on March 23, followed by four weekly flights between Abu Dhabi and Accra from March 24.

The agreement extends the reach of a domestic network that has grown from its base in Uyo into a platform capable of supporting international passenger movements.

George Uriesi, managing director and chief executive officer of Ibom Air, described the agreement as a major milestones in the carrier’s development as a regional airline.

He said the partnership would make it possible for international passengers to access destinations served by Ibom Air through a single booking.

“Additionally, it positions Ibom Air as the key domestic and regional connection for Etihad Airways’ operations into Nigeria and Ghana from next year,” Uriesi said.

The deal also reflects Etihad’s strategy for expanding its African footprint through partnerships with airlines that already have established domestic networks.

Arik De, Etihad’s chief revenue and commercial officer, said Nigeria is central to the airline’s long-term strategy on the continent.

“Ibom Air has built a strong domestic network from its base in Uyo, and partnerships with airlines that know their own markets are how we grow on the continent,” De said.

According to De, putting the agreement in place before the Lagos and Accra services begin means Etihad will enter the region with onward connections already available to passengers.

The new arrangement gives Uyo and Calabar a place alongside Abuja, Port Harcourt and Enugu within Etihad’s single-ticket network. It also gives Ibom Air a larger role in linking Nigeria’s domestic aviation market with international traffic arriving through Lagos and, from next year, Accra.

Uriesi said the airline looks forward to welcoming Etihad passengers and delivering the service “that defines the Ibom Air experience”.

JAMB Takes UTME to Canada, Bringing Nigeria’s University Admission Closer to the Diaspora

For Nigerians living in Canada who look to Nigerian universities for their higher education, the distance between home and an important part of the admission process could soon become much smaller.

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) is planning to establish a Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) centre in Ottawa in 2027, creating an examination point in North America for eligible Nigerians seeking admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions.

The planned facility will be JAMB’s first UTME centre in Canada and is expected to serve candidates not only in Canada but also eligible Nigerians in other parts of North America. Its introduction means prospective students in the region would no longer have to travel to Nigeria solely to sit for the examination.

The announcement followed a visit by JAMB Registrar, Prof. Segun Aina, to the Nigerian High Commission in Ottawa. The examination board subsequently disclosed the development through its official social media platforms.

For Nigerians living abroad but maintaining educational and professional ties to the country, access to Nigeria’s tertiary education system can involve practical hurdles created simply by distance. JAMB says the Ottawa facility is intended to address part of that challenge by bringing the UTME closer to the communities it serves.

“The proposed centre will make it easier for Nigerians in the diaspora to sit for the UTME without travelling to Nigeria solely for the examination,” the board said.

JAMB also sees the initiative as part of a focused effort to extend the reach of Nigerian tertiary education internationally and strengthen the connection between Nigerians overseas and the country’s education system.

The planned centre could also provide a platform for greater awareness of Nigerian universities and other tertiary institutions among Nigerians living outside the country, reinforcing the possibility of pursuing higher education in Nigeria even while residing abroad.

Operations are expected to begin in 2027, with Ottawa serving as the base for eligible candidates across Canada and other parts of North America.

The development adds a new dimension to the relationship between Nigeria’s education system and its diaspora, making one of the country’s most important admission examinations accessible from considerably closer to where many prospective candidates now live.

JAMB summed up the change simply: “For Nigerians in Canada, the UTME is coming closer to home.”