Category: News Update

  • Fela should be idolised not compared – Femi Kuti

    Fela should be idolised not compared – Femi Kuti

    Femi Kuti, son of Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, has called for respect for his father’s legacy, dismissing comparisons to other artists.

    Speaking from Los Angeles where he will receive Fela’s posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2026 Grammy Awards, Femi emphasised that Fela is in a league of his own.

    The comments come amid controversy between Wizkid and Seun Kuti, with Femi expressing disappointment over the debate. 

    Wizkid sparked outrage after claiming he is “bigger” than Fela while responding to Seun Kuti’s criticisms of him and his fans over the comparison of the ‘Ojuelegba’ crooner with the Afrobeat legend.

    Femi, who maintains good relationships with Seun Kuti and Wizkid, stressed that Fela’s legacy should be celebrated, not compared to others.

    Read Also: Femi Kuti reveals secret of longevity in music industry

    He said: “Fela is our father and all, even the younger artists respect him. The Fela vs Wizkid controversy is not an issue that should be brought up. Fela is the musical and artistic template in Nigeria.

    “So, Fela should just be put in a sector of his own and we just idolise and respect him. I don’t want to go into Seun and Wizkid’s matter because Seun is my brother and Wizkid is like a son to me. I just wished it didn’t not arose”.

  • Five Nigerians nominated for 2026 Grammy Awards

    Five Nigerians nominated for 2026 Grammy Awards

    The countdown to the 68th Grammy Awards has begun with Nigerian music once again taking center stage on the global scene.

    The ceremony is set for Sunday, February 1, 2026, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, where five Nigerian artists are nominated and vying for music’s most prestigious honors, highlighting the nation’s rising dominance in the international music landscape.

    1. Burna Boy: He leads the charge with two nominations, reinforcing his status as one of Africa’s most reliable Grammy contenders. He’s up for “Love” in the Best African Music Performance category and No Sign of Weakness in Best Global Music Album.

    2. Davido: He makes a return with a nod for “With You” featuring Omah Lay in Best African Music Performance. Fresh off massive international tours and collaborations, the track, a lead single from his album 5ive, shattered records with 4.98 million first-week streams on Spotify Nigeria in 2025.

    3. Ayra Starr secures another major spotlight with “Gimme Dat” featuring Wizkid, also in Best African Music Performance.

    4. Wizkid adds to his storied Grammy history through his feature on “Gimme Dat”.

    Read Also: 2026 Grammy Awards: Clipse and Pharrell set to duet

    5. Omah Lay joins the list via his feature on Davido’s “With You”. Known for his deeply emotional and vulnerable style, this nod shows how his music resonates far beyond Nigeria’s shores, marking a milestone in his growing recognition.

    Adding historic weight, Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti will receive a posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award, the first African artist to earn this honor. He’ll be celebrated alongside icons like Whitney Houston, Chaka Khan, Cher, and Paul Simon at the Special Merit Awards Ceremony on Saturday, January 31, 2026.

  • FULL LIST: Nigerians with most Grammy awards

    FULL LIST: Nigerians with most Grammy awards

    Nigerian music stars have made significant strides in the global music scene with several artists winning Grammy Awards. Fela Anikulapo-Kuti is set to receive a posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards, a first for an African musician.

    This recognition highlights Nigeria’s growing influence in the music industry, leading to the creation of the Best African Music Performance category.

    Here’s a list of notable Nigerians who have won Grammy Awards:

    1. Sade Adu (4) – The British-Nigerian singer won her first Grammy in 1986 for Best New Artist. She’s known for hits like “No Ordinary Love” and “Soldier of Love”, earning her multiple awards, including Best R&B Performance and Best Pop Vocal Album in 2002.

    2. Seal (4) – Nigerian-British artist Henry Olusegun Adeola Samuel, popularly known as Seal, won four Grammys, including Record of the Year in 1996 for ‘Kiss from a Rose’.

    3. Tems (2) – Nigerian singer Tems won Best Melodic Rap Performance in 2023 for her feature on ‘Wait for U’ and Best African Music Performance in 2025 for ‘Love Me Jeje’, making her the first Nigerian with multiple wins.

    Read Also: What Nigerians, Africans need to know about 2026 Grammy Awards

    4. Sikiru Adepoju (1) – Won Best Contemporary World Music Album in 2009 for Global Drum Project.

    5. Burna Boy (1) – Won Best Global Music Album in 2021 for ‘Twice as Tall’.

    6. Wizkid (1) – Won Best Music Video for ‘Brown Skin Girl’, a collaboration with Beyoncé.

    7. Babatunde Olatunji (1) – Won Best World Music Album in 1991 for Planet Drum.

    8. Chamillionaire (1) – Hakeem Temidayo Seriki, better known as Chamillionaire, is an American rapper of Nigerian descent who was awarded Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group in 2007 for ‘Ridin”.

    These artists have contributed to Nigeria’s growing global music presence, with more achievements expected in the future.

  • Nollywood stars rally support for pregnant actress battling liver disease

    Nollywood stars rally support for pregnant actress battling liver disease

    Actress Mama No Network has appealed for support for Aunty Ajara, a small-screen actress battling liver disease, saying despite money contributed so far, her condition is deteriorating.

    Ajara, who is pregnant, was placed on oxygen in the hospital sparking concerns after a viral video showed her pleading for help.

    No Network said: “Good evening everyone. I’m here because of Ajara. It was you guys who advised us that the way we posted RIP is too much. Please, for God’s sake, I’m pleading with you. Ajara is in critical condition.

    Read Also: AGN honours Junior Pope with Nollywood City project in Enugu

    “This is not content. We need financial support from the public and serious prayers. It’s not that Ajara has not been working, but she has been using most of her earnings to care for her mother, who is suffering from a stroke. The funniest part is that she’s pregnant. I’m also surprised to now hear that she’s also battling a liver-related illness”.

    Several Nollywood stars, including Wumi Toriola, Mide Martins, Afeez Owo and Ronke Oshodi Oke, have solicited financial assistance for Ajara, who has been caring for her mother with a stroke.

    However, some netizens have criticised the celebrities for seeking public help while they spend lavishly at parties.

    Other celebrities who have appealed for support for Ajara include actress Kemity, actor Jamiu Azeez, actress Bimpe Oyebade, and singer Lanre Alewilese.

  • Joint security team neutralises kidnap suspect, rescues victim in Enugu

    Joint security team neutralises kidnap suspect, rescues victim in Enugu

    Operatives of the Enugu State Police Command, in a joint operation with the Nigerian Army, Forest Guards, Neighbourhood Watch Group and local vigilantes, have neutralised a kidnapping suspect and rescued an abducted victim in Udenu Local Government Area of the state.

    The operation followed a distress report received in the early hours of Wednesday, January 29, 2026, that a male victim had been kidnapped by armed men in Ezimo-Uno community.

    READ ALSO: The Economist: Nigeria’s economy moving from the brink

    Acting swiftly on the report, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mamman Bitrus Giwa, ordered the immediate mobilisation of security operatives to track the kidnappers and rescue the victim.

    The coordinated operation led the joint team to the Agu-Shere and Okpakereke forest areas, where the suspects were reportedly hiding.

    According to the police, the kidnappers opened fire on the operatives on sight, prompting a gun duel during which one of the suspects was neutralised, while others escaped into the forest areas bordering Benue State with varying degrees of gunshot injuries.

    The kidnapped victim was rescued unhurt.

    Items recovered from the scene include one AK-47 rifle loaded with 20 rounds of live ammunition, an extra magazine, two daggers, military camouflage uniforms, mobile phones, assorted food items, cooking utensils and a freshly slaughtered chicken.

  • DHQ: Troops destroy 53 illegal refineries, arrest 81 oil thieves

    DHQ: Troops destroy 53 illegal refineries, arrest 81 oil thieves

    The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said troops of Operation Delta Safe (OPDS) destroyed 53 illegal refineries and arrested 81 oil thieves and other criminals in January.

    The Director Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed this during a press briefing at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja, yesterday.

    Onoja said the troops also recovered assorted arms and ammunition, and destroyed a large-sized barge siphoning petroleum products.

    According to him, troops foiled the theft of 210,300 litres of crude oil, 66,725 litres of Automotive Gas Oil, 660 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosine, and 5,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit during the month.

    Giving an update on operations in the Southeast, the Defence spokesperson said the crime rate has “drastically reduced” in the region compared to past crime occurrences.

    According to him, in January, troops of Operation Udo Ka neutralized some terrorists, arrested 22 others, and rescued eleven 11 kidnap victims.

    READ ALSO: Tunji Olaopa, critical reforms and the Trump challenge (2)

    “Arms and ammunition were recovered from them, and recovered weapons are in the troops’ custody for further action.

    “It is worthy to note that 80 militants recently surrendered to troops, while eight Cameroonian nationals were also rescued during cross-border patrol along Bakassi waterways,” he said.

    The Defence spokesperson said the Armed Forces would continue to adapt, innovate, and respond decisively to evolving security threats.

    “With the continued cooperation of citizens and stakeholders, we are confident of achieving lasting peace and stability,” he said.

  • I’ll never give up on Nigeria, Olawepo-Hashim declares

    I’ll never give up on Nigeria, Olawepo-Hashim declares

    Former presidential candidate, Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has reaffirmed his commitment to Nigeria, insisting that surrender is not an option despite the nation’s deepening political, economic and security challenges.

    Hashim spoke in Abuja during a meeting of the North Central Zone of the  Gbenga Hashim Solidarity Movement, which brought together state coordinators from across the region.

    Nigeria’s current realities, he said, demand steadfast leadership, organised civic engagement and citizens who are willing to remain involved rather than retreat into apathy or despair.

    He added that meaningful change is never accidental but the product of deliberate and collective effort.

    He stressed that abandoning the country would amount to handing its future over to mediocrity, impunity and misrule.

    He urged coordinators to deepen community-level engagement while remaining anchored to the core values of accountability, justice and national unity.

    READ ALSO: Tunji Olaopa, critical reforms and the Trump challenge (2)

    The meeting reviewed the state of the movement across the North Central zone, assessed ongoing mobilisation efforts and agreed on strategies to strengthen coordination and expand the movement’s reach within the region.

    Coordinators in attendance reaffirmed their commitment to the vision of a Nigeria governed by competence, integrity and inclusiveness, pledging to intensify grassroots organisation and political education across their respective states.

    In a personal reflection, Hashim recalled his long history of political advocacy, which began at the age of 14 when he became a sympathiser of progressive parties of the era.

    “We were not of voting age then, but we pasted posters and sang with excitement,” he said. “As a young boy, I engaged an NPN representative to the National Assembly, who was a family friend, in discussions about economic management based on my rudimentary knowledge of economics and government.”

    He explained that his early activism set him on the path of advocacy for democracy and good governance, a journey that later led to his detention as a political detainee at about the age of 20.

    “Almost 40 years later, we are still standing,” Hashim said. “We will not give up until we see the Nigeria of our dreams, by the grace of God.”

  • Senate targets March 17 to pass N58.472trn 2026 budget, unveils tight review timetable

    Senate targets March 17 to pass N58.472trn 2026 budget, unveils tight review timetable

    The Senate yesterday fixed March 17, 2026, for the final consideration and passage of the N58.472 trillion 2026 Appropriation Bill, setting in motion an accelerated and detailed legislative timetable aimed at ensuring timely approval of the nation’s budget.

    The decision was taken in Abuja at a special session of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, which also rolled out a schedule for intensive scrutiny of the estimates by standing committees of the Red Chamber.

    Under the timetable, budget defence sessions by ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) at committee level will hold from February 2 to February 13.

    To deepen transparency and public participation, the committee scheduled a public hearing on the budget proposal for Monday, February 9, 2026.

    At the hearing, a Professor of Economics at the University of Lagos, Wasiu Adeoye, is expected to make a presentation on the macroeconomic projections and fiscal assumptions underlying the budget.

    READ ALSO: Tunji Olaopa, critical reforms and the Trump challenge (2)

    Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (APC – Ogun West), said the structured timeline was designed to guarantee a thorough but swift consideration process that would allow the National Assembly deliver the budget early in the year.

    He disclosed that February 16 to 23 had been set aside for submission of reports on budget defence by chairmen of standing committees, after which the Appropriations Committee would harmonise the inputs and lay its consolidated report before the Senate on March 17.

    As part of the review process, the committee also fixed Thursday, March 5, 2026, for an interactive session with key economic managers of the Federal Government.

    Those expected at the session include the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr Olawale Edun, and the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu.

    Adeola told committee members that the Senate leadership had initially pushed for passage of the budget by March 12, but agreed to grant an additional one week to allow for more meticulous scrutiny.

    According to him, hard copies of the 2026 budget estimates have been printed and distributed to chairmen and members of the various standing committees to facilitate detailed examination of the proposals.

    The timetable was formally adopted by the committee following a motion moved by Senator Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central) and seconded by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia North).

    With the schedule now in place, the Senate is set to commence a multi-layered review process involving committee-level defences, public input and high-level engagement with top government economic officials, all aimed at delivering a frontloaded and implementable 2026 budget.

  • 2027: Tinubu will surprise the naysayers in north – Ganduje

    2027: Tinubu will surprise the naysayers in north – Ganduje

    Immediate-past National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has predicted a shocker for those thinking that northern Nigeria won’t vote for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.

    He said they would be making “a big mistake” as the region would overwhelmingly deliver the area for the president.

    The immediate-past governor of Kano State also declared that “there is no better candidate to govern Nigeria beyond 2027 from Southern Nigeria than Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”

    He made these declarations yesterday in Abuja when a delegation of the Northern Nigeria Youth Leaders (NNYLF) from the 19 states of the north, paid him a courtesy visit to decorate him as the patron of the forum.

    Ganduje, who is now the board chairman of Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), said the country is lucky to have Tinubu, who is a real politician as the President.

    He said: “Pertaining to the next election in 2027, those that are nursing or thinking otherwise that the North will vote another candidate other than Asiwaju are making a big mistake.

    “This is the first time Nigeria as a nation is lucky to have a politician as president. His constituency is politics. His upbringing is politics because he believes in the unity of this country. In fact, he struggled. He was even in exile for democracy to survive in Nigeria.

    READ ALSO: The Economist: Nigeria’s economy moving from the brink

    “So there is no better person to be elected in 2027 than Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”

    Ganduje revealed that there was an agreement even before the election of the late President Muhammadu Buhari that after eight years of his government, a southerner would emerge.

    “Asiwaju has only been there for less than four years now, and we have seen the reforms that he undertook. The reforms that he introduced in order to improve the social economic development of this country.”

    Highlighting some of the bold reforms of Tinubu’s administration, the former Kano governor said: “All the candidates who contested with him in 2023 promised to remove fuel subsidy, even the previous government promised to remove the subsidy but nobody was bold enough to do that job but Asiwaju has succeeded in removing the subsidy and now all the state governors, irrespective of their political leaning, they believe they are getting more and more funds for the development of their respective states.

    “He did not say that he removed subsidy because he wanted to improve the APC governors, but he did it for the nation. So, this president has undertaken measures that will improve the economy of this country,” Ganduje said.

    Assuring leaders of NNYLF of his support, Ganduje commended them for their boldness not only to mobilise votes for the re-election of Asiwaju but also to raise money to purchase his nomination forms.

    “There’s no better commitment than this, you are contributing funds, you are also contributing your brain, you are contributing your energy and you are contributing your time to ensure the re-election of Asiwaju, I have to thank you for this.”

    National leader of NNYLF, Muhammad Gamji, who described Ganduje as a role model, added that as a governor, Ganduje made him one of the most popular youth leaders through his support.

    “We are here to tell you that wherever you focus, that’s where we go with you. We have all agreed to support the re-election of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu by massively mobilising all the youths in the 19 northern states and raising funds by his nomination form ahead of the election.

    “We have to do this because some people are insinuating that the North will not vote for Asiwaju in 2027, but that’s a lie because nobody has supported us in the North like Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu,”Gamji declared.

  • UCTH CMD Ikpeme faces suspension, Reps’probe over discriminatory employment process

    UCTH CMD Ikpeme faces suspension, Reps’probe over discriminatory employment process

    The House of Representatives appears ready to investigate the Chief Medical Director of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Prof. Ikpeme A. Ikpeme.

    The medical professor is facing allegations of discriminatory recruitment practices in an employment he oversaw as Chief Medical Director of the UCTH.

    The House on Thursday called for Prof. Ikpeme’s immediate suspension by the Federal Ministry of Health to ensure he does not interfere with the investigation to be conducted by its Committee on Health Institutions.

    The resolution followed a motion of urgent public importance moved by Rt. Hon. Iduma Igariwey Enwo, representing Afikpo North/Afikpo South Federal Constituency of Ebonyi State.

    Rt. Hon. Iduma Igariwey Enwo alleged that Prof. Ikpeme rejected a list of 17 newly graduated medical doctors posted to the institution by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) for their mandatory one-year housemanship.

    READ ALSO: Tunji Olaopa, critical reforms and the Trump challenge (2)

    Leading the debate, the federal lawmaker expressed concerns over reports that the CMD rejected the list specifically because 15 of the 17 doctors were of Igbo extraction.

    “It is alarmed that by rejecting a bona fide list sent by the regulatory body on the grounds of tribe and region. Prof. Ikpeme is in dangerous violation of the 1999 Constitution, which seeks to protect citizens from discrimination,” the lawmaker stated.

    He further noted that despite interventions from the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) and the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) Cross River Branch, the CMD reportedly remained adamant.

    The House expressed worries that such conduct worsens the “brain drain” currently hitting Nigeria’s health sector. The lawmaker noted that the country’s licensed doctors have plummeted to approximately 40,000; a far cry from the 300,000 required to meet the nation’s healthcare needs.

    The House subsequently resolved to mandate the Committee on Health Institutions to investigate the allegations and report back within four weeks.