Notice: Function _load_textdomain_just_in_time was called incorrectly. Translation loading for the wordpress-seo domain was triggered too early. This is usually an indicator for some code in the plugin or theme running too early. Translations should be loaded at the init action or later. Please see Debugging in WordPress for more information. (This message was added in version 6.7.0.) in /home/bcm/src/dev/www/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6121 Nigerians | Page 7 of 44 | Zikoko!Nigerians | Page 7 of 44 | Zikoko!
One of Nollywood’s resident bad boys, Kunle Remi, tied the knot over the weekend, and one thing is pretty clear: That man is obsessed with his non-celebrity wife, Tiwi.
But X people got something to feast on when Daniel Etim Effiong’s wife shared a congratulatory message where she admitted it’s hard AF being married to a good looking, in-demand actor.
You’ll have to buckle up for some work if you ever get married to a movie star, and we’ve got some tips to help you get started.
Take a corny ass name like “Celeb wife wife”
People might roll their eyes all they want, but there’s no better way to mark your territory on the streets of social media. Every user on the platform must know they belong to you. If Desola Afod could pull it off, there’s nothing stopping you.
Get them to get a face tattoo
Forget all that talk about tattoos in private body parts. If they truly love you and want to make the loudest “Beware, this user is taken” statement, nothing beats a tattoo of your name on their face.
Become a celebrity
This way, you’ll get invites to whatever social functions they have to attend. No one will offer to be their plus one because they know you’ll be there.
Open a YouTube channel
Name the channel something like “Keeping Up With The Nzes”, and film 60% of your personal lives for people to see. No better way to let the world know that this particular celebrity puts his family above everything else.
You must learn how to act
And you must be so fucking good at it that when they need to cast a lover for your partner, you’ll be the only one who comes to mind. Everybody knows no one has made a better screen husband for Adesua than Banky W.
[ad]
Befriend their colleagues
You know how some people aren’t celebrities but are constantly hanging out with them? This has to be you. No better way to keep track of your partner’s activities. You’ll get firsthand info, and some people will even act as your personal “Beware, this user is taken” signage.
Become their manager
Forget the bodyguards, have you seen how managers protect their celebrity talents? They have the power to choose who has access to them or what they should be involved in. Become this person for your partner.
Fast and pray
If all other options fail, run to your creator. Your prayer points should include lines like “Make them ugly to anyone who has a crush as tiny as a mustard seed”.
Every week, Zikoko seeks to understand how people move the Naira in and out of their lives. Some stories will be struggle-ish, others will be bougie. All the time, it’ll be revealing.
What’s your earliest memory of money?
It has to be my mum paying me ₦10 – ₦20 weekly to work in her ice water nylon factory. Before pure water became a thing, there was ice water — cold water in clear nylons. We made those nylons in the factory, and I handled the cutter.
This was in the late 80s, and I was nine years old. ₦20 was the highest denomination, and I could buy Vip — a fruit drink — every day for five days and still have enough left to save in my kolo. Later, I’d give my mum what I’d saved to buy me Christmas clothes.
Sometimes, I’d buy about 20 pieces of puff-puff and share with my brothers. I’m the only girl among five siblings, so I had a sense of responsibility towards them.
Tell me more about your childhood
My dad died when I was almost 10, and there was no financial support from my dad’s family, so I was raised by my mum. My mum was so hardworking. She’d supply her nylons to markets in neighbouring states and do everything else she could lay her hands on — she sold everything from clothes to fashion accessories at different points. She wasn’t the type to wait for handouts, and she instilled those values in me.
She put me in charge of the house even before I was 9. A typical day in my life included waking up super early to sweep, do other house chores, and go to school or work at the factory if it was during the holidays.
My brothers also got to work. My mum would send them to farms to work and make money; she just wanted all her children to be as industrious as she was.
How long did you work at the factory?
About seven years. After finishing secondary school in 1995, my mum encouraged me to get a teaching job at a local private school, and my salary was ₦800/monthly. I barely got the salary because the school’s proprietress kept owing me. Thankfully, I didn’t have to stay there for long: I left for the polytechnic the following year.
While I was in school, my mum supported me by sending me earrings and other fashion accessories to sell and use the money for what I needed. Sometimes, I’d send part of the money I made back to her to get more goods through buses — there was no online banking then. I did that till I finished my National Diploma in 1999.
What happened after?
I studied banking, so I started a one-year internship at a bank. My salary was ₦5k monthly. The following year, I became a contract staff at the same bank, and my salary increased to ₦19k/month. I was the only one among my siblings with a stable income, so I’d usually send money to my siblings who were still in school.
I tried to return to school too. I needed to further my education to progress in my banking career and become a permanent staff member. I paid around ₦3k to register at the Chartered Institute of Bankers in 2001. The way the institute worked, you could attend classes for about six months before taking the exams. There were two exam diets annually, but I couldn’t focus because of work.
So, whenever I missed an exam, I’d re-enroll and try to prepare for the next exams. That happened at least twice. I still hadn’t figured it out when marriage jumped at me.
What do you mean “jumped”?
My husband and I were dating when I was at the institute. He’d regularly come to pick me up after classes. He was in a rush to get married, and somehow, I started rushing too. We got married in 2003.
I wish I hadn’t rushed because balancing school, career and the home was a struggle. I also supported the home financially because my husband didn’t make much. As a result, I abandoned the institute for a more flexible distance-learning university degree programme in 2004.
Was it any easier?
It wasn’t. It took me seven years to complete the four-year degree; I kept deferring semesters due to pregnancies, child care — I have two children — and work.
I was also running an imported fabrics and jewellery business on the side. I’d go to Cotonou with about ₦300k and convert it to 1m CFA. The exchange rate was still good then. I’d sell my goods to my co-workers and use whatever I made to supplement my salary. It was from both incomes I paid my school fees and took care of the home.
Was your husband contributing financially at all?
He did, a little. But there’s one thing to know about men: once they know you have work that’s bringing you money, they’d just leave some things to you. They know you won’t leave your children to go hungry.
It wasn’t an issue for me at first. I’ve worked all my life, and providing was just something I did. I didn’t see a need to ask for money for food or any other joint need. It was my mum who’d tell me to make sure I collected money for food and diapers so he’d feel a sense of responsibility.
I eventually left the marriage in 2009 for reasons I don’t want to get into. It was also the same year my bank started having problems.
What kind of problems?
The kind banks don’t recover from and are forced to close down. I didn’t even get a chance to use the degree I worked so hard for, as I only graduated a year after I left the bank.
By this time, my salary had increased over the years to ₦125k/month. The bank paid off the staff and officially closed in 2010. I got a ₦3m payout.
So sorry. But the ₦3m payout must have been a lifeline
It was. I put everything into my fabrics business and even got a shop. Everything was fine in the beginning.
But the thing about running a business while you have a stable job is that you can use your salary as a capital source if your money is tied up somewhere because of credit buyers. I even took loans to run the business and pay back with my salary. All of this ended when I lost my job.
I had a major setback in 2011 when some of my major debtors lost their jobs. They worked in a bank that also closed up, but we thought they’d get a settlement. The bank never paid them, and my debtors — all 16 of them — had no way of paying me the ₦1m+ they owed me. I didn’t even see them again.
Ah. Did they buy from you in bulk for their debt to be that high?
My goods were pretty high-end. Before you buy one lace, an Italian bag or some expensive watches, the cost starts to pile up.
That particular incident affected my business badly. But my second name is jama-jama (hustler), and I somehow stuck through it for the next nine years.
While running the business, I also learned about home design and decoration services in 2012. A friend introduced me to an interior designer who taught me the basics, and I started supplying bedsheets, picking curtains, and whatever furniture needs my clients had.
My first gig was in 2014. I procured curtains and a bar for the client’s home and made ₦80k in profit. I loved how the business didn’t require any capital. I’d just give my clients a quote, and they’d pay a percentage upfront and complete it after I delivered the job.
How often did the home decor gigs come?
Usually once every few months. But when they came, I’d take small loans from microfinance banks and travel to Aba to get materials.
Why Aba?
Fabrics were cheaper there, and I could save up to ₦500 per yard of fabric. That accumulated to a lot, considering I could buy up to 1000 yards of fabric depending on how big the job was.
I made an average of ₦200k – ₦500k from these gigs, and they supplemented whatever I made from the shop. But the shop itself wasn’t making sales. People could only look at expensive fabrics or fashion accessories after they had eaten na. So, I decided to close the shop in 2019.
What did you do next?
I still sold my goods to some clients from home and occasionally got decoration gigs. Everything I made went into providing for my children and sending them to school. Of course, this forced me to live within my means. My family was also supportive and eager to step in when I needed help with the kids.
My ex-husband supports the children in his own way. They keep in touch with him, and he sometimes sends them ₦30k once a year. What does that want to do in the life of an undergraduate student in school?
Anyway, my search for a stable income led me to the transportation business in 2022, and I ended up as a cab driver on an e-hailing cab service.
How did that happen?
The initial plan was to give my car to someone to use as a taxi and remit money to me weekly. I took out a ₦200k loan from a microfinance bank to repair the car and paint it. I was supposed to repay the loan over five weeks.
The agreement between me and the guy I found was that he would remit ₦25k every week, so I’d use the money to repay the loan I took. Then I could start making a profit after the loan had been paid off. I was the one to fix the car if it had any issues o. All he had to do was bring money weekly for as long as he drove my car.
But the guy kept giving excuses. It was by fire by force that he could even pay ₦80k in those five weeks.
Wahala
When I realised I was struggling to repay the microfinance loan, I collected my car back and told someone to help me register as a driver on the e-hailing app. My second child had just gotten admitted to study medicine, so it was all the more reason for me to double my hustle. How else would I afford the big big textbooks he’d inevitably start buying?
That’s how I started o. I didn’t even know these drivers were making big money. I still drive the cab, and I don’t intend to stop soon. It’s better than all the jobs I’ve done. By the Grace of God, there’s no day I drive that I don’t make good money.
How good is the money?
When I first started, I made ₦30k – ₦40k daily on weekdays and ₦40k – ₦50k during the weekend. The e-hailing app takes a 25% fee on rides, but there is also a ₦9k – ₦10k bonus if you complete a certain number of rides per day.
I used to push myself to get those bonuses and work every day so I’d earn even more. But when I started having high blood pressure, I told myself, “Your children are still young. Better calm down.”
Now, I work four days a week. I still earn within the ₦40k range daily, but fuel takes about 30% – 40% of that. Then, after the app removes its commission too, what’s left of my profit is about 40%-50% of my total earnings. It’s still good money, even though car repairs and maintenance take a chunk of it. I don’t make as much as the men sha.
Why’s that?
They have the strength to do longer rides and ultimately make more money. I spoke to a male driver once, and he shared how he makes ₦50k – ₦100k on Sundays because he lives in Ikorodu and takes trips from there to Ajah.
I’ve done a similar trip once when I was in Lekki and got an Ikorodu trip. That single trip paid ₦17k. Do only three trips like that in a day, and you’re easily making ₦50k+.
What’s a typical day in your life like?
I start driving at 6:30 a.m. and close at 4 p.m. Sometimes, if the traffic is a lot by late afternoon, I take two hours off driving and then work till 8 p.m. Working as a cab driver allows me to determine my own work hours, but I still take it like I’m working for someone. I don’t just go home by 1 p.m. just because I want to.
What would you say is the most difficult aspect of your job?
It gets stressful sometimes. I also have to maintain the car regularly, but I see that as taking care of my office.
I’ve heard stories about young female drivers being harassed, but I haven’t experienced it. Who wants to harass me at this age? I’ve not had any bad experiences with riders or fellow drivers. I believe respect is reciprocal. I always approach everyone calmly and respectfully, and they instinctively respond the same way. No one has been rude to me, and it’s because I’ve never been rude to anyone either.
[ad][/ad]
What do the next few years look like for you?
I’m still enjoying driving my cab. It’s a ready-made market. I don’t need to wake up and start looking for passengers. All I do is open my app, and they come.
I’ll look into returning to business when my children graduate from uni in 3-4 years so I can rest a bit. I might go back to fabrics or discuss with my children and find something else. But even if I have a shop, I’d still like to drive my cab three times a week.
I also have monthly pension payments from my time at the bank to look forward to. It’ll start coming in when I’m 50. It might not even be up to ₦100k, but it’ll be something.
What are your monthly expenses like?
To be honest, I can’t explain it. It’s just God, because how do I explain that I don’t have money in my account and I still buy ₦20k fuel daily?
But I make sure I meet up with my ajo contribution monthly. I contribute ₦50k every Sunday, and then ₦100k on the last Sunday of the month, bringing it to ₦300k monthly. When I collect the ajo, I transfer it to an account I don’t touch. It’s that money I use to sort out rent, school and hostel fees for my children, and anything else that comes up.
I have about ₦200k stashed somewhere as emergency savings for urgent repairs I need to do on my car. My car is my major expense. In 2023, I spent up to ₦1m fixing and maintaining it. Just last week, I spent ₦73k on tokunbo tyres and plugs.
What’s something you want right now but can’t afford?
I need a new car. My car is about seven years old and takes all my money with repairs. I’d like to buy a 2010 Toyota Corolla, but it costs ₦7m. I can’t afford that.
How would you rate your financial happiness on a scale of 1-10?
7. I don’t have everything I want, but I have what I need to provide a good life for myself and my children. God has been faithful. We don’t go hungry, and God just has a way of covering our secrets.
If you’re interested in talking about your Naira Life story, this is a good place to start.
On Thursday, January 18, 2024, news broke out that global streaming platform, Amazon Prime, is halting local content production in Africa, one year and four months after it launched.
Here’s what we know about the development that’s sparked a flurry of reactions from Nigerians who’ve come to love the streaming platform’s originals: Gangs of Lagos, Breath of Life, Last One Laughing and She Must Be Obeyed.
What’s happening?
According to Variety, Prime Video, the third largest streaming platform in Africa, is restructuring its business model and shifting focus to its European market. In an email to local staff, Barry Furlong, vice president of Prime’s EMEA division, said that the decision was made to help the business shift focus to areas with the highest impact.
“I have carefully evaluated our structure in the region and decided to make some adjustments to our operating model to rebalance and pivot our resources to focus on the areas that drive the highest impact and long-term success.”
Deadline reports that Gideon Khobane, director of Prime Video Africa, has exited his role, while Head of Originals for Africa and the Middle East, Ned Mitchell, and Director of Content Acquisition and Head WW Major Studio Licensing Strategy, Ayanna Ionian, have taken up new roles.
Other staff members in Sub-Saharan Africa have been informed that there will be job cuts after a consultation period that’s currently underway.
[ad]
Does this mean Prime Video will stop operating in Africa?
The streamer will continue to operate in the region. However, the restructuring might mean a complete halt on locally produced content from Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East and North Africa.
What about projects that were underway?
Shows such as “LOL ZA”, “Ebuka Turns Up Africa” and Tiwa Savage’s “Water and Garri”, had been greenlit before this announcement was made. And they’re still on the slate.
In 2022, ace director, Jade Osiberu signed a three-year deal with the streaming platform to include production of original TV series and feature films. It’s unclear how many titles have been greenlit from the deal.
The streamer also signed a three-picture deal with Nigerian production house, Nemsia Films in 2022. The first title of the deal, Breath of Life, debuted on the streaming app in December 2023. After 30, the second title of the deal, and sequel to Before 30, has been approved and funded, while there’s little known about the third title expected from the deal.
A trail of multinational exits
Prime Video joins a number of multinationals that have packed up shop or been forced to restructure their position in the Nigerian market because of the unfavourable economy.
According to Digital TV research, Africa’s streaming market is projected to hit at least 18 million subscribers by 2029. Prime Video follows behind market leaders, Netflix and Showmax, with a subscriber count expected to hit 3.1m in 2029. In 2021, the streamer was estimated to have around 575k subscribers, which was projected to reach 1.9 million in 2026.
Like the streaming platform, pharmaceutical giant, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), announced its exit from Nigeria, after 51 years in business. Procter & Gamble (P&G) followed suit four months later when it announced its return to an import-only model. In March 2023, Unilever exited the home care and skin cleansing market in Nigeria for a more sustainable and profitable business model.
The shifting economic landscape continues to force multinationals to reconsider their investment position in the Nigerian market, raising questions about how harsh economic conditions impact the nation’s market attraction.
Nollywood 2023 brought us blockbusters like A Tribe Called Judah, Jagun Jagun, The Black Book and Gangs of Lagos. Three weeks into 2024, you may be wondering if Nollywood has plans to shatter its own records. We did a little snooping, and with these titles on the lineup, there’s no doubt our movie industry is up to the task.
Question is, are you ready for this?
“Casa De Novia”
After an impressive outing with The House of Secrets and Mikolo in 2023, director, Niyi Akinmolayan, and his production house, Anthill Studios, are making an even bigger comeback in 2024 with Casa De Novia.
We don’t know what the storyline is just yet, but the teaser features Small Talk actor, Taye Arimoro, cosplaying as a ghost in a magic mirror. Casa de Novia is heading straight to Prime Video, starring Lilian Esoro, Efe Irele and Tope Tedela, among others.
“Oloture” series
Ebonylife has revisited its critically acclaimed 2019 drama, Oloture, for a series set to drop on Netflix sometime this year. Post production is ongoing, and some familiar faces make a return to the series. Sharon Ooja reprises her role as Ehi (an undercover journalist), while Bucci Franklin and Stan Nze join as new cast members.
“A Better Man”
Nollywood will have its fair share of sappy romance this year, and Uche Jombo is championing this. The Nollywood actress and her production house, Uche Jombo Studios, are heading to the big screen with A Better Man, featuring Daniel Etim Effiong, Elvina Ibru, Tana Adelana and Tina Mba, among others. According to Jombo, the romantic drama “tells the story of Ogechi and Dayo in a stranger-than-fiction romantic whirlwind”. Hopefully, the release will be in time for Valentine’s Day.
“Finding Messiah”
Kemi Adetiba has been more than vocal about her husband, Oscar Heman-Ackah’s directorial debut, Finding Messiah. So far, we’ve seen an otherworldly set, costumes similar to the ones we saw in Black Panther’s Wakanda and the OGs: Pete Edochie, Alex Usifo and Taiwo Ajai-Lycett. The political epic is set in the fictional Republic of Zambay.
Principal photography wrapped in December but major details about its plot and release are still unknown.
“I Do Not Come To You By Chance”
It’s no longer news that Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani’s award-winning 2009 debut book, “I Do Come To You By Chance” has been made into a movie, and the iconic Genevieve Nnaji executive produced it. AFRIFF 2023 attendees have already got a taste of what the Ishaya Bako-directed title offers, but the rest of us will have to find out when it comes to cinemas this year. Paul Nnadiekwe, Blossom Chukwujekwu, Jennifer Eliogu, Sambasa Nzeribe and Beverly Osu are the major stars in the cast.
“Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre”
Kunle Afolayan wrapped up filming for this four-part series in 2023 and teased fans with BTS photos of what will be a spin-off of the acclaimed Nollywood epic, Anikulapo. The series will premiere on Netflix. New cast members Layi Wasabi and Gabriel Afolayan will join Kunle Remi, Bimbo Ademoye, Sola Sobowale, among others.
“Onyegwu”
Uche Jombo means business with her filmmaking in 2024. Premiering this sports drama at AFRIFF 2023, she’s set to release it later this year. Zubby Michael plays the lead character, Alex, who goes spiritual to reclaim his spot in the world of football. Chioma Akpotha, Emeka Nwagbaraocha, Nancy Isime and Lateef Adedimeji, also feature in the movie.
How well do you know your favourite Nollywood characters? Take this quiz to find out.
Postgraduate study is a different ball game from undergraduate. First off, you’re either funding it by keeping up a demanding day job or you have parents who expect to yield greater ROI compared to when they funded your undergraduate study.
Whatever group you fall under, your academic journey is not complete if you don’t find yourself asking these questions along the way.
“Who send me?”
This question hits you during the first few weeks of your study period. You’ll start to think about how you had a perfect life before you single handedly voted to complicate it.
“Will I fail?”
Months into the program, you’ll come to the realisation that keeping a day job and running a master’s program at the same time is not a child’s play. You don’t feel like quitting yet, but you’re having multiple doubts about making that distinction.
“Should I resign?”
This question creeps into your mind when your day job attempts to sabotage your academics. But you also know resignation isn’t an option because your bills won’t sort themselves.
“Should I drop out?”
At this point, you’re ready to throw in the towel because your supervisor is after your life. You don’t care that people will call you a loser and you don’t give a flying fuck about the opinions of your coursemates. At least, you have a strong BSc.
[ad]
“What’s really in this life?”
This question comes months after you psyched yourself up the first time. But you now regret your actions because both your academic work and day job are pointless to you. You just want to be a living thing in God’s good earth without any worries.
“Will this be worth it?”
You’re close to the finish line, done with your coursework, wrapping up your thesis and reminiscing about all the times you almost called it quits. So you genuinely want to know if this academic investment that almost took your life will yield results.
“Will you attend my convocation?”
You finally made it to the finish line, and you’re like the happy child with a new toy. You’re tempted to extend an invitation to your enemies because they must witness how you made it to the finish line.
It’s crystal clear we have a problem in Nigeria. Inflation has reached 28.92% — the highest in 27 years — and things are going from bad to worse.
Since all of us can’t just japa and leave this country empty, we might as well figure out how to live through it. I spoke to some millennials, and they shared the hacks they’re holding onto in these trying times.
Prioritise essential expenses
If you know you typically finish a bag of rice in a month, it’s better to buy that bag when you have money rather than buy it small small because that rice can double in price in two days.
I like to also buy things in twos or threes. At least, I get to delay buying the same thing at an (inevitably) higher price for a little while. I can stay broke happily, knowing I already have most of what I need till the next paycheck comes.
— Kelvin
Take loans if you have to
Gathering money over a couple of months to make a big purchase doesn’t work in this economy again. Before you finish saving the money, the item has doubled in price.
So, if it’s an item you absolutely can’t do without, consider taking a loan to buy it. I do this regularly and advise anyone else to do the same. It works even better when you can get informal loans with little or no interest. But pay back your loans o. Let’s not be unfortunate.
— Opeyemi
Comfort is good, but survival is better
This might sound like advice to reduce your quality of life, but if you don’t want that quality of life to reduce by force, you need to start making sensible cuts.
I used to run my generator all day whenever NEPA did their thing, but now, I do most of my work within the three hours that my generator is turned on daily, so I can be on my laptop while it’s connected to electricity. That way, my battery is still charged when the generator is turned off, and I can still squeeze out a couple of hours before the battery dies.
Think about what you can cut sensibly. Do you need to take an Uber for the entire trip, or can you take public transportation to a point first?
— Peace
Nobody will beat you if you haggle
Our mothers knew what they were doing when they priced things at the market. I used to be ashamed to haggle, but now, I have to do it.
Pro tip: Start the haggling process by dividing the initial price into three. For instance, if the seller says something costs ₦1k, start pricing from ₦300 or ₦350. You’d be surprised how much you save when you and the seller eventually settle on a price.
— Christy
Avoid billing like your life depends on it
I now do a thing where I refuse to open or respond to WhatsApp messages until the sender reveals why they’re messaging me.
Messages with only “Hi” or “Hello” go unanswered unless you follow it up with “My name is XYZ, and I’m reaching out for ABC reasons”. For not-too-close family members, I make sure to start conversations with my own problems. Everywhere is hard, and this is not the time to make any unnecessary expenses.
I’m big on budgeting, but I recently noticed that my budgets weren’t adding up. For instance, I could budget ₦5k for gas and suddenly hear that they’ve increased the price.
I still budget, though. If not for anything, it helps me track my expenses and have something to look at when I start wondering where all my money disappeared to. So, have a budget but still have it at the back of your mind that things can change. At least, if it doesn’t work out, you know it’s Nigeria, not you making poor financial decisions.
— Ola
Make money
It’s easier said than done, but at the end of the day, money is what will still save you from totally erasing your quality of life due to inflation.
I’m constantly on the lookout for side gigs and better job opportunities to increase my income. If you like, be feeling guilty or thinking you want to be loyal to any company. Even your oga is looking for a better-paying job.
Love Life is a Zikoko weekly series about love, relationships, situationships, entanglements and everything in between.
What’s your earliest memory of each other?
Yemi: We met at Bogobiri House in 2015.
A friend invited me to his friend’s live music performance, and I went because I was trying to get out more and expand my circle. I’d just transitioned from a highly demanding job to a more laid-back role, and it felt like I could finally breathe and be human. I think that outing was my first since I switched jobs, so I probably behaved like someone who was just let out of jail.
Anyway, at some point, this fine babe walked in with two or three of her friends, all girls. I just found myself staring at her as she walked by and sat by the bar during the show. I’d liked guys for a long time at that point, but I noticed her because she just had an aura. I knew I wanted to get to know her.
Joy: I tagged along with my friends from another event. From Bogobiri, we were supposed to go somewhere again. But then, when we wanted to leave like two hours later, he walked up to us to say hi. I thought he looked good so when he asked to exchange numbers, I gave him my number.
He ended up coming with us and one of his friends to our next destination – a club. It was a Saturday night. We all hung out for a while then figured out how we would get home together. I ended up in the same cab as him, as the two people who didn’t have cars. He dropped off first and made me swear I’d text him when I was home and safe. So I did.
And that’s how the whole thing started.
What started exactly?
Joy: We would text and hang out all the time. Lunch today, drinks tomorrow, company events, sometimes. Most times, his and my friends would be there too, but we both knew we were getting close to each other.
I had a girlfriend at the time. We were pretty secretive about our relationship, as you can imagine. But we were still serious about each other until she decided to marry a man and we became more like a complicated situation. When it was five months into my new friendship with Yemi, I realised I was really lonely and wanted to be in something that felt secure, something I could be open about even if it wasn’t completely real.
So I tried to tease him into asking me out.
Yemi: I noticed she was coming on to me, but I didn’t want to reveal anything to her yet. I don’t know exactly why I asked her to be my girlfriend till today. Maybe a part of me just wanted to eat my cake and have it. I wanted to be close to her. I liked her laidback personality, and this woman is a beaut. Are you seeing her? But I also didn’t want her to know I was gay. I know that sounds stupid.
Not really. I’m curious how the relationship progressed considering your conflicting sexualities
Joy: We didn’t get into it right away.
First, we talked for about two to three months, and I do think we have such a strong emotional connection. You know how people say you can cheat just by offering yourself emotionally to people besides your partner or family members? I know what they mean. He really does feel like my soulmate despite my lack of interest in being intimate with him.
Yemi: We’re the best of friends. Our talking stage was one of the few great periods of my life, especially as I was just coming into having a social life at the time. We’d dissect things about each other. It was a period of soul-searching for me. She helped me discover what my preferences were. What was my favourite food or colour or kind of ambiance? She made me figure those things out.
Joy: I found it fascinating that he was just figuring out simple things like that about himself. It felt like he was finding himself through our discussions, and I was so happy to be a part of that. I knew what it was like to work at an intense, cut-throat job that takes like five years of your life without you even noticing.
I think, after that, we started to really need those conversations and verbal support from each other. I liked how open he was to listening to my thoughts and things I was happy or frustrated about without feeling like he needed to advise me or instruct me on the “right” decisions to make.
When did things get serious between you two?
Joy: We pretty much just started having more private outings. We’d go on dates just to talk more in person and have a good time alone together. But during this time, I did notice that he never tried to touch me or steal a kiss like guys tried to do in the past — even guys I wasn’t trying to get into a relationship with. I loved that he respected boundaries. Little did I know the real reason why.
Yemi: I was having a good time enjoying her company, but also debating in my head when I should come clean. I didn’t want her to run just yet. Around that time, I was sleeping with this guy I liked, but I still felt very lonely. On the other hand, I felt like I was cheating on two counts. Still, I went on with it because her company just made me happy.
Joy: Beyond the dates, he’d send me money all the time, so I started putting in effort to get him elaborate gifts on special occasions. We got to know each other’s parents — and they were all relieved that we weren’t gay — and we hadn’t even kissed at this point. I didn’t bring it up because I was completely okay with that.
If you want to share your own Love Life story, fill out this form.
Please, at what point did the truth come out?
Yemi: It was getting to a year since we became more committed to each other, and we were talking more than ever, sharing some really sensitive details about our lives and past.
When I told her about it, it came so naturally. It was just time. I was like “I love you, but romantically, I like men.” I know it’s crazy, but because of the conversation we were having when it came out, I didn’t expect her to be shocked or angry at all. And she wasn’t. She was just like “Oh. I saw that coming.” And that’s when I knew she was my best friend. Just the tone and the look on her face. I knew she got me.
Joy: I smiled at him. But I didn’t tell him my part until much later. We continued like nothing had changed. We were even closer than ever. We were in each other’s flats all the time. We went everywhere together, except maybe work.
Why didn’t you just tell right away?
Joy: I didn’t want to overdo it with the revelations. I also wanted his own to land first. I had to process what that meant to our relationship, how lucky we actually were — two gays of opposite genders getting along so well. I didn’t want to potentially ruin that yet.
Yemi: Don’t mind her. She wanted to drag out my internal torture just a bit longer.
Joy: I was also spinning a plan together that I wanted to give myself time to sell to him.
Which was?
Joy: We could properly commit and give ourselves the freedom to be who we really were. I mean, what were the chances that we, gay millennials, would ever have the chance to be with and marry people we were actually attracted to?
I always tell people I’ve been cursed with an eternally broken heart. You think the streets are tough for you as a straight person? Try dating when everyone involved knows they don’t have to commit because they legally can’t. I thought, since we were in the same boat and understood each other so well, we could be each other’s family then get romance and sex elsewhere.
It’s worked out well for us so far.
Yemi: It’s not the most ideal situation, but she’s right, it works. I know I waited a year to tell her the truth about me, but I would’ve been miserable if I ended up having to lie to someone for real just because I wanted to get married and have a home. So many Nigerians do that, but I didn’t want to be forced to be that guy. I’m glad I met Joy.
Joy, how did you eventually own up and reveal your plan?
Joy: It took a couple of months.
It was a week to my birthday and we were making plans for a picnic with a few of our friends. I said I would’ve preferred it if it was just the two of us, and he frowned just a little bit. Then he said he’d love that too, but he hoped he wasn’t leading me on. When he said, “I can’t really offer you much beyond companionship”, my heart broke because I knew I wanted him in my life forever. I absolutely wanted the companionship he thought wasn’t a big deal.
Yemi: Meanwhile, I was beating myself up about everything.
Joy: I just started crying, and I saw the panic in his face. He thought I was heartbroken for the wrong reasons. But I couldn’t say anything because I was crying too hard. He started apologising, saying he’d step back and leave me alone if that’s what I wanted. I had to force the words out of my mouth that that was the last thing I wanted. When I calmed down, I told him I was a lesbian and I was sorry I didn’t tell him sooner.
He actually said he didn’t believe me.
Yemi: I honestly didn’t. I thought she was pulling my legs or just trying to make me feel better. For a slim second, I even thought she made it up just because she liked me so much that she didn’t want me to leave.
Joy: But why are you so conceited?
[ad]
Why does it feel like you proposed to each other right after this episode?
Yemi: Not exactly. But she did tell me we could stay committed so we could both be gay in peace. While it felt conniving in a way, it also sounded like the answer to all my relationship problems.
Joy: My birthday came and went, and we basically stayed strong. I was at an age when everyone you know is married with two kids and people start asking you when your own will come. So, in my head, I was like let’s just do it. I was that sure I wanted to be committed to him. But at the same time, I wasn’t in a hurry. I wasn’t desperate for it. I was happy and independent, my career was going well and good enough money was coming in.
Yemi: It wasn’t until 2019, almost three years after we’d opened our closet to each other, that we started talking seriously about what our future together would look like. We’d both had steady sleeping partners for a while. It was time to be sure we were still on the same page. When she promised me she was, I went and got a ring and proposed to her over dinner at my place — I cooked!
Joy: The food was great; fried yam and stir-fry sauce. I debated telling him no at first. But I couldn’t do it. I said yes immediately, and we fell asleep on the couch after finishing a bottle of red wine between us. I called my mum first thing in the morning.
How was the wedding? Did you feel anyhow about the real situation of things as your families fussed over you?
Joy: They didn’t really fuss over us. My parents had given away three daughters at that point. They’d long given up on me. But yes, I wanted to tell my aunties that I was really a lesbian and this was all a cover, just to rile them up. Obviously, nothing would’ve been worth all the drama that would’ve caused.
Yemi: It was during COVID, so it was a quiet wedding. Most of my friends, the groomsmen, were queer. So besides maybe the elders in my family, I wasn’t really deceiving anyone. And for the elders, don’t we all have to deceive them over one thing or the other because they refuse to modernise their minds?
I won’t say I didn’t feel anyhow, but the fact that I knew Joy wasn’t in the dark on anything, and she actually initiated the idea, made me at peace.
Joy: At the end of the day, we really do love each other and are best of friends. It might be platonic, but I believe it’s just as powerful as the romantic version.
And what’s married life like while hiding your sexuality from the world?
Joy: There’s been drama, but not too much. Thankfully, our society doesn’t expect PDAs anyway, so we’re good.
Yemi: It’s been just as dramatic as any other marriage can be. We have squabbles over the littlest things: toothbrushes, who should take out the trash, what to watch on TV. Oh, and figuring out our plan for kids was one long drama that brought in most of our family.
Joy: Shockingly, we didn’t have a broad enough conversation about children before the wedding. We knew we wouldn’t be having sex, but we somehow also wanted kids. There were the IVF or surrogacy options, but we didn’t have that kind of money at first, especially after paying for the rent and renovation of our new three-bedroom flat.
Yemi: So when, a year into our marriage, my mother started bringing up kids, we felt so sheepish. It came down to having sex just for procreation.
Joy: I couldn’t do it. I absolutely didn’t want to do it. In fact, I was so convinced it would ruin us and everything we’d built because I knew it would be an unpleasant experience for both of us. This hung over our heads for months, like it was the biggest life-changing decision of our lives.
Yemi: It was, in a way.
In the end, we decided to save up for a couple of months for the IVF. But then, it failed three whole times. We had a daughter in July 2023, and I like to ring it in her ears that we went bankrupt just to have her.
What about the “extra-marital” affairs? How do you navigate them within your marriage?
Yemi: You mean, the people we actually have sex with? It’s been strangely easy to manage so far. I was sure that was what would strain our marriage and have us ready to throw hands, but no. My current partner loves Joy and is in our home helping with our daughter a couple of nights a week. It might seem weird or complicated, but it really isn’t. Joy hasn’t quite had a steady partner in some time though.
Joy: No. For now, I’m okay with being purely maternal and a great companion.
How would you rate your Love Life on a scale of 1 to 10?
Yemi: 10/10
Joy: Let’s call a spade a spade, please.
Check back every Thursday by 9 AM for new Love Life stories here. The stories will also be a part of the Ships newsletter, so sign up here.
On Tuesday, January 16, 2024, an explosion in the Bodija area of Ibadan left residents in a state of panic and fellow Nigerians worried about what had happened.
During the early hours of the next day, Governor Seyi Makinde addressed citizens and revealed that the explosion was caused by explosive devices housed in some buildings by illegal miners. He confirmed 77 casualties and two deaths while urging residents to remain calm.
While the government is on top of the matter, we decided to ask some Ibadan residents about their experiences during and after the explosion.
Bisi*
I was preparing for an 8 p.m. virtual meeting but had to quickly use the restroom when I heard a faint sound. I thought it was from my neighbors in the flat above mine, so I just dismissed it. But my boyfriend was around, and he insisted that it sounded like an explosion or a quarry blast. We briefly argued about it before I got into my meeting. I finished at around 9 p.m. and returned to see so many missed calls on my phone. I went online and saw that there’d been an explosion in Bodija. Luckily, I stay in Akobo, quite a distance from Bodija. When I asked other people in Ibadan, they said they didn’t hear anything. I have a friend who just moved to Bodija. She told me her house was shaking, but that was about it.
Ibrahim*
I got a call from my friend in Lagos just as I was about to observe my night prayers. He bombarded me with questions about how I was doing and if everyone was fine, and it all felt confusing. When I asked what was going on, he mentioned the explosion in Bodija and that was the first I’d heard of it. I told him I’d call back because I realised at that moment that my wife wasn’t back home. Luckily, she walked in while I was calling her phone. I don’t think I’ve ever been so relieved to see anyone. She shared everything that had happened, and we just spent the night calling our friends and family to make sure everyone was alright.
[ad]
David*
My brother is a student in the University of Ibadan (UI). When I saw the incident trending on social media, I called him to ask how he was. He said the sound was deafening and the impact was massive despite it happening far from the school. He likened it to an earthquake. For someone who’s never experienced an earthquake to say that’s what it felt like, it must’ve truly moved the ground. On my end of Ibadan, around Palms Mall-Liberty road, we didn’t even hear a pin or feel any discomfort. The impact was mostly felt by the folks staying around UI, Agbowo, Bodija, Mokola and Sango.
Blessing*
I went to buy food around Bodija market. On my way back home, I heard this loud bang and trembling followed by a gust of wind and dust. There was instant pandemonium everywhere; people were screaming. For some minutes, I couldn’t open my eyes because sand and dust had covered my face. I just kept screaming, “Jesus, Jesus” until I could open my eyes slightly. I didn’t even bother to find out what had happened. I just joined other people to run. It took a while to realise that I wasn’t even on the road to our house. I got home and saw my mum, dad and siblings outside. Our neighbours had also come out of their houses to see what was going on. I cried when my dad asked what happened. It felt like my life flashed in front of my eyes.
Taiwo*
I was in Zik Hall — a hostel on the University of Ibadan (UI) campus — when I heard the sound. I first thought it was a gas explosion from one of the hostels around because the blast sounded like it came from somewhere close. Lots of students came outside immediately after to see what was going on. There was complete confusion and shouting. It was only after a few minutes we heard it was from the Bodija General Mosque area, and the entire Sango was covered in smoke and dust. I got calls from my mum in Lagos. She was really worried even after I told her the explosion wasn’t in UI.
Debisi*
I was at work when this loud sound shook the entire building. I wasn’t sure what it was, but people outside assumed it was a gunshot and started running to safety. Immediately after I’d figured what was going on, I called my sister because our house is close to Bodija. She confirmed that the house shook at some point and particles from the ceiling had littered the house. Until around midnight, I was up taking calls from so many people who wanted to know I was safe, including my parents who live in a different part of Ibadan.
Sogo*
I moved out of the area where the explosion occurred about five years ago. But I still live about ten minutes away from there. We were just wrapping up service in church when I heard the explosion. We were praying, then everywhere went quiet. Initially, I thought the roof of the church caved in or something fell on it. We continued praying but everyone was also wondering where the sound came from. In the morning, I discovered that one of the glass sliding doors in my house was broken.
Around 7:44 p.m. on Tuesday, January 16, an explosion rocked Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, throwing residents into panic.
Early reports surfaced on social media giving different reasons for the explosion.
However, the state’s Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, maintained that the state government was on top of the situation and had deployed necessary personnel to the affected areas.
What caused the explosion?
Speaking to pressmen early Wednesday morning, Oyo state governor, Seyi Makinde, confirmed that the explosion was caused by explosive devices stored in some buildings around the Bodija area of Ibadan.
“Illegal miners occupying one of the houses in Bodija had stored explosive devices there which caused the blast”.
The governor added that an investigation is still ongoing to find the illegal miners and bring them to book.
Are there casualties?
Governor Makinde revealed that about 77 people were injured from the explosion while two others were confirmed dead.
“The wounded and injured are being treated and moved to public and private hospitals within Ibadan. Medical personnel are on standby at these hospitals to provide all needed assistance to the injured. We have visited UCH to see some of those injured during the incident.
“In total, we have 77 injured victims so far, most of whom were treated and discharged and 2 fatalities. May their souls rest in peace and may God give their loved ones the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.”
The governor assured residents that the state government will handle the medical bills of the victims of the blast and provide temporary housing for those who have been rendered homeless by the explosion.
“We will also be providing temporary accommodation for those whose houses were affected and ensuring that they are supported to rebuild their lives.”
The governor called for calm among residents and urged people to stay away from the explosion sites.
“I urge all residents to please call 615 for any emergencies they may be experiencing at this time and to remain calm and stay away from the immediate scene of the incident to allow rescue operations to be carried out without interference.”
[ad]
How are Nigerians reacting?
Nigerians have since taken to social media, commiserating with Ibadan residents and calling for prayers.
What can you do to help?
While the state government is actively providing care for victims, you can lend a helping hand to support medical centres that have been overwhelmed.
There are calls for blood donors at the Accident and Emergency section of the University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan.
There’s also been a call for medical personnel to offer assistance in Adeyi, Bodija area of Ibadan.
Legal wills may always be a controversial subject in a conservative country like Nigeria. Like, why are you writing a will when you’re not married, old or bastardly rich? Or, are you planning to die?
The recent conversations around the late singer, Mohbad, having a will at 26-year-old inspired me to ask other young people who have (or are planning to have) wills why they wrote one, including their general thoughts about it.
Tobi, 26
I wrote a will after I bought my first landed property at 25, and it was because of what I experienced from home.
My mum saw plenty shege after my dad’s death because he didn’t have a will. He only had the deed to his house. After he died, his siblings stole the deed and sold the house. We couldn’t fight it because we had no proof of ownership.
I promised myself a thing like that would never happen again. Hence, the will. I also have a notarised document stating who gets my pension from work in the event of my death.
I’ll keep updating my will as I get more assets. I don’t want to hear story when I’m supposed to be resting on the other side.
Zee, 21
I plan to write my will this year. I have €10k in savings, and €15k in stocks. I also save €2k every month. I live in the Netherlands and intend to buy a house via mortgage this year. I’ll write my will afterwards.
I believe a will is necessary once you start having assets. To be honest, I just got the conviction to create one as soon as possible. A friend tweeted about writing their own will, and I decided I needed to write mine too. I think I would’ve still considered it sometime this year, though.
I haven’t actively started the process, but all I need is to draft the document with a lawyer and then notarise it to make it legal. I can also draw up the will in Nigeria, as long as it aligns with Dutch law since my assets are here.
Isa, 32
I wrote my will at 30, and I think it’s brilliant to know who is getting what after you’re gone.
I’m unmarried without kids, but I know life is transient. Anything can happen at any time. So, even though I didn’t exactly have a reason to do it, I felt I had to. I spoke with a lawyer friend, and we drafted the document. The writing, corrections and confirmation process took about three weeks. Then we signed it with witnesses present.
Now, there’s a sense of relief knowing that that’s out of the way. If I leave Earth today, I can still put smiles on people’s faces. It’s my gift to the universe.
Ayo, 24
I don’t have a will yet, but I have a password-encrypted document that has all my asset information— bank accounts, crypto wallet passwords and shares.
I’ve also scheduled an automated email to send this document to my sister next year, with a reminder on my calendar to reschedule two days prior to sending time. If I’m still alive by then, I’ll reschedule the send date. If not, the email is sent.
I’ll eventually write a legal will when I start amassing concrete assets like landed property or when I get married. For now, the document suffices because most of my assets are password-based, and I want my sister to have everything.
Arin, 25
All my assets are currently in my bank account, and my immediate siblings have the details. I come from a polygamous family and know people whose families started fighting battles among each other when their father died.
I don’t know if my dad has a will, and I’m not putting my mind there. My own goal is to make money and write a will to clearly outline who I want it to go to when the time comes. I’m hoping I do this before 35.
At the moment, my other focus is to find a legal way to dictate who gets my pension. I always thought just having a “Next of kin” sufficed, but I recently learned it doesn’t. So, I plan to find a legal solution to it this year.
Zoey, 23
I don’t have a will because I don’t have assets, but I think anyone above 18 with assets should have a will. At the latest, you should have one by 45. Life expectancy in Nigeria is 55 — with other things being equal — so one needs to put their affairs in order around this age.
You also read about the potential challenges involved with not having a will:
As the Super Eagles continue their 2024 African’s Cup of Nations campaign, we send them our best wishes.
What better way to do this than create a playlist that solidifies our mission in Côte d’Ivoire. These songs have all the motivation, ginger and fire our boys need to clinch the top prize.
Play:
Africa — Yemi Alade ft. Sauti Sol
It doesn’t matter if it’s the Super Eagles or Black Stars, we are Africans first. This song by Mama Africa, featuring Kenya’s Sauti Sol, tops this playlist for good reason. It constantly reminds us of our roots and how we’re better united as one.
Want It All — Burna Boy ft. Polo G
Burna opened this song with “Remember when dem no believe me no more?”
Well, that’s the case of the Super Eagles; last time we won the AFCON was 2013. A decade later, we’re back to take our chances at winning. As a serious team in this to win every goddamn prize, there’s no better motivating song.
23 — Burna Boy
Though 23 is a reference to basketballer Michael Jordan, this song can makes you feel like Messi or Ronaldo. This song doesn’t only pump confidence, it makes you feel invincible.The Super Eagles need this.
Oya Come Make We Go — 2Baba ft. Sauti Sol
Watch the room luminate when our boys play ‘Oya Come Make We Go’ as they leave the dressing room for the pitch. This is essentially saying “let’s go there and have a blast.”
Overkilling — Djinee
Fifteen years later, Djinee’s Overkilling is still the anthem for the people chasing excellence, AKA overkilling, in their fields. This isn’t to exaggerate Super Eagles’ capability, but we can fake it till everyone believes it.
Champion — General Pype
“This is the sound of the champion,” like General Pype said in this song. In fact, it must blast in the stadium when we finally win the 2024 AFCON IJN.
Undisputed Champion — M.I Abaga
M.I’s Undisputed Champion emphasizes the need to build a winning mentality. It’s the anthem that rouses you from sleep.
Stand Strong — Davido ft. Sunday Service Choir
After our draw against Equatorial Guinea on January 14, 2024, our boys clearly need to hold onto this confidence-boost song. Whether the Super Eagles “minus” before the 2024 AFCON final or not, it should keep playing. Recommended it in the morning, afternoon and night.
Imagine getting set to graduate from your Nigerian university and you get an email from the school management notifying you that there’s been a convocation gown heist. Ghen, then.
While it may seem like all hope is lost, we’re here to show you how to make lemonades with this bitter lemon. You just need to keep an open mind to see the vision.
Sutana
Have you seen celestial church members heading to church on a Sunday morning? They’re the next best thing after the agege bread that leaves the bakery that morning. Listen, you’ll be the centre of attraction from the moment you step into your convocation ceremony.
Wedding gown
Your wedding day shouldn’t be the only happiest day of your life. You can have many happiest days of your life, and on top of that list should be graduating from a Nigerian institution. What better way to show up on the day the Lord has made than in a Mai Atafo custom piece?
Abaya
One thing about an abaya is it can cosplay as a graduation gown perfectly. It’s basically a convocation gown with pizzazz.
[ad]
Jalamia
Go with the ones that come in silk and have gold buttons. You wouldn’t have to announce yourself twice at the university gate before the security guards lead you to the convocation hall.
Rain coat
Listen, if Deyemi Okanlawon can do this to a movie premiere, nothing is stopping you from making this your convocation attire.
A lawyer’s gown
I don’t know who stole the fashion inspiration from whom, but one thing is clear, all things have fallen in your favour. You can throw in the wig if they also stole the graduation caps.
Lab coat
Just look at this picture and tell me they don’t look like a bunch of happy students who just signed out of uni.
Netflix and chill sounds cool, but nothing beats the satisfaction of stumbling upon ridiculously good Nigerian TV shows that have you allocating a budget for cable TV, even though we’re now in the streaming era. These shows have everything from comedy to chaotic drama and something to tickle your intelligence. Let’s get into them.
Big Brother Naija (BBNaija)
One of the most anticipated reality TV shows in Nigeria, BBNaija is a social experiment that brings 15 to 21 people from across the country together under one roof and presents their daily lives to viewers. You get to watch full-grown adults fight over food, connive against each other, fall in love and form genuine or fake friendships all to win money or fame. Contestants are evicted on a weekly or bi-weekly basis depending on the organisers.
Where does it air?
BBNaija has a dedicated 24-hour channel on DStv, and the eviction shows air on all Africa Magic channels. The last season, BBNaija All-Stars, ran for 70 days.
The Johnsons
This comedy TV series debuted in 2012 and has remained on Nigerian TV screens for the last 12 years. It follows the life of a middle-class family navigating life in Lagos, Nigeria. This show has so many family drama scenarios you’ll relate to if you grew up in a typical Nigerian home. Charles Inojie, Osita Iheme, Olumide Oworu and Kunle Bamtefa are among the cast of The Johnsons.
When does it air?
The Johnsons airs at 9 p.m. from Monday to Friday on Africa Magic channels.
Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?
Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? is a weekly TV game show hosted by media personality, Frank Edoho, where guests get to test their knowledge on general subjects in front of a live audience. If you love to watch people on the hot seat struggle with questions you probably don’t know the answers to, Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? got you covered.
Where does it air?
Africa Magic channels, Silverbird and TVC. The last season aired in March 2022.
The Real Housewives of Lagos (RHOL)
The Lagos version of the American franchise debuted in April 2022 on the streaming platform, Showmax. The first season of the reality show follows the flamboyant and chaotic lives of Iyabo Ojo, Toyin “Tiannah” Lawani, Laura Ikeji, Carolyn Danjuma, Chioma Ikokwu (AKA Chioma Goodhair) and Mariam Timmer. The second season features the same cast members save for the addition of Faith Morey and Tania Omotayo who replace Carolyn.
There’s the right amount of gbas gbos and drama between the “housewives” to keep you on the edge of your seats. Can you imagine Chioma and Tiannah almost getting physical? Yes, exactly that type of drama.
Where does it air?
The first season aired weekly on Africa Magic Urban and Showcase at 9:00 and 9:30 p.m. respectively. The second season is available to stream on the Showmax app.
My Flatmates
If you love The Johnsons, this is one of the Nigerian TV shows that should be on your radar. It features some of Nigeria’s biggest comedians — Basketmouth, Buchi, Yaw Wazobia and Senator — acting as friends who are struggling to get their shit together. You’ll love this show if you’ve ever squatted with friends, had landlord problems or are still hustling your way to the top.
When does it air?
My Flatmates shows weekdays on Africa Magic and GOtv channels at 6:30 p.m.
[ad]
Family Feud Nigeria
It’s a TV game show where different families compete against each other to win cash and prizes. This global franchise hosted by Hollywood actor and comedian, Steve Harvey, debuted its first season in Nigeria in October 2022, with Bisola Aiyeola playing host. You’ll watch families struggle to outbest each other while making fun of themselves. One good thing about this show? You and your family members can join in the game while watching.
When does it air?
Family Feud airs on Africa Magic and GOtv channels at 9 p.m. on Saturdays.
The Voice Nigeria
This music talent show has Nigerians in a chokehold for one reason: Live performances of popular songs from above average singers. Every season, contestants audition to be a part of the show and come under the tutelage of seasoned musicians. Fans vote for their favourite acts every week until a final winner is chosen.
The last season had Waje, Niyola, Praiz and Naeto C as judges.
When does it air?
The Voice Nigeria airs on Africa Magic, GOtv and StarTimes. It also airs on TVC. Viewing times are 5:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 7:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. depending on the channel.
On January 15 every year, Nigerians celebrate the Armed Forces Remembrance Day (AFRD) in memory of the men and women who’ve lost their lives and those who continue to risk their lives in service to protect the nation.
To commemorate this year’s celebration, I asked Nigerians to share their most memorable experiences with military officers. These are their stories.
Beatrice* 24
I once boarded a bus to work, and when it was time to pay, this conductor suddenly hiked the price to ₦500. He said that was what he told me before entering the bus, even though he clearly said ₦300. I got into a heated argument with him, and I was hoping someone in the bus would join me, but everyone just kept to themselves. We got to a bus stop and picked up a soldier, and I got the ginger to continue my fight with the conductor. It took only a “You no go give am her change?” comment from the soldier to get him to fall in line. That was how I got my money back.
Ibrahim* 31
When I was in NYSC camp, the soldiers didn’t hesitate to mention how they won’t tolerate indiscipline. But I’d heard some of my mates mention how they often stayed back in the hostel to miss morning drills, so I decided to try it one day. Unfortunately, it was the day I chose to stay back that the soldiers carried out a morning raid. I hid under a bunk and didn’t answer the repeated calls to “Come out of your hiding place”. I just started begging after one soldier’s torchlight fell on me. When another colleague called out to him and asked if there was anyone in the room, he looked me in the eyes, said no and left the room. I was so happy. I found him later that week and treated him to lunch.
Hadiza* 28
I befriended a soldier during NYSC, and he made the entire experience fun for me. I had my first plane flight because of him. We visited restaurants, museums and the zoo. There were times we attended parties and clubbed together. Everything just felt so romantic because we played and gisted a lot, but I knew it was short lived. He still reaches out to me even though it’s been over five years since we last saw each other.
[ad]
Debola* 35
Area boys used to disturb us in my house. They were constantly fighting, harassing residents for money and just constituting a nuisance. I had enough one day when they threatened to deflate my tyres if I didn’t pay them for parking on the street. I was so livid that I threatened to bring soldiers to discipline them. It wasn’t like I knew any military person; I just boarded a bus and went to the barracks before Ojuelegba. The guys at the gate didn’t let me in, but I broke down in tears and just narrated what happened. To my surprise, they informed a superior and that was how about four of them followed me back in a military vehicle. They didn’t even need to do much, their presence threatened the area boys and they left me.
Hariff* 34
I grew up in Bonny Camp, and I think that experience made my childhood a lot of fun. We were one of the few civilians living there at the time; most of my friends had military parents. I remember watching the soldiers during their training and how I’d tell my parents I wanted to be a soldier when I grow up. Back then, I couldn’t understand why people feared military men. They were my neighbours, the traders were military people as well. They were just everywhere. It was such a cool flex at the time. I’d tease my friends at school when anyone tried to act funny. We left Bonny Camp while I was in secondary school, but I’m still in touch with some of my friends who had military parents.
Deji* 27
We were on our way to a family friend’s wedding in Osogbo state when our car broke down somewhere around Ikire. We weren’t familiar with the town, so we were worried and just wanted to get a mechanic ASAP. We’d barely been there for 20 minutes when these guys came out of nowhere and started harassing us. Luckily, a military patrol vehicle passed, and my aunty just screamed, “Officers, help us. Officers, help us!” Surprisingly, they stopped and the area guys dispersed before the officers alighted from their vehicle. They asked what happened, and we narrated our ordeal. These guys actually stayed with us for about three hours till we got a mechanic who fixed our car. It felt like we were a VVIP political family. We tried to settle them before we left, but they refused. They just waved us goodbye and that was it.
Kachi* 41
I had to do corporate bambiala once after I lost my wallet on my way home. We didn’t have Bolt or Uber at the time so I couldn’t just order a ride on my phone. I approached random people, but some of them didn’t even let me explain before they gave excuses. I couldn’t blame them because I’d have done the same if I were in their shoes. After two rejections, I saw this female naval officer and approached her. She was apprehensive at first, but unlike the others, she listened to my story. I was happy and thought she’d give me money, but she didn’t. Instead, she put me on a bus and told the driver not to collect money. She was a lifesaver. I tried looking out for her the next few times I was at that bus stop, but I never saw her again.
Every week, Zikoko seeks to understand how people move the Naira in and out of their lives. Some stories will be struggle-ish, others will be bougie. All the time, it’ll be revealing.
What’s your earliest memory of money?
Making ₦200 – ₦300 from braiding hair when I was 15. I was in secondary school, and I taught myself how to make hair by plaiting the grass stalks in my boarding school’s compound. I also practised on a senior student’s hair. Then I started making simple braid hairstyles for people in my area whenever I was home from school.
I also tried my hand at making braided wigs and sold a few to neighbours at ₦1k – ₦1,500. I remember feeling so excited that I was making my own money. It’s funny because it’s not like I didn’t have parents to give me money, I just wanted to make mine.
Why do you think that was? This desire to make your own money?
I’m the first child of a large polygamous home. My dad had a cocoa farm that wasn’t doing great, and we had several members of our extended family living with us at different points. So even though my dad did his best, many people depended on him for money.
I grew up knowing I couldn’t always wait for my dad. I had to work for whatever money I wanted.
Where was your mum in all of this?
I was the only child on my mum’s side, and she mostly depended on my dad too. He once gave my mum money to start a provisions business, but she was forced to close it after a few months. My dad would take money from the business to help these same family members, and my mum also had to feed them with the business proceeds. At one point, my mum opened another shop in a different location without my dad’s financial input so she could have a say in how the finances were managed.
Back to hairdressing. Did it help you become somewhat independent?
The jobs weren’t consistent, so I just did it to get the usual ₦1k every other week. I took a break in 2015 when I got admitted into a polytechnic.
I didn’t make hair or do anything for money because I was focused on leaving the school.
Why?
I decided I didn’t like the school from the first day I stepped foot there. You won’t believe they welcomed me to school with a cult fight.
I spent all my time there writing JAMB and applying to other schools. I finally got admitted into a university and started classes in 2017.
I had a sister in the same uni too, and she told me the students loved to look fashionable. So, I decided I could make a fortune by offering them nail services.
What did this involve?
I took some money from my ₦10k monthly allowance and went to the market to get the materials. A bottle of nail polish cost ₦100, and I got nine colours and a hardener for ₦1k. I also bought nail polish remover for ₦150 and a couple of nail files, buffers and artificial nails. I put all my tools in a basket and started moving from room to room in the hostel, looking for clients.
I charged ₦500 for both hands (with artificial nails) and ₦200 if it was just normal painting. I charged an additional ₦200 to paint both sets of toes.
Sounds affordable
It was, and it made the business an instant hit. The students in my uni typically held many events, and when these happened, I’d have as many as six clients and make about ₦3k daily.
By 200 level, I had to move off-campus — only first-year and final-year students were guaranteed hostel space. Staying in an off-campus apartment with my sister was a big blow to my nail business. I could no longer move from room to room to find clients. It was time to find something else.
What did you find?
Makeup. Just before the end of the session, an entrepreneurship class in school tasked us with learning a skill during the three-month break so we could present what we learned when we returned to school. I’ve been interested in makeup since childhood, so I decided to learn it.
What was learning it like?
I found a professional at home and paid ₦30k for a one-month class. I’d drag a friend along to practise on her face. I also regularly followed YouTube tutorials. When school resumed in 2019, I began telling everyone I was now a makeup artist.
At first, I charged ₦2k for a face beat, but when the cost of products started to choke me the following semester, I increased my price to ₦3,500. I usually had three to four clients daily across different hostels.
In final year, I moved back to the school hostel and restarted my nail business. This time, I charged between ₦1k – ₦1,500 to fix nails. I also increased my makeup rates to ₦5k – ₦6k. I was constantly booked and made about ₦20k weekly from both businesses.
The money was good, but my partner introduced me to UI/UX design in 2020. I saw yet another opportunity to make money.
Let me guess, you grabbed it
I procrastinated for a bit sha. My partner was in the Google Developer Students Club, and I joined in 2021. The training was free, but omo, it was hard.
My beauty industry experience helped me quickly understand the user interface bit because I was already dealing with colours every day. However, it took me about three months to get a hang of the user experience part.
Did you get any UI/UX gigs while in school?
I didn’t prioritise getting any. I was already making money with makeup, so I decided to focus on learning and mastering my UI/UX skills.
When I graduated in 2021, I got two small UI design gigs on Twitter. I got these gigs because I was already vocal about my skills on the app, and someone reached out to me to redesign a website for ₦20k. The second gig was a simple landing page website design that paid ₦40k.
When NYSC came in 2022, I was posted to a school, but I paid someone ₦25k to change my PPA to a fintech startup because I wanted to do more UI design. I don’t even know if he worked with NYSC; someone just introduced me to him. Thank God they didn’t scam me.
LOL. Tell me about the job
I was supporting a UI/UX designer on the team. For some reason, I didn’t ask if they’d pay a stipend in addition to NYSC’s ₦33k monthly allowance. But the job came with a free room in the office, so my accommodation was sorted.
The designer I was supporting was redesigning a product, but she was preparing to leave the team and was distracted. So, I decided to do the work myself and did three different redesign variations within a week. I later learned they planned to pay me ₦10k/month, but the MD was impressed with my work and decided to give me a ₦20k bonus that month.
I got ₦30k in my first month and expected only ₦10k the next month. But I got ₦30k again. I asked HR, and they said the increase was because I was the only designer they had at the time, and they hoped to retain me after my service year. In my head, I was like, “Wow, nice one.”
Were you still offering makeup services on the side?
Not really. NYSC was in a different state where I didn’t know anyone. Two months into the job, I got a part-time design job on Twitter. It paid ₦50k, and only required me to work on the product for two hours every weekday.
The project ended five months later, but then they asked if I could manage social media for their sister company as they didn’t have a manager. By now, you should know I can say yes to anything as long as there’s money in it.
Screaming. So you took the job?
The job was onsite in a different state, as I’d need to take videos and create content. I told them I’d take the job if they gave me accommodation. They agreed, and I moved to the state in December 2022. The pay was ₦150k/month.
But you weren’t done with NYSC
I was going to round up NYSC in February 2023, but my PPA was already having money issues. They’d offered to retain me at ₦70k/month (including the free accommodation). But they started laying people off in December. We even closed for the year in the second week of December because of the money issues. I couldn’t wait around to find out, so I told them I was leaving and would return for my final clearance. They were okay with it.
So, I moved states for the second job. It was an event video coverage company, and I had to follow them to events to create content. It was crazy stressful. I’d never experienced something like that in my life. We could go out all day, return at 6 a.m. the next day and still go out again in the afternoon. I suffered.
Did the pay help the suffering, at least?
If anything, it allowed me to save more. During my service year, I regularly saved the ₦30k from my PPA and lived on the ₦33k allowance from NYSC. When I got the ₦50k side gig, I also saved part of it and spent the rest on random shopping or sending money home to my mum.
I had about ₦200k in savings when I started the social media job and saved an additional ₦100k from my first salary. Subsequently, I tried to save at least half of my salary monthly.
But I wasn’t enjoying the job at all. In January 2023, I got another UI/UX design side gig at ₦50k/month. Then I was referred for and landed another ₦50k/month social media management gig for a US client the following month.
You were juggling three jobs?
Yes, and it triggered a mental breakdown. My primary 9-5 was stressful and extremely toxic. Our MD used most of the company’s funds to relocate, and we were left with the HR officer who was a bully. I was planning to resign in June when they called me in March 2023 to tell me they no longer needed my services.
The crazy thing is, I resigned from the US job only two weeks earlier because my head wasn’t in the right place, and I needed to reduce my workload. I had no idea I’d lose my 9-5 so soon. I was left with only the ₦50k/month UI/UX job.
But I’d saved up ₦600k from my earnings, and I used it to buy a MacBook so I could focus on design. I didn’t want to do anything social media-related again.
How were you surviving on ₦50k/month?
I told my employer I could now work full-time with them, and they increased the salary to ₦70k. I also moved in with a family member to reduce my running costs. I tried getting side gigs again, but nothing came.
Then I thought, if a job won’t work, why not school? So, in July, I told my parents I wanted to apply for a master’s abroad. They agreed, and I began the process of getting my transcript from uni for the application process. I took permission from work for this, but one day, they felt I was asking for too much permission and asked me to leave the company.
Just like that?
Just like that. They also complained that I was delaying tasks, but I was severely burnt out. It felt like I was just learning how to work afresh. That’s how I sha became jobless.
For the next two weeks, I cried daily. I lost my confidence and questioned my abilities. Like, wasn’t it this same me that was hyped at my PPA then? Had I gotten so bad?
When I was finally done crying, I told my parents I was now unemployed, and my dad demanded I start a business. I considered my options and told him I wanted to sell thrift clothes. He gave me ₦500k. I used half of that to buy stock and launched the business online in August. Within a month, I had 30 orders and made ₦36k in profit.
Not a bad start
However, I was still interested in UI/UX design, so I decided to start afresh. I paid ₦40k for an online three-month design course to rebuild my confidence. I’d create content for my business in the mornings and then study after.
In October 2023, I thought about returning to makeup but going at it differently. I opened a YouTube channel and started doing makeup looks and sharing via YouTube Shorts.
Why YouTube Shorts?
I noticed people preferred short-form content. My first video had 10k views because I used a trending sound. It motivated me, and I thought, “Maybe I can blow on YouTube”.
Remember the master’s admission I was pursuing? I got admission in October 2023 at a UK university. The deposit was about ₦4m after conversion. My dad sent it, but before I could make the payment, the exchange rate increased from ₦1k to a pound to ₦1,300, and the deposit was now about ₦5m.
Damn
My dad couldn’t afford it. Even the ₦4m was everything he’d made from selling a cocoa harvest. He hadn’t even paid his farm staff. So, we agreed to defer the admission to 2024, and I returned the money to him.
Since school was off the table, I focused my attention on YouTube, my design classes and business. By December 2023, I’d grown my subscribers to almost 200, using only YouTube Shorts. I intend to start vlogging properly in 2024 to cross the 1000 subscribers and 4000 watch hours threshold to get monetised.
What about your thrift business?
The business is no longer doing as well; I make an average of ₦50k/month from it. But it’s business money, so it goes back into the business. I still have about ₦200k left from the initial business capital saved up, and I might restock in a couple of weeks.
These days, I survive on the occasional design gigs I get through my partner, and that brings in an average of ₦100k in a good month.
What do your expenses look like in a good month?
I’m trying to live on a ₦50k monthly budget, so I can save anything else that comes in. This is possible because my parents and partner support me financially when I have nothing — they’re essentially my safety nets. I just moved into my own apartment in January 2024, and it cost me ₦270k, with some financial help from my parents.
Before moving into my apartment, I hardly spent on data and food because my partner took care of it.
It’s interesting you lost jobs twice in a year but didn’t exactly go broke
For me, being broke means not having a job that constantly brings money at the end of the month. Though it wasn’t consistent, I was still getting money.
I was broke — I still am — but my safety nets and savings have helped me survive. I believe your savings can save you. Also, don’t just spend money the way you see it. You should always plan how you intend to spend. I usually weigh my options and decide the importance of things per time to determine what should take my money in one period of time.
What do you see when you think about your financial future?
Ah. I always hope for the best o. I have my hands on so many things because I want to have different sources of income, but I’ll eventually need to streamline it to one source as I grow older. I can’t be jumping up and down in my old age. I’m still looking for a good-paying job. I really want to do user experience research and product design. I might just put the business aside if I find a job now.
How much is a good-paying job for you right now?
That’s tricky. What if I say a figure now, and Jesus says, “That salary you mentioned is exactly what you’ll get?” What if He has a bigger plan for me? If I have to share sha, I’d say a minimum of ₦200k/monthly or $1k if it’s a foreign company.
Curious. Do you have a retirement plan?
I plan to invest in a cocoa farm like my dad once I have enough money. This is how cocoa farming works: You rent a farm that already has cocoa seedlings — so you don’t have to start planting all over again. Renting one can cost as much as ₦100k annually, depending on the farm size. Then you hire people to care for the farm and harvest the ripe cocoa in December.
Right now, a kilo of cocoa is about ₦5,200 and a bag contains 66 kilos. That’s ₦343,200 from one bag of cocoa. You can harvest up to 10 – 12 bags and sell them to those who export to other places. You can also decide to pay the person you hired to take care of the farm with one-third of the harvest.
I also plan to go into the palm oil business. That one just involves buying multiple kegs of palm oil in January and storing them to sell in December when they’ve doubled or tripled in price.
That’s interesting. How much do you think you’ll need to start cocoa farming?
I’ll need about ₦300k to rent a farm and start operations. I can actually start any time and make that amount back fully in a year because the dollar-to-naira rate influences the price of a cocoa bag, and since that’s consistently increasing, the profit would increase too.
However, I intend to build my business to a point where it’s profitable enough for me to be able to remove that kind of money to invest somewhere else. I’ll also have financial support from my dad when that time comes.
How would you rate your financial happiness on a scale of 1-10?
2. I still don’t have a job, so I’m not happy with my finances. I hope to get a job before March 2024 and possibly monetise my YouTube. Maybe by then, things will start looking up.
If you’re interested in talking about your Naira Life story, this is a good place to start.
It’s the start of another year, and even if Nigerians go on and on about the hardship of January, we all know there’s no stopping the owambes from going down every weekend.
How else do you make a grand attendance as the celebrant’s friend, mother or sibling, if not with never-seen-before gele styles that draw attention to you? If you don’t know, the designers have gotten more creative, the styles have gotten more complex, and that’s why this article exists, to point you in the right direction.
Let’s get into it.
Sequined gele
Image source: Instagram/@mumzdoublejoycollection
You’re on a long thing if aso oke, sego, damask or jubilee are the only fabrics that come to mind when you want gele. Sequined fabric has joined the list, and word on the street is, it’s one of the hottest gele styles out there right now.
Pleated gele with ruffles
Image source: Instagram/@oni_gele
This gele style is a real show stopper sure to get the OG Yoruba aunties looking in your direction. It’s best to use an aso-oke or any other thick fabric to achieve consistency.
RTW infinity pleated gele
Image source: Instagram/@mydemartins
This gele style has been around for a hot minute, and it doesn’t look like it’s going out of fashion soon, but there’s been some innovation to it. This style now comes as ready-to-wear, and you only need to shop for your size and desired colour.
Sideswept infinity gele
Image source: Instagram/@geleloge
This style is a remixed version of the infinity pleated gele. It’s a nice option if you’re attending an owambe with several mummies and want to stand out from them.
Bow-tie gele
Image source: Instagram/@geleloge
This is the type of gele style that lands you on the fashion inspiration column of a lifestyle magazine. Might make you look like a walking bow-tie but true fashionistas will see the vision.
[ad]
Zara cap gele with ruffles
Image source: ThatGeleChic
If you’re big on comfort, this style should be on your radar as you can easily rock it on the go. It’s inspired by Northern fashion and been around for a while, but designers are adding creative modifications to it.
Centre twist gele with ruffles
Image source: Instagram/@geleloge
If you’re a baddie whose mum or aunt looks to them to experiment with their gele game, this is a great recommendation. It’s a branch out from the regular but familiar enough to keep them calm.
Peacock gele
Image source: Ennygelecraft
When a gele style is modelled after one of mother earth’s most beautiful birds, you know it’ll always eat and leave zero crumbs. For extra pizzazz, accessorise this gele style with beads or Swarovski stones.
Celebrity interviews are interesting for many reasons. You get a glimpse of their personal lives, and sometimes, they get to do the most ridiculous things on camera—like Skales answering JAMB questions on Zikoko Pop. But things can spiral really quickly when the interviewer crosses lines. Remember Omawumi’s legendary mic drop on live TV in 2016? Yeah, that’s the kind of unscripted drama we live for.
The music powerhouse isn’t the only celeb who’s had jaws on the floor because of her reaction to an interview not going her way. We looked and found other celebrity interviews that went from “Tell us about your new album” to “Did you just?”
Davido and the BBC
Baba Imade is a celebrity favourite among many media houses. Interviewers don’t need to do too much to get him divulging industry inside gist. He’s also the only one among the big three (Davido, Wizkid and Burna Boy) who consistently addresses the friction between them. However, even OBO has his limits. In 2022, a BBC journalist posed the question, “Do you ever see a record happening with Burna, Wiz and Davido?” His response? “Ask them when you see them.” Man was tired.
Omawumi and HFtv
Interviewers know to tread carefully with Omawumi all thanks to her epic moment with HFtv Africa in 2016. During a sit-down, a journalist from the media house asked the singer to address rumours about her smoking and drinking habits as a mother. Visibly irritated by the question, Omawumi gave the journalist a good dressing down before she walked out of the interview set.
Sean Tizzle and TheNetng
Imagine asking a music star at the peak of his career about using Carowhite or Miss Fair and White. God, abeg. This was the case with Sean Tizzle and a presenter from TheNETng in 2016. The interview seemed to be going well until the presenter asked if Sean Tizzle could confirm or deny rumours that he had a thing for lightening his skin colour. He wasn’t having it: “Do you think it makes sense that you’re asking me if I bleach my skin?” Sean Tizzle asked the host. A few more words were exchanged, then Sean put up the middle finger and stormed out of the interview.
[ad]
Skales and TheNetng
During a studio sit-down interview with TheNetng, the host expressed his unfettered opinion about Skales’ 2017 single, Body Language. He told the singer to his face that the track wasn’t a “genius song”. Skales maintained that it was fine for both individuals to hold their opinions of the song. However, things got heated and Skales said that the host had no right to make a statement like that in the first place. He walked out of the interview, stating that he didn’t consent to the episode being released.
Burna Boy and Vice
The Grammy-winning singer isn’t a big fan of interviews — even one with his mum and grandfather. Burna had X on fire in 2020 after a clip from his interview with Vice for a documentary series surfaced online. The Vice journalist asked his mum and grandpa questions about their time with the late Fela Kuti, but Odogwu wasn’t having any of that. Burna stood up mid-interview, saying, “This interview is too boring,” an action that gagged the journalist and his family members so bad.
Burna Boy at the 2023 Met Gala
The self-styled African Giant had one of the most talked-about red carpet moments at the 2023 Met Gala. Burna had all the time to grant interviews to foreign press, but when Kachi Offiah, the only Nigerian journalist who made it to the event, called out to him, he politely declined with a widespread smile on his face. “Sorry, I have to go,” Burna said, even though the journalist had screamed “Odogwu” at the top of her voice.
Ilebaye and Charles Born
The Gen Z baddie got tongues rolling weeks after she emerged as winner of the BBN Naija All-Stars season. Ilebaye was billed for an interview with Glitch Africa’s presenter, Charles Born, but she took off after he kept her waiting. “Gen Z baddie waited for few minutes whilst we were filming with Pere and Adekunle, and drove off, saying we kept her waiting. In her words, “How dare you keep me waiting?” Celebrity of yesterday? LOL. Truly Money doesn’t buy class. Yuck!” Born wrote on IG. Ilebaye returned to state that she was hungry and had other appointments.
Meanwhile, we caught up with Reminisce some weeks ago and he talked about everything from his music to what keeps him going.
It’s easy to get into a wave of sadness as a Nigerian living in Nigeria. The inflation is threatening to choke you, Tinubu’s government and adulthood are taking turns to suck every ounce of joy in you, you’re losing loved ones to death and the list goes on and on. How do you rise above it all and fight for your dear life? I asked some Nigerians, and they had useful tips for their fellow citizens.
Call people you love
“Hearing my mum’s voice makes me smile. It doesn’t matter how bad of a day I’m having. And I know she’ll end the call with a prayer that’ll most likely send the spirit of sadness away.”
Comfort eat
“Food is my go-to whenever I’m having a bad day. It’s the case for me and my siblings. I remember when we lost my mum some years ago, my brother ordered food that night, and we all just sat together, eating in shared silence.”
Ask God to make me happy
“I pray about everything, and this includes my happiness. Whenever I feel a wave of sadness coming, I mutter a bible verse under my breath or just ask God to make me happy. It works.”
[ad]
Tailor your expectations
“The saddest moments in my life have been when people break their promises. It pierces through my heart and leaves me a wreck because I’d never do that. But I’ve learnt to always tailor my expectations of people or things, so I don’t get as sad when they falter.”
Watch cartoons
“At my big age, you’ll still find me watching Cartoon Network or jumping on the next animated movie that hits the cinema. There’s something about that make-believe world that excites my imagination and makes me feel like a kid with no worries.”
Some physical activity
“Could be running, walking or just doing chores around the house. I’ve found that doing something gets me out of my sad zone. There’s that thing about an idle mind and the devil.”
Including “genital meet and greet”
“The quickest way to get me out of a sour mood is sex—or the thought of it. If I have immediate access, I’m going for it. If I don’t, I’m texting my babe and just fantasising about the good time ahead.”
Find your tribe
“Loneliness almost finished me in uni even though it was by my own doing. I was so invested in my studies, and it just made people gravitate away from me. But it got better during my NYSC service. I made friends turned family, and being around them makes me happy. Our virtual calls are just as sweet as physical meetings.”
Speak words of affirmation
“I’d have rolled my eyes at anyone who told me I’d be an advocate for positive speaking two years ago, but that’s who I am now. That shit works. I wake up every morning and chant “It’s going to be a good day” for as long as I can, and the universe answers. I think more people should do this.”
Ten months after Tiwa Savage announced she’d landed her first lead role in a Nollywood production titled “Water and Garri”, we now have more scoop about the project which has been acquired by digital streaming platform, Amazon Prime Video Naija.
Here’s all you should know about the project, including details about Tiwa’s character.
Tiwa Savage as a fashion designer
She plays the role of Aisha, a fashion designer who returns to her hometown following a family member’s demise, after ten years in the United States. Aisha finds that things have changed at home while she was away. She must now navigate family, friendships and past wounds.
Tiwa as executive producer
The singer executive produced the movie through her company, Everything Savage. After filming wrapped in 2023, she shared how it was a dream project she’d nurtured for years: “This project was a complete labour of love that has been a dream of mine for several years.” Tiwa brought the film to life in collaboration with Unbound Studios and its subsidiary, JM Films.
Talent manager, Vanessa Amadi-Ogbonna, Jimi Adesanya of Unbound Studios and Meji Alabi are also executive producers.
[ad]
A stellar cast
A host of familiar Nollywood faces will join Tiwa to bring the movie to life. So far, the cast includes Mike Afolarin of Netflix’s Far From Home, Jemima Osunde of MTV Shuga and British-Ghanaian actor, Andrew Bunting.
Meji Alabi is directing
The British-Nigerian filmmaker takes the director’s seat for the project. Meji has worked with some of the biggest names in the music space, including Beyonce, for her 2020 Black Is King project.
Music by Tiwa Savage
The singer, who released an EP of the same title in 2021, wrote and performed the soundtrack for “Water and Garri” movie. Whether tracks like Somebody’s Son and Tales by Moonlight, among others on the EP, will be featured in the film is unconfirmed.
Coming to Prime Naija
The streamer, which houses movies like “Breath of Life”, “Gangs of Lagos” and “King of Thieves”, adds this project to its growing list of Nollywood titles. But we don’t have a release date yet.
Love Life is a Zikoko weekly series about love, relationships, situationships, entanglements and everything in between.
What’s your earliest memory of each other?
Abiodun: Walking onto a train from Ibadan to Lagos and seeing her in the seat beside the one I was assigned. It was a fateful afternoon on May 21, 2022. After I sat, she looked at me with this bombastic side-eye.
Saidat: I did not. I was just hoping to travel without a seat partner that day. But he smelt nice, so I found myself smiling after a while. It was a nice first meeting.
Why was it a nice first meeting?
Saidat: He was a cool guy. I knew he was a bit older, and he acted his age. Very mature. We started a casual conversation some minutes into the ride. I think he mentioned how impressed he was with the quality of the train. He didn’t expect to be so comfortable.
It was his first time on it. Meanwhile, I was serving in Ibadan and had schooled in UI, so I’d taken the train several times already. I commented that he thinks too lowly of Nigeria. That’s how we discussed other topics and three hours passed like beans. It was my fastest train trip ever.
Abiodun: I was immediately interested in her because of how smoothly our conversations went. I hadn’t had that in a while with someone I’d just met. I admired her smartness too. She’s an original efiko.
Where did things go from there?
Abiodun: Naturally, I collected her number as we got ready to disembark. I wanted to ask her if she wanted to get something to eat with me, but I was in a hurry to meet up with an appointment, so we parted ways.
Saidat: Once I left the station, I didn’t think much of it again. I think I told my elder sister about this guy I had a good rapport with on the train, then I put him at the back of my mind. I came to Lagos for an event and was returning to IB the next day.
Abiodun: I, on the other hand, couldn’t stop thinking about her, so I called the next day and was so disappointed she’d left for Ibadan already. I wasn’t due back till a week later. As soon as I got back, I called her again. I don’t even know why. I just wanted to see her in a different scenario.
And what was the next meeting like?
Abiodun: It took about a week before she agreed to go see a movie with me. We didn’t end up seeing the movie because they changed the schedule last minute, and we had to wait almost two hours for the next reasonable movie. We ended up sitting down for ice cream and pizza.
Saidat: It was fun. We talked some more, got to know each other. And I enjoyed the conversation once again. He paid for everything, including my transport back and forth. That’s when I knew this uncle probably wanted something more. But I liked that he respected himself and wasn’t too forward.
I’d been talking to some other guys at the time, but he went to the top of my list quickly because we just got each other. Talking to him about personal things was easy, even over the phone. I also liked that he, unlike all the other guys, had a steady job and seemed to have his life figured out.
We continued on in this talking stage until I moved back to Lagos after I passed out of NYSC in November.
If you want to share your own Love Life story, fill out this form.
Why did the talking stage take seven months?
Abiodun: It sounds crazy, but it didn’t feel that way at the time. We were just taking all the time we needed to get to know each other deeply and be friends first.
Saidat: I was comfortable with it. We didn’t have to define anything too soon because I was at a point in my life when I was figuring out who I was and what I wanted. But then, the lines blurred while we were in Ibadan. We were technically in a talking stage, but soon, other things started happening.
By the time I left in November, we were more like a situation.
When you say “other things”…
Saidat: Things got physical. I was a corper. I wasn’t taking life seriously at the time.
Abiodun: The attraction was there. The feelings were there. But she wasn’t just in the right frame of mind yet, and I wanted to give her the space to figure herself out.
Saidat: November came and I was back in Lagos facing the job market and full adulthood. Though we said we’d continue figuring out what we had, the new distance between us made it harder for things to move forward. We spoke over the phone on and off until it was getting to Valentine’s Day 2023. I told him I was expecting a lot from him since he’d been leading me on for so long.
Abiodun: I took a leave from work and came to Lagos the weekend before Valentine. We spent about three days hanging out. Sometime on the day itself, I decided we had to label our relationship once and for all.
Saidat: That night, he called me and said, “Can I call you my girlfriend now?” I wanted to say yes, but then, I remembered he was still based in Ibadan. I wasn’t hoping to live there again anytime soon. I asked if he ever planned to relocate to Lagos. He said no. I was torn. I couldn’t imagine myself doing long distance forever. So I posted him.
I thought the relationship would end there, but guess who started visiting Ibadan every month from then on?
Hmm. A finished woman?
Abiodun: We went back and forth on our special train to see each other. She came more because it took her a while to get a job. Then she got a bank job and our visits reduced to every other month. At a point, my neighbours started calling her my wife. Mind you, we still hadn’t committed.
Saidat: I didn’t like the long-distance thing at all. I didn’t think it was sustainable. But I’d been talking to other guys and not a single one was meeting my small standards. They weren’t as easy to get along with as AB, so I didn’t want to let him go.
He was helpful in ways I don’t get from these guys either. I mean, career advice and such. My relatives are helpful, but he just knows a lot about how to get ahead and helps me stay disciplined.
Have you guys worked out the distance problem yet?
Saidat: Nope. We’re still on it. I’ve been travelling to see him less since I got deep into office work some months ago. These days, I’m just tired and want to sleep any time I have a little free time. But we’re always talking over the phone, and sometimes, it feels like we’re already dating. Other times, it’s like we’re just best friends. I don’t know how to figure it out.
Abiodun: I know last last, I’ll have to relocate if I want this to work. I’m already searching for opportunities in Lagos. I need to show her I’m serious about her. But right now, she’s not even giving me face. I’m not so sure what we are anymore.
[ad]
Are you sure about moving? Don’t you have family in Ibadan?
Abiodun: I do. My mum. But I live alone. If I move to Lagos, I can still always visit. Many of my friends are in Lagos already. It’s the place everyone wants to be.
The only reason I haven’t moved since is because I work with an established company. I’ve been with them for seven years now. They retained me after my own NYSC, and it’s one of those jobs people pray for. I can’t just let it go like that. That’s why any opportunity that brings me to Lagos has to make sense.
Saidat: I’m not saying you should leave your perfect job for me o.
Abiodun: My mum won’t mind me leaving as long as it’s for greener pastures, and I can continue sending funds for my two younger siblings’ school fees.
Saidat, how does your family feel about the relationship?
Saidat: Only my siblings know for now, and they’re supportive. They don’t want me to move back to IB though. But mostly because they don’t want to be apart from me. My elder sister also doesn’t want to see me move in with a man so early.
Abiodun: I’ve met all her siblings, and they love me. I can’t wait to meet her parents too. It’s clear to see they’re such a close-knit family unlike what I’m used to. I can’t wait to experience that with her.
But what if you’re never able to move to be with her?
Abiodun: Never say never. There’s always a way. Why won’t Lagos have a good enough opportunity for me? It’s only a matter of time.
Saidat: Energy! I think we’ll be fine either way. Maybe I’ll talk myself into moving to be with him.
Abiodun: Something must sha happen. I’m tired of this one step forward two steps backward in our relationship. I keep thinking I’ll wake up one morning and she’ll say, “Sorry, I’ve moved on with someone else.” Distance is a bastard sha.
Have you had a major fight yet?
Abiodun: No. No major fights.
Saidat: But we argue about the distance a lot. He also gets touchy when I tell him men are toasting me.
Abiodun: People are always in her DMs or chatting her up on WhatsApp. Why did I have to fall for such a hot cake, God? These days, I just take it in my stride and appreciate her for being transparent with me. It’s not like I’m not talking to girls on my side either.
Saidat: We’re not exactly exclusive right now. But I think deep down, he’ll always have my heart.
That’s nice
Saidat: Another thing we fight about when I’m at his place is little things like cleaning after himself and not wanting me to move things around too much. He lives in organised chaos and still acts protective over where things like his remotes or toiletries are kept. He’s getting too used to this bachelor life.
Abiodun: This is why you need to come and save me from it.
Saidat: Who is saving you?
Won’t this become an issue when you finally enter the relationship?
Saidat: If it becomes an issue, it’ll be a really small one. We won’t have to make into a big deal. I think it’s one of those relationship differences you have to tolerate.
Abiodun: I don’t even remember the scenarios she’s describing. It’s definitely a small thing. We’re very easygoing with each other. We cut each other some slack because we know neither of us is perfect. Let’s get past the relationship huddle first.
Can you rate your Love Life on a scale of 1 to 10?
Abiodun: We neva even start. 1 o. Or 2, just so you know there’s love there.
Saidat: Come on nau. Me, I’ll say 5. I think we’d have drifted apart a long time ago if we didn’t have something good. You’ve actually been my personal person in so many ways so far. Thank you.
Check back every Thursday by 9 AM for new Love Life stories here. The stories will also be a part of the Ships newsletter, so sign up here.
This year already has Nigerians clutching their pearls and falling back to the over flogged “God, abeg” cry for help. In one corner, Tinubu’s youngest minister is temporarily yanked out of office over allegations of funds diversion, and on another hand, Davido is stressing 30 BG fans yet again.
If you’ve been slow on all the action, this article exists to put you on. Now, let’s get into it.
₦1200 fuel price scare
Things might appear slightly stable now, but Nigerians were greeted with the worst possible New Year’s gift just days ago: A possible 100% hike in fuel price. The NNPC was at loggerheads with independent oil marketers over how much they had to pay for the removed subsidy. They touted a ₦1200 price per litre of fuel, and trust Nigerians to quickly kick against the idea.
Mum Zee and the two spoons drama
Fake miracles might be a thing in some religious institutions, but that’s not the case with Mum Zee, X Nigeria’s latest favourite person. Mum Zee made a tweet about waking up at 4:50 a.m. to cook for her husband, and some social media feminists came hard at her. The aftermath? Nigerians rose in their droves to appreciate her with cash donations. But that wasn’t the end of it. Big brands like Infinix and Kuda Bank followed suit with gifts.
Stanning Davido has never been for the faint hearted because he’s sure to land in one controversy as soon as another is sizzling down. This time, the head of 30BG is caught up in a rift with Tiwa Savage and her ex-husband, Teebillz. The drama started after Teebillz took to Instagram to accuse him of issuing threats against Tiwa over her relationship with his baby mama, Sophia Momodu. At the moment, a document circulating social media suggests that Tiwa has filed a petition to the police, accusing Davido of “threat of assault and grievous bodily harm”.
Teni and the US cabman
Teni Makanaki was one of the people who donated money to Mum Zee, but her act of charity didn’t sit right with a US cabbie. Apparently, he’d picked the singer up twice in Los Angeles, and she never offered a tip, even though he played her music. Teni wasn’t having it, and said the only things he needed were toothpaste and deodorant.
[ad]
BBC’s investigative documentary on late TB Joshua
TB Joshua might be long dead, but the founder of the Synagogue Church of All Nation (SCOAN) has been trending since BBC Africa dropped an investigative documentary about him on Monday, January 8. The three-part documentary featured accounts from eyewitnesses and victims who claimed they suffered sexual and physical abuse from the man of God. The documentary has sparked heated arguments about TB Joshua’s legacy, with people like Victor Adere coming to his defense.
Bolanle Ninalowo’s John Thomas’ disclaimer
When one of Nollywood’s hottest actors has to issue a video disclaimer over a racy tape, you just know it’s going to be a long year. Ninalowo had to show fans what his tattoo looks like and distance himself from a similar dude who was beating his meat in a viral clip.
The Nigerian government, via the Ministry of Interior, officially launched an online passport application portal on Monday, January 8, 2024. Applicants can now complete 99% of the process online, and they only have to show up at the immigration office for biometric capture. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to apply for your Nigerian passport online.
Input your National Identification Number (NIN) and date of birth. This automatically pulls your data from the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).
Step 4
Select a processing state from the list of states, and a processing office in your chosen state. The selected location is where you’ll go for your biometric capture.
Step 5
Select a booklet type. You can choose between a 32 or 64-page passport booklet.
Step 6
Upload a passport photograph that meets the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards.
[ad]
Step 7
Fill in personal details such as address, occupation, mobile number, next of kin, marital status, etc. Note that data such as name, gender, place and country of birth, which have been pulled from your NIN, cannot be changed. If you need to, you’ll have to visit the NIMC office.
Step 8
Upload the following required supporting documents:
Local government letter of identification
Birth certificate/age declaration
Guarantor’s form sworn to before a commissioner of oaths/magistrate/high court judge
Parents’ letter of consent for minors under 16 years
Marriage certificate where applicable
Police report, in case of lost passport
Verification of documents can take up to seven days.
Step 9
Confirm your details and make payment for your passport. A 32-page passport with a five-year validity costs ₦35,000, while a 64-page passport with a 10-year validity costs ₦70,000.
Step 10
Go for your biometric capture at the NIS office, and your passport should be ready for collection within two weeks.
Passport renewal
The renewal process is similar. It’s important to have the following:
On Monday, January 8, president Tinubu suspended Betta Edu, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, from office.
Edu’s suspension comes amid allegations of diverting funds from her ministry to a private bank account. Here’s all we know about the situation so far.
What happened?
On Friday, January 5, a leaked internal document surfaced online, revealing that Edu approved a payment of ₦585,189,500 into the bank account of an Oniyelu Bridget Mojisola. In the document addressed to the Accountant General of the Federation, Oluwatoyin Sekinat Maedin, Edu directed her (the Account General) to pay the money from the National Social Investment Office’s account.
Per the leaked memo, the money was earmarked for payment of grants for vulnerable groups in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Lagos and Ogun States.
After the document surfaced on the internet, several Nigerians called for the minister to offer some explanations.
Edu responded to these allegations through a statement by her media aide, Rasheed Zubair.
“It is glaring that the same sponsored disgruntled elements in the past few days have been trying to smear the Honourable Minister, Dr Betta Edu, and stain her integrity because she alerted the Federal Government attention to the ongoing ₦44.8 billion fraud in NSIPA. These elements have been trying to link her to a phantom fraud and are behind this latest misadventure.”
Meanwhile, the Accountant-General distanced her office from Edu’s transaction, tagging her action as “illegal.”
Her director of press Bawa Maokwa said in a released statement: “The Ministry was advised on the appropriate steps to take in making such payments in line with the established payment procedure. No bulk payment is supposed to be made to an individual’s account in the name of the Project Accountant.”
[ad]
Betta Edu suspended
On Monday, January 8, Edu was suspended by the president in the wake of the growing outrage against the ₦585 million scandal.
Ajuri Ngelale, special adviser on media and publicity to the president disclosed this in a statement to pressmen.
“In line with his avowed commitment to uphold the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability in the management of the commonwealth of Nigerians, President Bola Tinubu suspends the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, from office with immediate effect,” the statement read.
President Tinubu also ordered an investigation into Edu’s ministry by the executive chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
“The President further directs the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to conduct a thorough investigation into all aspects of the financial transactions involving the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, as well as one or more agencies thereunder.
Edu’s suspension sparks fresh reactions
While the minister hasn’t made an official statement, her suspension has stirred a flurry of reactions from Nigerians on social media.
BBC’s investigative documentary on TB Joshua is unhinged for many reasons, but one thing is crystal clear, the clergyman’s ministry ticks all the boxes of a cult.
A cult is a religious organisation with unusual spiritual and philosophical beliefs. Followers are often brainwashed to embrace extreme teachings and practices, and would often need external intervention to get separated from the institution.
We recently asked people who’ve found themselves in cults in the past, and if your church or mosque exhibits most or all of these signs, it might be time to pack it up and run for dear life.
The spiritual leader is called “Daddy, Mummy”
When you call a person who isn’t your parent “mum or dad”, it means you respect them a lot. In the case of a religious leader, you hold them in high reverence. They, in turn, see you as a child who needs guidance at all times. You’ve probably now been placed in this perpetual state of childhood, forever dependent on them.
The institution is heavily tied to the founder
On the websites, it’s quotes and pictures of the founder. You’re bombarded with posters and stickers of the founder often touted to offer some form of protection. Recommended texts are books written by the founder. Can you see the pattern at play? Please, dust your slippers and run away.
“We’re one big family”
We’ve already established this as a corporate workplace red flag, but if you didn’t know, you should also run if your church casually throws the statement around. The idea is to ostracise you from your actual loved ones to form new relationships with fellow brainwashed members.
Every call-to-action comes with an ultimatum
When you start getting messages like: “If you’ve not paid your tithe by XYZ, God won’t be happy with you or If you miss this vigil, you’re not ready for blessings.” If you go against their directives, you’ll be met with subtle hostility, and sometimes, ostracism.
Punishment for missing activities
A normal religious institution understands your spiritual activities are just one section of your life, and as such, there’ll be times when you’ll miss things. But if these lapses are greeted with penalties of any kind, there’s probably a huge problem that needs escaping from.
[ad]
Donations that tie your worth to money
A religious institution is the one place that should be open to everyone regardless of social class or financial standing. If you’re constantly asked to donate, if rich members are given special treatment, if donations are ranked according to frequency and amount given, you really shouldn’t wait to find out the worst.
You must recruit new members
While it’s not bad to want to spread the gospel and get more people to join your cool church or mosque, it becomes a problem when this takes the form of an aggressive sales pitch. It gets more suspicious if the special department carved out for those saddled with this responsibility are given a monthly quota of new recruits.
Repetitive drills
This is probably the most important sign to look out for. Sometimes, you don’t know when you’re being brainwashed, and you’re far too gone when people around you find out. But try your best to look out for repeated drills that take the form of chanting or constant recitals. According to Anneka, one of the late TB Joshua’s victims featured in the BBC Africa documentary, they’re trying to make you lose cognitive clarity so you can obey and take orders without question.
Get Ready With Me (GRWM) videos are as popular as comedy skits these days. So if you’re not funny, but you want to make it on the streets of social media, they’re a great alternative.
To become an excellent GRWM content creator, you’ll need more than teasing thirst traps in front of your camera and ring light. It’s an oversaturated market, but the best GRWM creators get some things right.
Create a plan
Be intentional about crafting a unique format and tone, including how you showcase the steps. @missimaa, one of the top Nigerian GRWM creators on TikTok, interacts with her audience like it’s a gist party with her besties as she shares every step of her glam-up session.
Do what you enjoy
Charity Ekezie has built her TikTok and YouTube following entirely on “GRWM to make-up” videos. Doing what you’re passionate about and sticking to it beats doing everything and being all over the place.
Skip the intimate part
The colour of your underwear doesn’t interest us. Just let’s see how you apply your skincare, dress and glam up, so we can steal some tips—please and thanks.
Don’t fake it sometimes
Stop pretending you just woke up when you and I know you can’t act to save your life.
GRWM isn’t “Go Through My Day With Me”
If your GRWM video has a part two, stop it. We only want to get ready with you. We don’t want to follow you to the mall, drive around town with you or watch you eat all day. Stick to the script.
Be fashion-forward
TBH, the best part of watching a GRWM video is seeing you get into a killer outfit. It’s not worth anyone’s time or following if your dress-up is mid. Improve your wardrobe, and internet people may grace you with their attention.
Quality >>>
Making content with excellent replay value is essential. A good camera will help. A good mic will help too, but don’t disturb us when you get one, like Hauwa L.
The founder of The Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), Temitope Balogun Joshua AKA TB Joshua, has drawn public attention following a three-part BBC documentary investigating allegations of sexual crimes committed by the revered clergyman who passed away in 2021.
BBC released the documentary on Monday, January 8, 2024, featuring 25 eyewitnesses and alleged victims who claim to have lived with Joshua on his church premises at different times. We highlight the key revelations from the documentary:
TB Joshua wanted everything filmed on camera
An ex-SCOAN member, Agomoh Paul, recounted how TB Joshua invested 90% of the ministry’s earnings on VHS videos, issuing a single command to the camera crew: “Record everything”. The videos covered healings performed in SCOAN, adding authenticity to his gospel of miracle work.
Rae, a former member based abroad, shared how she first encountered TB Joshua through these videos.
“The day it started was the day I was shown videos from SCOAN. Nothing was ever the same. We didn’t know what we were going to see. As soon as it started playing, it had a profound effect on me,” Rae told BBC.
Anneka, another ex-SCOAN member based abroad, encountered the preacher in a similar fashion. “It was an African church. I was like “What am I seeing? What am I watching?” They were quite graphic. There was no warning. It was private body parts that were swollen and oozing with puss. People with cancers and growth just being vulnerable and desperate. It was shocking to see”.
In an old interview footage from the documentary, TB explained the rationale for capturing everything on camera. He said, “If Jesus wasn’t recorded in the Bible, you would not believe that he’s the same yesterday, today and forever.”
[ad]
He was a MOG with a raging temper
Several ex-members of the church claimed TB had a horrible temper under the holy man facade he put on for the rest of the world.
“One of my job was writing articles for the church. He called me in and said “Where’s the article? Have you not published it yet?” And I said “Sorry, sir. I’ve not published it yet,” and he slapped me.”
Another member recounted how people would run off when the clergyman was “hot” and how those who stayed back were slapped. “You didn’t see it as physical abuse. We were told it’s an honour to get slapped by him because he’s next to Jesus.”
An obsession with a white audience
Paul, who said he was once the second-in-command to TB Joshua, claimed the clergyman had a strong bias for white people. “He had special interest in oyinbo.”
The ex-SCOAN member recounted how Joshua had handed out VHS videos of miracles and confessions to a white pastor from South Africa, who had visited his church, and asked him to distribute them back at home. TB Joshua’s ploy to attract a white congregation worked.
“The greatest thing that pumped Synagogue church was when the foreigners started coming.”
The disciples are staunch loyalists of TB Joshua, saddled with the responsibility of preaching the church’s gospel and recruiting more members. Abisola and Paul told the BBC how they specifically went after vulnerable white members because they were easy to manipulate, especially the unmarried ones.
“Some intelligent disciples are sent to stalk on the whites. We don’t approach anyone, we look at you and how you fall into what is happening in SCOAN.”
Sexual abuse allegations
Several women, who were once under TB Joshua’s discipleship, alleged that they were sexually abused by the clergyman. Abisola, one of his earliest female disciples, claimed she was raped throughout the 14 years she was a member. She also revealed how the clergyman would ask her to find virgins.
“TB Joshua asked me to find virgins for him, to bring young girls into the disciple fold. In the midnight, this person would be called into his bedroom so that he could disvirgin them.
“We went into his room, and I stood there. He said, “Off your clothes,” so I removed my clothes. He just pointed, so I lay down, and then he raped me. He broke my virginity. I was screaming, and he was whispering in my ears that I should stop acting like a baby. I was 17 years old. I was underage,” another ex-member of SCOAN told the BBC.
The guest house collapse of 2014
On September 12, 2014, a guest house within the premises of SCOAN ministries in Ikotun-Egbe, Lagos, collapsed and killed 115 people. TB Joshua maintained that the building collapse resulted from an aircraft hovering over the said building.
In the documentary, Emmanuel, an ex-worker at SCOAN, claimed the church building had a structural defect. Rae corroborated Emmanuel’s claim to the BBC, adding that the late TB Joshua went against professional advice to increase the stories.
“The building collapse is a prime example of life under TB Joshua. It’s a series of cover-ups. This incident was so significant that it was nearly impossible for him to conceal,” Rae said.
Lagos State Government has said the third mainland bridge will close for rehabilitation work on Tuesday, January 9. However, they haven’t mentioned how long the closure will last.
Repair work kicked off on the bridge in November 2023, after an inspection by the Minister of Works, David Umahi. Umahi announced that the rehabilitation would be completed within three months, with the completion expected to fall in January 2024.
Announcing the resumption of construction work on the bridge in a statement, Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Mr Oluwaseun Osiyemi, said:
[ad]
“The closure is part of the ongoing work that started in November 2023, focusing on fixing the ramps, and now, the remaining parts of the bridge will also be repaired.”
The commissioner said the following arrangements have been put in place for road users:
From 12 a.m (midnight) to 12 noon, the bridge would be opened for travellers from the Mainland to the Island, while those who intend to travel from the Island to the Mainland are advised to use Eko Bridge. This diversion means commuters coming from places like Oworonshoki, Ikeja, Berger, Ketu and Ogudu, can access the bridge till noon when it’s closed.
From 12 noon to 12 a.m., motorists will be able to access the bridge from the Island to the Mainland while motorists from the Mainland heading towards the Island will have to use Eko Bridge. This means motorists coming from places like Lekki, Ikoyi and Obalende will have access to the bridge until midnight.
Every week, Zikoko seeks to understand how people move the Naira in and out of their lives. Some stories will be struggle-ish, others will be bougie. All the time, it’ll be revealing.
What’s your earliest memory of money?
My dad left our family — my mum and younger sibling — when I was 11, and I remember a lot of anger on my mum’s part. Figuring out how to provide for us on her civil servant’s salary was a lot for her. Even when my dad was around, he wasn’t the provider. So, there was no love and money at home, and she took the frustrations out on me and my sibling. There was one time she just came home and slapped me for no reason after I opened the door for her.
Ah
It was a toxic environment. There was a period where she called me an idiot almost every day without cause. Whenever a visitor was around, she’d make sure to publicly humiliate and insult me or find something to accuse me of. She barely talked to me unless she wanted to give me a chore.
Escaping her became part of my prayer points. It’s why I started hustling for money the moment I entered the university in 2008. My allowance was ₦2,500/week, but I wanted to reduce my dependence on my mum, so I set up a phone call business.
How does one set up a phone call business?
I just needed my phone and airtime. I charged ₦20 for calls between one second and one minute. The price doubled based on how long the call went, and I used what I made to buy airtime. Combining business with school was tough for profitability because I only had time to work in the evenings. I realised I wasn’t making anything after some weeks, so I stopped.
Between 2008 and 2011, I did a few other things for money. My major gig was writing exams for GCE and WAEC students.
Tell me more
Tutorial centres wanted their students to pass, so they’d arrange with the parents and invigilators to get people like me to impersonate the student in the exam hall. I was usually paid ₦30k for four major subjects. I regularly got those gigs during exam season.
When I wasn’t writing exams, I was gambling with the little money I had. The only thing on my mind was making money, and sports betting brought me hope that I could make it big one day. I didn’t make it big; in fact, I lost more money than I won. I eventually made my first million, but it wasn’t from gambling.
How did it happen?
I was a fan of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” and tried to get on the show three times before I got in. There was a code you had to send to a number in order to get invited, and they invited me after I did it the third time. This was in 2011, and I was in my final year.
I went on the show and walked away with ₦1m, though I didn’t get the money till 2012. They taped the shows months in advance, and winners got paid only after the show aired. I got ₦900k because there was a 10% tax deduction.
When I got the money, I stopped going home and cut off my mum. I was finally independent and didn’t need to endure the toxicity. Plus, she saw me on the show and started billing me. I didn’t want that.
What did you spend the money on then?
I decided to set up a business centre on campus. But first, I wanted to multiply the money. So, I turned to sports betting again. In my mind, I only needed to reduce the risk by reducing the number of bets I made on a single ticket.
This is how sports betting works: You can have several bets on a single ticket to increase the value of your possible winnings. But the challenge with that is, you have a lesser chance of winning. For example, if you predict 10 games, all have to be correct before you win. You can win 9, but one wrong prediction will “cut” the ticket.
Knowing that, I decided I’d have better chances of winning if I reduced the number of games I staked on a ticket and placed bigger bets. I made bets worth ₦30k – ₦50k per ticket. I lost more than I won. But I kept playing, hoping to recover what I’d lost. But every gambler knows that hardly works out.
Oh no. Did you gamble away all the money?
I lost about ₦600k. I did manage to set up a business centre, but it was smaller than I planned. I also couldn’t afford a prime business location.
It cost ₦300k to set up and buy equipment — a computer, printer, photocopier and laminating machine. After that, I had ₦100k left, and then I fell sick. The rest of the money went into treatment.
Sadly, the business centre packed up after three months. The location affected business since it was far from where students frequented, and I was forced to close shop and sell off the equipment. I used the ₦80k I made after selling to just hold body.
I still feel terrible that I gambled away that opportunity, but it helped curb my gambling addiction. You can call me a casual gambler now: I still bet once in a while but with smaller amounts — the highest I go is ₦2k/month, and I only bet during game weekends. I can’t go back to losing more than half a million.
Got it. What did you do after the business packed up?
After I graduated from the university in 2012, I started writing projects for undergraduate and postgraduate students. I charged between ₦30k – ₦50k per project. The business took off quickly, and I regularly got referrals. I was even able to rent a ₦150k/year one-room apartment.
I still do this today, but my services now include conducting academic research and, sometimes, data analysis for my student client base. I started having foreign clients (mostly Nigerians abroad) in 2020 when some of my clients travelled abroad for school and began to call and refer me for their coursework and assignments.
How much do you currently make in an average month?
Between ₦150k – ₦300k/month. However, work is slower at the beginning of the semester. The middle to end of the semester is when things get busy. This only applies to my foreign clients with stable academic calendars, though. Nigeria is a different ball game. ASUU can strike at any time and resume when they want.
So, I depend more on my foreign clients. At least, with them, you’re sure of at least six assignments in a month.
What’s the most difficult thing about your job?
Nigerian lecturers. Too many of them make ridiculous corrections on projects, and there’s no consistency in the quality of work they accept. You can write a project, and one supervisor loves it, but take it to another supervisor, and he says you’ve done rubbish. It’s exhausting. Some of them are just wicked.
Back to your finances. What’s your relationship with money like?
I try to live reasonably within my means and save, but unexpected expenses consistently scatter my plans. Top of that list is hospital bills. I’m a regular customer of malaria and typhoid. I think I just have a poor immune system.
I reconciled with my mum in 2015 — I got tired of staying away — so black tax regularly takes my money too.
I’m also looking to increase my income. I can’t continue with this one source. I recently started taking data science and analysis courses on Udemy, and I hope to land tech opportunities soon.
Let’s break down your monthly expenses
I hardly spend on transportation because I walk to the university, where I use a relaxation centre as a free makeshift office. There’s electricity and a place to sit, so I only need my laptop and data.
Savings only happen in good months when I’m not ill. Most times, I spend it on medication. I currently only have about ₦130k saved up.
Curious. Do you have other plans if a tech career doesn’t work out?
I’m currently doing some research on YouTube and following creators who share the different ways people make money online daily, and I’m honestly open to trying all the options available to me. I intend to diversify my income sources and start earning a significant dollar income. And I hope to do that with content creation. I’m actively planning to start a comedy skit-based YouTube channel in 2024.
Interesting. This came out of nowhere
I think it’ll be an opportunity for me to meet people. I’m not someone who makes friends easily. But if I achieve a level of fame with comedy — which I believe I will — I’ll be able to lead a more exciting life.
Plus, I’ve seen how these people who do skits live. They’re making serious money, and I know I have the right ideas that will get people to subscribe, engage and help me get to my earn-in-dollars goal. I’ve done my research on content distribution, too. I have a website, which I intend to sponsor with Google Ads to generate traffic. I’ll share some of my skit videos via the website and also direct visitors to my YouTube.
Have you considered what you need to start?
I’ll need some creator tools like a microphone and ring light, and I’ll also need to improve my video editing skills. With ₦40k, I should be able to buy the tools I need. I’ll start small and grow from there.
Rooting for you. Is there any other thing you want right now but can’t afford?
A car. ₦3m would get me a decent car, but I don’t have that right now.
Is there anything you wish you could be better at financially?
Knowing the right skills to invest my time in which would be financially beneficial to me in the long run. I think I’m already on the right path, but I want all the knowledge.
How would you rate your financial happiness on a scale of 1 – 10?
4. I can afford my basic needs, but I need to earn far more to improve my quality of life, and I’m not there yet.
If you’re interested in talking about your Naira Life story, this is a good place to start.
Elon Musk’s X is brewing with premium drama after a lady shared how she wakes up as early as 4:50 a.m. to prepare lunch for her husband. Apparently, he told her a female colleague once brought two spoons to work to share her lunch with him.
As expected, X users are caught on different sides of the argument that ensued. Some laughed off the idea of waking up that early to make lunch for someone else, others dragged gluttonous men, while others cheered her on for knowing how to keep her man.
While all sides are valid, the bigger question is, “How can you tell if your own babe is sampling other people’s meal at work?”
We have the answers.
When they come home smelling of soup
They left the house smelling like vanilla and coffee, so you better be ready to ask questions when you catch the faintest whiff of egusi on their lapel.
“I’m not having dinner”
Who returns home after a long day at work and turns down a plate of hot jollof, grilled turkey and dodo? If they’re turning down your food, it’s because they’ve been well-fed elsewhere.
They start to ask for strange recipes
Because why is your Yoruba lover asking for banga, afang or oha soup, when you’ve only known them to eat ewedu? Listen, someone is teasing their tastebuds outside.
They refuse your offer to pack their lunchbox
What’s the point when they know colleague XYZ will pack lunch and cutlery for two?
They start suggesting things while you cook
“Baby, why not fry the beans in red oil first?” They might tell you they saw it on the gram or YouTube, but it’s a lie. They’ve had that shit at work, and now, they’re dying for another taste because the colleague who brings it to work has resigned.
They take bread, fufu or rice without stew
Because they’re banking on that colleague in marketing to bring a bowl of soup that’s obviously tastier than yours.
They return home with a toothpick in their mouth
Just imagine the audacity to return from the crime scene with an exhibit. They have to explain what’s stuck between their teeth, but more importantly, why they ate food that isn’t from your kitchen.
[ad]
They always use the toilet before dinner
It’s the only way to clear their stomach and make room for your food after they’ve had the treat of their life at work.
Three years after it premiered on Netflix, Ebonylife’s Oloture is making a comeback as a series on the streaming platform. In case you forgot why the first part had movie lovers in a chokehold, here’s a brief recap.
The Kenneth Gyang-directed film took an approach to human trafficking and prostitution that mirrors Nigerian society. Omoni Oboli gave a great performance with her portrayal of a pimp — the angry bird look and constant smoking — and Sharon Ooja as an undercover journalist blending in perfectly with prostitutes was equally entertaining. Who can forget the brilliant cinematography that captured the typical Nigerian nightlife scene?
[ad]
What’s new?
On Thursday, January 4, Ebonylife’s Mo Abudu shared the first behind-the-scenes pictures from the series, which is set to premiere later in 2024. According to Abudu, the series is still in post-production. The photos give a glimpse of familiar characters making a comeback and some fresh faces.
Returning cast members
Omoni Oboli and Daniel Etim Effiong return as Alice and Tony.
Sharon Ooja and Beverly Osu return as Oloture and Peju.
Patrick Doyle returns as Sir Phillip Odanje.
Ikechukwu returns as Chuks.
Sambasa Nzeribe returns as Victor.
Segun Arinze returns as Theo.
Wofai Fada returns as Vanessa.
New cast members
Bucci Franklin
Stan Nze
Details about the story are still under wraps, but we know Oloture will continue her undercover investigative work as she tries to escape her captors. According to Abudu, Oloture’s journey will “take her through the hostile lands of Niger and Libya to the Mediterranean.”
Discovering your babe has a work-spoon buddy can be distressing. Why should their coworker have a dedicated second spoon to create a lunchtime duo with your lover?
Here’s how to handle the situation before things get out of hand.
Encourage your lover to fast at work
No serious person will disregard a spiritual practice that would only make them succeed in 2024 just for food from a co-worker trying to get their attention. If they do, let them go.
Make the spoon go missing
Whether you have access to the second spoon or not, your problem is half-solved when it gets lost. But I hope your bae’s co-worker isn’t so invested that they get another spoon for your babe anyway.
Remind them that people get jazzed through food
Telling your babe to take their eyes off other people’s food isn’t a hard task. Simply remind them about their village people and they’ll be disciplined. If they’re wise, they’ll quickly shift focus from their colleague to only you and your loving meals.
Get them a lunchbox
Since food is your partner’s release clause, maybe you need to lock them down with a packed lunchbox or Tupperware. Put beans in one box, stir fry pasta in another and orishirishi in another. But you’d have to wake up at 4:50 a.m every morning to achieve this, so good luck to you.
No competi, competition for my baby
Or just get them a finer spoon
Why stress when you can simply get your spouse a finer second spoon. Anytime they bring out the spoon you gave them, it’ll remind the work partner to look somewhere else. So make sure it’s bright gold.
Pray for your bae
If somehow, all of the above fail, and they’re still flexing the second spoon to eat with their co-worker, the matter is now in God’s hands.
The co-worker: WDYM Sack Letter Day?
Throw your bae away
A person who can’t leave their work spouse’s food alone despite your best efforts is beyond saving. Push them out and avoid the apparent love triangle. You’ve lost the fight.
It’s been over 100 days since Nigerian singer, Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba AKA Mohbad passed away. The singer, who died in October 2023 would’ve been 28 on Wednesday, January 3, 2024. As fans around the world mark his posthumous birthday, we join in the celebration by highlighting some of his motivational lyrics.
“My grace na automatic”
The motivation you need to believe you’ll receive everything you desire this year. Things will fall in place with little to no effort on your part.
“Been through many things, though I still find my peace”
Life is hardly ever a bed of roses, especially for Nigerians living in Nigeria. But will you allow your situation define you or will you consciously choose peace through everything that happens this year?
“Survivor, mi o nigba”
“No gree for anybody” is the unanimous mantra for Nigerians in 2024, but it seems Mohbad already knew this. Whatever situation you find yourself in this year, make sure you come out a survivor and refuse to accept defeat.
“This kind life e tire me”
Write down this Mohbad’s lyric as a daily reminder to pick a battle against the life you don’t want.
“Iku to pay teacher, o le pe awon nigga”
In all you do, remember tomorrow isn’t promised. Live your life fully. Laugh, love and make lasting memories that’ll cuddle your loved ones when you’re gone.
[ad]
“If them no want you on top, make you go to church, make you pray to God”
Your cue to cling to God or whatever you believe in. Your enemies aren’t pressing pause, neither should you.
“I’m not a womanizer”
This should be your daily word of affirmation if you’re finally ready to leave your philandering ways in 2024. When you get the urge to enter that DM or ask for that number, remind yourself that’s not who you are.
“Music no need permission to enter your spirit”
Music is therapeutic and spiritual. Whatever you go through this year, always remind yourself to turn on the music. It might just be the perfect escape you need to get through the shege.
“Punch won, ko check won”
If anyone tries you this year, they should be ready to find out. Vawulence is needed in some Nigerian contexts.
“I know there’s a day all my pains will go away, till then, I party away”
No condition is permanent. Even if the year isn’t off to a good start or it gets weird in the middle, be grounded in the knowledge that your situation isn’t permanent. So, don’t forget to live while coping with the shege.
2023 plagued Nigeria with crazily high inflation, foreign exchange rates and low purchasing power, among other things. And so, 2024 started with an unofficial theme for most Nigerians: “No gree for anybody” AKA “Stand on business”.
Let the church say..
In simple English, these statements mean Nigerians will give zero chances to anything negative this year. If you accept the challenge, from today henceforth, model your actions after these Nigerians who are famous for varying levels of not giving a fuck.
Jola and FK
Jola Ayeye and Feyikemi Abudu have been pushing their “I Said What I Said” podcast since 2017. Their consistency has paid off because the podcast is one of the biggest in Africa today. In December 2023, they hosted a 1500-people live show in Lagos. Not only that, they’re known to platform important conversations around social bias, support small businesses and speak out against societal issues when it counts.
Portable
Throughout 2023, Portable kept himself in the news. Whether for his hometown coronation or airing his baby mama issues, he stayed in our faces. His music releases didn’t suffer either; he put out singles and an album. You don’t have to be uncouth like him, but you can emulate the way he makes noise against cheaters and about his hustle and wins. Also, keep being yourself whether people believe in you or not.
Asake
Asake’s steady domination of streaming charts is something to study. Despite releases from established acts like Burna Boy and Davido, Mr Money climbs to the top time and time again. In the first half of 2023, Asake’s debut album, Mr Money With The Vibes, had 440 million on-demand streams across platforms in Nigeria — almost twice what Seyi Vibez got in the second position. By August 2023, Lonely At The Top had become the most dominant single on streaming platforms and radio since Davido’s FEM in 2020. It came as no surprise when Spotify Wrapped 2023 listed Asake as the most streamed Nigerian act. Be a “landlord” like Asake in 2024 — turn the top to your house.
Emmanuel Akinsanmiro
18-year-old midfielder, Emmanuel Akinsanmiro, was signed on a four-year contract to Inter Milan U-19 football club from Remo Stars, Ogun State, in January 2023. Before then, he’d helped his former team get promoted from the Nigeria National League to the Nigeria Professional Football League in the 2020/2021 season. Emmanuel is proof you can do great things from a small place, so let nothing deter your dream in 2024.
Nasboi
The comedian was once a musician signed to Omotola Jalade’s record label in 2014 before he delved into comedy in 2017. In November 2023, possibly inspired by other successful comedians-turned-musicians — Broda Shaggi, Basketmouth, Kenny Blaq — he reignited his old dream by releasing his most popular song, Umbrella, featuring Wande Coal. He’s since gotten entertainment heavyweights, Kanayo O. Kanayo, Mercy Aigbe, Funke Akindele, Don Jazzy, Layi Wasabi and Sabinus, to push his new music. If a “comedian” is pressing hard to dominate musicians on the charts, who are you to not dominate things in and outside your field?
Paula Sai
Paula Sai is a budding rap artist who’s been posting freestyles and covers on her socials since 2019. Her delivery style mirrors Ice Spice’s but with Nigerian flavour. In 2023, she had a mild viral moment with one of her freestyles, when popular X users reposted it to make fun of her. In October, she shared her frustration in an X post about the public discouragement, stating that she’d return with a single or EP. Lo behold, Paula announced her comeback and new song this January. Let Paula’s resilience inspire you today.
Rabiu Ali
Rabiu Ali is a 43-year-old Kano Pillars footballer who’s been active for over 16 years. He has won consecutive Nigerian Premier League Cup (NPLC) titles for the club (2012, 2013 and 2014). Despite being above “football age” and the oldest player in his club, Rabiu remains tenacious, showing up to play the football he loves. His fans even call him Pele. Moral lesson here? No gree for old age.
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to financial advice. What works for the ballers won’t always work for the hustlers, and that’s okay.
We asked 7 salary earners across different low and mid-income levels about their thoughts on savings, and this is what they had to say.
Lanre*. Income range: ₦200k – ₦250k/month
Saving in naira is a scam. I realised this when my sister received a sizable bonus at work, and she decided to save it for a year till she was due to travel out of the country. By the time she needed the money and changed it to dollars, it was far less than what it would’ve been if she’d changed it to dollars a year before and kept it.
I prefer to invest my money in agribusiness or opportunities that will generate interest. If I have to save, it can’t be in naira.
Mayo*. Income range: ₦70k – ₦100k/month
I’m a firm believer in savings. I can’t feel comfortable if I have absolutely nothing to fall back on.
I earn next to nothing, but I consistently save about 40%. Up until 2020, I always left my savings in a single bank account. But I got robbed and lost all my life savings in one day. So now, I spread my money across my accounts, fintech apps and even ajo contributions.
Joy*. Income: ₦300k/month
I only save what’s left after removing what I can conveniently live on. I used to beat myself up about not saving as much as some of my friends with similar incomes, but I give myself grace now. The cost of most things is now increasingly costlier on a daily basis, and I can’t live a fairly comfortable life and save adequately at the same time.
I don’t think it’s fair to work as hard as I do and deny myself the things I like simply because I want to keep money somewhere. I’d rather focus on earning more so I can do both.
I live with my parents and work from home, so I easily save at least 70% of my income since I have limited responsibilities. It’s not necessarily because I have financial discipline; I just don’t know what to do with money. If I find a lucrative investment or business opportunity, I’ll probably direct the money there instead of letting it gather dust.
Esther*. Income: ₦180k/month
I prefer to take loans than to save. This is because I typically save when I have a goal in mind. For instance, I need to buy a TV which might require me to save for three months. By the time I have the money, the price might have increased because of inflation. So, I’d rather take a loan to buy it at once and pay it back gradually. I can save for rent since it’s fixed. But for any other purpose, I’d rather take a loan. I also keep between 10% – 20% of my income as emergency savings when I have no particular savings goal.
Joseph*. Income range: ₦60k – ₦65k/month
Omo. Na who get money dey save o. By the time I sort out transportation and feeding expenses from my salary, I’m already broke by the third week of the month. The prices of things also increase daily, so sometimes I have to really stretch my salary to even reach that third week. Maybe when I start earning more, I can think about saving.
Ruth*. Income: ₦260k/month
I think saving is great, but my challenge is fighting the urge to blow my savings on something I like. I tried locking my money in a fintech savings app once, but then a genuine unexpected need came up, and I was stranded. I had to borrow money from a friend to pay my hospital bills even though I had ₦300k locked somewhere.
I’ve never locked my money again, and now I just try to do my best to manage it. If savings work in a particular month, great. If it doesn’t, I just keep moving.
On Tuesday, January 2, President Tinubu’s government cracked down on foreign universities in Nigeria, blacklisting them for offering substandard education and questionable degrees.
This happened after Nigerian undercover journalist, Umar Audu, released a viral investigative report in December 2023. A Cotonou-based university issued him a degree certificate within six weeks. And he was able to enroll for NYSC with this fake certificate.
In light of this incident, the Nigerian University Commission (NUC) issued a statement noting that the FG had not licensed some of these universities and they had been shut down.
“The National Universities Commission wishes to announce to the general public, especially parents and prospective undergraduates, that the under-listed “degree mills” have not been licensed by the Federal Government and have therefore been closed down for violating the Education (National Minimum Standards, etc.) Act of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.”
[ad]
If you’re a Nigerian student seeking to study in a foreign university located in Nigeria, avoid the schools in this list:
University of Applied Sciences and Management, Port Novo, Republic of Benin, or any of its campuses in Nigeria.
Volta University College, Ho, Volta Region, Ghana, or any of its campuses in Nigeria.
The International University, Missouri, USA, Kano and Lagos Study Centers; or any of its campuses in Nigeria.
Columbus University, UK, located anywhere in Nigeria.
Tiu International University, UK, located anywhere in Nigeria.
Pebbles University, UK, located anywhere in Nigeria.
London External Studies, UK, located anywhere in Nigeria.
Pilgrims University, located anywhere in Nigeria.
West African Christian University, located anywhere in Nigeria.
EC-Council University, USA, Ikeja Lagos Study Centre.
Concept College/Universities (London) Ilorin, or any of its campuses in Nigeria.
Houdegbe North American University campuses in Nigeria.
Irish University Business School, London, operating anywhere in Nigeria.
University of Education, Winneba, Ghana, operating anywhere in Nigeria.
Evangel University of America and Chudick Management Academic, Lagos.
Cape Coast University, Ghana, operating anywhere in Nigeria.
African University Cooperative Development, Cotonou, Benin Republic, operating anywhere in Nigeria.
Pacific Western University, Denver, Colorado, Owerri Study Centre.
Love Life is a Zikoko weekly series about love, relationships, situationships, entanglements and everything in between.
Get three master’s degrees
“We met in 2015 when I was doing my third master’s”
It’s the only way to give yourself a fighting chance at true love. The subjects of this Love Life attended the same secondary school and university for their first degrees but still didn’t meet until she happened to be studying for her third degree at the same university as his sister. If she hadn’t pushed harder by getting three whole master’s, would she have found the love of her life? Get serious, please.
Start selling puff-puff
“I saw (her) selling puff-puff by the gate to my father’s school”
What’s better than three degrees? Real-life culinary and entrepreneurial experience, of course. In 2024, only two things matter: the bag and fuel for your body. For these subjects, a simple puff-puff transaction turned into exchanging numbers, and before long, they’d married and japa together.
Or sell small chops
“He was this tall guy a year ahead of me who owned a food business everyone knew about”
I don’t know a single Nigerian who isn’t obsessed with that rectangular foil pack of deep-fried appetisers from all over the world. Just like jollof rice and amala, anything tied to the Owambe culture becomes a hit no matter what. It should be studied.
The subjects of this love life story built a friendship entirely on small chops transactions. I mean, they had little to no communication besides knowing smiles and extra barbecue chicken at no cost. Next thing we know, they’re considering marriage at 19.
We’re not saying you should move to your favourite small chops vendor/customer o. All we’re saying is how important is love to you?
Leave your community to it
“My father and uncles said they’d narrowed my potential wife down to two women from our village”
So what if it was the 1960s when the naira was worth two dollars? If an arranged marriage by proxy could help this couple survive an entire war and months in a bunker with an infant together, then it most certainly will deliver you from the war zone that’s today’s streets for good.
If you want to share your own Love Life story, fill out this form.
Join the same university club
“We became friends in 300 level when we joined the technical (TC) unit of our school’s chapel”
It’s not enough to attend the same school in the same year as your supposed future soulmate. What if you don’t study the same course or take any classes together? What happens then? If joining the same school club still doesn’t work, initiate a conversation about cartoons you enjoyed as children. That works like magic in any university setting, trust us.
Trust your mum’s matchmaking
“Our mums hooked us up”
Family matchmaking works so well we had to mention it twice. As long as they’re old (and therefore, experienced) and have your actual best interest at heart, your family members can set you up for life. Just ask these subjects whose mums have been best friends since childhood and even gave birth to them in the same year. The mums said they should get married so many times, they pretty much spoke it into existence — modern-day arranged marriage 101.
Stick to your secondary school sweetheart
“After I saw her during our lunch break on day one, I started going to her class just to catch a glimpse of her”
Sometimes, it just pays to make sure the innocent love that involved plushy toy gifts on Valentine’s Day, illicit chats under the school staircase and pairing together during field trips, lasts till adulthood. That way, you’ve already grown up together, which is perfect practice for growing old together.
Argue on Facebook (or any social media, TBH)
“I just went at him, criticising him for supporting such a person”
It all started with a day-long politically charged back-and-forth between two strangers. But this couple spent the next three years as chat buddies before they finally met in person, and the rest is history. Answer me this: would a relationship have blossomed if they hadn’t spent up to 24 hours passionately airing their opinions to each other on day one? Communication is key regardless of the subject or medium, dear.
Date your best friend
“I’d always loved Jojo, but that’s when I realised I really liked her too”
It should go without saying by now, but really, why haven’t you dated your best friend yet? If you’re still looking for love in 2024, and you have a best friend, date them today! The answer to your prayers is literally right there.
“My brother-in-law told me an old friend of his was looking for someone to marry”
As soon as this couple met for the first time, the man told the woman he wanted to date and marry her. Straight to the point. That’s the kind of certainty you get when you allow family members to do the matchmaking for you. The couple moved in together some months after and had a traditional wedding the next year. A surprise pregnancy might’ve played a part, but that’s just semantics.
Go on blind dates
“The friend left us, and we just sat there, talking a bit, trying to be cool”
So the blind date in this Love Life was actually awkward. What’s a little awkwardness when it achieves the desired result — an introduction to the future love of your life? But let’s just say in the end, someone’s mother was a catalyst to yet another successful marriage. If you’re still single, you’re sleeping on your mother’s influence.
Try your childhood friends
“We’ve always known each other. We’re family friends”
Thanks to their strong foundation of family and friendship, seven years of separation and one year of pushback against their marriage had nothing on this couple’s future together. Before he proposed, the man even applied for a master’s program in the UK just to be with his woman. That’s the level of “I’ll go everywhere you go” we should all aspire towards in our love lives.
Attend more business conferences
“I knew I had to talk to her because she was the best-dressed person there”
The connection was so strong at the “boring” conference that brought this Love Life couple together that when one person revealed they were already in two relationships, it took the other person less than an hour to agree to join the fold. There’s something in the air at these conferences you might be missing out on.
[ad]
Friends of your friends should be on your radar too
“He was a childhood friend of my closest male friend from secondary school”
We admit it took this couple seven years to get together, so this might be more of a long-term option. But the high point is this man relocated back to Nigeria to be with the woman. He did the reverse of the Nigerian dream for love. Come on now. Meanwhile, it helped this other couple go from situationship to best friendship to relationship in two years. Don’t sleep on that mutual friend.
Public transportion is the answer
“We met on a danfo going from CMS to Eko Hotel roundabout”
How do you hope to find the one if you keep taking private cabs everywhere? It doesn’t even add up. Except cab drivers are your type though — that’s absolutely valid. But if you want to widen your net, especially if you live in Lagos, you know what to do. Just so you know, the love that arose from this danfo trip made one of the subjects question his sexuality. Enough said.
Attend birthday parties
“We met at a friend’s off-campus birthday party”
The next time a friend, or even an acquaintance, invites you for their birthday and you decline, ask yourself if you’re really serious about finding love. Now, listen carefully. It’s not enough to attend the party and find the love. As soon as you establish a connection with the person, move in with them. Don’t let that love breef.
You don’t attend political rallies?
“It was one of the first (rallies) she attended, ahead of the general elections”
Who knew you could find love at Nigerian political rallies? Those ones where they wave brooms and umbrellas in the air, shouting party slogans in different Nigerian languages at crowded stadiums? Interesting. Well, if your 2024 New Year resolution includes “Be one half of a power couple,” better grab a party registration card and get to volunteering with your local government chairperson.
That’s how this couple got together in 2011, and 12 years later, they’re running things at the federal and state levels respectively, thanks to each other’s support.
Check back every Thursday by 9 AM for new Love Life stories here. The stories will also be a part of the Ships newsletter, so sign up here.
The year might be off to a rocky start for Nigerians as another fuel price increment seems to be lurking around the corners. This comes months after the price jumped to over ₦600 per litre with Tinubu’s subsidy removal.
Here’s all we know about this matter that has Nigerian residents worried.
What’s happening?
On Tuesday, January 2, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) and independent fuel marketers were at loggerheads over the removal of petrol subsidy.
Independent oil marketers claimed the naira’s depreciation has caused an increase in how much they have to pay for subsidy. The rising cost of crude oil in the international market and petrol distribution within Nigeria has also contributed to the rift between NNPC and the marketers.
In light of these factors, the National PRO of Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Chief Ukadike Chinedu, said a litre of petrol should actually be around ₦1,200/litre.
“So if you consider the cost of diesel, dollar and other international factors, the price of petrol in Nigeria should be around ₦1200/litre, but the government is subsidising it, which to an extent is understandable,” Chinedu told Punch.
[ad]
The IPMAN official implied that the federal government pays a quasi subsidy. “The Federal Government, instead of taking out the subsidy by 100%, decides to take out about 50%.”
Nigerians express concern
While the federal government has made no official announcement, reports of the increase have stirred mixed reactions among Nigerians who are still coming to terms with last year’s jump from ₦190/litre to over ₦600.
“I filled up my 25 litre keg this morning at a fueling station in my area, and it was ₦625 per litre. I don’t think the increase has taken effect, and I hope it doesn’t because that’ll be a major problem. I’m super strict with the way I switch on my gen, so I cannot imagine what the case will be if I have to buy a litre for ₦1200,” Kehinde Okeowo, a Lagos resident shared with Zikoko.
“Fuel was still around ₦620 or so when I filled up my car last night. I saw the news of a possible increase yesterday morning which was why I went to fill up my car and generator. But even this morning, I made a stop at a fuelling station, and it was still selling at the regular price,” Oladimeji, a private cab driver in Osogbo, shared.
Every week, Zikoko seeks to understand how people move the Naira in and out of their lives. Some stories will be struggle-ish, others will be bougie. All the time, it’ll be revealing.
What’s your earliest memory of money?
My dad started giving me a ₦1k monthly allowance when I got into secondary school. It was big money for a JSS 1 student, and I didn’t know how to handle it. So, I’d spend it all on snacks within three days. After I was down to zero, I’d beg my mum to give me ₦100 every other day for snacks.
My parents quickly realised I had a poor spending habit and tried to curtail it. My mum gave me a book about money to learn the importance of saving. There were also lessons about saving and how negative spending habits can affect one’s life. None of it worked, and I was still spending anyhow.
What was growing up like financially?
We were comfortably middle-class. My dad was a marketing manager and also owned a school my mum managed as the proprietress. We owned and lived in a duplex, which was the finest in our neighbourhood. I thought we were rich until my dad took me and my older siblings to a posh Lagos neighbourhood one Saturday, and I saw better-looking houses. I remember thinking, “It’s as if we’re not as rich as I thought.”
It became like a weekly tradition, where my dad would take us to Lagos to see impressive things, widen our perspective of the world, and aspire to greater things. I quickly understood that “money pass money.”
Fast forward to 2013, I moved to a different town for a ten-month-long Cambridge A’levels program. I was 15, and the A’levels was my dad’s idea. I had finished secondary school but was denied admission to the university because I wasn’t 16 yet, and my dad didn’t want me to just sit at home.
It was during this program I made money for the first time, but it was out of necessity.
How did it happen?
My parents regularly sent me more than enough money to provide for myself, but I always spent everything in five days. I knew I couldn’t call home for money barely a week in, so I started selling recharge cards. I’d ask friends to send me credit, and when they did, I’d sell it in the hostel at a cheaper rate. For instance, I sold ₦100 credit for ₦90.
I stopped this business when I got into uni the following year. But my terrible spending habits became worse.
Tell me about it
There was a classmate whom I admired. Her shoes, dressing and make-up were always on point, and I decided I wanted to look like that, too. Once I collected my ₦20k monthly allowance, I’d use all the money to buy beauty products and fashion accessories.
When I inevitably got broke, I’d resell everything I bought to other students. There was one time I was so hungry that I convinced someone that the rope of my bag was a belt and sold it for ₦1k.
When I had nothing to sell, I’d take on typing gigs. I’m a really fast typer because I had access to computers quite early due to my parents’ school. So, I put the word out, and people would come with their laptops so I could type assignments and projects for them. I didn’t have a standard price; I just found out whatever business centres in school charged, and charged a lower price.
How long did you do this for?
About a year. In 200 level, a friend who sold pastries in school was looking for someone to handle his social media. I had no clue about social media management, but I’m not one to say I can’t do something. I told him I could do it, and he employed me. He paid ₦6k/month, and as usual, I’d blow all the money once he paid.
Four months into the job, he delayed my salary by a week, and I was on his neck for my money every day. He got pissed and was like, “We’re also friends. Can’t you just give me some grace this one time?” But I had no grace to give because I was broke and hungry. He eventually paid me, but that event ended our work arrangement.
I wasn’t unemployed for long. I started pitching other brands, and through the help of some friends, I got another social media management gig for a yoghurt company. The job paid ₦10k/month. Between that time and when I graduated from uni in 2018, I did one social media gig or the other to augment the allowance I got from home.
What happened after graduation?
NYSC. My PPA, a government agency, paid ₦5k/month in addition to the ₦19,800 monthly stipend from NYSC. My parents’ house was only a few hours away from where I served, so I didn’t have to rent an apartment.
I’m the last-born, so I also got ₦2k here and there from my mum and siblings for transportation.
I had no responsibilities, so when allawee dropped, I’d take all my friends to chop life at malls and restaurants. I now realise they never spent their money on these outings. When I wasn’t spending on them, I’d take myself out to eat and have fun. I knew I’d be broke in a week anyway, so why not enjoy myself?
This continued until I finished my service year in 2019. Afterwards, I returned to school almost immediately for my Master’s degree. I didn’t have an allowance this time because my dad had retired, so what I got from home was usually a combination of whatever my siblings gathered for me.
Were you doing anything else for money?
I didn’t do anything till 2020, when we were sent home due to the COVID pandemic. I was supposed to graduate during that period, but the lockdown put a pause on things. While at home, I started taking surveys and tasks online so I wouldn’t have to ask my parents for money constantly. It was a waste of time.
Why?
I could take 30-50 surveys and only earn $1. Plus, the minimum withdrawable balance was $10. I also needed PayPal, which I couldn’t access, so I just dumped it. Then, a friend introduced me to a news hub where I could submit stories to a portal, and if they published it, I’d earn money per page view or click.
So, I registered on the hub and started writing. It was self-paced; I could write as many articles as I wanted daily. The first payment I got after the first couple of weeks was ₦800, but I was excited. I was doing something that was bringing money. The following month, I got ₦6k. Subsequently, some of my articles went viral, and I got special recognition and an additional ₦20k. On average, I was making ₦20k/month from writing.
After about four months, I started having issues with the news hub. The process was entirely computer-based since we had to submit the articles via a portal. Sometimes, the system would malfunction and say your article isn’t original, then reject it.
It was really annoying because I put a lot of effort into my pieces. So, I stopped the gigs and decided to take LinkedIn seriously. I started reaching out to several people to position myself as someone who had something to offer them.
How did this go?
I became friends with a tech CEO, and we started talking about managing products. I didn’t have the experience, but I approached the conversation like someone who already had an interest and was learning about the field. That’s how I got a job at his startup as a product manager and social media manager in August 2020. My salary was ₦70k/month, an impressive jump from my previous income.
I worked at the startup for a year until I had issues with my boss. I forgot to complete a task, and she kept berating me, so I changed it for her. I shouldn’t have done that, and I apologised, but she also used the opportunity to express her annoyance at the fact that I called her by name. Mind you, everyone at the office called each other by name. It was messy, and I lost the job.
That’s tough. What did you do next?
That was my official entry into freelancing. I started pitching myself to brands and got social media management gigs. The first one was a ₦50k/month social media gig. Then, I got another ₦40k/month gig after a while.
In 2021, a virtual assistant friend opened my eyes to foreign currency-paying gigs. She sent me a screenshot of her payment partner app, which had $300 in it. I was shocked. I tried to get her to share her pitch template, but most people want to keep their secrets. She told me to just keep pitching people, and I could get lucky.
And did you get lucky?
Not at first. I was determined to also make foreign currency, so I went on Facebook and started messaging foreigners. That’s how I fell into the hands of scammers. They did a proper interview with me via Discord and said they’d pay me $1k/month. I was so happy. I even knelt to thank God that my life had changed. Only for us to do a video call, and I saw a shirtless Nigerian man on the street laughing at me. I feel like he didn’t even try to take money from me because I wasn’t his target audience, so I was just a comedy relief. Omo, I was frustrated.
But I didn’t stop pitching people. It was tough because when most of them heard “Nigerian”, they weren’t interested anymore. I moved to Instagram and started targetting businesses until I finally landed a social media management/virtual assistant gig with a UK business at the end of 2021.
How much did it pay?
$10 per hour — they paid in dollars, even though they were in the UK. At first, there wasn’t much for me to do, and I averaged $18/month in the first two months. I was quite fast with tasks and didn’t even know some people deliberately delayed tasks to get more hourly pay. I couldn’t even do that. It’s not me.
But I wanted to make more money, so I kept pitching my social media skills to my boss. I noticed she also did email marketing, and even though I wasn’t skilled in it, I kept telling her I could do it. In the end, she gradually gave me more tasks, and my income increased to $200/month.
The increase gave me the confidence to pitch to other prospective clients, and I got another virtual assistant gig with a US company. This one paid $500/month, and after converting to naira, my income was about ₦600k/month from the two gigs. I also had other on-and-off gigs. I made over ₦5m in total in 2022.
What did this mean for your financial habits?
I was still living from hand to mouth. Once I got paid, I’d take myself to Chinese restaurants or whatever tickled my fancy that month and eat all the food I could. My parents knew how much I was earning and were rightfully worried that I had nothing to show for it.
My parents tried to counsel me several times, but nothing changed. It’s not like I didn’t want to change; I even prayed for God to help me make better money decisions, but it was like immediately I saw money, I wouldn’t have peace until I spent it all.
In mid-2022, my uni called us back, and I did my master’s exams and finally graduated the following year. I also got married in 2022, and my husband noticed my terrible spending habits too. He also tried to encourage me to save and be better, but nothing he said moved me until February 2023, when he finally got through to me.
How did he get through to you?
He drew lines on our house’s wall and said, “This is where you are. When you make money, you go to this upper level, but when you blow it all, you come back to this lower level”. It was a simple diagram, but it was such a clear description of retrogression — something that most Africans reject strongly, and it struck me deeply.
It’s like I fully realised that I’ve been living a life without progress, and it scared me. This fear has helped to change my habits. My savings culture is even extreme now. I save 80% of my income. Sometimes, I only remove ₦5k and 20% tithe from whatever I make monthly and save the rest.
How much do you make in an average month now?
Between ₦800k – ₦1m from freelance social media marketing and web content management gigs with foreign companies. I currently have four retainer clients, and I’ve worked with three of them for over a year. Pitching is my major freelancing model, and it makes sure I’m never without at least one client.
When I take on too much work, I outsource social media management gigs to people with the client’s approval. So, most of the time, I still have a lot of free time because I’ve delegated certain tasks. I don’t hire on a retainer basis, and I typically pay ₦25k-₦50k per month depending on the length of the task, and how much work they need to do at the time.
What’s something that overcoming a spending problem has taught you?
Don’t waste your time trying to change people’s money habits. You don’t know exactly what’ll make them change. Maybe just pray for them from a distance. Looking back now, I feel bad that I caused my parents so much pain. They fasted and prayed, thinking it was a spiritual problem, but I just needed to be faced with the fear of retrogression to have a mindset change.
Let’s talk about your monthly expenses. How does that work?
I hardly spend money now. There’s no recurring personal expense except the ₦10k I spend on data, and it’s this low because I also use my husband’s data or the home MiFi. I’m on low-cut, so I only pay to trim my hair occasionally. The take-out expense is once in a blue moon. My parents are pastors too, so I pay my tithe to God through them or by helping someone in need.
Sometimes, I wonder what I was spending money on in the past because I don’t find anything interesting enough to spend money on anymore. I prefer to just save everything.
How much do you have saved up now?
I saved over ₦6m between February and December 2023. Past tense because something personal came up, and I just had to clear my savings to settle it. I’m back to saving from scratch, but I hope to take it a notch higher in 2024.
My short-term savings goal is japa. I finally have my Master’s degree, so I can start planning whenever I want.
Is there any other thing you wish you could be better at financially?
I’m already working on this, but I give too freely to people. Multiple times, I’ve given and loaned people money, but they either never paid back or ignored me when I was in need. I’ve encountered people who hid their own money but kept collecting from me. I need to be more disciplined — wicked even — so I know when to say no to certain people.
How would you rate your financial happiness on a scale of 1 – 10?
9. I’m happy with all God has helped me accomplish. I’m charging my worth and finally getting the hang of my finances. 2024 is looking very promising. God is good.
If you’re interested in talking about your Naira Life story, this is a good place to start.
Love Life is a Zikoko weekly series about love, relationships, situationships, entanglements and everything in between.
21st-century arranged marriages, sexless marriages, birthing a child in a bunker during a war and sexuality-bending encounters; these most-loved Love Life stories are a rollercoaster of experiences that’ll have you believing in love, no matter where you’re at in your own journey.
We’re Married But Celibate
This story broke the internet in March because many people cannot even begin to imagine a real relationship, let alone a marriage, without sex. The two asexual subjects of this Love Life, who’ve been married for five years and dated for three, prove that it’s possible, and are still very much in love. Sex for them only happens on New Year’s Day, as a kind of vow renewal, and they’ve since adopted two children.
What do you mean you met the love of your life while dating her twin?! This one is proof that humans will find love no matter what, so don’t give up on your own love life… or the lack of it.
These subjects bonded over being introverted and living in the twin’s extroverted shadow. And most of our readers will never forgive them for that.
Young love at its extreme, these guys married early so their passion wouldn’t lead them astray. But their strong spiritual bond, mutual and parental support, and commitment to allowing each other to be young are particularly heartwarming to read. One can’t help but root for them.
I Was a Puff-Puff Seller, so His Family Believes I Jazzed Him
A love story that begins with plastic bags of puff-puff is one worth going against family for. If you disagree, just ask this couple. They connected over the sweet Naija pastry and a bit of physical attraction, but it evolved into a deeper relationship that spurred them to japa to Dublin together. The funniest bit of this story is a rule they set for when they fight — they have to get naked first.
This unconventional love story kicks off in Nigerian Law School with a cheeky nickname, a questionable game and an Abuja escapade. But as their relationship evolves, cheating, cultural differences and parental expectations make their future together unsure at best. If you’re into a healthy dose of unpredictability when it comes to love, this one’s for you.
If you want to share your own Love Life story, fill out this form.
We Got Married Without Ever Dating
Did you know parents still arrange their children’s marriages today? They do, and sometimes, it’s even for the best. Thanks to their mothers’ careful plotting since before they were born, these guys fell in love in less than three months of meeting each other. By the third month, they were married. They’re going strong four years later — with a solid “9” rating from both subjects.
Remember the story about a man and a twin mentioned above? Yeah, well, it went viral, and people had a lot to say. This pushed the twin to come forward and share their perspective on the series of events, and it was the most gracious thing ever. She agrees the whole thing was awkward and even a little upsetting, but she insists no foul play was intended. She’s engaged to someone else and very happy.
Kunle and Temi’s journey from chance encounters in a crowded danfo to discovering mutual interests, including Kunle’s openness about his sexuality, is heartwarming. But the highlight is a heartfelt apology over jollof rice, which proves once again that food is a love language. It also helped them figure out how much they love each other. Then there’s their quirky argument over Sallah meat.
[ad]
Kunle’s unexpected switch from identifying as gay to being attracted to Temi is fascinating, and perhaps, showcases the complexity of human emotions. While Temi sometimes worries about Kunle being attracted to men again, his honesty about his feelings contributes to the uniqueness of their relationship dynamic.
We’ve Drifted Apart, but Can’t Break Our Engagement
From a family gathering to many casual conversations to co-habitation, early over-sharing caused a strain in their relationship, but this couple still decided to get engaged. Before long, their priorities and interests diverged, conversations dwindled, and they found themselves at a crossroads, contemplating their future. Throw in family interference and differing views on finances and career paths, and you have this complex love story. Not even the subjects themselves know if the relationship will last. All we know is the talking stage has one more point against it here.
We Found Love, Then the Nigerian Civil War Started
Perhaps my favourite Love Life story to write and the oldest subjects Zikoko’s ever interviewed, it began in the 60s when Pius, studying town planning in Budapest, returned to Nigeria and chose Clementine as his wife from two prospective candidates. They had a proxy wedding during nationwide tribal unrest, and Clementine joined Pius in Hungary shortly after.
This interview captures their experiences during the Biafran War, living — and birthing their first child — in a bunker. Despite the hardships, they survived, had six children and built successful careers. In their retirement, they reflect on their enduring love, navigating societal changes and maintaining a bond after nearly 60 years of marriage. A must-read indeed.
