Hits come and go, and artists, too, but the tunes endure. There’s no expiration date. The mainstream resurgence of songs years after their original release is proof. Now, building catalogues, quality ones, is a recoupable career investment.
Two weeks ago, a dramatic and perplexing dance style from digital content creator Brain Jotter burst out. The dance became the internet craze that’s now been swallowed by the looms of protest against bad governance. Some people find the viral videos funny. But most viewers’ attention was hooked to the background music, which has been chiefly labelled “Gwo Gwo Gwo Ngwo”. It’s a 1983-released song titled Ka Osi Le Onye Isi Oche by Nigerian Igbo-folk and highlife musician Gentleman Mike Ejeagha. Brain Jotter’s IG video has racked up only 30 million views and 20 million on TikTok. More social media users are making content with the song in the background.
Although Nigerian singer KCee first sampled Mike Ejeagha’s Ka Osi Le Onye Isi Oche on his “Cultural Vibes” album in 2018, the forty-one-year-old song didn’t get its biggest viral moment until this year. With time on our hands, we decided to compile a list of Nigerian songs that came back into power years after release due to social media trends, dance challenges, features, samples, interpolations, or remixes.
Social media trends and dance challenges
Vivid Imagination — Wasiu “Kwam1” Ayinde
In 2021, Vivid Imagination, a track off Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde’s 1999 “Okofaji Carnival (Fuji Fusion)” album, was the internet’s go-to response to troll or bant people. Since then, it’s been making a comeback, year after year, guaranteeing banger social posts. Imagine Nigeria hasn’t conducted its general election, and all that’s currently happening is just a revelation of the consequences of voting for an unfit presidential candidate. A sound of Vivid Imagination will sarcastically awaken you to reality.
Gentility — Melvitto featuring Wande Coal
Melvitto’s Gentility didn’t pick up until 2022, two years after its release. It took off on TikTok after users made videos of a sped-up version of the song. The virality pushed the song to number one on the Top 100: Nigeria chart on Apple Music.
Love Nwantiti (Ah Ah Ah) — CKay
CKay’s Love Nwantiti also regained traction after it went viral on TikTok and became one of the biggest songs in 2021, two years after its release. It was the world’s most Shazamed song, number 35 on the Billboard Hot 100 and three on the UK singles charts.
Features, samples, interpolations, remixes
Our Lord Jesus — YBNL All-Stars
“La la la la la la la o, our Lord Jesus is the ladder”, the opening lyrics of Agnes Iro’s “Follow the Ladder” (1992), sonorously flows into a sampled chorus for a rap possé cut featuring Olamide and ex-signees Lil Kesh and Viktor. Although Iro’s track is gospel, it gives a needed backdrop to the rappers’ reflective hustle tales.
Obapluto — Shallipopi
In 2023, Edo-born new school artist Shallipopi sampled Monday Edo’s Ogbaisi song (1996) on his hit, Obapluto. Although Shallipopi’s song sparked a ₦200 million copyright infringement lawsuit for sampling without permission, it took Ogbaisi from a community jam to a mainstream listenership.
Left Right — Keys the Prince
Yinka Ayefele’s 2005 hit Te Ota E Mole resurfaced as an interpolation on Keys the Prince’s Afroswing Left Right—Ayefele’s single enjoyed virality after a TikTok blow-up.
It’s just day 4 in Biggie’s house, and this set of housemates are moving faster than they should. Ships are already forming, someone has found a career in journalism, fights are brewing, and some pairings are on the verge of a break.
Shatoria
This duo walked into Biggie’s house and forgot they came together. They’ve barely spoken a word to each other, and the last we heard, Shaun confided in Wanni about how irritated he was with Victoria. If care isn’t taken, Wanni and Shaun might ask Big Brother to pair them together and leave their current partners to fend for themselves.
Tami
We want to believe they’re not about to let a man come between their friendship and the ₦100 million, but in the last two days, they’ve spoken about how much they like Topher, and they both looked very irritated during the last conversation.
They seem to be doing fine, but Onyeka has crowned herself the Gistlover of the Big Brother house, and it’s beginning to rub people the wrong way. If she isn’t careful, Chizoba might soon realize she’s brought an extra load into the house and try to shed it.
DoubleKay
Married in real life but cosplaying besties, these two walked into the house with plans to scam everyone, but their game might just backfire. Kassia is getting wooed by TJay, and it’s just a matter of time before jealousy comes into play and everything crumbles down.
Wanni x Handi
The twins seem to know what they’re doing, but Wanni has started spending more time with Shaun. Given how quickly things are progressing, she might ask Big Brother to pair them together or add him to her current pairing.
“What an old man can see sitting down, a young man cannot see even if he climbs the highest iroko tree.”
For some strange reason, the aforementioned proverb was the first thing that flashed through my mind when I saw David Olomukoro walking toward me with his massive 6’7”-plus frame for his interview. David is a Master of Business Administration student (degree in view) and B.Sc. Computer Science graduate at Nile University of Nigeria and one of the best players and leaders of the university’s nationally renowned and successful basketball team, Nile Spartans.
I had scheduled the interview with him to understand how sports scholarships inually excel in sports and academics simultaneously – he graduated top of his class at the undergraduate level (B.Sc. Computer Science), looks poised to achieve a similar feat at the postgraduate level with his MBA programme, and, in between, received a number of sports scholarship offers to play College/University basketball in the United States of America, which he turned down.
As David approached me, the closer he got, the taller he appeared to become. By the time he was standing in front of me, I was almost straining my neck to see his face. Thank goodness for metaphorical sight, I thought to myself, because, literally speaking, it was hard to imagine this young man not seeing whatever any old man could see sitting down.
Interestingly, David wasn’t always the physically imposing athlete whom I interviewed on that very sunny January (2024) afternoon at the Nile campus. When he entered the university (not Nile University) in 2016, he was a chubby, much shorter, teenager, who had never played any sport.
However, in his first year of university, he experienced a growth spurt, which continued into his second year of university, when he transferred to Nile. “I was already 6’5” when I came to Nile [in 2017] … I hit 6″6′ in my first year at Nile,” he said. Not knowing what to do with his new-found height, David decided to try out for the university basketball team despite being out of shape – fitness and weight wise – due to never having played any sport before. “I thought that it [his height] gave me an advantage in this sport [basketball],” he stated. David was right.
The Nile basketball team’s head (and founding) coach, Abubakar Hamza, was impressed by David’s height and decided to give him a shot on the team, ignoring his weight and sporting background or lack thereof. This was the turning point in David’s life – the defining moment that radically altered the trajectory of his life, setting him on course to fulfill the enormous potential he never even knew he had.
David’s transformational journey wasn’t a smooth one. It was filled with challenges, especially in the early stages. “David’s path into the Nile Spartans was the most brutal of any student that had ever made the team. With him, we [the coaches] had to start from zero, maybe even less. He was overweight and unathletic. So, before we could even get him started on the basketball basics, we needed to fix that. In his first month, we placed him on an intensive training program designed exclusively to help him shed weight and build stamina, speed, and agility.
“So, during team training sessions in those days, you’d always see David doing running drills outside the court alone while the rest of his teammates were in court practicing their ball skills. Even after team training, we made him stay back to continue his fitness drills. Must have been really frustrating for him. He even complained a few times [chuckles]. But massive credit to him for not giving up,” stated Hamza (Head, Nile University’s Sports Department; Head Coach, Nile Spartans) in a subsequent interview.
David’s perseverance was rewarded in a big way. First, he got into the best shape of his life, turning into an absolute physical specimen. Then he swiftly developed into one of the Nile Spartans’ best players of all time, facilitating the team’s rapid transition from a non-entity in the Nigerian basketball scene into a nationally acclaimed serial trophy-winning machine.
David was a prominent member of the Nile basketball team that won over 11 major trophies between 2021 and 2022, including the high-profile 2021 National Division 1 Basketball Championship and 2022 NUGA Games. The historic victory at the National Division 1 tournament is especially notable because it made the Nile Spartans the first-ever university team to qualify for the Nigeria Basketball Premier League, the nation’s highest professional basketball competition (the Nile Spartans made its debut in the 2023 edition).
David’s seismic growth into a fine basketball player soon earned him attractive basketball scholarship offers from various colleges/universities in the U.S. He, however, turned down these opportunities, choosing instead to take advantage of Nile’s 100% sports scholarship offer to pursue an MBA degree.
“In 2021, I was invited by my friends to an invite-only training camp organized by an NBA [America’s professional basketball league] player from Nigeria. A few other coaches from abroad [the U.S.] were there and they saw me play and were interested. I was offered scholarships to come and play for them. But going over there would probably mean another B.Sc. degree, so I decided to accept Nile’s offer [100% scholarship] to do my Master’s instead,” he said.
That David was able to meet the brutal physical and mental demands necessary to achieve excellence and success at the highest level of basketball, while also having enough energy and desire left over to flourish academically was a stunning feat. He attributes this uncommon achievement to the lessons he learned from the adversity he faced while trying to break into the Nile Spartans in 2017 and the positive outcomes that followed. According to him, that experience helped him understand and harness the power of discipline, consistency, delayed gratification, and marginal gains, which enabled him to emerge as the best-graduating student in his department at the undergraduate level.
“I would stay back after class to read for like 30 minutes while my peers ran off to have fun. After training, I would go to the library or my room to get some hours [of studying] in. It didn’t feel great because it sometimes meant sacrificing my social life. However, I was already used to doing things that didn’t feel great – running while my mates were playing ball, and so on. But by the time you do that consistently, over time, those few minutes and hours add up and when exams come around you have an advantage because you aren’t scrambling to memorize a whole semester’s worth of topics in one week,” he said.
The aforementioned lessons have continued to prove useful to David at the postgraduate level, where, barring an unlikely academic collapse, he is on course to finish among the best-graduating students in his MBA class. Beyond academics, David believes that the invaluable experience gained from his basketball journey at Nile has made him more mature and equipped to deal with life’s challenges and excel in other professional endeavours.
“I would refer to the court as a mini universe. It teaches you a lot of little lessons that may have taken you two or three years to learn outside. It teaches you hard work, smart work, how to be diplomatic, how to control your ego, mental fortitude… It teaches you that anything is possible when you set your mind to it. That’s why you see a lot of basketballers who exceed people’s expectations by the time they leave the professional [basketball] world and are into business. You see that they succeed there as well because they’ve learnt how to win,” he said.
With an MBA degree in view, David hopes to one day become one of these successful businesspeople. In the meantime, however, he remains focused on taking his basketball career to the next level. “Definitely, I plan on it,” David replied without hesitation when asked whether he planned on plying his trade in the U.S. (the premier destination for professional basketball players) in the near future. On the evidence of his journey so far, it would take a bold person to bet against him achieving this goal.
About Nile University of Nigeria
Nile University of Nigeria is a private multidisciplinary university established in 2009 and located in Abuja, Nigeria. Nile University is committed to building future generations of professionals and leaders who can thrive and positively impact Africa and beyond by leveraging academic innovation, state-of-the-art facilities, and great talent. The University currently has over 40 undergraduate programmes and more than 50 postgraduate programmes spread across eight best-in-class faculties: Health Sciences, Law, Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Arts & Social Sciences, Management Sciences, Computing Studies, and Science. Nile University is a proud member of Honoris United Universities, the first and largest pan-African private higher education network with 16 institutions in 10 African countries.
For Media Information
Ekezimero Eto
Marketing Communications Manager, Nile University of Nigeria
In the spirit of International Friendship Day, I spoke with people who’ve gone above and beyond to preserve their friendships.
From a lady who did six months of omugwo for her friend to a guy who gave over 60% of his life savings to save his friend’s mum, these friendships will make you say, “God, when?”
Chinma*
My friend’s mum had a stroke and was admitted to the hospital. She was recovering, and the doctors mentioned she’d be discharged soon. Then, I got a frantic call from my friend saying his mum had relapsed and was moved to the ICU. She needed surgery costing about ₦1.5m, but they could only raise ₦500k after exhausting their savings. At the time, my entire life’s savings was ₦1.8m, which I planned to use to rent my place. But I couldn’t in good conscience proceed after that call. His mum had always treated me like her own and often came through for me. So, I loaned him ₦1m and postponed my move. The day after I sent the money, my friend called to tell me his mum had passed away. He returned the money, and although the loss was painful, it felt good to have been there for a friend in need.
Gbenga*
My friend couldn’t complete his school fees during our final year exams because his parents couldn’t raise the sum. Most lecturers allowed him to write his exams after much pleading, but one lecturer stayed adamant. If my friend had missed the paper, he’d have had an extra year. So, I took the risk of writing the paper for him. I collected two answer booklets and submitted them to two different invigilators. The crazy thing is, my friend didn’t even know. I only told him after I came out of the exam hall. We still laugh about it to this day. During banter, he says things like, “Guy, if not for you, I would have had an extra year.”
Mariam*
During my uni days, I followed my friend to Ghana on an all-expenses-paid trip to meet her man. She had met him online, and they’d been dating for months. When he invited her to Ghana, my friend was reluctant, but he said she could bring someone she trusted. That’s how she asked me to go along. It sounded great at first, but on the day we were set to leave Nigeria, I started to have doubts. What if the guy was dangerous? Why did he want her to bring someone? Why was he footing our bill? Despite the doubts, it was too late to turn back. Thankfully, the trip went well. We were in Ghana for three days, but I couldn’t wait to return home. You have to be special for me to grant a request like that.
Gboyega*
My guy was getting married in Ekiti a week after I bought my first car. About three days before the event, he asked if he could borrow my car since he had given his own to family members for the trip. My car was barely a week old, and I hadn’t even shown it to my parents. But I didn’t want to deny his request, considering he needed it for his special day. He came over, took the car, and I took public transport to Ekiti. I thought I’d drive back to Lagos with my car, but I didn’t get it back until a week later. It wasn’t convenient for me, but he’s my close friend, so I didn’t mind.
Bimbo*
I took a bank loan to help my friend with her japa plans. She and her husband were using the study route but faced visa delays. They thought they had more time to prepare and gather money for their flight, but then they got an email from the school stating that if they didn’t arrive in the UK the following day, her husband would lose the admission. We found someone to help with their tickets, but they didn’t have enough money. So, I took a ₦700k loan to cover the difference. We’d only known each other for six months, but she had proven to be a good friend. She repaid the loan over six months after settling abroad. Now, she randomly sends me money without me asking.
Hadiza*
My friend gave birth to twins, which she wasn’t prepared for. The scan showed only one baby, so she was caught off guard. Sadly, her two mothers-in-law had passed, and she only had male siblings. One day, she called me crying. When I visited, I saw that her husband had hired help, but she wasn’t comfortable with the woman. I joked about helping out, and she jumped at the offer. I moved in the next weekend and stayed until the twins turned six months old. It was exhausting, but I’d do it again for her.
Every year, Nollywood churns out some fresh, new talent, and some of the older ones decide to take a back seat. We don’t know what inspires this decision, we don’t know why they decided to keep their talent away from us, but they need to get their act together and return to the big screens ASAP.
Weruche Opia
Weruche came in and wowed the entire country with three films, and shortly after she dropped off Nollywood’s radar and went International. We know this means she’s technically still in the game, but she hasn’t been in a Nollywood production in over seven years, and that’s what matters to us. Weruche needs to come back to Nollywood one more time. We promise we’ll treat her right.
Nkiru Sylvanus
Atlanta Bridget Johnson might be trying to take the town crier spot from our queen, but it doesn’t mean we don’t need her back on our screens. Nkiru Sylvanus moved away from Nollywood to begin her political journey as the Special Assistant on Lagos Affairs to the former governor of Imo state, Rochas Okorocha. She might be in her political era, but we’re sure she can multitask and make her Nollywood comeback.
Blossom Chukwujekwu
We know “The Trade” was released last year, and “I Do Not Come To You By Chance” would be out once our queen gives the word, but we need Nollywood producers to come together and put our king in something before then.
Genevieve Nnaji
After the release of her 2018 record-breaking Lionheart, the queen of Nollywood, has gone under the radar, only coming out for events she deems important and the announcement of her new movie, “I Do Not Come To You By Chance.” We know it might be too much to ask her to actually speak to us, but can she grace our screens again? We’ll take anything, even a cameo.
Hanks Anuku
Now that Nollywood has fallen back in love with fight scenes and the action genre we think it’s time to bring Hanks Anuku back to our screens.
Zainab Balogun
We haven’t seen Zainab on our screens since 2021’s Charge & Bail – those Prime Video releases don’t exist in our world – and we can’t believe she’s decided to stay away from us for this long. Someone needs to bring her back and remind everyone of her talent.
On Monday, July 29, 2024, a two-month-long protest by staff and students of the Federal College of Education (Technical) came to a head when the Nigerian Police shot bullets and tear gas at the disgruntled protesters.
The police also arrested 32 staff and students for allegedly damaging five vehicles and the provost’s official quarters.
How did the protest start?
According to a resident of the institution’s staff quarters who requested anonymity, the protests started because the school’s current provost, Dr Ademola Wahab Azeez, was trying to extend his tenure illegally.
Dr Ademola Wahab Azeez
The source also told Zikoko that the protests had started out peaceful until the police shot at protesters at the provost’s orders.
“Dr Azeez resumed office as provost on May 26, 2019, and his four-year tenure should’ve originally ended on May 26, 2023, after which he would’ve been eligible to run for a second term upon election. But, the new act gave him one more year,” she said.
The amended Federal Colleges of Education Act 2023 stipulates a single, non-renewable five-year term for provosts of Federal Colleges of Education. The act came into effect in June 2023, overriding the initial provision of a four-year term renewable upon election (for a maximum of two terms) for the provosts.
The Act partly reads thus, “Provosts with less than five years in office will serve a single term of five years, regardless of their original appointment terms. Those serving a second term at the time the Act was enacted will complete their current four-year term without any extension.”
This meant that Dr Azeez could’ve secured a second four-year term if the re-election had been done in May, before his tenure expired and before the new Act came into effect. However, our source says no re-election took place.
“We expected his tenure to end on May 26, 2024, and an election for a new provost. But he announced that he had no intention of stepping down. That’s why the peaceful protests started on May 28 and happened daily till July 29.”
Allegations of fraud and misconduct
Illegal tenure extension isn’t the only bone staff and students of FCE(T) have to pick with their provost. There are also claims of misconduct, fraud and intimidation.
Oreoluwa, another resident of the school’s staff quarters, told Zikoko that there were several sexual assault reports levelled against Dr Azeez and the Dean of Student Affairs during the initial four-year term, but the provost did nothing.
“Dr Azeez is utterly despotic. No one dares to go against him or utter a word of disagreement with his policies. All sexual assault reports were ignored. He also constantly diverted funds meant for the maintenance and renovation of school buildings. Even the staff of the medical center always complain that he diverted funds meant for the facility, leaving them unable to function effectively.”
Sometime in 2022, staff and students noticed a new building in the school. According to the project details, the building was supposed to be for the “Department of Home Economics.” However, Dr Azeez moved into the building after completion.
During Construction
Now
“It’s illegal. He used government funds to build a residence for himself and his family. His son now uses the flat to host parties.”
A former student also claims they’ve been unable to receive a certificate despite graduating in December 2022 because of the provost’s alleged misappropriation of funds. “FCE(T) runs affiliate programs with some federal universities like UNIBEN. These universities have refused to give graduates their certificates for a while now because the provost still owes them a lot of money. Some people who graduated in 2020 are still in limbo.”
The Minister of Education’s involvement
Some weeks into the daily protests, the Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, called for a meeting with the warring parties in Abuja. There, he affirmed the legality of the provost’s second term and called for an end to the protests.
However, this was met with resistance, and the protests continued. Oreoluwa claims this led to the arrest of the Deputy Registrar, Mr Chris Olamiju, by officers of the DSS.
“Olamiju has been one of the protest’s most vocal leaders. DSS broke into his school residence on July 11, 2024, between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m. and carted him away amidst the screams of his wife and children. They also shot at the security men and took one of them away too. We even thought they were kidnappers. When we learnt it was DSS, we knew it was Dr Azeez.”
According to Oreoluwa, Azeez denied involvement but must’ve made calls to secure Olamiju’s release that same evening when he realised the situation was getting ugly.
Indefinite closure
The protest came to an abrupt end on July 29 after the police fired shots to disperse the crowd. This has left many students injured, with two reportedly in critical condition at the hospital.
The 32 students and staff arrested by the police were released on July 30 after being made to write an undertaking of good behaviour.
On July 31, the Federal Government directed the indefinite closure of FCE(T) Akoka. It is unclear if the provost, Dr Ademola Azeez, will retain his position.
We often get invited to some pretty cool events. But when I received an impromptu invitation to “Get Ready with Music”, an influencer slumber party organised by Spotify and Maybelline, I knew this would be extra special. It promised a unique blend of music and makeup, tapping into the GRWM trend that’s taken over social media.
The event on Thursday, July 25, 2024, was set to celebrate the powerful synergy between sound and style.
I arrived from Surulere for check-in at the Art Hotel at 2:50 pm — Lagos traffic was light, thank God. The three-year-old gem was the visual delight it promised in its name, large canvases, intricate sculptures and dangling multimedia pieces installed everywhere. I was shown up to my room and immediately received a welcome mixed grill platter.
The room was both spacious and cosy, setting the tone for what lay ahead. I’d dressed for the event at home, so I spent the next five hours watching Netflix movies with my plus one, soaking in the ambiance and excitement.
The event kicked off with a dinner at 8 pm, hosted by an approachable duo in the Big Brother Naija star, Saskay (Tsakute Jonah), and fashion influencer, Nimiie (Ifeoluwa Ogunjebe). From the elevator, we were welcomed into an open foyer where Spotify and Maybelline branded photo booths awaited us.
Servers in livery were on hand to hand us bubbly flutes from their black trays. As I sipped on champagne adorned with pretty faux eyelashes and a lipstick stain, I remembered my “no alcohol for a year” challenge. Alas, seven months of progress were gone in three sips!
After several photos with props at the booth, we saw our way into the dinner hall, a long central table set for 30 or more, with burning candles, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.
It was a three-course affair, accompanied by a live performance from Qing Madi, who blessed us with hits like “Ole” — she rapped BNXN’s part, “American Love” and “See Finish.” Her soulful voice and occasional positive affirmation of how beautiful her audience looked, set the perfect backdrop for the evening. As the dinner progressed, the energy only grew, with DJ TGARBS taking over to keep us dancing late into the night.
At 10:41 pm, we returned to our rooms to find surprise gift boxes waiting for us on the bed. Inside were presents from the organisers: a Spotify selfie stick, a Maybelline leather bag filled with makeup products, and a cute ivory Spotify-branded silk pyjama set. We changed into the PJs and headed back to the hall, now transformed into a slumber party paradise with dim pastel lights, fake fog, bean bags, a dessert stand, and a karaoke machine.
From 11:30 p.m. to 2 a.m., it was all fun and games as everyone’s champagne flutes stayed filled and wooden rows of tequila shots followed. I promise I stuck to my bottle of iced water through it all. We danced, laughed and shot content for the ‘gram.
The highlight was the karaoke session, with Big Brother Naija star, Vee Iye nailing “My Boo” by Usher and Alicia Keys, and queen of fashion influencing, Nonye Udeogu (This Thing Called Fashion), bringing down the house with “BedRock” by Lil Wayne and his Young Money crew.
When it was finally my turn, I chose my go-to karaoke song, “Happier Than Ever” by Billie Eilish. But Saskay came over to let me know, unfortunately, our fun time with Spotify and Maybelline had come to an end. My opportunity to show the world my true talent, gone!
We returned to our room once more and slept soundly.
It wasn’t just fun, though. It was also about exploring how music influences makeup application, style choices and overall mood. The GRWM trend has taken social media by storm, showing how people around the world use music to enhance their beauty routines. The data shared by Spotify highlights this fascinating intersection:
Over 900 playlists in Nigeria and 900k globally with titles like GRWM, Get Ready With Me, Makeup and Get Ready with Music. In 2024 alone, over 280,000 playlists globally and over 400 in Nigeria were created with these themes. Lagos alone accounted for over 300 of these. The most popular day to stream GRWM playlists globally, in Nigeria, Abuja, and Lagos is Saturday. The peak times are 4 pm globally, 11 am and 12 pm in Abuja, 11 am in Nigeria, and in Lagos.
Interestingly, male listeners create more GRWM playlists than females. The 18-24 age group leads in Lagos, Abuja, and Nigeria, while globally, the 35-44 age group dominates playlist creation. Gen Z and female listeners dominate the audience across all regions, with the 18-24 age group leading in Lagos, Abuja, Nigeria, and globally.
These statistics reveal a lot about how intertwined music and beauty routines have become. Music is not just background noise; the “Get Ready with Music” event by Spotify and Maybelline beautifully captured this essence, demonstrating the transformative power of combining music with daily makeup routines.
As I reflect on the experience, I realise how this collaboration between Spotify and Maybelline created an immersive experience that celebrates this powerful synergy. It’s a reminder of how influential music can be in our daily lives. It was a celebration of creativity, individuality, and the joy of getting ready.
As we continue to see the rise of the GRWM trend, it’s clear that music and makeup will remain intertwined, each enhancing the other in beautiful and unexpected ways. It was great to be a part of this event showcasing how Spotify and Maybelline are innovatively engaging with the vibrant beauty and music communities in Lagos.
Cheers to more nights of beauty, beats and unforgettable memories.
Pulse Nigeria has announced the launch of the Pulse Influencer Awards for the fourth edition.
Pulse Nigeria is part of Pulse Africa, the continent’s leading innovative media company and digital marketing agency, reaching millions of young Africans on web and social channels.
The awards launched on July 26, with the nomination phase starting on August 1 and the final award event on October 12. The theme of the awards is “Futuristic Fashion: AI Glamour.”
The awards will be held in all Pulse Africa markets simultaneously in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Senegal, Uganda and Côte d’Ivoire.
The Pulse Influencer Awards have become a household name and an important melting point for influencers, digital creators and other creative industry stakeholders. They showcase some of the industry’s shining stars across multiple categories and are dedicated to championing innovation and the community-building efforts of influencers who have used social media as a platform to distribute value in Nigeria and across Africa.
Fiona Weeks, Managing Director, West Africa, Pulse, said, “The Pulse Influencer Awards have come a long way in engendering collaboration and celebrating creativity, and we’re excited to do it again. As always, the awards will be a big night for digital creativity in Africa. The team is pumped, our partners are pumped, and I can’t wait.”
With more than 2.7 million votes and 200 million impressions across Africa last year, the Pulse Influencer Awards 2024 is set to connect more influencers and reach an even wider audience. Already, the announcement of the awards is generating anticipation from the influencer communities and our general audience across all six countries.
For more information on Pulse Influencer Awards 2024, visit Pulse Nigeria.
My introduction to older artists and their music happens in two stages: a profile check on streaming platforms and a Google search of their unavailable songs. My search for Onyeka Onwenu’s collaborations with King Sunny Ade gave way to digging through her discography. Initially, I was there for the music, but the candour of her album arts fascinated me until they became one with the music.
On the cover art of “For the Love of You” (1982), her debut album, she was slender, and pale. Her hair was black and long. She was bejewelled. Her purple eyeshadow blended with her skin. She had an elegant poise and brightly faced the camera—she had something to look forward to—perhaps, a blossoming journalism career and decades of celebrity reverence. The album was the seed of her blossom. Her vocals pressed on vinyl, audio bites of funk, pop, soul, and flattering love. It was the boogie-down era. The then-American mainstream sound was impactful. But Onye Ga Agba Ewu, the standout track, in my opinion, is a good time reverie; the old Enugu town must have bopped to it. From it, Onyeka Onwenu, the singer-songwriter, ascended.
By the time her sophomore “Endless Life” came out in 1982, she was deep in her journalism bag at the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), and her approach shifted toward human angst. Her appearance changed a bit. Her hair was cut short but full and shiny like she had all the time in the world with her comb and pomade. She gazed upward, musing and focused.
Unlike the multitudes of Nigerian Gen Xers and millennials who have memories tied to Onyeka’s hits like One Love, You and I, and Iyogoyo, my deepest reflection has been found, for some time now, in the titular Endless Life, which I consider her most reflective track. It’s a soulful song that I learned from to accept the inevitability of life, the suckling of growth and failure.
The ‘80s in Nigeria was a bout of coup d’états, a failing economy, skyrocking of crime rate and consequently non-existent nightlife. The bleak optimism was carried almost entirely by the socially conscious music of that era in which Onyeka Onwenu was a star. The trend of socially conscious music trickled down into the following decades, bemoaning almost the sentiments of our heroes’ past. Little wonder, Onyeka’s ‘90s music releases focused on the need for an attitudinal change in Nigeria.
At the height of Onyeka Onwenu’s powers, the media called her the Elegant Stallion, promoted through the ranks of musical equestrians in what was the rise of digital Nigerian music. Her life evolved around light, camera and action. She was a multi-hyphenate artist acknowledged for making music, involvement in human and social activism, and TV appearances as an actor, journalist, and reality show judge. Passion led her.
In the late hours of July 29, 2024, Onyeka Onwenu graced a birthday party where she ended her music performance with a dazzle of her hit One Love (Keep Us Together). It was a high moment that soon became an unforgettable sad one. The songbird died doing music, a tragic slump after a performance and some gulps of water. She lived a full life and an indelible last moment—a moment many will consider poetic in reverence to her demise while she did what she loved dearly.
It’s hard not to think about Quincy Jones’ words: “Music and water will be the last things to leave our planet.” Onyeka Onwenu, the Elegant Stallion, has gone before these elements, and she now lives on through her tunes. Drink more water and live a full life, kids. It’s the Onyeka way.
Nigerians are preparing for a nationwide 10-day hunger protest tagged “End Bad Governance in Nigeria.” The protest, scheduled for August 1-10, aims to voice citizens’ frustration with the economic hardship and cost-of-living crisis under President Tinubu’s administration.
In the past, peaceful demonstrations have sometimes escalated into violent situations. If you plan to participate in the protest, you should consider these safety tips:
Stay informed
Before attending, research the protest locations, expected turnout, and potential risks. Follow trusted news sources and organisers for updates.
Go with a group
It’s safer to attend with friends or a trusted group so you can watch out for each other.
Dress light
Wear comfortable clothing that allows for easy movement. Avoid clothes with inflammatory inscriptions or symbols.
Share updates
Share your location and updates regularly with friends and family. Inform them if you change your route or visit other places. You can also share your live location on WhatsApp.
Bring essentials
You should carry a bag pack, power bank, spare phone, water bottle, ID card, first aid kit, and some cash.
Plan your route
Familiarise yourself with all entry and exit points around the protest grounds. Plan your exit if the situation escalates, and avoid areas with heavy police presence or roadblocks.
Document everything
Capture videos and photos of interactions and events around you. They can be handy as evidence if legal issues arise.
Avoid confrontation
Steer clear of confrontations with fellow protesters and law enforcement. Leave immediately if a situation starts turning violent.
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On Thursday, August 1, thousands of Nigerians took to the streets nationwide to kick off the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest. Young Nigerians joined the demonstration, frustrated over continued economic hardship under the Tinubu administration.
Days ahead of the planned protest, government officials and security forces across the country warned against the demonstration, with some tagging it as unwarranted and politically motivated. However, despite the warnings, Nigerians stepped out to demand better.
Here’s a recap of key moments from the first day of the protest.
Heavy security presence
Armed police officers were deployed to the Lekki Toll Gate and other major locations in Abuja, Delta, Plateau, Rivers, and Kaduna before demonstrations started.
Nigerians troop out nationwide
Protesters in Lagos gathered under the Ikeja bridge, marching to Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park, Ojota.
— Africa Independent Television (@AIT_Online) August 1, 2024
In Abuja, led by popular lawyer and activist Deji Adeyanju, they marched from MKO Abiola Stadium to Eagle Square.
Nigerians in Rivers state equally took to the streets for the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest. A viral clip captured when demonstrators sang the country’s old national anthem.
— Africa Independent Television (@AIT_Online) August 1, 2024
Slowed economic activities
Business activities halted nationwide, with some states’ major markets, banks, and roads deserted.
Government officials address protesters
In Rivers, Governor Simi Fubara urged peaceful protests, while Edo’s Commissioner of Police, Funsho Adegboye, praised the peaceful nature and invited protest demands.
— Africa Independent Television (@AIT_Online) August 1, 2024
Bayelsa state governor Douye Diri thanked youths for abstaining from protests during a prosperity walk.
Police disperse protesters nationwide
Police fired teargas canisters at protesters as they arrived at the Federal Secretariat near the Eagles Square in Abuja.
This was also the case in Bauchi, where teargas canisters were fired at demonstrators who gathered at the Emir’s palace and demanded a meeting with him.
Dozens of Nigerians took to social media lamenting poor internet connection from service providers. Some people speculated it’s a joint effort by the government and telcos to limit protest coverage.
Looting by alleged #EndBadGovernance protesters
PHOTOS: Protesters loot yet to be commissioned Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC) Industrial Pack in Kano.
There were multiple reports of looting by alleged #Endbadgovernance protesters at the yet-to-be-commissioned NCC Industrial Park in Kano. Individuals were seen leaving the premises with brand-new furniture and office equipment.
Government properties in Kaduna state were looted, and alleged #EndBadGovernance protesters attacked a police officer during the incident.
The protest in Kaduna has turned violent, with stealing and the burning down of private and government properties like KASTLEA and KADIPA
Just because you’ve met someone you like and vibe with doesn’t automatically mean you’re now dating them, but these signs definitely mean the feelings are mutual and you’re about to become a girlfriend.
They’re unavailable
They’re always ready to shout from the rooftops that they’re no longer looking for a special someone and have found all they’ll ever need in your arms.
They start to speak French
For some reason, when people like you, they start speaking French, saying things like “we” when talking about their baby, and broadcasting to the entire universe that they now have a cohort. If the chicken in your pack of small chops does this, congratulations—your single days are coming to an end.
They remember everything you say
Either they have a photographic memory or are down bad for you. Either way, the person you’re talking to remembering and hanging on to your every word is sweet, and they want you to be theirs so bad.
You can’t stop thinking about them
Look at it this way: If you can’t stop thinking about them, chances are they can’t stop thinking about you.
You’re a part of all their plans
At this point, everyone thinks you and your baby are twins. They’re always thinking of you and involving you in all their plans—even the ones you don’t really care for.
They become extra sweet
If they suddenly become sweet enough to induce diabetes, showering you with gifts and lovely gestures, you’re about to leave these muddy streets.
They start talking about relationships
You both could be talking about the fact that fuel is now ₦1,300, and they’ll manage to slip in what they want in a relationship and how you’re their perfect match.
Ps: These signs could also mean they think you’re already their girlfriend, so stay vigilant.
Kate* (32) moved abroad in 2021 after losing her husband to a preventable death, determined to raise her children in a sane environment. However, her work hours and inability to afford child care make her often rethink her decision.
Five years ago, if you’d asked me if I’d ever leave Nigeria, I’d have said a big no and probably lectured you about the importance of staying to build your motherland. That’s how much I believed in the Nigerian dream.
But look at me now. I’m far away in Canada, with almost no connections to home and the only regret I have is how relocation is affecting my children.
My Nigerian dream died on the same day as most other Nigerians. Oct 20, 2020, the day Nigeria killed her citizens for demanding better from her leaders. My husband, Lanre*, and I had given our all during the #EndSARS protests. We weren’t just fighting to end police brutality. In our minds, we wanted to remove all the rotten eggs that were giving our beloved Nigeria a bad name.
Lanre was just as patriotic as I was, if not more. He would stand at the junction reading newspaper headlines at the vendor stand and argue with everyone else there about politics.
His favourite thing to watch was the news, and we bonded over the latest political events. It sounds weird, but that was our preferred type of gist since we married in 2014.
So, of course, it was a no-brainer that we’d participate in the protests. But then the shooting happened, and everything changed.
I think the first time Lanre brought up japa as a possibility was when the Lagos governor went on air to say he didn’t know who ordered the shootings. We’d discussed japa before, but it had always been about others who chose to leave. It’d never been a possibility for us.
It took me a while to accept his new vision. We had good banking jobs in Nigeria, our two children were under three years old, and our immediate family members lived in Nigeria. My Nigerian dream was dead, but I knew starting afresh in a new place would be difficult.
Still, I followed Lanre’s lead, and we began the Canada Express Entry process in 2021. We even created two individual profiles to increase our chances of getting the Invitation To Apply (ITA). We wrote IELTS and sold our landed properties to raise money.
Unfortunately, Lanre passed away four months later. The bus he was travelling in had an accident, and onlookers thought it was better to film the scene than actually rush the victims to the hospital.
When they finally took my husband to the hospital, the nurses said they didn’t have enough oxygen. My husband was already dead before I heard and rushed to the hospital.
I wanted to die. It was like my whole world had crashed before my eyes. I must’ve suffered functional depression in the weeks that followed because I didn’t want to live anymore, but I still had to turn up for my children. I still don’t know how I managed it.
Ironically, I got the ITA about a month after my husband passed. I was prepared to ignore it, but I told my mum, and she encouraged me to take the opportunity. Nigeria had killed my dream and taken my husband, too. What else was I staying back for? Wasn’t it better to move somewhere that works and secure my children’s future?
So, with the help of family and friends, I raised money and arrived in Canada with my children in 2021.
We first lived in Manitoba for two years with someone I got introduced to through a church member back in Nigeria. Manitoba felt like a home away from home. Our host was extremely kind and helped look after my children when I had to look for jobs and even when I finally found work.
My children adapted well at first. It was a strange land with no familiar faces around, and they didn’t know why they suddenly had to wear heavy clothing, but we were still together, and they were fine.
But we had to move to Toronto in 2023 because of my new job, and it hasn’t been as easy. I work two jobs and often can’t spend time with my children after they return from school.
I also can’t afford a live-in nanny, so most of the time, I drop my children off with my Nigerian neighbours after school so I can rush off to my next job. My eldest has complained that one of my neighbours’ children is always stealing his snacks, but there’s not much I can do apart from giving him more snacks. I can’t complain to people who are helping me out.
My youngest has also taken to crying for her daddy every time I drop them off. I’m not sure if she even remembers him because he died when she was barely a year old. But every time she’s upset now, she asks for her daddy.
I’m working towards getting a trusted babysitter who can come in for a few hours and leave so my children don’t have to stay out of their home after school. But I also fear it may not be the solution. What if they resent me because I don’t spend enough time with them?
I also had long work hours back in Nigeria, but daddy was also there, and we lived close to family members, so they always saw their cousins. Even in Manitoba, there was always someone familiar with them. Now, they have to deal with daddy’s absence and spend time with people they don’t like.
I try to focus on why I came here in the first place: Securing a better future for my children, but I’m concerned I’m failing in the present. What’s worse, I don’t really have people to talk to. Many Nigerians are in Toronto, but there’s no real sense of community. Everyone has their own wahala to face.
I also can’t tell family back home about my parenting struggles because I’ll sound stupid. Like, how do you have an opportunity people would kill for, and you’re complaining?
Sometimes, I wonder if I should’ve stayed back in Nigeria, but the news I hear daily from back home renews my resolve. I can only keep pushing and hope it all works out soon.
*Names have been changed for the sake of anonymity.
The #EndBadGovernance protest officially began on Thursday, August 1. Nigerians across various states took to the streets to voice their frustrations over poor governance and economic hardship under the Tinubu administration.
Despite calls for calm and order, the initially peaceful demonstrations turned violent in states like Kano, Abuja, Gombe, and Niger. Police fired teargas canisters indiscriminately, attempting to prevent protesters from reaching the iconic Eagle Square in Abuja. Most southeastern states did not participate in the protest.
As expected, protesters returned to the streets on Friday to continue the second day of what is expected to be a 10-day demonstration.
Here are the highlights and major updates from today’s #EndBadGovernance protest:
Protesters returned to the streets in some states, although turnout was lower compared to Thursday, August 1.
In Lagos, protesters gathered at Ikeja Underbridge and moved the procession to Gani Fawehinmi Park in Ojota.
Police set up a roadblock to prevent protesters from marching beyond the designated protest area in Ojota.
Photos and videos on social media showed police officers distributing sachet water to protesters in Ojota.
In Port Harcourt, protesters gathered at Pleasure Park and moved to the Federal Secretariat, while others continued their demonstrations in Abuja.
Protesters hold emergency press conference in Lagos
Protesters held an emergency press conference at Gani Fawehinmi Park, Ojota, Lagos, to address concerns about the possible hijacking of the peaceful demonstration by hoodlums.
Earlier, a clash occurred between pro-government supporters and protesters when the latter attempted to set up public address systems inside the park.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Paul Okafor was present to manage the situation in Lagos. He urged protesters to move inside the park to avoid obstructing traffic.
Economic activities gradually pick up
Businesses resumed in many states where economic activities were disrupted on Day 1 of the protest. People returned to their usual activities in Lagos and Ibadan, although some major markets like Computer Village in Ikeja, Lagos, remained scanty.
Security forces clash with protesters in Abuja
Security forces clashed with #EndBadGovernance protesters in the Gwagwalada area of Abuja on Friday. The demonstrators had barricaded the main Lokoja-Abuja Expressway, blocking vehicular movement in the area.
Police also fired teargas canisters to disperse protesters gathered around the Berger Bridge in Abuja.
Around 1:50p.m, protesters at the MKO Abiola Stadium accused security officials of firing teargas and live ammunition at them. The officers had earlier dispersed protesters who converged at the location but they (protesters) returned to the venue.
Jigawa declares 24-hour curfew
Jigawa State Governor, Umar Namadi, declared a 24-hour curfew after Thursday’s protest turned violent. The curfew was relaxed from 12:00 to 2:30 p.m. on Friday for Jumm’at prayers.
A similar curfew was declared in Kano State on Thursday.
Bad internet continues on day 2
Many Nigerians reported poor internet service Thursday when the protest kicked off. Sadly, the situation remained the same on day 2, affecting MTN and Airtel customers, among others.
Protesters observe Juma’at service
Protesters in Osogbo and Ibadan observed Jumm’at prayers at the protest grounds, with others forming a protective shield around them.
On Friday, former vice president Atiku Abubakar praised young and old Nigerians who took to the streets to demand better from the government in a Facebook post. The 2023 Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate also called on the president to heed the nation’s cry.
“To the government, I admonish you to heed the voices of the people and come down from your high horses. It is time to demonstrate a sincere commitment to addressing the demands of the protesters. The nation cannot afford further days of unrest; let this be the moment where leadership listens and acts with integrity and urgency.”
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.
Let’s talk about your earliest memory of money
That has to be in primary school. Whenever my brothers and I asked my dad for snack money, he’d give me ₦500 and give them ₦200 each. That’s when I began to notice my dad always gave me more money.
I was the second child, but I had the “only girl” privilege. I got a younger sister when I was 8, but I still enjoyed proper spoiling.
Safe to say you were a daddy’s girl?
I believe I still am. It helped that there was money growing up.
What did your parents do for money?
My mum’s a doctor and my dad did a bunch of things — mostly hotel businesses. He also ventured into politics and won a political seat around the time I entered secondary school.
I remember not seeing him regularly because he came home after my bedtime. He also became really lax with money. I think it was a side effect of working with the government because he used to be a bit more prudent.
One time, when I was in JSS 2, he gave me ₦20k for my birthday. I didn’t know what to do with ₦20k, but I collected it. When my siblings and I wanted to go to the movie, he’d also give us ₦20k each. This was 2014, and a movie ticket cost ₦1k.
What were you spending all that money on?
My siblings and I frequented a Nike store at a mall close to where we lived. I’d buy Benassi slides for like ₦5,500. We even had a discount card because we bought so much stuff there.
Many of the purchases were during school holidays, though. I didn’t get an allowance in secondary school, but if I wanted something during the holiday, I’d tell my dad, and he’d give me money. My mum was different; she was far more frugal.
How so?
She had — and still does — this thing where she’d make me and my siblings work for money. Once, she created a point-based system to earn rewards for doing chores. If I did my chores on time, I’d get four points. I got one or zero points if I did them late or not at all. The points determined what she bought me during the holiday.
Apart from this, I didn’t do anything else for money until 2017/2018.
Go on, please
I’d just finished my first year at university. I was in my Jumia shopping phase, and choker necklaces were all the rage. I got a pack of 20 chokers for ₦3k and planned to sell them at ₦1k each.
I sold about half of it, but I couldn’t get buyers for the rest because people were picky with the styles. So, I gave up and tried selling makeup to my friends.
Why makeup?
My friends and I were in our makeup phase in uni. We looked for the newest palettes and constantly tried makeup tutorials, so I knew it’d sell better than the chokers.
I got the makeup products during my usual shopping for school. I think I spent ₦10k for some eyeshadow and bronzer palettes. I only sold one to a girl who paid me ₦4k; my friend took most of them and never paid me. I didn’t try to sell anything again.
This is the second time you’ve mentioned “shopping for school”
Well, I was a boarder in secondary school, so that was a given. In uni, my dad gave me money to shop based on the list I’d already written about things I needed at school — the usual amount was ₦120k. Then, he’d send ₦100k to my account when I was leaving for school. I didn’t have a monthly allowance because I could always call for more money if needed, but I rarely did.
I tried to be frugal in uni because my dad’s tenure in the government ended back when I was in SS 2, and the change hadn’t been a great experience for me.
What happened?
My secondary school was full of super-rich kids, and I wasn’t popular. So, I tried using money to buy affection. My dad was in office, and I had more money than I knew what to do with. I bought people earrings, body wash, and perfume and generally tried to blow their minds.
Then, my dad left office, and the family had to make lifestyle changes. We moved away from where he lived, and he got a bigger place, maybe to overcompensate. But there was less money to throw around, and we just became more serious.
This meant I couldn’t get as many gifts and even reduced some of the things I bought at school. For instance, I liked getting things like spray starch in twos to have a backup, but I now had to settle for one. Someone called me stingy because I didn’t give as much as I used to, and it stung. I decided, “You know what? I’m not spending money on anyone again!”
So yeah, I tried to spend more reasonably in uni. Plus, my university didn’t have as many rich students. It was a private uni, but they were considerate. They gave scholarships and allowed people to pay in instalments. It was like coming from a school with money bags to people who were managing but thriving. So, I modelled my spending after them.
Was that difficult?
There wasn’t anything to spend money on in my uni. The most expensive meal was rice and chicken, which cost ₦600. Smoothies cost ₦300. I didn’t need up to ₦1k for a complete meal. So, copying people who lived on a ₦20k monthly allowance was easy. They withdrew ₦5k/week, so I withdrew ₦5k/week.
Each semester was about three months long, and my ₦100k lasted for two months and some weeks. My dad didn’t let me try to be broke in peace, though. He had access to my account. Whenever the money in my account went below ₦30k, he’d send me ₦50k extra.
Trying to be broke… God, abeg
That was pretty much how uni was. I already knew my dad indulged me, but it hit me again when I was about to enter my second year in uni. I asked for ₦250k to shop, and he gave me just like that.
I grew a conscience and thought it wasn’t fair for him to bankroll me as much as he did, so I reduced my demands.
Also, I started doing makeup for people for money in my third year.
How did that go?
Not great. I did a couple of ₦1k, ₦1500 jobs here and there. Remember my friend who didn’t pay for the palettes? She also did makeup for a fee and had more clients, so I tagged along to assist her. She never gave any cut of the money she made, though. Not even when we made ₦50k on a few jobs in final year. To be fair, they booked her. I just assisted.
I graduated from university in 2020 and began ICAN classes in January 2021. My mum also started giving me a ₦35k allowance to support me during classes.
Any reason why it was your mum this time?
My mum often moved locations because of her job. At that time, she was in a small house I called the “fuck up” house. Like I said, my mum is frugal, so she didn’t subscribe to DSTV, the internet, or any other entertainment. It was simply a place to sleep.
I moved in with her for my ICAN exams because the house was closer to the tutorial centre. Since I was living with her, she took up my allowance.
Sometimes, my mum deducted from the money if I offended her by not attending church early or missing it altogether. I think each transgression was ₦2500. I augmented the allowance by adding a little — between ₦20k and ₦50k — to my ICAN classes and exam fees.
Then, I wrote my first exam in May and went for NYSC in July. My PPA was a fintech/real estate firm, and they paid ₦20k/month, which I wasn’t excited about. But then there was also the ₦33k NYSC allowance and my mum’s ₦35k, bringing everything to ₦88k/month.
Was that good money at the time?
It was enough for me to enjoy myself. I lived with my parents and didn’t pay for anything, so I lived large. I ordered food or got a nice treat at least once a week.
I was saving the ₦20k from my PPA because I wanted to change my phone and take another ICAN exam after NYSC, and I didn’t want to have to juggle it with work. The plan was to relax, write the exams, and then look for a job.
Remember I said my PPA was a fintech?
Yeah
They made me open my salary account with them, so they paid my ₦20k there. I didn’t touch it for months. But then they started having issues. I couldn’t transfer or withdraw my money because the account balance was just figures. There was no cash.
Fortunately, it was partly solved in January 2022, and I used the money to buy a phone, adding ₦60k to make up the ₦180k I needed. But just before I finished service in June, they had more issues, and ₦20k mysteriously disappeared from my account. I don’t even have words to describe everything that went wrong with them.
Anyway, I eventually finished NYSC with ₦80k in my savings. I would’ve had more from my allowance and the money I got from increasing my ICAN fees, but I lost ₦120k to scams during my service year: a multi-level marketing scheme and an agri-tech crowdfunding investment.
How did that happen?
The agri-tech platform absconded with my money, and the marketing people only sold dreams.
After service ended in June 2022, I focused on preparing for my last set of ICAN exams and applying for jobs in November. The job search was pretty difficult because I don’t live in Lagos, and most financial institutions are there. The recruiters wanted me to come to Lagos to interview, and I did that a couple of times. But it wasn’t sustainable. I couldn’t keep asking my parents to pay ₦250k for round trips, and I kept missing opportunities.
While I was job hunting, I learned I had failed one of the three exams I sat for. I’d thought I’d get my professional level ICAN certification, but now I had to retake a paper. I felt terrible.
Sorry about that
Thanks. I finally found an accountant role through my church’s group chat in February 2023. During the interview, the recruiter asked about my salary expectations. I said ₦70k because I didn’t want to be too greedy. I really should’ve demanded more because I got the job, and it was the ₦70k they paid.
I was still getting ₦35k/month from my mum, which brought my income to ₦105k. Ordinarily, I should’ve been cruising on that amount. I even drew up a plan to save and change my phone.
But Tinubu entered some months after and removed fuel subsidy. Cab fares went from ₦1200 to a minimum of ₦2k. I couldn’t take cabs to and fro anymore. I also stopped ordering food from Instagram vendors when they increased their prices. My employer added ₦10k to my salary to help with the hardship, but the salary was not doing what it was supposed to do anymore.
I know, right?
As if my ₦80k salary wasn’t small enough, my employers started deducting ₦500/day from the salary for coming minutes late. So my salary was often ₦77k.
Also, my mum could just deduct from my allowance, so everything was somehow. Saving became something I did if there was any money left or if I wanted to buy something.
In January 2024, my salary increased to ₦100k. I wasn’t pleased about it because my employer had promised a salary review for the longest time, and I expected more. There was also one ₦200k allowance he was supposed to pay that never materialised despite the many promises.
I eventually left in February. In March 2024, I resumed my current role, where I’m an audit assistant.
Better pay?
It wasn’t a significant pay bump. My salary is ₦115k/month — ₦108k after tax. My mum also stopped my ₦35k allowance in December last year because she got transferred at work and had some delays with her salary.
Plus, I didn’t have any more ICAN exams — I sorted those in May 2023 — so we haven’t had a conversation about whether she’d continue or not.
I’m surviving on just my salary. Oh, I got a part-time three-month lecturing gig at my former ICAN tutorial centre last month, and they paid ₦22k. I’m not sure if it was a one-time payment or if they’d pay me again at the end of the third month.
Right now, my 9-5 is my main income, and the economy isn’t making it easy to survive on my own. Things get more expensive by the day and it’s crazy.
I can relate. Let’s break down your typical monthly expenses
My transportation cost is low because I now have a car — my dad bought me one after I passed ICAN last year — and he fuels it. I only take Bolt sometimes. I also do once-in-a-while sacrificial giving in church or online. It’s faith-based and can be as low as ₦5k and go up to ₦100k.
How would you describe your relationship with money?
It’s like I’m running after money, but it’s running two steps away from me. Actually, I think my biggest problem is Tinubu. I’m not earning terrible money, but the country is spoiling faster than I earn.
My savings have suffered a lot because I often dip into it for one thing or the other. Last month, my siblings and I contributed money to get my sister a phone, and my share was ₦76k. I have about ₦50k left in my savings now.
I’m curious about how your parents’ very different money management styles shape your thinking about money
I have a centrist-ish approach. My dad was lax and my mum was very frugal, and I’m more like a balance between them. If I want something — flimsy or not — I believe in saving towards it and working to achieve it. I won’t deny myself or just buy it on an impulse.
How do you feel about moving from chilling daddy’s girl to hustling babe?
It’s due to factors beyond my control. Yes, I’m trying to be more independent, but I shouldn’t be struggling like this. I feel like I’d be in a better financial state if I lived in a system where the president wasn’t actively working against me.
I’m living above my means, but I’m not doing anything crazy most of the time. I once did an analysis of my expenses and realised I was spending ₦64k more than my salary, meaning I regularly eat into any savings I have at the time or money gifts I get from friends and family. I’ve tried to cut down recurring expenses like ordering food at work to make it better but it isn’t doing much.
I was thinking about the whole thing a few months ago and became depressed at how my money was disappearing in the twinkle of an eye. You know what I did to feel better? I did a birthday photoshoot, bought cake, went shopping and essentially wiped out the money I was depressed about in the first place.
What do future plans look like right now?
I’m trying to get better job opportunities, but it’s still this Lagos thing, and I feel stuck. Ideally, I’d have wanted to stay at least a year at my current job to build my career, but constantly stressing about money isn’t allowing me to calm down.
I also plan to do a master’s degree abroad soon. The last time I discussed it with my parents, the dollar was $700 to a naira. I don’t know what the amount will be when we revisit the conversation in December after my brothers are done with uni.
You mentioned looking for better job opportunities. Is there an ideal amount you’re looking for?
My ultimate goal is to be as far away from this president as possible because it’s not possible to outgrind a failing country. But right now, I just want to double my salary. Earning at least ₦200k while I live with my parents and not worrying about rent, food or fueling my car will go a long way.
Is there something you want right now but can’t afford?
A gym membership. The fee recently increased from ₦15k/month to ₦20k and it’ll require a lot of calculation for me to fit it to my monthly expenses. One thing would have to suffer, which is really wild. I also want to change my phone to an iPhone 13 pro max and that’ll cost about ₦800k.
How would you rate your financial happiness on a scale of 1 – 10?
4. I don’t have it the worst, but there are things I should be able to do for myself which are still out of my reach. I can’t be financially irresponsible for a month and bounce back because the country is spoiling faster than I earn.
If you’re interested in talking about your Naira Life story, this is a good place to start.
Although the BBNaija No Loose Guard housemates have only been in Biggie’s house for seven days, they’ve already delivered enough drama to last the whole season.
From unexpected relationships to a resident gossip, here’s a breakdown of everything that happened in week 1.
Ndi Nne’s custodian win
The aunt and niece duo, Chinne and Mary, secured the first immunity of the season by winning the custodian challenge. However, they seemed displeased after receiving zero votes during the Head of House (HOH) ballot.
Mbadiwe twins as HOH
Ocee and Ozee, the Mbadiwe twins, made history as the season’s first Heads of House. Though their leadership kept things calm, they couldn’t win the house its first wager.
Doublekay’s arena slip up
Posing as best friends in Biggie’s house isn’t easy, especially for a married couple. Kassia and her husband, Kellyrae, are struggling to keep their secret.
During Thursday’s arena games, Kassia almost kissed Kellyrae after he identified her scent correctly, hinting at their real relationship. It’s only a matter of time before they’re found out.
Toby Forge applying pressure
Toby Forge is turning up the heat on Kassia, the season’s resident married woman. He confided in his partner about his feelings for Kassia and Kellyrae’s overprotectiveness. Toby even told Kassia to her face that he’s imagined kissing her since day one. Toby might be the downfall of Doublekay’s marriage.
Shatoria’s failing partnership
Shaun and Victoria, aka Shatoria, are already showing signs of trouble after just one week in Biggie’s house. Their lack of compatibility became evident when Shaun failed to identify Victoria’s scent during the Thursday Arena game, making them the only pair to fail. This ship is destined to crash sooner than later. God, abeg.
First kiss of the season
While housemates may be sending mixed signals, Wanni and Shaun are not. They’ve shared the season’s first kiss, and their relationship seems to be growing stronger. Despite rumours that Shaun is a player, only time will tell.
OnyekaFM, the resident gistlover
Onyeka has taken it upon herself to know everyone’s business in the house, earning her the nickname “gistlover.” She’s been spilling all the tea unprovoked, and it’s only a matter of time before this backfires.
Tami evicted
Toyosi and Dami were evicted during Sunday night’s eviction show, largely due to Dami’s conflicts in the kitchen. They were in the bottom four for viewer votes, and fellow housemates voted them out.
During their exit interview, Toyosi said she saw the eviction coming, citing Dami’s issues with others. Dami also admitted that her apology did little to change the housemates’ perception of her.
New custodians
During Sunday’s live eviction show, Mayor Fresh and Toby Forge, known as the Streeze duo, were up for possible eviction. Two hours later, they emerged as the week’s custodians, earning them immunity from the next eviction round.
If you have female friends, you’ll know that forgetting their birthday celebrations and sending them a regular birthday cake is unforgivable. No matter what you tell yourself to feel good, it low-key means you don’t rate them.
Didn’t you think to add a cute note to the cake? Design it in their favourite colours? Spell out their oriki on the cake? Anyway, if you want to impress your female friends at their next birthday celebration, here are a few options to guide you.
Minimalist cake
Image source: Instagram/@Bakeshop
This is perfect for your bougie friends who pretend not to care about birthdays. They secretly love them. Throw in a cute message or drawing to get a reaction from them.
Minimalist floral cake
Image source: Instagram/@Saltlagos
This is ideal for your plant-parent friends, who care for everything but the new plants they adopt every market day.
Glam-inspired cake
Image source: Instagram/@Glazesandganache
This cake is a must for the friend who takes her glam as seriously as life itself or the MUA friend.
Kiddies-themed cake
Image source: Instagram/@Sweetrelishbakery
This cake is for friends who’ve turned 25 five years in a row, those who insist they look nothing like their age, and those who say things like “I’m forever young at heart.”
Calendar cake
Image source: Instagram/@Nectar.confectionary
This design went viral earlier this year; everyone wanted one even when they weren’t celebrating. It’s the perfect cake for friends who are always up-to-date with social media trends.
Pizza cake
Image source: Instagram/@Nectar.confectionary
It’s the best choice for your foodie friend who is also a pizza lover. They always love variety.
Metallic gold cake
Image source: Instagram/@Cakebybless
You can do no wrong in the eyes of your owambe and paranra-loving friends if you give them this birthday cake.
Photo cake
Image source: Instagram/@Sweetrelishbakery
An absolute favourite for friends who cherish creating and keeping memories, from clubbing to trips abroad.
Retro cake
Image source: Instagram/@Glazesandganache
Ideal for that one friend with a unique sense of style and approach to everything.
Money cake
Probably the most important cake on this list, especially given the current state of the economy. Make sure the money is in hard currency to avoid EFCC’s wahala.
Are you wondering about the Nigerian team’s experience and performance at the Olympic Games in Paris 2024? From D’Tigress’ denied entry to the event’s opening ceremony to Favour Ofili’s omission from the Olympic start list to D’Tigress’ surprising win over Australia, we made a list of the good, bad, and significant moments Nigeria has had since the 2024 Olympic Games kicked off.
Nigeria’s flagbearer
On July 23, 2024, Tobi Amusan was named Nigeria’s flagbearer at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. She’s the first athlete from the athletics department to have the honour in 20 years since Mary Onyali at the 2004 Athens games.
Meet the cousins and siblings
The cousins representing Nigeria in the Paris 2024 Olympics are D’Tigress team captain Amy Okonkwo and Ashley Anumba, a track and field athlete and first-timer at the Olympics.
Toni and Nicole Payne made history for the Super Falcons. The sisters became the first siblings to appear in the same game for Nigeria at the Olympics.
Squad attire
Nigeria will never play with their fashion and showing out. In a viral photo, Tobi Amusan and other Nigerian athletes donned cool white and green traditional clothing, with Tobi Amusan looking like the “mother of the day.”
D’Tigress denied entry at the opening ceremony
The Nigerian female basketball team got to the ceremony boat departure area, but a Nigerian official denied them entry because too many were on board. The rest of the Nigerian delegation shared a boar with Niger and Norway.
The teenage swimmer
Adaku Nkem Nwandu is a 16-year-old China-born Nigerian swimmer who represented Nigeria in Heat 6 of the women’s 50m freestyle event. She finished second but didn’t make it to the next round. For those unfamiliar with Adaku’s game, she took home seven gold and one silver at the Asaba National Games 2022 and represented Nigeria at the World Aquatics Championships 2024 in Doha. Adaku is a potential Nigerian champ! Be on the lookout.
Super Falcon lost the first three games
On July 28, 2024, Nigeria’s Super Falcon lost to Spain by one goal. They suffered a second defeat after a loss to Brazil at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Their third game with Japan ended in a 3-1 loss. Jennifer Echegini scored the only goal. Hopefully, they’ll pick up in the next match.
Photo credit: Justina Aniefiok
D’Tigress’ great start to quarterfinal
On July 29, 2024, D’Tigress beat Australia, the world’s number 3, by thirteen points in their first game. This win is arguably the biggest upset of the Olympics so far.
On August 4th, in their third quarter against Canada, D’Tigress won and became the first African team, male or female, to make it to the quarter-final of the Olympics. D’Tigress went from the lowest-ranked team to the last eight of the tournament.
The Favour Ofili’s situation
Though Favour Ofili qualified, the Nigerian champion was left out of the 100-metre list. Her omission in the Paris 2024 Olympics is reminiscent of her issue in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where she couldn’t compete despite her qualification because the important sports bodies failed to release funding for athletes in the US.
Agitated, Favour took to her socials to express her frustration with the issue, but nothing changed. She qualified for the 200-metre and semi-finals, defeating US Gabby Thomas. The race is considered her fastest outdoor time in two years.
Nigeria’s first cyclist at the Olympics
Ese Ukpeseraye will forever be famous as the first Nigerian athlete to compete in road cycling and cycling track events.
Nigeria’s first male quarter-miler at the 400-metre
On August 4, Samuel Ogazi ran a personal best of 44.50s, which automatically pushed him to the semi-final of men’s 400-metre. This feat made him Nigeria’s first male quarter-miler in 24 years.
Nigeria’s first 400-metre hurdle semi-final in 12 years
On August 5, Ezekiel Nathaniel, a debutant, entered the semi-final spot of the 400-metre hurdle race, Nigeria’s first in 12 years since Amaechi Morton’s London 2012 Olympics record.
No Table Tennis win in Paris 2024
The Paris 2024 Olympics marks the first time Nigerian table tennis players recorded zero wins since the introduction of Table Tennis to the Olympics in 1988. There’s no table tennis player left in the tournament. We’ll go again at the next Olympics.
Nigeria’s general team captain is out, too
Anuoluwapo Opeyori, Nigeria’s general captain and only badminton player at the Paris 2024 Olympics, got disqualified from the event on July 31st due to two consecutive losses at the Olympics. He fought well. Good luck next time, champ.
New Nigerian quartet record
The Nigerian quartet of Samuel Ogazi, Ella Onojuwevwo, Emmanuel Ifeanyi Ojeli, and Patience Okon-George didn’t make it to the final of the Mixed 4×400-metre. Still, they set a new Nigerian record of 3:11.99.
Photo credit: MakingOfChamps
The Nigerian Discus Throw trio out
Chioma Onyekwere, Obiageri Amaechi, and Ashley Anumba are the Nigerian trio that debuted at the Olympics this year. They represented Nigeria in the Women’s Discus Throw games but were eliminated from the competition.
