By Clement Abayomi “Peter Obi, my good friend . . . and a very excellent person . . . . I think he will make some name now . . . around 2027/2031, he may be able to make it, but . . .” Those were the words of former Niger State governor, Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu of the PDP who reflected on Obi’s political journey. Arguments have intensified over Obi’s…

By Clement Abayomi The 2023 elections transformed Nigeria’s political climate, opening a chapter where religion now has a firmer grip on the country’s politics. The events of 2023 were not a one-time occurrence; rather, they ushered in a new political reality whereby religion is used to impact decisions, policies, alliances, and electoral strategies. Political actors getting ready for 2027 are therefore changing their plans in reaction to the religious influences…

By Sakariyah, Ridwanullah The sun, usually a friend, is now a brutal enemy in Nigeria’s Sahel region. It’s November 2025, and instead of the usual golden sea of millet, fields stretch out like cracked, brittle skin. Families who have tilled this land for generations now face a dire choice: the choice to stay and starve, or to leave. Just a 1°C rise in temperature across this region, according to a…

By Sakariyah, Ridwanullah  The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), once the dominant political force in Africa, is teetering on the brink of collapse. As Nigeria charges towards the 2027 general elections, the PDP, which should be leading the opposition, is instead hemorrhaging key members and battling a fierce internal war. The question is no longer who the PDP will field, but whether it can even hold itself together. The party’s crisis…

By Clement Abayomi How safe is it to travel and celebrate the much-hyped Dirty December in Nigeria? No doubt, as 2025 nears its end and the new year edges closer, preparations are being made by people to “jet” into Lagos, Abuja, and other cities for festivities, but safety remains the question on the lips of many. Is Nigeria really safe to spend Dirty December? In a recent travel feature on…

By Sakariyah, Ridwanullah  In the buzzing professional world in Nigerian cities, the 21st-century Nigerian woman faces a choice: what name will she answer to after marriage? Many professionals are now using a hyphenated surname to keep the professional reputation they built, with a view to preserving their “brand” while acknowledging their new family. Yet, this modern approach stands alongside the traditional path where women fully adopt their husband’s surname, which…

By Sakariyah, Ridwanullah  In the burgeoning community of Mowe, Obafemi Owode, Ogun State, the contrast between generations is playing out in the most personal way: marriage. Ayanleke Samson, a 28-year-old boutique shop owner, recently made a personal decision for a monogamous union with his fiancée. This decision was a direct pushback against the strong, decades-long tradition set by his grandfather, Pa Ayanleke, who managed a household of three wives in…

By Jeremiah Aminu Recently, there has been a surge of interest regarding the impact of microplastics on the ecosystem, environment, and human health. Interestingly, focus has centred around the hazardous impacts that microplastics pose to the health and well-being of humans. However, before proceeding with this, it is essential to, first of all, understand what microplastics are. Microplastics, a consequence of plastic pollution, are plastic particles that originate from the…

By Jeremiah Aminu Since 2020, there has been a surge of military coups across Africa in an attempt to install military Heads of States and displace corrupt political leaders in democratic regimes who practice “democrazy” (government against the people) rather than “democracy” (government for the people). So far, there have been nine successful coup attempts associated with a variety of reasons for their initiation. Insecurity, for instance, serves as one…

By Jeremiah Aminu  The Nigerian educational system is one that is in a dire state. This is traceable to plaguing issues that cut across inadequate funding, staff misconduct, poor infrastructural facilities, outdated curricula, and many other pressing problems. These challenges exist across the different educational levels within the country—the primary, secondary, and tertiary levels. The Nigerian tertiary educational system, in particular, is riddled with similar burning issues that hamper its…

By Clement Abayomi “NELFUND don pay!” Naomi screamed so loud her roommates thought she had won a scholarship abroad that morning. In a matter of seconds, one girl from the hostel block ran out of her room with unplaited hair, another with a piece of bread reduced to a shapeless figure in her hand. Within that moment, they heard someone shout, “Let’s go and check our accounts!” For some time,…

By Clement Abayomi The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has become one of the most debated programmes in Nigeria, fifty-two years after it began. The objective when it was established in 1973 was to assist in the rebuilding of the country, following the civil war under Gen. Yakubu Gowon. Among (young) Nigerians, it aimed to foster unity, peace, and a sense of shared national identity. Today, though, insecurity, unemployment, and…