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20 Years Without a Census: How Is Nigeria Planning for a Population It Hasn't Counted?Nigeria has gone 20 years without a census. How can the government plan, budget and allocate resources for a population it has not actually counted?
By Zainab Bakare•1 hour agoPolitics
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20 Years Without a Census: How Is Nigeria Planning for a Population It Hasn't Counted?How Did Ademola Adeleke Go From a Controversial Political Comeback to Winning Osun Again?You’ve Been Singing “Steal Am Like Anini” in Ayra Starr’s Tornado, But Who Really Is Anini?Africa’s Biggest AI Threat May Not Be Job Losses. It May Be Something More Serious
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20 Years Without a Census: How Is Nigeria Planning for a Population It Hasn't Counted?
Nigeria has gone 20 years without a census. How can the government plan, budget and allocate resources for a population it has not actually counted?
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ZAINAB BAKAREFrom 2018 controversies to a 2022 victory, an EFCC account freeze, Tinubu’s intervention, Davido’s Trump appeal, and a dramatic 2026 election win—how did Ademola Adeleke survive it all and win Osun again?
Burkina Faso is training journalists in military skills amid a worsening security crisis. The programme could improve reporter safety, but it also raises difficult questions about press freedom, independence and the relationship between journalists and military authorities.
Business
Ex-Ripple Brain Teases 'RLUSD Great Again' Startup on XRP Ledger!
A former Ripple engineer known as "Bias Goose" has confirmed his secretive project on the XRP Ledger will be built around Ripple's U.S. dollar stablecoin, RLUSD. With a full presentation slated for September, the venture aims to bring real-world business on-chain, promising high yields and rejecting traditional crypto incentives.
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Binance Unleashes 1 Million XRP Airdrop: RLUSD Frenzy Continues!
Binance has extended its RLUSD airdrop campaign by four weeks, now featuring a significantly larger reward pool of 1 million XRP tokens. Eligible users must meet specific holding and trading criteria to participate, while XRP itself shows surging on-chain activity despite negative retail sentiment.David Isong
5 Stock Trading Apps Nigerians Can Use to Invest in Local and Global Markets
stock trading apps Nigerians can use to invest in local and U.S. markets, with options for beginners, local investors, and those seeking international exposure.Precious O. Unusere
West Africa Moves to Create Its Own Fuel Price Benchmark
West Africa wants to stop importing its fuel prices. With Dangote Refinery changing the region’s fuel supply, could Africa finally set its own petroleum prices?Ogochukwu Magdalene Obia
Major Israeli Bank Leumi Unleashes Bitcoin Trading for Clients
Bank Leumi, Israel's largest bank, is set to become the first in the country to offer Bitcoin trading to its customers, utilizing Galaxy Digital's institutional platform. Expected to launch in early 2027 via the PEPPER app, this move reintroduces the bank to crypto, enabling secure trading of Bitcoin and other digital assets.David Isong
Technology
Africa’s Biggest AI Threat May Not Be Job Losses. It May Be Something More Serious
Africa’s biggest AI threat may not be job losses. The World Bank says unreliable power and Internet could keep millions from benefiting from the AI boom.
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OWOBU MAUREEN
Zuckerberg's Bold AI Future Faces Public Skepticism
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg's optimistic 6,500-word AI manifesto, "The Future is for Everyone," has sparked significant skepticism among tech commentators. Critics on TechCrunch’s Equity podcast discuss why Meta’s past with social media and its current AI positioning make many doubt Zuckerberg's grand vision for personal AI agents.Uche Emeka
Anthropic CEO: AI Backlash Fueled by 'Crisis of Trust'
Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei recently defended his AI messaging, countering investor Gavin Baker's criticism that his warnings fuel public backlash. Amodei attributes negative perceptions to a deep-seated "crisis of trust" in the tech industry and emphasizes the need for AI companies to deliver on their promises, rather than solely focusing on messaging. He also offers a nuanced perspective on AI regulation, arguing it can constrain corporate power and benefit smaller competitors.Uche Emeka
Anthropic Is Watermarking Claude's Text. What Happens When AI Writing Becomes Traceable?
Anthropic is adding invisible watermarks to Claude-generated text worldwide. The move could reshape how businesses, creatives and organisations identify AI-assisted content and determine authorship.Precious O. Unusere
Nintendo's Masterstroke: How Wii Sports Redefined Gaming Genius
Nintendo's strategy of launching consoles withUche Emeka
Discovery
You’ve Been Singing “Steal Am Like Anini” in Ayra Starr’s Tornado, But Who Really Is Anini?
You’ve probably screamed the Anini line in Ayra Starr’s Tornado without knowing the wild history behind it. Meet Lawrence Anini, the 1980s outlaw who terrified Benin, embarrassed the police and became a Nigerian pop-culture legend nearly 40 years later.
Read More ( 9 min. read)→OWOBU MAUREEN
The Black Skin Colour Palette: How Many Shades Can ‘Black’ Hold?
Black skin does not need fixing. The shade was never the problem. Ebony, onyx, mahogany and charcoal show just how much depth and variation Black skin can hold, with makeup that works with those tones instead of changing them.Adedoyin Oluwadarasimi
What If Loving Africa Meant More Than Ankara, Afrobeats, Jollof, Flags and Social Media Pride?
African pride is everywhere in our fashion, food, music and social media. But what happens when loving Africa requires participation, accountability and action?Owobu Maureen
Africa's Noise Culture: Why Have We Normalised Living in Constant Noise?
Africa’s noise culture has made constant noise feel normal. Here is why noise pollution is so widespread in Nigerian cities and the hidden health costs.Zainab Bakare
Six Years for Toby Obumseli's Killing: What Does Justice Look Like for Africans in the Diaspora?
Toby Obumseli's killing and Courtney Clenney's six-year sentence raise difficult questions about justice, race, and how African victims are treated in the diaspora.Zainab Bakare
Opinion
Did Africa Inherit Its Sexism? How Colonialism Changed Our Relationship With Gender
Did Africa inherit some of its sexism through colonialism? How European languages, laws and institutions may have reshaped African attitudes toward gender.
Read More ( 5 min. read)→ZAINAB BAKARE
Beds for Newlyweds, Streets for Almajiri Children: What Are Northern Governments Prioritising?
Kano’s N1.5bn mass wedding raises questions about northern governments’ priorities as Almajiri children remain out of school, on streets and vulnerable to poverty and insecurity.Zainab Bakare
The War on Poverty is on Pause: What Tinubu’s Reforms Really Mean for the Average Nigerian
President Tinubu’s bold economic reforms promised long-term growth, but for many Nigerians, they’ve brought deeper poverty and hardship. Here’s what the reforms really mean for the average citizenzainab bakare
OPINION: Should Education Be Free To All?
This in-depth analysis examines the promise and pitfalls of tuition-free learning, from breaking cycles of poverty to fears of declining quality. With examples from Finland to sub-Saharan Africa, it explores how nations can balance equity, funding, and excellence in an age where knowledge is the key to progress.Eric Namso
Should Nigeria Adopt a Four-Day Work Week?
As countries experiment with shorter work weeks, Nigeria faces a pressing question: could a four-day schedule ease burnout, boost productivity, and reshape work culture—or would it clash with our unique economic realities?zainab bakare
Lifestyle
Tigray War Escalates: Conflict Spills Over to Sudanese Border
The border region between Ethiopia and Sudan is a volatile hotspot where three conflicts converge: the Tigrayan war, the Sudanese war, and an Ethiopian-Eritrean dispute. Recent cross-border clashes and mutual accusations of supporting rebel factions threaten to escalate into a wider regional crisis, complicated by historical dynamics and the strategic interests of external actors.
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Exploiting Riches: Armed Groups Fuel Sahel Conflict with Lithium Scramble
Lithium, a critical mineral for clean energy, is seeing its demand surge globally, making Africa's Sahel region a new focal point for supply. However, weak governance in the Sahel risks allowing armed groups to exploit lithium extraction, potentially fueling conflict rather than development. Effective oversight and strategic governance are crucial to ensure lithium contributes positively to the region's future.Precious Eseaye
FashionLore: What Is Really the Difference Between Gele and Ichafu?
Gele or Ichafu? Find out the history behind the two African headwear traditions, what sets them apart, and how centuries of cultural exchange blurred the line between them.Zainab Bakare
You're Drinking Plastic: What Sachet and Bottled Water Could Be Putting in Your Body
Sachet and bottled water may contain microplastics that enter the body. Here’s what research in Africa reveals about plastic in drinking water.Zainab Bakare
From Waist Trainers to Ozempic: The Body Standard Race
From waist trainers to Ozempic, the quest for the “perfect” body keeps evolving—but at what cost? Explore how social media, celebrity trends, and a billion-dollar industry fuel the never-ending body standard arms race.zainab bakare
Entertainment
After Three Final Defeats, Cameroon Are WAFCON Champions
Cameroon beat Malawi 3–0 to win their first WAFCON title, ending a run of three final defeats as Malawi’s remarkable debut ended in Rabat.
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ADEDOYIN OLUWADARASIMI
Indiana Sports Teams Unite for Flood Relief with Massive Donations!
Indianapolis' professional sports teams, including the Colts and Pacers, have collectively donated $250,000 to the American Red Cross for flood relief efforts in Indiana. This comes as the state faces its worst flooding in decades, leading to fatalities and widespread displacement. The initiative highlights a strong partnership among the teams to support the community.Precious Eseaye
Anya Taylor-Joy's Billion-Dollar Sci-Fi Epic Dominates Streaming!
The year 2026 saw significant box office achievements, with "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" and "The Super Mario Galaxy Movie" crossing billion-dollar marks, while the indie horror "Obsession" became a surprise hit. "The Super Mario Galaxy Movie" also leads streaming charts on Peacock, as audiences engage with personalized content like the Oscar Best Picture Quiz, and anticipate Nintendo's future film, "The Legend of Zelda," in 2027.Precious Eseaye
Anne Hathaway Crowned Disney Legend Amidst $2 Billion Box Office Triumph!
Oscar-winning actress Anne Hathaway has been inducted into Disney's hall of fame as a Disney Legend at D23, celebrating a career spanning 25 years since "The Princess Diaries." The honor highlights her iconic roles, recent box office success with "The Devil Wears Prada 2," and her gratitude for a remarkable journey in film.Precious Eseaye
Malawi and Cameroon Have One Match Left to Change WAFCON History
Who will finally win the WAFCON trophy? Malawi are chasing their first title in their debut tournament, while Cameroon return to a final they have lost three times before. Sunday will decide which wait ends.Adedoyin Oluwadarasimi