Top Story
Nigeria's 18 Cities in the 2026 Global Cities Index: What Oxford Economics' Ranking Says About the Urban EconomyOxford Economics ranks 18 Nigerian cities in its 2026 Global Cities Index. See where Lagos, Abuja, Kano and others rank and what it means.
By Zainab Bakare•1 day agoLocal
Watch
Big Brother Naija (BBNaija) disqualifies Keivo for fighting in the house #zealnewsafrica
Today
INEC Unleashes Crackdown on Illegal Campaign Spending with New Joint Team!Nigeria's 2027 Election Race Heats Up: Voter Register Soars Past 110 Million!Super Eagles Face Russia in High-Stakes Friendly Match in NovgorodWorld Cup Qualifiers Rocked: Super Eagles' Hopes Threatened by Ineligible DR Congo Goalkeeper
Get ZealNews Daily
Africa's top business & policy news, in just 5 minutes
Top Stories
News
Nigeria's 18 Cities in the 2026 Global Cities Index: What Oxford Economics' Ranking Says About the Urban Economy
Oxford Economics ranks 18 Nigerian cities in its 2026 Global Cities Index. See where Lagos, Abuja, Kano and others rank and what it means.
Read More ( 4 min. read)→
ZAINAB BAKARENigeria’s NYSC abduction raises questions about graduate safety, kidnapping, ransom, national service, and whether scrapping the scheme can solve insecurity.
Borno’s oil search began in 1976 but commercial reserves remain unconfirmed. Here’s why exploration stalled and what could revive it in 2026.
Tinubu says Nigeria has crossed the painful stage of economic reforms—but have Nigerians finally reached the promised land?
Business
Cardano Founder Sparks Gemini Speculation With Cryptic Message!
Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson is renewing his call for Gemini to list ADA, highlighting the crypto exchange's long-standing exclusion of Cardano's native cryptocurrency. Hoskinson has persistently lobbied Gemini for years, citing missed revenue opportunities and questioning the exchange's listing criteria. He estimates Gemini has lost approximately $70 million in revenue over five years by not supporting ADA trading.
Read More ( 2 min. read)→
Explosive Growth: Sasol Shares Leap Nearly 120% as Oil Market Fuels Massive Turnaround!
Sasol's shares have soared by nearly 120% in 2026, making it a top-performing emerging-market stock outside Asia. This rally is propelled by higher oil and chemicals prices linked to the Middle East conflict, coupled with the company's unique coal-based fuel production and significant debt reduction efforts. Sasol is now closer to restarting dividends after years of financial turnaround.David Isong
Decade of Dominance: Stanbic IBTC's Top Rating Unwavering, Fitch Confirms!
Stanbic IBTC Holdings has maintained Fitch Ratings' highest 'AAA(nga)' National Long-Term Rating for over a decade, showcasing exceptional financial stability amidst Nigeria's economic volatility. This consistent top rating reflects strong liquidity, improved financial ratios, and robust capital, reinforcing trust for clients and investors alike.David Isong
Kenya Clears GDR Route for Investors to Access Dangote Refinery IPO
Kenya's Capital Markets Authority has approved a Global Depositary Receipt route, enabling Kenyan investors to participate in the Dangote Petroleum Refinery IPO via the Nairobi Securities Exchange. This landmark move facilitates cross-border investment, allowing local trading in shillings while the underlying shares remain in Nigeria, underscoring a significant step towards African financial integration.David Isong
Bitcoin Bonanza: Strategy Inc. Reports Massive Quarterly Profits on Soaring BTC
Strategy, formerly MicroStrategy, announced its Bitcoin treasury strategy is back in the black, reporting $21 billion in paper gains for Q3 2026. This resurgence follows a significant surge in Bitcoin's price, with the company continuing to expand its substantial holdings. CEO Phong Le has affirmed a "bullet-proof balance sheet" despite past challenges.David Isong
Technology
WhatsApp Business Platform Billing Has Started: What Nigerian Businesses Need to Know
WhatsApp Business Platform billing has changed in Nigeria. Here is what businesses need to know about the new charges and how to reduce messaging costs.
Read More ( 3 min. read)→
PRECIOUS O. UNUSERE
Mistral AI Unleashes Large 4 Preview and Powerful 1T Model
Mistral AI has launched Mistral Large 4, or 'Le Chonk,' a new 1-trillion parameter multimodal model aiming to carve a "third way in AI." Trained on significantly fewer GPUs, it boasts impressive benchmarks in cybersecurity, coding, and visual tasks, with plans for an open-weight release by late 2026.Uche Emeka
Reflection AI Unveils Beam as Lower-Compute Rival to Chinese Open Models
Reflection AI has launched Beam, its first open-weight AI model, claiming it matches leading Chinese models in reasoning at lower costs and outperforms Western competitors. The text-only model aims to serve enterprises and sovereign nations, leveraging significant funding and compute deals to build 'AI factories'.Uche Emeka
OpenAI Unveils Eye-Catching Visual Ads in AI Image Generation
OpenAI is introducing visual display ads to ChatGPT, appearing alongside image generation, starting in the U.S. this month. This expansion aims to attract advertisers with visual storytelling, enhance measurement tools, and support free and low-cost subscription tiers. The move is part of OpenAI's strategy to build an ad-supported business model for its popular AI platform.Uche Emeka
Future Forward: Subaru's 2026 Outback Redefines In-Car Infotainment
The 2026 Subaru Outback introduces a significant upgrade with its new infotainment system, featuring larger displays and improved responsiveness. This deep dive explores the nuanced differences between its Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integrations, from framed windows and full-screen modes to split-screen layouts and seamless wireless connectivity.Uche Emeka
Discovery
Abuja Rents Are Rising, But Are Salaries Keeping Up?
Abuja rents are soaring, but are Nigerians being priced out of the homes they work to afford?
Read More ( 5 min. read)→
OGOCHUKWU MAGDALENE OBIA
Kofar Mata Dye Pits: The 500-Year-Old Factory That Still Runs Till Today
Kano’s Kofar Mata dye pits have been turning cloth blue since 1498. Five centuries later, the ancient craft is still alive. But for how much longer?Owobu Maureen
The History Before Nigeria: What Would Nigeria Look Like Without Colonial Borders?
Nigeria’s map was not always Nigeria. Before colonial rule, the land was divided among powerful kingdoms, empires and independent societies. So how did they become one country, who drew the borders, and what existed before them?Owobu Maureen
Strength and Strategy: How the Kingdom of Benin Engineered a City Before Its Time
Long before colonialism, Benin City was a marvel of urban planning, technology, and governance. Discover how this ancient African city shaped modern urbanism and why its legacy still matters today.PRECIOUS O. UNUSERE
Senegambia: Senegal and The Gambia Once Ran a Confederation Together. What Happened?
On September 30, 1989, the Senegambia Confederation ended after eight years of political, security and economic cooperation between Senegal and The Gambia, while both remained sovereign states.Adedoyin Oluwadarasimi
Opinion
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 citizen
Read More ( 6 min. read)→
ZAINAB 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
How Remembering Ancestors Shapes Moral Philosophy
By reflecting on the lives of those who came before us—their virtues, mistakes, and choices—we uncover a deeper, more personal foundation for understanding right and wrong.Ibukun Oluwa
Opinion: The Dangerous Binary of Modern Narcissist Theory
Can Empaths Be Narcissists and what type of narcissistic behaviors exists?Ibukun Oluwa
Lifestyle
Etihad and Ibom Air Deal Will Connect Five Nigerian Cities to Abu Dhabi
Etihad Airways and Nigeria's Ibom Air have forged a landmark interline agreement, set to revolutionize West African air travel. From March 2027, passengers can enjoy seamless single-ticket journeys from Abu Dhabi to five Nigerian cities, enhancing connectivity and simplifying travel. This strategic partnership highlights Etihad's long-term commitment to Africa and a new model for regional aviation growth.
Read More ( 3 min. read)→
Durban Beaches Under Threat: E. coli Spike Shuts Reunion, Raises Alarm for Swimmers
While Reunion Beach in KwaZulu-Natal is closed for swimming due to high E. coli levels, the majority of Durban's beaches, including popular central tourist spots, remain open with excellent or acceptable water quality. This incident highlights the region's transparent and active water quality monitoring, urging travelers to check individual beach statuses for informed decisions.Precious Eseaye
FashionLore: The Neck Rings of South Africa and the Myth of the "African Long Neck"
The “African long neck” is a myth. Learn how Ndebele neck rings in South Africa differ from the Kayan brass coils of Myanmar.Zainab Bakare
High Blood Pressure Often Has No Symptoms, So How Do You Know You Have It?
High blood pressure often has no symptoms. Learn how to check your blood pressure, understand the numbers, and know when to seek medical care.Precious O. Unusere
Airline Crisis: N16.1bn Ground-Handling Dispute Grounds XEJet, Threatening African Air Travel
A significant legal battle has erupted in Abuja, with Nigerian airline XEJet suing its ground-handling partner, SAHCO, and an industry association for N16.1 billion. The dispute centers on alleged breach of confidentiality and wrongful service withdrawal, with continent-wide implications for aviation contracts and supplier relationships in Africa's expanding market.Precious Eseaye
Entertainment
From Sleeping On A Couch To Building One Of The Biggest Streetwear Brands: How Did Clint419 Build Corteiz?
From sleeping on his sister’s couch to building Corteiz into a global streetwear force, Clint419’s story is anything but ordinary. How did he do it?
Read More ( 6 min. read)→
OWOBU MAUREEN
World Cup Qualifiers Rocked: Super Eagles' Hopes Threatened by Ineligible DR Congo Goalkeeper
Nigeria's 2026 FIFA World Cup hopes were dashed in a controversial play-off against DR Congo, a defeat now under scrutiny following revelations of an ineligible player on the Congolese team. Despite FIFA's internal discovery of this irregularity, DR Congo proceeded to qualify, leaving the Super Eagles to lament a missed opportunity amid questions about fair play and procedural rulings.Precious Eseaye
Knicks' Karl-Anthony Towns Contract Saga: Extension Talks Stalled, Future Uncertain
Karl-Anthony Towns and the New York Knicks are at an impasse over a contract extension, with Towns seeking a deal that values his championship contributions while the team navigates owner James Dolan's reluctance to exceed the NBA's second luxury tax apron. As the regular season approaches, both sides weigh Towns' indispensable role against the financial implications and explore various future options if no agreement is reached.Precious Eseaye
Major Shift: Emmys Snub Network TV for Prime Video in Staggering $15M/Year Deal!
The Television Academy has struck a six-year deal with Amazon’s Prime Video, fundamentally changing the Primetime Emmys telecast starting September 2027. This historic move ends the 31-year "wheel deal" with broadcast networks, making the Emmys exclusively available and free globally on the streaming platform. The partnership aims for long-term growth and a global celebration of television, despite potential challenges in audience migration.Precious Eseaye
Hollywood Shakeup: Paramount-Warner Bros. $111 Billion Merger Officially Closes!
Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery have officially merged to form Skydance Corp., a new entertainment powerhouse led by David Ellison. The $111 billion deal unites major studios, TV networks, and streaming services, aiming for significant synergies and a technologically innovative future, despite facing substantial debt and anticipated layoffs.Precious Eseaye