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Beyond Akara and Kuli-Kuli: Nigerians Are Asking for Leadership, Not Survival Tips There is dignity in every honest job, including selling akara. But many Nigerians believe the real issue is whether leadership is creating opportunities to thrive or simply teaching people how to survive.
By Adedoyin Oluwadarasimi•31 minutes agoLocal
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Beyond Akara and Kuli-Kuli: Nigerians Are Asking for Leadership, Not Survival TipsThe Ransom Economy: Inside Nigeria's Billion-Naira Kidnapping IndustryNIMC Act 2026: 5 Ways Tinubu's New Digital Identity Law Could Benefit NigeriansBurkina Faso Is Challenging the Business of African Poverty. Should Other Governments Follow?
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Beyond Akara and Kuli-Kuli: Nigerians Are Asking for Leadership, Not Survival Tips
There is dignity in every honest job, including selling akara. But many Nigerians believe the real issue is whether leadership is creating opportunities to thrive or simply teaching people how to survive.
Read More ( 5 min. read)→
ADEDOYIN OLUWADARASIMINigeria's kidnapping crisis has evolved into a billion-naira ransom economy. Explore how banditry, poverty, weak security, and organized crime fuel the industry.
Nigeria's new NIMC Act 2026 replaces a nearly two-decade-old law and expands the country's digital identity framework. These are five key benefits the new legislation could bring to Nigerians.
The Giulio Regeni case exposed allegations of torture, state impunity, and a decade-long legal battle between Egypt and Italy. Here's what happened.
Business
How A Nigerian Cloud Kitchen Startup Went From $4.3 Million in Revenue to Suspending Operations
FoodCourt raised money, expanded to two cities, and delivered a million meals. Then it quietly shut every branch down. Is FoodCourt's promise to "come back stronger" worth believing, or have we heard this before?
Read More ( 6 min. read)→
OWOBU MAUREEN
How Bokku Found a Billion-Naira Idea In A Grocery Chain That Understood Nigeria Before Nigerians Did
Bokku Mart built almost 200 stores in four years, not by competing with other Supermarkets or Malls but by undercutting the neighbourhood kiosk. An analysis of its pricing strategy, Nigeria's informal market, and what the 95% of Nigerians who never shop in supermarkets actually built without realising it.Precious O. Unusere
How Much Is Lagos Losing to the Floods?
Lagos floods every year, and the government warns residents before it happens. However, Nigeria loses trillions to flooding, and Lagos seem to carry the heaviest share. How much does Lagos lose to flooding?Owobu Maureen
Nigeria Passed a State Police Bill in 24 Hours. What Is It All About?
Nigeria's National Assembly passed the State Police Bill in days. Here's everything you need to know about the new changes made, who controls it, and what still stands in its way.Owobu Maureen
Phantom Surge: XRP Ledger's 1,000% Payment Spike Mysteriously Dissipates!
The XRP Ledger witnessed a dramatic but fleeting spike in payment volume, surging over 1,000% before a swift collapse. This isolated event failed to convince investors or impact XRP's price, suggesting it stemmed from internal transfers rather than organic demand.David Isong
Technology
WhatsApp Is Reserving High-Profile Usernames to Curb Scams, But Who Is Curbing WhatsApp?
WhatsApp's new username feature is designed to protect privacy, but a closer look at what the platform collects, shares, and is quietly becoming raises questions the green padlock was never built to answer. The latest feature opens a wider conversation about privacy, data, and trust in the Meta-owned platform.
Read More ( 7 min. read)→
PRECIOUS O. UNUSERE
The Cracks in the AI Boom Are Starting to Show. Mark Zuckerberg's Latest Admission Explains Why
Mark Zuckerberg admits Meta's AI agents are progressing slower than expected, raising fresh questions about the AI boom, layoffs and the true cost of automation.Zainab Bakare
Amazon Mechanical Turk Halts New Sign-Ups, Signaling Shift in AI Crowdsourcing
Amazon's crowdsourcing platform, Mechanical Turk, is slated to close to new customers by July 30, 2026, effectively placing the two-decade-old service on "life support." Once a hub for human-powered tasks and data annotation for AI, the platform ironically saw workers using large language models, questioning its future and the integrity of its data. This move signals the impending end for a service central to debates on digital labor and the evolution of AI.Uche Emeka
Unveiling Mistral AI: The Rising Challenger to OpenAI's Dominance
Mistral AI, the French AI company, is rapidly gaining prominence by pursuing a unique 'Palantir playbook' instead of mimicking U.S. competitors. With soaring revenues and strategic partnerships, it aims to deliver open-access AI systems while building a robust infrastructure and preparing for an IPO. The company, led by former DeepMind and Meta researchers, plans to launch an exciting new open-weight model this summer.Uche Emeka
Midjourney Demands Transparency from Hollywood on AI Integration
AI startup Midjourney is engaged in a legal battle with Hollywood studios over copyright infringement, specifically regarding the generation of copyrighted characters. Midjourney is pushing for broader discovery of the studios' own AI usage, arguing that they may be engaging in similar practices. The dispute highlights the complexities of fair use in AI training and the protection of intellectual property.Uche Emeka
Discovery
Nigeria Ranks World's Most Generous Country Despite High Poverty Rate
Nigeria topped CAF's 2025 World Giving Report, beating wealthier nations in donations despite 141 million people living below the poverty line. What does this prove?
Read More ( 6 min. read)→OWOBU MAUREEN
Atheism Is for the Privileged, The Poor Cannot Afford It
Atheism is not just a philosophical position, in Nigeria, it is an economic one. A closer look at why the poor cannot afford to stop believing, and why faith is not a weakness but the most rational response to a system that keeps failing people.Precious O. Unusere
8 Ways You Contributed To The Lagos Floods Crisis
Lagos floods every rainy season, and the government isn't the only one responsible. Read about the 8 everyday habits quietly making the crisis worse.ZealNews Editorial
FG To Seek Compensation For Returning Nigerians From South Africa
Following anti-immigrant protests in South Africa, Nigeria is seeking compensation for citizens who lost businesses and property. The move highlights concerns over migrant safety, justice, and xenophobia.Ogochukwu Magdalene Obia
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
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
Opinion: The Dangerous Binary of Modern Narcissist Theory
Can Empaths Be Narcissists and what type of narcissistic behaviors exists?Ibukun Oluwa
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
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
Lagos Recorded More New HIV Infections Than Any Other States in 2025. Why Is the Gap So Wide?
Lagos recorded 10,430 new HIV infections in 2025, the highest in Nigeria. Read about the full state-by-state breakdown and what health officials are saying.
Read More ( 5 min. read)→OWOBU MAUREEN
The Charvet Deal Could Be Chanel's Biggest Strategic Shift in Decades
Chanel's acquisition of Charvet signals a major shift into luxury menswear and this historic deal could reshape Chanel's long-term growth strategy.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
Unplug and Connect: Creative Activities to Strengthen Family Bonds
Unplug and connect with your family! See creative, screen-free activities that strengthen bonds, improve communication, and create lasting memories for parents and kids.Adedoyin Oluwadarasimi
10 Nostalgic Northern Nigerian Snacks That Take You Back to Your School Days
A nostalgic journey through Northern Nigerian school days, revisiting 10 beloved snacks—from gurasa and masa to zobo and alewa that once made break time the best part of the day.Zainab Bakare
Entertainment
Book-To-Movie Adaptation: Tomi Adeyemi’s Exit Raises a Bigger Question About Hollywood and African Stories
Tomi Adeyemi's decision to distance herself from Paramount's Children of Blood and Bone adaptation has reignited debate about book-to-film adaptations, casting authenticity, creative control, and whether Hollywood is losing the soul of the stories it brings to the screen.
Read More ( 6 min. read)→PRECIOUS O. UNUSERE
From 16 to 12: World Cup Competition Reaches Critical Stage
The race for World Cup glory is heating up as four nations crash out and only 12 teams remain. With the quarter-finals in sight, the battle for the trophy has never been more intense.Ogochukwu Magdalene Obia
Erling Haaland Is the World Cup's Unofficial Meme King and Fans Love It
Erling Haaland has become the 2026 FIFA World Cup's biggest meme star. His viral runs, goals and goofy personality has won over football fans and the internet.Zainab Bakare
JENNIE Electrifies Open’er Festival with Unreleased Tracks, Hints at Upcoming Music
JENNIE headlined Open’er Festival, unveiling three unreleased songs and celebrating her significant solo career success. The BLACKPINK member's performance featured tracks from her debut album <i>Ruby</i> and chart-topping collaborations, including "Dracula" with Tame Impala, highlighting her sustained presence on Billboard charts.Precious Eseaye
Eisenberg Unleashed: Slams Trump Exit Talk, Declares 'The Debut' Anti-AI After A24's DeepMind Deal!
Jesse Eisenberg, honored at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival, discusses his decision to remain in the U.S. despite obtaining Polish citizenship, citing a sense of responsibility. He addresses his upcoming analog film, "The Debut," and A24's recent AI partnership, while also sharing details about his family's planned charitable work in Ukraine and his reasons for not reprising his role as Mark Zuckerberg.Precious Eseaye