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On This Day in 1987, Akwa Ibom and Katsina Became States in NigeriaOn September 23, 1987, Akwa Ibom and Katsina became states after being carved out of Cross River and Kaduna, respectively, under Ibrahim Babangida’s military government, taking Nigeria from 19 states to 21.
By Adedoyin Oluwadarasimi•6 hours agoLocal
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On This Day in 1987, Akwa Ibom and Katsina Became States in Nigeria15 Years After Independence, South Sudan Is Still Waiting for Its First Transfer of Power. Why Is Kiir Pushing Elections Now?Airtel Money Has 56 Million Customers Across Africa. Why Is It Going to London for Its IPO?CBN Cuts MPR to 23%. What Does Cheaper Money Actually Mean for Nigerians?
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On This Day in 1987, Akwa Ibom and Katsina Became States in Nigeria
On September 23, 1987, Akwa Ibom and Katsina became states after being carved out of Cross River and Kaduna, respectively, under Ibrahim Babangida’s military government, taking Nigeria from 19 states to 21.
Read More ( 3 min. read)→
ADEDOYIN OLUWADARASIMI
NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi has released financial documents from his 2014 handover as Anambra State Governor, countering claims of inherited debt. The Kwankwasiyya Movement shared these records, urging public verification amid a dispute with the current state government.
Counter-terrorism police have foiled an alleged imminent terror plot targeting Manchester's Jewish community, leading to two arrests. This operation coincided with Yom Kippur and the anniversary of a past attack, prompting strong condemnation and renewed calls to combat rising antisemitism across the region.
Business
Airtel Money Has 56 Million Customers Across Africa. Why Is It Going to London for Its IPO?
Airtel Money serves 56 million African customers but is choosing London for its $8–9 billion IPO, highlighting Africa's stock-market liquidity and capital challenges.
Read More ( 4 min. read)→
ZAINAB BAKARE
CBN Cuts MPR to 23%. What Does Cheaper Money Actually Mean for Nigerians?
The CBN has cut its MPR to 23%. Here is what cheaper money could mean for Nigerian borrowers, savers, businesses, inflation, and the naira.Precious O. Unusere
Nigeria Mobilises $630 Million to Fund 23 Businesses. What Is the Money For?
You have heard the $630m figure. Here is what some of the Nigerian businesses behind it do, how they secured investment, and what the programme now offers other African businesses.Adedoyin Oluwadarasimi
Africa Is Learning AI One Prompt at a Time. The Career Race Is Already Moving Beyond Chatbots
AI is changing careers beyond ChatGPT and chatbots. For African workers, the next career advantage may be learning how to use AI to compete, adapt, and stay productive.Precious O. Unusere
At 19, David Nandwa Saw a Payment Problem. What Is HoneyCoin Building to Solve It?
HoneyCoin, founded by David Nandwa, is building financial infrastructure connecting African payment rails with stablecoins and global finance.Precious O. Unusere
Technology
Anthropic Is Building a Biology Lab. Why Is AI Moving Into Drug Science?
Anthropic is building a physical biology lab as AI companies race into drug science, targeting rare and “undruggable” diseases and faster medical breakthroughs.
Read More ( 5 min. read)→ZAINAB BAKARE
Why Does Trump Want to Call AI “Super Intelligence” Now?
Trump’s proposed “Super Intelligence” label raises bigger questions about AI’s history, AGI, superintelligence, economic competition, and the future of human intelligence.Precious O. Unusere
Anthropic's Opus 5.5 Shakes Up AI Market with Cheaper Prices and Fable-Level Performance
Anthropic has unveiled its new Opus 5.5 model, setting a new benchmark for AI performance in coding and knowledge work with enhanced capabilities, reduced costs, and improved communication. This release underscores Anthropic's commitment to AI safety and reflects CEO Dario Amodei's 'pacing the frontier' philosophy, deliberately slowing AI advancement to ensure robust alignment and risk prevention.Uche Emeka
OpenAI Unveils GPT-6 Sol & Luna: A New Era of AI with Lower Costs & Fewer Errors
OpenAI has expanded its GPT-6 generation with updated Sol and Luna models, building on the capabilities of GPT-6 Astra. These new models offer enhanced efficiency, significant cost reductions for API access, and improved factual accuracy, making advanced AI more accessible. The release intensifies competition with rivals like Anthropic.Uche Emeka
Nigeria Is Building Digital Free Zones. What Changes for Tech Businesses?
Nigeria’s digital free zones could give technology and service businesses a more favourable environment to operate from Nigeria and serve global markets. Their value will depend on the tax, banking, regulatory and operational rules the government puts in place.Adedoyin Oluwadarasimi
Discovery
10 African Cultural Practices That Still Influence Modern Life
From names and food to music and family values, these African traditions still shape everyday life.
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OGOCHUKWU MAGDALENE OBIA
Eight Days Before Nigeria’s Independence, America Appointed Its First Ambassador. How Did It Happen?
Joseph Palmer was appointed America’s first ambassador to Nigeria on September 23, 1960. Nigeria gained independence on October 1, and he formally presented his credentials three days later.Adedoyin Oluwadarasimi
How African Trade Routes Connected the Continent to the World
From camel caravans across the Sahara to ships crossing the Indian Ocean, Africa’s ancient trade routes carried more than goods—they connected people, cultures and ideas, leaving a legacy that still shapes the continent today.Ogochukwu Magdalene Obia
Spotlight on Africa: 11 Powerful Northern African Kingdoms and Empires History Remembers - Part Four
From Ancient Egypt and Kush to Carthage, Numidia and Altava, explore 11 powerful Northern African kingdoms and empires that shaped Africa’s ancient history.Precious O. Unusere
The Yorubas Were Also Enslaved by Other Yorubas: What Happened During the Wars?
Yoruba people were also captured and enslaved by other Yoruba during the 19th-century civil wars. From Owu to Kiriji, here is how war reshaped Yorubaland.Zainab Bakare
Opinion
If There Is One Thing That Will Kill Us Fast in Nigeria, It Will Be Our Impatience
Nigeria’s traffic crisis is not always the government’s fault. From the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway to everyday Lagos roads, impatience, reckless driving and refusal to stay in our lanes may be making our traffic nightmares worse.
Read More ( 8 min. read)→
OWOBU MAUREEN
Modern Friendship Is Becoming Transactional, and We’re Pretending It’s Healthy
Modern friendship is becoming transactional as we measure usefulness, status, and access. Have we forgotten grace, community, and simply being there for people?Precious O. Unusere
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
Nigeria Records West Africa's First Tele-Robotic Surgery. A New Possibility for Specialist Care
Nigeria’s first tele-robotic surgery shows how specialist care can be delivered across distance. Making it useful to more Nigerians will depend on the skills, infrastructure, hospital capacity and systems to support it.
Read More ( 4 min. read)→ADEDOYIN OLUWADARASIMI
The World Could Be Short 11 Million Health Workers by 2030. Africa May Feel It First
The WHO projects an 11.1 million global health worker shortage by 2030. Africa already faces a severe workforce gap, with brain drain putting more pressure on fragile health systems.Zainab Bakare
Does Eating Healthy Mean Giving Up Your Favourite Foods?
Healthy eating doesn’t have to mean giving up your favourite foods—but can you enjoy them without compromising your health?Ogochukwu Magdalene Obia
FashionLore: Coral Beads Came From Abroad. How Did They Become So Nigerian?
Coral beads did not originate in Nigerian waters. Here is how the Mediterranean coral travelled through Portuguese trade and became a symbol of Bini, Yoruba, Igbo and Efik identity.Zainab Bakare
Game Changer: New Direct Flights Bridge São Paulo and Cape Town, Linking Continents
LATAM Airlines has launched direct, thrice-weekly flights between São Paulo and Cape Town, establishing the first non-stop air bridge between South America and South Africa's Mother City. This historic development signals a growing focus on south-to-south connections, enhancing trade, tourism, and corporate ties while creating new opportunities for travel professionals.Precious Eseaye
Entertainment
Super Eagles Ignite Training Camp, Intensify Preparations for Crucial Madagascar & Guinea-Bissau Showdowns
The Super Eagles of Nigeria are set to begin their 2027 AFCON qualifiers against Madagascar this Friday in Uyo, aiming for a crucial win in Group L. Despite Victor Osimhen's absence, newboy Moses Usor eyes his debut amidst strong preparations, while a controversy surrounds Madagascar's goalkeeper Zacharie Boucher.
Read More ( 5 min. read)→
Star Duo McConaughey & Harrelson's Apple TV Series 'Brothers' Divides Critics
Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson star in Apple TV+'s new comedy, <i>Brothers</i>, based on a "true rumor" that they might be half-siblings. The show leverages their undeniable chemistry as they navigate McConaughey's political ambitions and Harrelson's quest for the truth. While praised for its leads and Holland Taylor's standout performance, the series offers a light, trope-filled take on their unique friendship.Precious Eseaye
Chicago Dedicates Street to Donda West, Honoring Ye's Late Mother
Chicago honored Dr. Donda West, mother of Ye (Kanye West), by renaming East 78th Street to Dr. Donda West Way. The ceremony celebrated her legacy as a scholar, educator, and champion of Black creativity, recognizing her profound impact on both academia and her son's career.Precious Eseaye
Nigerian Music Legend King Sunny Adé Marks 80 Years of Global Influence
King Sunny Adé, celebrating his 80th birthday, has dedicated over six decades to influencing Nigerian jùjú music and achieving global acclaim. His career highlights a unique blend of cultural tradition and musical innovation, transforming jùjú into a medium for social commentary and cultural identity. Adé's legacy as a pioneer and cultural ambassador continues to shape African popular music worldwide.Precious Eseaye
Breaking! Robert Pattinson Reveals Game-Changing Twist for 'The Batman Part II'!
Robert Pattinson reveals 'The Batman Part II' will take a 'real left turn' from its predecessor, promising an ambitious reinvention while retaining the original's atmospheric feel. Director Matt Reeves is set to push Gotham's world in a new direction with an incredibly dense and meticulously planned script, scheduled for release in February 2028.Precious Eseaye