Flooding: Nigeria is on the verge of yet another nationwide disaster

As a Nigerian living in Nigeria, its hard not to feel like we all suffer from collective amnesia. A collective amnesia that allows our elected politicians to continue to adjudicate their duties, focusing instead of frivolous projects that only serve to pad their resumes. One issue in particular that the Nigerian government and populace completely... Read More

Counter Culture Blog

climate change, flooding, NEMA, nigerian government

August 28, 2019

One year later the Nigerian police still has no charges for the #Egbeda57

On the 26th of August 2016, Nigerians woke up to news that 57 young men attending a birthday party in Egbeda had been arrested on suspicion of cultism and ‘homosexual initiation’. News of the arrest trickled in, including information that the arrests were made based on an anonymous tip and that the women who had... Read More

Counter Culture Blog

Egbeda57

August 28, 2019

These are the guests we’re excited for at the Ake Festival 2019

The countdown for the 2019 Ake Book and Arts Festival has begun in earnest and this year, the theme this year, ‘Black Bodies, Grey Matter‘ centers the African narrative, asking us interrogate who decides what the authentic African experience is. The 2019 Ake Arts and Book Festival will explore the nexus between the mental and... Read More

The Media Blog

Ake Festival, ayodeji rotinwa, Black Bodies, grey matter, Leila Aboulela, Sibongile Fisher

August 27, 2019

Intersex people are now a formally recognized gender in Kenya

As part of Kenya’s plans to streamline its government process, the country began a census last weekend to align global population projections with the factual data. However, the 2019 Kenyan census differs from its previous head counts in one very important way; for the first time since the country gained independence, it is recognizing intersex... Read More

Counter Culture Blog

Census, Intersex, Kenya

August 26, 2019

Sexual harassment in markets is an issue women are tackling across Africa

One of the ways rape culture perpetuates itself is through sexual harassment. Sexual harassment which includes language that demeans women by targeting and sexualizing their physical appearance and non-consensual touching happens in every facet of life in Africa. But it is most pervasive in African markets. Because markets are often, cramped environments bustling with life... Read More

Counter Culture Blog

Damilola Marcus, Kampala, Market March, markets, sexual harassment

August 25, 2019

We’re talking Saheed Balogun, ministers & global perception on Rubbin’ Minds this weekend

We’re drawing close to the end of our month with Japheth Omojuwa on Rubbin’ Minds and we have had compelling interviews, unexpected gems and quite a few insights. But he’s not quite done yet. This week on Rubbin’ Minds, Omojuwa will delve deeper into one of the most controversial topics of the week, the recently... Read More

The Media Blog

Emmanuel Nwachukwu, rubbin minds, Saheed Osupa

August 24, 2019

Lala Akindoju returns to ‘The Wives’, wiser and finally in charge

Since it was published in 2007, The Wives (Kraft Books Limited) a play written by Professor Ahmed Yerima has become a prominent theatre staple, going through several reruns, rejigs and productions. With award winning titles like Little Drops and Hard Ground to his credit, Yerima, a former director of the national theatre, the national troupe... Read More

Specials, The Media Blog

Ahmed Yerima, Lala Akindoju, The wives

August 23, 2019

#BBNaija 2019: The curious case of Khadoni and why Gedoni’s eviction will be the best thing for Khafi

In 2009, pop singer Ciara released Never Ever, a self-referential R&B song about her past relationships where the love she received was nowhere near the love the gave. She says in an interview, ”I fought so long to try and keep it up — keep it afloat and to keep it together, and you got... Read More

The Media Blog

BBNaija, Big Brother Naija, Gedoni, Gedoni's eviction, Khadoni, Khafi, Venita

August 23, 2019

#BBNaija: Does the FG have anything else to do than censor BBNaija?

It has become somewhat farcical at this point. For months before hand, Endemol and Multichoice heavily promote their new season of Big Brother Nigeria, giving the federal government ample time to either censor the show or ban it entirely (spoiler: it can’t, Big Brother and the BBNaija franchising is aired on pay-per-view cable and not... Read More

The Media Blog

BBNaija, censorship, NBCS, Runsewe

August 23, 2019

Davido, a name you’d never never expect to show up on a list beside The Assemblies of God

In the list of things that are fairly obvious but you would have never think to predict, is Davido’s music label DMW world arraigned in a public list alongside Hubmart Stores and The Assemblies of God Church in Nigeria. They were all part of a comprehensive list the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) published about... Read More

Counter Culture Blog

assemblies of God, Davido, FIRS

August 22, 2019

As of today, Nigeria is finally polio free

It has taken Nigeria a long, long time, but finally, we are Polio free. It has taken 30 years of continuous global intervention, and billions of Naira to tackle the infectious disease that primarily infects children causing significant nerve damage and in extreme cases, paralysis. As a childhood disease, Polio ravaged the world, causing millions... Read More

Counter Culture Blog

nigeria, Polio, UNICEF, WHO

August 21, 2019

Ekiti State is serious about their sex offenders list

Last week, the internet went wild when the Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi posted via his twitter, a photograph of the first sex offender to be publicized from the Ekiti State sex offender’s list. Though the tweet has been deleted now, the photo has been reposted by several high profile feminists and social activists and... Read More

Counter Culture Blog

Ekiti State, Ekiti State sex offender's list, sex offenders list

August 21, 2019

‘Raw Dinner’ makes good on the promise of Santi’s ‘Mandy and the Jungle’

Anyone in the music industry in Nigeria has long anticipated Osayaba Andrew Ize-Iyamu (known to you as Santi)’s debut album. Ever since his genre defining single Rapid Fire hit airways, it became obvious that the rapper turned singer had divergent ideas on how to market a media plan to his audience. But conversation had also revolved... Read More

The Media Blog

August 20, 2019

Could public shaming be the only way we get Nigerian politicians to behave?

There is an anecdote that says Nigerians do not have shame. I don’t think that’s true, at least, not for women or girls, who are constantly shamed in every facet of their lives to ensure they conform to restricting societal standards. Shame has a very important role to play in Nigerian life, and public shaming... Read More

Counter Culture Blog

Ekwereremadu, public shaming

August 19, 2019

Do you love Nigerian history? Then binge these new historical shows

If there’s any sub-genre of storytelling that has really suffered in Nigerian media, it is historical non-fiction. With the exception of a plethora of pre-colonial and civil war era books (fiction and non-fiction), pretty much the rest of Nigerian history has gone largely ignored and undocumented. Especially when you start to delve into specific genres... Read More

The Media Blog

Jachimike Odibo, Supo Shasore, The Making of Nigeria

August 17, 2019

Waje, forex bans and happiness: What to expect from Rubbin’ Minds this weekend

Our big guest for the week on Rubbin’ Minds is singer extraordinaireWaje Iruobe. One of the divas of Nigerian music, Waje let us into a rarely seen side of the industry when she broke down her reasons for wanting to take a break from music earlier this year. The initial setback behind her, Waje is... Read More

The Media Blog

rubbin minds, Waje

August 16, 2019

Is it time we finally accepted we may never get a third season of Gidi Up?

I still remember exactly where I was when I saw the first episode of Ndani TV’s Gidi Up! It was the 20th of February 2013 and I had just moved to Lagos for the first time. I remember the first episode and how deftly the show runner Jade Osiberu introduced her motley crew of character archetypes drawn... Read More

More, The Media Blog

'Gidi Up', Adesua Etomi, Ndani TV

August 16, 2019

Mark Ofua’s animal shelter is a reminder of the ecological cost of our lifestyles

An animal shelter in Nigeria seems a bit of a stretch, but not for Mark Ofua. For Nigerians, animals rank very low on the scale of empathy. We are raised from very early to see animals purely as a food, and occasionally as entertainment or even companionship, but never as beings with rights. This is... Read More

Counter Culture Blog

climate change, Ecological cost, Mark Ofua

August 15, 2019

Burna Bank by Burnaboy is exactly how you get people invested in an album

Since Burnaboy announced his latest album ‘African Giant‘, his first since he signed his publishing contract with Universal Music, his whole media and communications approach has completely evolved. Starting with a Youtube ‘featured artist of the month’ feature that introduced him to American audiences and jump-started the road to his album launch, paving his way... Read More

The Media Blog

African Giant, Burna Bank, Burna boy, trevor noah

August 15, 2019

Dada is revolutionizing medicine in Nigeria, one payment at a time

The Federal Medical Center Ebute Metta might not have been in the news over the last few months but it has been getting stellar reviews from patients and visitors to the hospital. Recently, comedian Ali Baba shouted them out on his Instagram page, praising the quality of service he experienced at the hospital and encouraging... Read More

Counter Culture Blog

August 14, 2019

Rejoice! Talent show starved Nigerians, East Africa’s Got Talent’s here to save the day

Remember 2016, the golden age for Nigerian reality talent shows? There was The Voice Nigeria, Big Brother Nigeria, MTN Project Fame, Maltina Dance All, Knorr Taste Quest, we could go on and on. There were so many shows, all tailored to the diverse tastes and interests. It almost seemed as though there were too many... Read More

The Media Blog

East Africa's Got Talent, Gaetano Mwinda, Jeff Koinange, Makeda, Vanessa Mdee

August 14, 2019

Nigeria’s fuel subsidies are still costing us more than we think

When was the last time you thought about fuel? Have you thought about how much it costs for a litre, and why even though we have a robust subsidy, petrol prices aren’t uniform across the country? Well, let’s start with the NTA report from 2018. According to the NTA, a staggering 469,000 litres of petrol... Read More

Counter Culture Blog

August 13, 2019

Chibundu Onuzo’s new Guardian essay enraged Africans everywhere, for good reason too

For someone who straddles the duality of being a Nigerian writer with strong connections to their home country and fully embraces their identity as a Nigerian diaspora, Chibundu Onuzo has had a better run than most. Her debut novel, The Spider King’s Daughter, released when she was a teenager, set her apart as a Nigerian writing... Read More

The Media Blog

Chibundu Onuzo, Guardian Essay

August 13, 2019

At long last, leader of IMN, El-Zakzaky leaves for India for treatment

It has taken nearly four years of negotiations, protests, false starts and blatant defiance of the rule of law, but finally Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky and his wife boarded an Emirates plane headed for India to begin his long delayed treatment. Last week we reported that the Kaduna state government had placed a ban on public... Read More

Counter Culture Blog

Buhari, el rufai, El-Zakzaky, Iran, Kaduna State government

August 12, 2019

This #IYD2019 we celebrate the young educators leveraging new media to reach a new generation

This year’s #IYD2019 celebrates the transformative power of education. It seems a curious subject to tackle considering we often overlook the power of education to change the lives of young people and focus instead on festivities that center public officials. But anyone who has struggled to express themselves, knows that education provides a language for... Read More

The Media Blog

IYD2019, New Media, Zuriel Oduwole

August 12, 2019

Nepotism in the Nigerian army cost the policemen killed last week their lives

If you follow politics in Nigeria, then the events of last weekend must have caused you some concern. The Nigerian army released a statement on Twitter ‘explaining’ the events that had led to the escape of a kidnap kingpin, Alhaji Hamisu Wadume, who had been arrested by members of the highly lauded Special Intelligence Response... Read More

Counter Culture Blog

army, Buratai, Nigerian Army, nigerian police

August 10, 2019

Here’s what to expect this weekend on Rubbin’ Minds

Have you heard? For the month of August, Rubbin’ Minds is getting a guest host. Ebuka’s away hosting Big Brother Nigeria, and while we miss his ability to cut through the bullshit and get the guest really talking, this time means that we get to see other hosts take on the Rubbin’ Minds mantle. For... Read More

The Media Blog

Chydee Okereke, Elvina Ibru, Folawe, rubbin minds

August 9, 2019

A kidnap kingpin is in the wind and 3 police officers are dead; This is Buhari’s Nigeria

In a turn of events that will confound even the most open minded of political commentators, the Nigerian Police Force, via its official Twitter handle tweeted a series of tweets. One of them was this one, complete with a photo caption. #ProvideAnswersNigerianArmy pic.twitter.com/uCDAjMLV1e — Nigeria Police Force (@PoliceNG) August 8, 2019 The tweet (and... Read More

Counter Culture Blog

Nigerian Army, nigerian police

August 9, 2019

Arit Okpo is bringing new blood to CNN’s African Voices

I have to admit, once the Nigerian advertising industry sank its claws into CNN’s African Voices, it lost much of its edge as a platform highlighting innovation and courage across the continent. Sure, there were the occasional good stories, but by and large, African Voices while helmed by capable journalists, simply didn’t have the nuance... Read More

The Media Blog

African voices, Arit Okpo, cnn

August 8, 2019

It’s 2019, and Kenya’s National Assembly wants to punish a legislator for breastfeeding

It is hard not to feel like no matter the kind of progress we achieve as a continent, we will continue to struggle with patriarchal ideas that try to sideline and alienate women and minorities from participating in governance. Even when women and minorities are allowed to participate, it feels like the people in charge... Read More

Counter Culture Blog, More

House of Assembly, Kenya

Flooding: Nigeria is on the verge of yet another nationwide disaster

One year later the Nigerian police still has no charges for the #Egbeda57

These are the guests we’re excited for at the Ake Festival 2019

Intersex people are now a formally recognized gender in Kenya

Sexual harassment in markets is an issue women are tackling across Africa

We’re talking Saheed Balogun, ministers & global perception on Rubbin’ Minds this weekend

Lala Akindoju returns to ‘The Wives’, wiser and finally in charge

#BBNaija 2019: The curious case of Khadoni and why Gedoni’s eviction will be the best thing for Khafi

#BBNaija: Does the FG have anything else to do than censor BBNaija?

Davido, a name you’d never never expect to show up on a list beside The Assemblies of God

As of today, Nigeria is finally polio free

Ekiti State is serious about their sex offenders list

‘Raw Dinner’ makes good on the promise of Santi’s ‘Mandy and the Jungle’

Could public shaming be the only way we get Nigerian politicians to behave?

Do you love Nigerian history? Then binge these new historical shows

Waje, forex bans and happiness: What to expect from Rubbin’ Minds this weekend

Is it time we finally accepted we may never get a third season of Gidi Up?

Mark Ofua’s animal shelter is a reminder of the ecological cost of our lifestyles

Burna Bank by Burnaboy is exactly how you get people invested in an album

Dada is revolutionizing medicine in Nigeria, one payment at a time

Rejoice! Talent show starved Nigerians, East Africa’s Got Talent’s here to save the day

Nigeria’s fuel subsidies are still costing us more than we think

Chibundu Onuzo’s new Guardian essay enraged Africans everywhere, for good reason too

At long last, leader of IMN, El-Zakzaky leaves for India for treatment

This #IYD2019 we celebrate the young educators leveraging new media to reach a new generation

Nepotism in the Nigerian army cost the policemen killed last week their lives

Here’s what to expect this weekend on Rubbin’ Minds

A kidnap kingpin is in the wind and 3 police officers are dead; This is Buhari’s Nigeria

Arit Okpo is bringing new blood to CNN’s African Voices

It’s 2019, and Kenya’s National Assembly wants to punish a legislator for breastfeeding

Recent Posts

Categories

Recent Comments

YNaija

Join the Newsletter