Author: TheLagosianMagazine

By Peter Omopo  A new reality television show, Big Brain Naija (#BB9JA), designed to spotlight creativity, innovation, and intelligence among Nigerian youths, is set to premiere this October in Abuja. Organised by Big Brain Productions in partnership with DAAR Communications Plc, the show will air on Africa Independent Television (AIT) and is expected to feature 37 contestants drawn from the 36 states of the federation and the FCT. Speaking at a news conference in Abuja on Thursday, Big Brain Productions CEO, Kel Ameobi, described the project as a platform “where intelligence meets entertainment.” He said the aim was to celebrate…

By Peter Omopo  The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has launched a formal investigation into the heated altercation between Comfort Emanson, a passenger, and members of Ibom Air’s cabin crew. The regulatory body disclosed on Thursday that its officials met in Abuja with crew member Julie Edwards—allegedly at the centre of the incident—as well as other staff directly involved. The session formed part of a wider inquiry into the controversial encounter, which sparked public outcry after a viral video showed Emanson being manhandled by airline officials. According to NCAA spokesperson Michael Achimugu, who confirmed the development in a post on…

By Peter Omopo  The Federal Government has unveiled the Renewed Hope Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (RHGEEP 3.0), a redesigned financial inclusion initiative aimed at providing affordable credit to five million Nigerians by 2027. Speaking at the national stakeholders’ roundtable in Abuja on Thursday, the National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), Badamasi Lawal, said the new phase marks a “recalibration” of the scheme to prioritize trust, consistency, and accountability. “This gathering reflects our collective commitment to deepen financial inclusion, expand access to credit for small businesses, and empower our people, particularly women,…

By Peter Omopo  The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has rejected the Federal Government’s newly launched loan scheme for tertiary institution workers, describing it as a misplaced priority and a “poisoned chalice.” Speaking at a press conference in Jos on Thursday, ASUU National President, Prof. Christopher Piwuna, said what Nigerian academics need is not loans but the implementation of the long-overdue 2009 agreement between the union and the government. Two weeks ago, the Federal Government unveiled the Tertiary Institutions Staff Support Fund, a welfare initiative aimed at academic and non-academic staff across Nigeria’s tertiary institutions. Education Minister, Dr. Tunji…

By Peter Omopo  Nigerian-British filmmaker Akinola Davies Jr. is set to premiere his debut feature, My Father’s Shadow, in Nigerian cinemas after earning international acclaim. The film made history as the first Nigerian feature selected for the prestigious Cannes Film Festival’s Un Certain Regard section, where it received a Caméra d’Or Special Mention for Best First Feature. Set in Lagos in the tense aftermath of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election, the story unfolds over a single day as two brothers, Akin and Remi, reconnect with their estranged father, Folarin—portrayed by British-Nigerian actor Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù. Describing the project as…

By Peter Omopo  The Nigeria Police Force has disowned a viral “wanted” poster of Nollywood actress and entrepreneur, Iyabo Ojo, describing it as fake and misleading. The poster, which circulated widely on social media, alleged that Ojo had been declared wanted and that a reward was being offered for information leading to her arrest. In a statement posted on its verified Facebook page on Thursday, the Police clarified that the poster did not originate from the Force. “Fake news alert! This ‘wanted’ poster of actress Iyabo Ojo did not emanate from the Nigeria Police Force. It is false, misleading and…

By Peter Omopo  The Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) has inaugurated a three-man Asset Recovery Panel to reclaim properties and resources allegedly mismanaged or wrongfully appropriated by past leaders. The move was announced by AGN National President, Dr. Emeka Rollas, during an interactive session with the Guild’s Board of Trustees (BOT) on Wednesday in Abuja, where the Guild also formally presented its new national secretariat. The panel is chaired by Onwurah Ifeanyi, with Garba Muazu as Secretary and Sydney Diala as a member. Rollas explained that the committee is mandated to trace, identify, and recover assets belonging to the Guild,…

By Peter Omopo  Nigeria’s cultural heritage remains scattered across the world, locked away in glass cases and private collections far from the soil that birthed them. From Benin bronzes in Europe to Nok terracottas in American vaults, the story of stolen art has become familiar—but the urgency to bring them home is fading into silence. Calls for restitution, once loud and passionate, now echo faintly, overshadowed by politics and bureaucracy. While other nations have pushed harder for the return of their artifacts, Nigeria seems caught between diplomatic niceties and lack of sustained pressure. Even more troubling is the state of…

By Peter Omopo  The Federal Government on Tuesday inaugurated a newly built 80-bed specialist hospital in Ugbuwangue community, Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State, dedicated to maternal and child healthcare. The hospital, constructed through the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), was formally handed over to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Asaba, for management. Speaking at the inauguration, the Olu of Warri, His Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III, commended President Bola Tinubu for the project, describing it as a critical intervention that would promote good health for mothers and children in…

By Peter Omopo  The Edo State House of Assembly on Wednesday confirmed eight commissioner-nominees forwarded by Governor Monday Okpebholo. Their confirmation followed the adoption of a report presented by the House Committee on Rules, Business and Government House, which reviewed the nominees’ credentials and recommended their clearance after outlining 11 key findings. Speaker of the House, Blessing Agbebaku, who presented the report, said all the nominees were competent, qualified, and indigenes of Edo State. He urged them to work closely with the governor in advancing the state’s development. “I charge the new commissioners to be proactive and work in synergy…