Nigeria Archives

The Untamed Brilliance of Tems

Chukwudi Ukonne·July 29, 2024

Born in the Wild is the latest chapter in Tems extraordinary story of resilience, growth and creative freedom—a testament to the undeniable force of her artistry. Read More...

June/July 2024 Nigeria

How Should One Read a Poem?

Eniolá Abdulroqeeb Arówólò·July 29, 2024

A persistent flaw in contemporary Nigerian poetry is that many poets perceive criticism as hate. Despite the well-founded critiques from literary critics pointing out defects in contemporary Nigerian poetry, these critiques are often met with resistance. Read More...

June/July 2024 Nigeria Reading

The Disappointing Downturn of Foreign Direct Investment in Nigeria

Toni Olajide·July 28, 2024

Nigeria, once Africa’s top foreign investment destination, has fallen from grace. Is there a way forward? Read More...

June/July 2024 Nigeria

‘There Is No Flawless Artist’ Emmanuel Esomnofu’s First Draft

Emmanuel Esomnofu·July 26, 2024

Music journalist and author of ‘The Songs of Jos’, Emmanuel Esomnofu, is interested in writing about creators whose influence extends beyond Lagos: ‘It is a purposeful mission to de-centre the city in Nigerian music discourse, as people seem to think our musical history begins and ends with Lagos.’ Read More...

First Draft Interviews June/July 2024 Nigeria

The ‘Essence’ of Afrobeats

Tilewa Kazeem·July 21, 2024

Afrobeats has gone global, but is Nigeria’s music industry winning or losing as a result of this success? Read More...

June/July 2024 Nigeria

Looking for Gaskiya Corporation

Aisha Kabiru Mohammed·July 21, 2024

On a humid afternoon in May 2023, the photographer Eslah Yusuf and I searched for the building that housed Northern Nigeria’s oldest printing press and publishing house. Read More...

Best of 2024: Essays June/July 2024 Nigeria

What is Happening to the Naira?

Chinenye Iwuh·July 21, 2024

Is it floating? Is it sinking? With the nose-dive the naira took following the latest policy to float the currency, there has been an intense sense of distress regarding the future of the currency and the Nigerian economy. Read More...

June/July 2024 Nigeria

APC’s Unspoken Rules of Fuel Subsidy

Doyin Olagunju·July 14, 2024

During Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, the All Progressives Congress heavily criticized and campaigned against removing the fuel subsidy. Now the ruling party finds itself dealing with the aftermath of its own fuel subsidy removal. Read More...

June/July 2024 Nigeria

A Song for the Forgotten

David Emeka·July 14, 2024

Despite the existing literature, the Biafran war remains a criminally underexplored event. The Road to the Country by Chigozie Obioma makes that canon a little less bereft. Read More...

June/July 2024 Nigeria Reading