Nigeria
Rewriting the Spellbook
In a country where sleight of hand is often mistaken for sorcery, a new wave of Nigerian illusionists is fighting stigma, reclaiming magic and daring to dream on their own terms.
Part-Time Exile
Violent bandit attacks have rendered Illela, once a thriving rural hub in northwestern Nigeria, a ghost town by night and created a peculiar new kind of refugee in the region: the cross-border commuter. Many residents flee to safety each night across the border to the small Nigerien town of Birni-N'Konni.
‘Kin Cloth’ Brings People Together — and Sets Them Apart
At Nigerian weddings, it’s not just the bridesmaids who wear matching attire. Every guest sports a matching outfit to celebrate their unity with the bride and groom as part of the “aso ebi” custom. But “kin cloth” is more than just fabric. It’s a recipe for drama.
Detty December Is Pricing Nigerians Out of the Salon Chair
Last December, 29-year-old Jennifer Asimobi, a lawyer based in the United States, had just touched down in Lagos for her annual visit, prepared for a month of parties, concerts, clubbing, beach days and dining with family and friends for what is affectionately known as Detty December in Nigeria. But before…
The Rise and Fall of Cryptocurrency in Nigeria
Amid Nigeria’s faltering currency and soaring inflation, ordinary Nigerians have been drawn to cryptocurrencies in a search for both stability and easy money. Yet investment scams have proliferated, and the government is now tightening regulations and trying to regain control.
How Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti Championed Women’s Rights
Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti’s legacy extends beyond being the mother of the legendary Nigerian musician and political activist Fela Kuti or the first Nigerian woman to drive. Bolanle Austen-Peters’ biopic reveals her role in Nigeria’s independence and women's liberation movements.
Nigeria Debates the Fate of Returning Benin Bronzes
The Nigerian government has recognized the oba of Benin as the owner of returned Benin Bronzes, yet how they will be displayed or used remains unclear. Many support housing the artifacts at a national museum rather than the royal palace. Amid conflicting proposals, further returns of the bronzes have stalled.