General | 91心頭利嫋! /category/general/ Come for the fun, stay for the culture! Mon, 28 Sep 2026 07:56:37 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1.2 /wp-content/uploads/zikoko/2020/04/cropped-91心頭利嫋_91心頭利嫋_Purple-Logo-1-150x150.jpg General | 91心頭利嫋! /category/general/ 32 32 Drugs Used to Pass Through Nigeria. Now Theyre Being Made Here /citizen/drugs-used-to-pass-through-nigeria-now-theyre-being-made-here/ Mon, 28 Sep 2026 07:53:27 +0000 /?p=384878 On Wednesday, May 20, 2026, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) announced that it had what it described as a large methamphetamine (Meth) laboratory in Abidagba forest in Ijebu East, Ogun State. 

The agency arrested ten people, including three Mexican nationals and a Nigerian who the agency identified as the alleged leader of the operation.

NDLEA said the laboratory had produced or was processing 2,419.48kg of methamphetamine, which it valued at about $362.9 million, equivalent to over 480 billion on the international market.

On June 17, barely four weeks after the Abidagba forest arrest, the agency another laboratory in a forest in Tapa Village, Ibarapa North Local Government Area of Oyo State. NDLEA said the operation uncovered a sophisticated, industrial-scale facility containing , industrial catalysts and heavy-duty equipment. 

Five people were arrested, including a 56-year-old Mexican national, Jose Villa Ochoa,  whom the agency said had been brought into Nigeria to provide technical expertise for large-scale methamphetamine production.

These two discoveries are difficult to dismiss as isolated backyard operations. So we took a deep dive, and it appears the picture is becoming increasingly complicated. 

Arrested suspects in Oyo. Photo: Arise News

How did we get here? 

For decades, Nigeria’s place in the global drug trade has largely been understood through . Cocaine, heroin, cannabis, methamphetamine and pharmaceutical opioids have through the country, with some destined for Nigerian consumers and others continuing to markets across Africa, Europe and Asia. Nigeria’s large population, extensive road network, busy ports and airports, and its position in West Africa have made it an location for international trafficking networks.

Though Nigeria is still a and a major market for illicit drugs, the country has also been some of them for years. What has changed recently is the scale of some of the operations being , especially the of industrial-scale methamphetamine laboratories in Ogun and Oyo states within weeks of each other.

Nigeria has been producing drugs for years

It would be wrong to suggest that Nigerian drug production started with the two laboratories found this year. The country has had secret drug for more than a decade, particularly facilities producing methamphetamine.

Between January 2015 and December 2016, Nigerias National Drug Control Master Plan (NDCMP) five methamphetamine laboratories in Nigeria and noted that three of them had used ephedrine-based production methods. From June 2011 to March 2016, NAFDAC altogether. In May 2016, the agency eventually that Nigeria was becoming part of the West African methamphetamine production chain, with locally produced meth being trafficked to markets outside the region.

One of the most notable cases came in March 2016, when Nigerian authorities uncovered what was described as a in Asaba, Delta State. The laboratory was reportedly capable of producing between 3,000kg and 4,000kg of methamphetamine per production cycle and was operated with the involvement of Mexican nationals. The discovery showed that Nigerian drug networks were capable of moving beyond simply importing and distributing finished products.

How is this happening?

There is a practical reason why local production changes the drug trade. When a criminal network imports a finished drug, it has to move that drug across an international border before it can reach its market. That creates several points where customs officers, police, anti-narcotics agencies and international partners can intercept it. A network that produces the drug inside the country removes one part of that journey.

It still needs chemicals, equipment, expertise and distribution networks, but the finished product does not have to cross Nigeria’s border before reaching Nigerian buyers or being moved onwards. That makes the discovery of laboratories important because it exposes an entire supply chain rather than a single consignment.

The Ogun case shows how sophisticated that supply chain can become. NDLEA’s noted that precursor chemicals were transported from Lagos to the laboratory in Mowe using vehicles linked to members of the syndicate. 

This shows that local production does not mean the drug trade has become entirely Nigerian. Criminal networks can local knowledge, local property and transportation with expertise and connections from outside the country.

The Oyo operation had a similar pattern. NDLEA said the Mexican suspect arrested there had been brought into Nigeria specifically to provide for large-scale methamphetamine production, while the four Nigerians arrested with him allegedly provided logistical support and handled local operations.

The Big Daily is your weekday shortcut to the biggest news shaping Nigeria. We cut through the noise, connect the dots, and explain why the news actually matters, all in one quick read.

Strange things in strange places 

NDLEA seizures regularly involve drugs concealed in things that would not immediately attract attention. In March, 2026, officers intercepted drugs hidden water-purifier machines shipped from Europe. In another case in July 2026, large quantities of tramadol and other controlled medicines were in a truck carrying building materials from Togo. The agency has also drugs hidden in vehicle compartments, parcels, and other commercial cargo.

The creativity is not limited to objects. Drug networks also exploit ordinary transportation systems and, in some cases, people who may not even know what they are carrying.

Where did the chemicals come from?

Producing synthetic drugs at this scale requires more than people who know how to mix chemicals. It requires access to , industrial equipment, storage facilities, transportation, and locations where the operation can remain hidden. But where do these chemicals come from? 

The NDLEA monitors controlled chemicals as part of its anti-drug operations. Its is responsible for activities including the identification and dismantling of clandestine laboratories and the monitoring of controlled chemicals that could be diverted for illicit production.

The recent laboratories show why that work matters, or at least, why it should matter. The Oyo facility large drums and containers of precursor chemicals, industrial catalysts, and equipment used in chemical processing. 

The Ogun investigation also a sizable stock of precursor chemicals. According to the filed against the suspects, investigators recovered hundreds of kilograms of toluene and hydrochloric acid, along with acetone, P2P and phenylacetic acid. 

For now, no one can explain how the chemicals got into the hands of the manufacturers.

Should we be worried?

The Ogun laboratory was found in Ijebu East. The Oyo laboratory was discovered in Ibarapa North. Both are in the South-West, and both facilities were hidden in forested areas where large-scale operations could remain out of sight.

On June 3, 2026, the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) described the Ogun discovery as , noting that the country is moving from being primarily a transit and consumer market towards becoming an important producer and exporter of synthetic drugs. ISS also highlighted the fact that the latest laboratory was located in a remote forest rather than the urban environments where some previous laboratories had been discovered.

It does not mean every forest community in the country is harbouring a drug laboratory. What it does point to is that law-enforcement agencies now have to look beyond the traditional locations associated with drug trafficking.

What Nigerians look forward to

For the NDLEA, that means dismantling a laboratory is only part of the job. The agency also has to trace where the chemicals came from, who financed the operation, who provided the technical expertise, how the finished product would have been distributed, and whether the network has other facilities operating elsewhere.

For Nigeria, it means the drug story is no longer only about what enters through the ports or what officers find hidden inside a bus. Some of the drugs being moved around the country may have started their journey in a Nigerian forest, produced by a network of experts who have learned how to manufacture them here.

Everything so far suggests law-enforcement agencies will have to keep watch on potential drug-producing forests closely.

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]]> 6 Nigerian Celebrity Couples With the Biggest Age Gap Relationships /ships/nigerian-celebrity-couples-biggest-age-gap/ Tue, 22 Sep 2026 16:00:00 +0000 /?p=384583 Age gaps can be hard to miss in relationships, especially when the people involved are public figures. From seven years to nearly four decades, these Nigerian celebrity couples have made their age-gap relationships work.

Shade and Razaq Okoya 37-year gap

Businessman Razaq Okoya and his wife, Shade, have a 37-year age gap. They got married in 1991 when she was 21 and he was 59. They’ve built a successful business together and remain one of Nigeria’s most recognisable high-profile couples.

Beauty Queen Mitchel Ihezue and Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu 30-year gap

Former beauty queen Mitchel Ihezue and her husband, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu, have a 30-year age gap. Their relationship has also sparked conversations about age, marriage and what makes a partnership work.

Richard Mofe-Damijo (RMD) and Jumobi Adegbesan 11-year gap

Veteran actor RMD is 11 years older than his wife, Jumobi Adegbesan. The couple has been married for 25 years, making them one of the enduring relationships in Nigeria’s entertainment industry.

Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde and Captain Matthew Ekeinde 10-year gap

Actress Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde and her husband, Captain Matthew Ekeinde, have been married since 1996 and have a 10-year age gap. They tied the knot when she was 18 and he was 28. 

Peter and Lola Okoye 9-year gap

Singer Peter Okoye and his wife, Lola Omotayo, have a nine-year age gap, with Lola being older. The couple have been married since 2013.

Read Also: We Ranked the BBNaija S11 Pairs Causing Chaos in Biggies House

]]> GridLocked: Can You Guess The Album? (3 September 2026) /general/gridlocked-3-9-2026/ Thu, 03 Sep 2026 07:51:08 +0000 /?p=383348 GridLocked is a daily pop culture guessing game built for Nigerians. Every weekday by 9am, you’ll get six clues, sixty seconds, and an answer only a Nigerian would know.

Today’s GridLocked is an album.

How many clues do you need to get it right?

Share your result when done, but dont spoil the answer for others. (Missed the last GridLocked? Play it here.)

3 September 2026

Come back every weekday by 9am for a new grid or , 91心頭利嫋s daily newsletter, to get new GridLocked puzzles, real Nigerian stories and other fun content in your inbox.

How to Play GridLocked

  • The Goal: Guess the answer for the day before time runs out. (The answer could be a Nigerian person, place, song, movie, or even slang.)
  • The Lock: You cannot type a guess until you have revealed at least one tile (clue).
  • The Reveal: Tap any tile to reveal a clue. Every clue describes the answer for the day. The fewer tiles you flip, the better.
  • The Clock: You have 60 seconds to guess right. The timer starts the moment you flip your first tile. (You get multiple guesses.)

The GridLocked Squares: What Do They Mean?

When the game ends, you see your guess count, total time spent, and the number of tiles flipped. The tiles are shown as white and purple squares.

  • 皙 (White) = A tile you flipped
  • (Purple) = A tile you left closed

The fewer white tiles you have, the better your result.

  • Best Result = 皙 | Guesses: 1 (Only needed one clue and one guess to get it right)

]]> Inside 91心頭利嫋 Life 2: Blessing Uzzi on Writing Partnership, Domestic Drama in Before We Fall Asleep /general/blessing-uzzi-on-writing-before-we-fall-asleep/ Tue, 04 Aug 2026 10:57:00 +0000 /?p=381786 The 91心頭利嫋 Life Series Production is back, and Blessing Uzzi is still our showrunner. This time, she doubles as writer and co-director of , starring Tobi Bakre and Onyinye Odokoro.

Before We Fall Asleep flips the script on the typical Nigerian household. When a sudden job loss forces Tola to become a stay-at-home dad while his partner carries the financial load, their seemingly happy life hits a wall. Its an uncomfortable dive into what happens to a relationship when traditional expectations shatter.

Blessing walks us through being a showrunner of the three-part anthology for the second time. More importantly, her message for the film she wrote is simple. “We are partners. You’re not helping me; I’m not helping you. We are doing what were supposed to do.”

Running 91心頭利嫋 Life the second time comes with its own pressure, particularly the pressure not to drop the standard you already set. Blessing Uzzi kept the same directors and writers from the first season on purpose. “I wanted the work to keep the same level of quality,” she says. The only new addition to the team was Kaelo, and even that wasn’t really a gamble because of how familiar his work was. “I barely ever hire a stranger,” she says. “Somebody I don’t know anything about.”

Her vision for the anthology as a whole has stayed consistent too. “My vision was to do something artistic and equally commercial,” she explains, pointing to how deliberate she and her team were about which 91心頭利嫋 articles made the cut. It’s the same bar every time. Something people will actually watch, and something that still says what it needs to say.

The Word “Help” Is Doing A Lot Of Damage

How often have you heard a Nigerian man say he’s “helping” his wife with the kids and household tasks? It sounds generous on the surface. But when you sit with it for a second, the word starts to give itself away.

Helping implies the job was never his. It implies he’s doing the woman a favour by stepping outside his own responsibilities to lend a hand. That he can stop lending it whenever he pleases. But it’s also his child, his home and his mess.

Blessing caught herself doing exactly this while writing the film. “It’s almost the default mentality,” she says. “You think he is helping, but helping with what? It is his child, it is his family. It’s also the woman’s child.” She’s watched this play out even in her own generation, where the shift is only partial. “We’ve made progress on men understanding that they’re part of the family. That they’re not doing their wives a favour by participating,” she said. “But there’s still work to do.”

That’s really what the film is about. Before We Fall Asleep challenges the way we’ve all been trained to think of domestic work as women’s work. With men occasionally popping in to assist. Even when the man isnt contributing financially.

Choosing Relatability Over Literary Lines

Blessings intentionality as the showrunner of the production is evident across many things, even language. In an emotionally charged scene in Before We Fall Asleep, Tola (Tobi Bakre) tells Nazo (Onyinye Odokoro), “I felt naked. I felt like you didn’t cover me.” The line was originally written by Blessing as I didn’t feel loved in that moment, but changed when Tobi asked for the change. Blessing agreed instantly. She says, Tola wasn’t written to be somebody you can’t relate to. He’s an average Nigerian man, a middle-class guy, and the new line simply sounded more like him.

“There’s a slight shift there,” she says, “but it’s a shift towards the everyday language that an average Nigerian would relate to.” Blessing swapped one sentence for another, and the scene moved from something literary into something real. Tola sounds exactly like your uncle, your brother, your ex. Someone you can relate to. This is the vibe of the entire film. Scenes that make up the daily lives of Nigerians.

Married Or Not, Are You Actually Partners?

Tola and Nazo live together, have a child, and argue as every married couple does. But still, theres something different about them that Blessing decides on.

I don’t think 91心頭利嫋 set out to tell conventional stories, she said. Their unconventional relationship adds a layer of the exact discomfort Nigerian society is quick to serve. Knowing Nigerians, there’ll be a bit of judgment. But her actual argument goes deeper than the judgment. Whether you are married in the Nigerian traditional sense, or not, you’re together, she said. You’re partners. If not, don’t be together.

Two Tired People Trying to Make It Work

Blessing says she struggled with drafts of the script because one partner kept showing up as a villain. She scrapped multiple attempts before deciding to write it herself. “I always like to put a mirror in front of everyone, she explained.

Her instruction to herself, and to anyone watching the film, is simple. You need to understand these two people. Whoever you feel for is left to you, but understand them. See them as humans. See what they are struggling with, and see how they’re trying to make this work. These people don’t hate each other.

Wearing two hats for this project, as the showrunner and writer, wasn’t always easy for Blessing. As showrunner, Blessing is usually the one reading everyone else’s scripts and giving notes. Writing her own meant that she had to go looking for that same outside eye. “I remember sending it to Dika, and we all had a conversation that led to some of the rewrites,” she says. “When you’re the one writing, it’s easier to miss a lot of things you don’t see.”

is not about who’s wrong. Its about whether you’re building a life with someone, or letting them carry it while you lend and call it love.

Go watch the film. Then have an uncomfortable conversation with whoever you’re building your own life with.

Next Read: Kaelo Iyizoba Explains Why Before We Fall Asleep Refuses to Pick Sides

]]> How to Borrow Money Without It Becoming a Problem /general/borrow-money-without-problems/ Mon, 20 Jul 2026 10:20:50 +0000 /?p=380857 Borrowing money isnt always a sign that youve failed at managing your finances. There have been many occasions where it’s simply the fastest way to solve a problem, cover a life-threatening emergency or keep a business from dying.

However, the difference between a loan that aids and one that keeps you up at night usually comes down to one specific thing: having a well-thought-out plan before the money even lands.

If youve been hesitant about taking out a loan because youre worried about getting stuck in debt, these tips can help you borrow with confidence and stay in control.

1. Borrow what you can comfortably repay, not the highest amount youre offered

Getting approved for a larger loan doesnt mean you should immediately take it. Before you accept any offer, think about how the repayment fits into your monthly income. If making repayments would force you to cut back on essentials or leave you panicking every month, the loan is definitely bigger than you need. Trust us, you dont want that headache. 

A good rule of thumb is to keep repayments within about 20 to 30% of your monthly income. Your future self shouldnt have to struggle because your present self accepted more money than necessary.

2. The money should come with a purpose 

The easiest loans to repay are usually the ones with a clear purpose. It could be because youre getting essentials for your business, paying your siblings tuition before your next salary arrives or covering a life-or-death medical emergency. Whatever the reason is, you should be able to have a coherent explanation for why youre borrowing and how you intend to pay  it back.

If you cant answer those questions before applying, it is advisable that you wait until you can.

3. Choose a repayment period that matches your reality 

We dont believe every loan should be repaid over the same timeline. If youre borrowing to get through the week before salary arrives, a short repayment period makes sense. If youre financing stock that wont get sold out the moment it hits the shelves, youll need enough time for the business to generate income before repayments become due. 

A loan should be able to work with your income, and not against it. 

4. Set aside your first repayment before spending the loan

Yes, this sounds simple, but keep in mind that it can make a huge difference. As soon as the money enters your account, put your first repayment aside, and treat it as money that no longer belongs to you. It might be hard, but doing this immediately gives you breathing room and makes it much easier to stay on track when the repayment date arrives.

5. Make sure to think twice before borrowing that money 

Some expenses solve actual, real problems, but others simply satisfy a temporary want. Borrowing to pay rent, cover medical bills or invest in your business can make sense because those expenses meet important needs or create future value. Borrowing to fund a luxury bag, an expensive trip to the Maldives or keep up appearances is much, much harder to justify because once the excitement fades, the repayment remains. Its not going to disappear out of thin air.

Before taking the loan, its extremely important to ask yourself one question: will this still feel like a good decision when the first repayment is due?

6. Repay early (if you can) 

Paying off a loan ahead of schedule not only reduces interest, but it also establishes a stronger borrowing history for you. With Carbon, early repayment can unlock higher loan limits and lower interest rates on future loans. In other words, borrowing responsibly today can make borrowing easier and more affordable if you ever need another loan.

It is true what they say about good financial habits often paying off in more ways than one.

8. That loan isnt free money. Dont treat it like one

Although the money may arrive in your account within minutes, keep in mind that it was never extra cash for you to just spend willy-nilly.

The borrowers who stay in control are usually the ones who decide exactly how every naira will be used before they even start spending. They know where its going, how theyll repay it and what theyll do if something unexpected comes up. That mindset alone can be the difference between a loan that works for you and one that turns into a burden.

Borrow with a plan, not just a need

A lot of people tend to fear loans, and while that is understandable, given the economic climate we currently exist in, it isnt actually something to be scared of. Its a financial tool, and like any other tool, it works best when you know exactly how youre going to utilise it to the best of your ability.

If youre looking for a loan that rewards responsible borrowing, lets you apply in minutes, manage repayments easily and even enjoy better borrowing terms when you repay early. Thats one good financial habit that keeps rewarding you, even after youve finished repaying the loan.

]]> I Always Saw Cats as Witches, but They Taught Me My Biggest Life Lessons /general/i-grew-up-thinking-cats-were-witches/ Fri, 17 Jul 2026 13:45:19 +0000 /?p=380681 If you told Jason ten years ago that he’d become known as Jason the Cat Guy, he’d probably have laughed and prayed for you. He was scared of cats and was in the dog business.

But one unexpected visit to a friend’s house challenged everything he thought he knew. What started as fear quickly turned into fascination, then a deep love for the animals he’d spent most of his life avoiding. Today, Jason is building a community for cat lovers and working to change how Nigerians see one of the country’s most misunderstood pets.

Ive always been a dog guy. I grew up in a deeply Pentecostal home where people treated cats with suspicion. If a cat crossed your path, someone would probably pray. So I avoided them completely. I even ran a kennel where I trained, bred and sold dogs.

If youd told me Id one day become known as Jason the Cat Guy, Id have laughed in your face.

But everything changed in 2020.

Id gone to visit a new friend, Ayo. Wed become close, and I was excited to finally see her place. The moment I walked into her house, I froze.

There were cats everywhere; seven of them roaming around the house. My first thought was, These people must be witches.

Then I met Ayos mum. She was warm, loud and incredibly welcoming, but somehow my brain twisted that into even more proof that everything Id heard in church about cats was true.

But curiosity is a powerful thing. I couldnt stop asking questions. Why so many cats? Why did they all seem so calm? Why wasnt anyone afraid of them?

Ayo encouraged me to pet one, but I refused. I stood at a safe distance until one of the cats ignored my fear, walked over, wrapped its tail around my leg and demanded attention.

Ayo found it hilarious. Meanwhile, I was convinced I was seconds away from being initiated into witchcraft.

Then she handed me some cat treats. The moment I started feeding them, something shifted within me. By the end of that visit, Id completely forgotten I was supposed to be afraid.

By my third visit, I knew I wanted a cat of my own.

Around that time, Ayo asked if I could help find buyers for some Turkish Angora kittens. Because Id already worked with dogs, she thought Id know interested buyers.

I honestly didnt think Nigerians would pay for cats, so I priced them at a ridiculous sum of 20K each. I was so wrong. The kittens sold quickly, and talking to the buyers made me realise there was an entire community of cat lovers existing across Nigeria.

That curiosity sent me down a rabbit hole. I started reading about cat breeds, behaviour and care. The more I learnt, the more I realised most Nigerians beliefs about cats werent based on experience. They came from religion, films and superstition.

In 2021, I got my first cat, Nyssa. She completely changed my life.

She had the biggest personality I’d ever encountered. She was affectionate, but only on her own terms. Some days shed curl up beside me asking for attention. Other days shed look at me like I was disturbing her peace.

At first, it frustrated me. Eventually, I realised she was teaching me something Id never really thought about before: boundaries, consent and respect.

With Nyssa, affection wasnt something you could forcefully demand. If she wanted company, shed come to you. If she wanted space, shed make that very clear. Funny enough, that lesson spilled into the rest of my life. I became more attentive to people, especially women. More aware that not everyone communicates their needs directly.

For a cat, she was an excellent teacher.

For a while, I kept this new side of my life private. Yahoo-boy accusations were everywhere, and I worried people would assume I was into something shady because I loved cats. Even my family didnt really understand it. I always had excuses when they invited me out because I wanted to get back home to my cats.

Eventually, people started noticing my connection with cats. Then one day, an Uber driver greeted me with, Youre Jason the Cat Guy, right? Apparently, someone had saved my number that way on Truecaller, and the nickname stuck.

As more people discovered me, cat owners started reaching out. They wanted advice. They wanted community. Most of all, they wanted a space where they wouldnt be mocked for loving cats.

So I started a WhatsApp group. Soon, people were sharing stories about neighbours threatening their cats, family members accusing them of fetish practices and landlords refusing to allow pets. What started as a small chat became a genuine community.

Today, my life revolves around cats more than I ever imagined possible. 

They wake me up for breakfast, keep me company while I work and somehow always know when Ive had a difficult day.

What surprises me most isn’t how much I’ve learned about cats. It’s how much they’ve taught me. Theyve taught me that love doesnt need control. That respecting boundaries doesnt mean rejection. And that the things were taught to fear arent always what they seem.

That’s why I care so much about changing how Nigerians see cats. My team and I are building a cat caf辿 in Lagos. Weve spent years creating an online community. Now we want a physical space where people can meet cats, challenge old stereotypes and maybe leave seeing them a little differently.

Because if theres one thing I hope Nigerians take away from my story, its this: Cats arent evil, theyre just misunderstood.

READ NEXT: I Got a Dog to Grieve My Uncle. He Ended Up Saving My Life

]]> 5 Nigerian Women on The Blush Shade That Changed Their Makeup Game /general/nigerian-women-blush-shade-changed-makeup-game/ Fri, 17 Jul 2026 08:45:05 +0000 /?p=380701 For years, blush felt like an afterthought in many makeup routines for women with deeper skin tones. Some women skipped it because they couldn’t find shades that matched their skin tones, while others assumed it was a product designed only for lighter complexions. But as beauty brands like have become more intentional about creating products for melanin-rich skin, blush has evolved from an optional step to a staple. Thanks to the recent rise in celebrity make-up artist, PaintedByEsthers bold blush technique, more and more women are going for the beautiful, flushed look.

We asked five women about the blush shades that changed their minds about using it in their routine. Heres what they said.

“A deep berry blush made me realise blush wasn’t just for light-skinned girls” Amanda*, 24

For the longest time, I thought blush was one of those products that only looked good on lighter skin tones. Every time I tried one, it either disappeared completely or looked like I was carrying pink dust on my cheeks. So I stuck to my powder highlighter and called it a day.

Everything changed when a makeup artist used a deep berry blush shade on me for a wedding I attended. It looked so natural that I didn’t even realise how much it had transformed my face until I started getting compliments. 

Now, I reach for berry and plum-toned blushes almost every time I do my makeup. They’re pigmented enough to show up without making me look overly made up. If I had to choose between a highlighter and blush, blush wins every time.

“Warm blush shades are my secret weapon” Tolu*, 28

I dont wear a full face of makeup every day. Most days, it’s just brows, concealer and lip gloss. But blush is the one thing Ive added that makes me look like I put a lot of effort into my appearance.

Pink blush shades had always felt too bright on me, but a warm terracotta shade blends into my skin in a way that looks natural while still giving me colour.

What I love most is how versatile it is. I can wear it to work, brunch or a wedding, and it never feels out of place. It’s become one of those products I automatically reach for because my makeup now feels incomplete without it.

“I never understood the hype until I found the right orange blush” Nneka*, 26

My makeup drawer is evidence that I’ve made a lot of bad beauty purchases. Blush was one of them. I bought several shades, but they never looked the same on me as they did on the babes I saw online.

Then I tried a burnt orange blush and finally understood why everyone was obsessed. It brought warmth back into my face after foundation and gave me so much dimension. I was hooked.

The funny thing is that people rarely ask me what foundation I’m wearing anymore. They usually ask why my skin looks so fresh. Most of the time, the answer is blush and a well-placed concealer.

“Rose tones make me look awake even when I’m exhausted” Chisom*, 31

I spend long hours in traffic going to and fro from work, and there are days when I look as tired as I feel. But blush has become my quickest fix.

I love a rich rose colour. It gives my face a natural warmth without making it seem like Im caking on makeup. Whenever I wear it, I look more rested and put together. The best part is that I dont even need to put on a lot. A small amount makes a big difference. That’s the step that makes people think I’ve slept eight hours on days I definitely haven’t.

“A Makeup artists bright pink blush technique completely changed my mind about colour” Zara*, 30

I used to avoid colourful makeup because I thought it would clash with my dark skin. My routine was very neutral: brown eyeshadow, nude lips and nothing too bold.

But when I saw the bright pink blush look PaintedByEsther did for Olandria, the Love Island star, I knew I had to try my hand at it. I was sure it would look ridiculous, but it ended up being one of the most flattering things I’ve ever worn.

The colour shows up beautifully and gives my face a youthful, playful look. It also taught me that makeup for dark skin doesn’t have to be serious and demure to be beautiful. Playing with intimidating colours is so fun; it reminded me of when I used to do makeup for me, not just to look put together.

Blush isnt the problem, finding the right product is. A shade that works on lighter skin might barely show up on deeper complexions, which is why pigmentation and undertones matter. Products like Yanga Beautys Candid Blush collection are changing that conversation by creating richly pigmented shades that complement melanin-rich skin and make it easier to achieve that effortless, just-blushed look. You can browse your favourite blush shades on the or on the .

]]> Overthinkers Anonymous: EDK Is Not Here For Hot Takes /general/osato-edokpayi-overthinkers-anonymous/ Wed, 15 Jul 2026 14:57:43 +0000 /?p=380510 Were nine episodes into , the weekly living room where we geek out about money, masculinity, relationships and everything in between. Osato EDK Edokpayi has been there from day one, bouncing hot dilemmas with cohost Deji Osikoya and somehow making our collective confusion feel like group therapy with banter.

From years on the radio to podcasting, EDK has built a career out of talking through the wahala in peoples heads. In this episode, he breaks down the art of listening, adulting in Nigeria and why lifes messiest questions deserve more than oneminute hot takes.

What does being an overthinker mean to you? 

I think it’s beyond brooding over things that are bothering you, which is what people generally would say. For me, overthinking is staying with a problem until I find clarity or a path forward. It can look like brooding from the outside, but it’s usually how I work through things.

So, how would you describe Overthinkers Anonymous to someone who hasn’t seen an episode?

It’s a podcast about guys and women geeking out about everyday issues. Typically the types  that have  young people thinking, What is going on in my life?

On most podcasts, people just come to talk about things, but nobody’s really solving anything. When Overthinkers Anonymous was pitched to us, we were told dilemmas would be a part of it.  To be fair, that’s what a lot of podcasts have become. Dilemmas everywhere. Everybody loves a good dilemma, but we’re not using them for content or talking points. There are actually solutions in there. Listening to guests and my co-host, I realised I’d find these conversations genuinely useful if I were the one facing those dilemmas. 

How do you handle the feeling of responsibility that comes with discussing people’s real-life problems on a public forum?

The truth is, somebody on the other side of the screen is being vulnerable to strangers. They’ve gotten to a point in life where they see sharing their problems on a public platform as the only way out. You have to respect the vulnerability of the person sharing and the audience listening. The people engaging are spending time or, in our case, resources like data to engage. Those things are very valuable, especially for MTN users.

Is this your first time solving dilemmas for strangers?

Yes and no. Im a radio host,  and I produce my radio shows. We have a dilemma segment on the show as well. I don’t typically have a co-host on my show, so I created an AI co-host. Then I took a step further and created a personality for the AI entity. She’s sassy, a bit snarky, and really hates me. But then she loves the listeners, and they love engaging her. One of the things that was a big hit with the AI co-host is that she answers dilemmas on air.

Wow

Of course, it’s the people on the team who feed her the answers, and we have to think quickly., But we also take care that the same principles apply here. The beauty of radio is that people share really intimate moments with you. People are in their bathrooms and sitting in their cars alone listening to you. They get really vulnerable very quickly. I’ve heard kids on their way to school talk about trouble with classmates, and adults share stories about friends who left the country without telling them. People obviously ask what’s wrong with the government. If it’s football season, people ask whats going on with a particular team.  The AI co-host that we created always has an answer.

I never give the answers myself on air.  Even though, technically, it is me speaking through the AI co-host. She also sometimes shares thoughts that I wouldn’t want to say on air.

Why wouldn’t you want to say those things on air? Are you afraid of being dragged?

No, no. People know me for being funny and pleasant. But sometimes I just want to yab people. In a lighthearted way, of course. If you just heard me say something really nice and then the next moment you’re hearing me diss someone, there can be a bit of a dissonance.  On radio, we have co-hosts to prevent that. So everybody plays a part. My role is to drive the show and find all the things that will make Lagos rock for a few hours. Then this AI entity that we created comes in to cause trouble. 

Do you and your co-host on Overthinkers Anonymous also have some form of this dynamic?

To be fair, I don’t think we ever had that conversation. But I can understand the dynamic because of my training. This is Deji’s house, and its nice to come in occasionally to talk about life. Even though I’m always there when things are being sorted, its not my house. In terms of how a show like that would work, Deji has to drive the show, and I’m cool being the co-pilot.

Also, he has the best cold opens I’ve seen in a long time. I like the way we start the show. There’s never a welcome to our show today and so on. It’s just hey, Ive rocked up to your house, bro, and e get this thing wey I dey think Then we pick it up from there. Ultimately, it is a team effort. We need listeners to understand that it’s a show for them to come in and feel like they’re in that living room, having those conversations with us in real time. These are conversations they can have with their own friends. 

What kind of conversations do you want people to take from the show?

As I said, it’s important that people see themselves having these conversations. Look at everything we spoke about in this season, from why men don’t read to the role of money in relationships and family dynamics. We touched on addiction and many other things that are affecting a lot of young people today. Im sure we’ve not even scratched the surface of everything we need to talk about. I have people sending me screenshots from some of their guys who watched the show. Some of them are saying things like omo, its only 48 Laws of Power Ive read o or  so there are other books out there for me as well. 

A couple of guys could see this and decide to challenge this thing where men don’t have book clubs.  They could make that happen. I mean, we get together and play ball; who says we cant get together and discuss books?? 

What exactly does Overthinkers Anonymous do differently from other relationship and culture podcasts?

There are not a lot of shows that give you the experience of everyday people who are honest about their experiences. We’re not looking for virality.  So we dont go into episodes looking for things that would blow up the internet. Certain people like to say outrageous things to provoke emotion.  On the radio, we call these people shock jocks. You see a lot of shock jocks on mainstream relationship and culture podcasts. There is a tendency to want to sensationalise things or play up a personality to appeal to extremes of people’s tastes. But what Overthinkers Anonymous has shown is that you can take the other path and still resonate with people. We can tell that people really like the personalities that they hear and see. Nobody is out here trying to be the most extreme version of themselves to get likes. The people you see on the couch act and talk like that in real life. 

 In what ways do you think men and women differ in the way that they overthink things?

I think the difference is in how they share what they’re thinking about. What I find interesting is that it takes a bit of time for men to share what they are thinking. You need to almost always create the right environment for it to happen. The right environment could be fish and beer or a PS5. But there needs to be a setup for it to happen. It’s very hard to hear men sharing what they are thinking unprovoked. They need to be eased into it.

Women, on the other hand, are very quick to open up. We could just be driving past Ozumba Mbadiwe, and everybody in the car would start to talk about whats happening in their lives. 

What’s something you have stopped overthinking as you’ve gotten older?

 It is money o. I said it in the first episode; I just don’t overthink money anymore. Maybe because I’ve hung out in the northern part of the country and interacted with a lot of Muslims. I cant help but think everything I have can be gone in a second. This whole rat race is a bit stressful, to be honest. If you wake up every day and you’re thinking of how you must make money, it becomes exhausting. I would rather think of ways I can add value and make an impact. It eventually leads to wealth creation anyway. Why not just do the things that lead to wealth creation instead of being obsessed with chasing wealth?  As I’ve gotten older, I realise that as long as I’m able to survive and be comfortable, Im good. If I have a little extra for enjoyment, good.  Otherwise Im okay.

Basically, life is short, buy ice cream and do what you love.

Exactly! Life is too short to be taken seriously.

Next Read: Deji Osikoya Wants To Inspire Vulnerability: One LivingRoom Conversation At A Time 

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]]> Deji Osikoya Wants To Inspire Vulnerability: One LivingRoom Conversation At A Time /general/deji-osikoya-overthinkers-anonymous/ Tue, 14 Jul 2026 15:39:20 +0000 /?p=380483 If youve spent enough time on the internet, youve probably heard Dejis voice in a Coca-Cola commercial. If you haven’t, you might have heard him hyping up the crowd before a Fireboy concert. Or, more recently, hosting Overthinkers Anonymous, a weekly show that explores masculinity, relationships, money and the realities of modern adulthood.

In this article, he discusses vulnerability, dealing with online criticism, and why meaningful conversations between men matter now more than ever. 

Would you say that you are an overthinker?

One thousand per cent. Overthinking, to me, means cycling through a billion possible scenarios far longer than you need to before arriving at an answer. Or not always arriving at an answer. Sometimes it’s staying in one cycle of thinking until you’re exhausted, and then it forms an action. 

Is that why you wanted to be a part of Overthinkers Anonymous?

Funny enough, I don’t think the name came until after I joined the team. What initially drew me to it was the idea that the show was going to be centred on healthy conversations with men (and women). It aligned with stuff I already planned on doing. Im passionate about improving the PR and behaviour of men. Its not like I’m perfect, but I see that there are ways we’re dropping the ball. And we could definitely be doing better. This show is supposed to be a vehicle for that. 

How would you describe the show to someone who hasn’t seen an episode?

Overthinkers Anonymous is a conversation that happens in my living room. Theres a slight structure, but for the most part, everybody’s just allowed to bare their hearts on their sleeve. Its men having conversations that we have every day in private or don’t have at all with themselves and with women.

My biggest pitch to anybody who would love to watch Overthinkers Anonymous is that if you’re a man, there is a likelihood that you will see yourself in some of the people who appear on the show. If you don’t, it will at least give you a fresh perspective on things that you haven’t considered before. I also think you’ll be met with softness. I’m a soft person. I like soft people, and I lead with softness to encourage people to be gentle.

What specific gap do you think the show would fill?

Hopefully, this doesn’t come across as an insult to anybody. I think we needed to create a space where we would be able to have conversations in good faith. Were not trying to come across as experts speaking down on people and telling them to do better. 

Particularly because a lot of these conversations are hard for people to have. It is important to us that there is a level of vulnerability being displayed by the hosts. And I’m nothing if not vulnerable. I don’t think of it as just a means to get views. It feels more like a service. It was cathartic for me as well.

How? 

I am having a lot of conversations about things that I was dealing with in real time. There was an episode where we had Seye Bandele, and he was talking about the struggles of entrepreneurship and building a family with his wife. He spoke about ensuring that his wife trusted him enough to decide to get married to him. I was asking questions that I actually had, like what does it take to get your partner to buy into an unrealised vision?

I’m an entrepreneur, and I’m still very early in my career. So these were answers that I needed to hear. There were also things underneath the surface that the show was helping me to process. Nigeria is really tough, being a man is really tough and having conversations that help you to lean on other people makes it easier.

So, about marriage, should we be expecting to hear wedding bells soon?

Hahaha. I mean, if you’d like to hear wedding bells, I can play some on my phone. Wedding bells are not hard to get at all. 

How do you balance humour with sensitivity?

 To be honest with you, I don’t know if I do it consciously. I’m the kind of person who is very quick to make a joke out of a difficult subject. And if there’s something extra sensitive, I’m very careful about the way that it’s worded. I don’t want people to feel like theyre being interrogated or prodded for gist. 

At the end of the day, if there are things a guest doesnt want to share, it’s well within their rights. My co-host, EDK, is the same way. Hes an emotionally intelligent guy who knows that you don’t go beyond certain aspects of a conversation. 

If youre so intentional about vulnerability, how do you prepare for conversations that seem spontaneous?

Working with my producer, Anita Eboigbe, is very central to that. She helps with calling topics and developing the different discussions that we have. Outside of that, I try to deal with the material honestly.

When I speak, its from a genuinely curious place. Im not just trying to tick off the bullet points on the list. I don’t hit all the notes exactly the way that they’re described in the brief because I do a lot of editing. If something super interesting comes up and it wasnt initially part of my original plan, I allow it to flow naturally.

What made EDK the right person to co-host the show with?

Our chemistry and brotherhood comes from having conversation after conversation. The first time we ever met, it was over food, and we just kept gisting.  We realised that we got along, and the rest is history.

Did you have any doubts about how well the audience would receive the show? 

Several. One, I was nervous about just being perceived. As much as I do a lot of front-facing stuff, there’s never a guarantee of how people might receive you. Men, in particular, can be very interesting people.  Another thing I was nervous about was posturing like an expert.

There was a tweet where someone said, Tell that brother to uncross his legs; nobody wants to take advice from a feminine Tupac. I thought it was hilarious because the set of the show is my living room, and I’m obviously very comfortable. But the reason why it was even more interesting as feedback is that I don’t want it to feel like we’re giving advice. I’m not trained as a counsellor. The idea is that Im a guy like you who’s just figuring it out or a friend giving you a listening ear. That way, it might be easier to accept.

Wow

I was also nervous about toxic masculinity. You always wonder if you’ll be able to break past all the different walls and actually touch something real within a man. It’s not always the easiest thing.  Also, it’s not something that youll always be able to do because a lot of men have put up so many defences.

How many of your doubts turned out to be true?

All of them. Some people are listening through the lenses of their insecurity, which I’ve seen with the money episode. Also, as I said, no one wants to take advice from a feminine Tupac. I’m grateful that I’ve done things thatve made my skin thicker. The toxic masculinity aspect has definitely shown that people don’t look at things in context. They engage with the clip, they drop their mean comments, and they move on. 

However, there’s been so much positive feedback within that as well. The conversations that have resulted from our episodes and seeing the profiles of the guests on the show grow. I know that it’s actually helping people. A recurring comment we get is Just when I was thinking about my life, this pops up. Thank you. 

The show makes itself a space for the male perspective. How do you see these shifting, existing, harmful gender norms in Nigerian society?

To be honest, I don’t see the show being the vehicle for that by itself. This being the shift itself would be too ambitious a goal to set. I don’t think people change that easily. But I think it’s a significant start to the shift.

Theres a two-part quote that says, I don’t know that I’m going to be the change, but I think that I will influence the person who will change. I think that is us. 

Are there topics you are especially excited to tackle as the show continues?

Oh! We tackled the manosphere and the ways that masculinity is being projected to younger men. I would love to see how that plays with the audience. 

I’ve also been looking forward to talking about male friendship. I would love to dedicate an entire episode to male friendship and what it looks like. The ways that we can show up for each other. I’d also probably even like to have that conversation adjacent to women because I think there’s a strength in female friendships that we need to learn from. 

Next Read: Uzoamaka Power Made Call of My Life for Everyone Who Has Ever Loved Too Much

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]]> Nigerian Leaders Get Away With Failure Because We Laugh It Off /general/nigerian-leaders-get-away-with-failure-because-we-laugh-it-off/ Wed, 08 Jul 2026 11:41:36 +0000 /?p=380160 What’s going on?

On Friday, June 26, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu that Nigerians struggling with the cost of living should consider frying akara or roasting corn, as the Federal Government would offer grants to help them get started. Within hours, the tone-deaf comment had become the internet’s newest meme.

On July 2, President Tinubu at a press dinner, playfully introducing his wife as “Iya Alakara, meaning Akara seller. Following the joke, the Presidency’s media team leaned into the new nickname and posted an AI-generated of the First Lady as a roadside akara seller.

And just like that, Akara became the main character. The conversation shifted from “How is selling akara the solution?” to “Who’s posting the funniest skit?” This happens every single time our leaders fumble; we laugh instead of demanding answers.

We’ve been here before

Nigeria has no shortage of serious political moments that somehow end up as memes.  

In 2018, a Joint Admissions Matriculation Board (JAMB) clerk in Makurdi claimed a snake swallowed 36 million belonging to the board, money later to staff misappropriation. 

The story quickly became one of Nigeria’s most enduring political jokes, with content creators making skits and using “the snake swallowed it” as a response when asked about something they don’t have an answer to.

In 2020, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) then-acting managing director, Kemebradikumo Pondei, mid-hearing while being questioned about 40 billion in missing commission funds, attributing it to an “unexplained health challenge.”

Content creators made skits and jokes about the situation, prompting multiple people to reenact the incident and causing it to go viral.

Here If snakes swallowing cash was the height of it, youre in for a shocker. In 2022, officials at the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) a Senate panel that termites had chewed through the receipts showing how the 17 billion was spent.

It’s the same routine. A crazy political moment occurs, the internet gets to work, and everyone’s in on the joke; before long, the memes have outlived the conversation that started it. 

The Big Daily Newsletter is your shortcut to the biggest news shaping Nigeria. We cut through the noise, connect the dots, and explain why the news actually matters, all in one quick read.

Standup comedians

We no longer live in a country where the government merely fumbles; we live in one where the government manufactures memes to cover up its fumbling. 

When the Presidency’s media team posted an AI-generated image mocking its own First Lady’s tone-deaf remarks, it wasn’t a harmless attempt to match the public’s humour. It was a calculated political deflection.

That’s where things get tricky. Once government failure becomes content, it’s much easier for the people behind it to join the joke than answer for it. By adopting the “Iya Alakara” nickname, the government effectively hijacked the narrative, shifting a legitimate crisis of empathy into a marketing campaign.

This means the next time a minister says something tone-deaf about your salary or your electricity bill, the expected response isn’t outrage, it’s a skit, and skits don’t get anyone fired.

Whats funny?

While Nigerians are busy making skits and memes out of failure and corruption, the country keeps dying. Transparency International’s latest Corruption Perceptions has rated Nigeria 26 out of 100 for the second year running, while the country slipped from 140th to 142nd globally.

This rating will only worsen if we allow politicians to get away with corruption. Our poverty rate will continue to skyrocket if we laugh away ridiculous solutions rather than demand accountability,  and politicians will generate memes to mock our poverty because weve made them think its ok.

Because of our tendency to joke about everything, politicians know now they can get away with looting billions when they come to court in stretchers, when they pretend to faint, or make up ridiculous excuses to evade scrutiny.

They do it because they know wed only be outraged for two days before we turn it into memes.

And so, its up to us to decide: do we want a political class so afraid of the populace theyd think twice about their actions and utterances, or one that fears nothing because they know theyll be laughed at rather than challenged.

We want to hear about your personal experiences that reflect how politics or public systems affect daily life in Nigeria. Share your story with us wed love to hear from you!

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