Biographies & Cultural Icons of Nigeria
Life stories of Nigerian political leaders, monarchs, activists, writers, artists, and other influential historical figures.
The Forgotten Mbadiwe Millionaire Whose Wealth Helped Shape Nigeria’s Nationalist Generation
Chief James Green Ugbaja Mbadiwe occupies a quieter but important place in Nigerian history. He was not a public politician in the dramatic mould...
The Nigerian Professor Who Drove a Peugeot 504 from London to Kano
Professor Aminu Mohammed Dorayi’s name remains tied to one of Nigeria’s most memorable travel stories. He is remembered as the scholar who bought a...
Oba Michael Kuye Arójòjoyè II and the Royal Reawakening of Ijebu-Jesha
Oba Michael Kuye Arójòjoyè II stands among the most important twentieth century rulers of Ijebu-Jesha. His reign came at a time when Yoruba towns...
Buhari and the Ogareku Title of Ebiraland
In 1985, Muhammadu Buhari stood at the height of military power in Nigeria. He was then Major General Muhammadu Buhari, Head of State of...
Tunde Nightingale, The Jùjú Voice That Helped Shape the Owambe Sound
Tunde Nightingale remains one of the important names in the history of Nigerian jùjú music, especially in the story of Yoruba social celebration, Lagos...
The King’s College Prize Photograph and the Chike-Obi Legacy
A school prize photograph can appear simple at first glance, but some images carry more history than they seem to hold. The 1970 King’s...
Ilori the Osi and the Ibadan Crisis at Jalumi
Nineteenth-century Ibadan stood as one of the most powerful military centres in Yorubaland. Its rise followed the decline of the old Oyo Empire, when...
Jean-Michel Abimbola: From Benin’s Tourism Ministry to the National Assembly
Babalola Jean-Michel Hervé Abimbola is a Beninese politician closely linked with the country’s effort to place tourism, culture and heritage at the centre of...
How Aare Latosa’s Appointments Tested Ibadan’s War Command
Nineteenth century Ibadan was built on war, reputation, and command. It was not a kingdom shaped mainly by hereditary kingship. It grew into a...
The Nike Air Max Plus That Took Lagos Culture to the World
Grace Ladoja’s Homecoming x Nike Air Max Plus stands as one of the clearest signs that Lagos is no longer treated merely as a...