Selection includes Nigerian dramas like Fifty and A Sunday Affair, plus international hits exploring betrayal and family secrets

Cinema enthusiasts in Lagos have highlighted ten compelling films and series for Nigerians who recently completed Netflix’s The Polygamist, pointing to both local and international titles that delve into similar themes of deception, secret lives, and complex relationships. The curated list was released on Wednesday by a group of industry insiders following growing viewer demand for more content in this genre.

The selection features Nigerian productions such as Fifty, a 2015 drama centred on four successful women in Lagos navigating ambition, infidelity, and family secrets as they approach midlife. Also recommended is A Sunday Affair, which follows two close friends entangled with the same man, offering a relatable look at betrayal and reconciliation from a distinctly Nigerian perspective.

Internationally acclaimed shows like HBO’s Big Love—a series about a man balancing three wives in Utah—and The Undoing starring Nicole Kidman were also included. Both titles are praised for their exploration of plural marriage and the psychological unraveling that follows when secrets come to light. Other highlights on the list are On Becoming a Guinea Fowl, known for its sharp critique of patriarchal silence within families; The Other Woman, which takes a comedic approach to romantic deception; and Unfaithful, focusing on the high emotional cost of hidden affairs.

According to Lagos-based film analyst Chinedu Okeke, “Nigerian audiences are increasingly drawn to stories that reflect real-life complexities—be it polygamy, infidelity or the hidden struggles behind social media perfection.” Okeke said during a phone interview that platforms like Netflix are broadening local access to both homegrown stories and global perspectives on these issues. “This is why you see titles like Fifty trending alongside international miniseries,” he added.

Viewers seeking more recommendations are encouraged to look out for new releases in Nollywood’s relationship drama space as well as global streaming catalogues. Industry observers expect demand for such content to rise further as conversations around marriage dynamics and gender roles continue across Nigeria.

Source: https://www.pulse.ng/story/shows-like-the-polygamist-netflix-2026061915343903992

Experts blame poor genotype testing and stigma for high child mortality; call for urgent government intervention nationwide

More than 150,000 babies are born with sickle cell disease every year in Lagos and other states across Nigeria, making the country the global epicentre of the condition. Health experts raised fresh concerns on Wednesday, urging federal and state governments to establish a coordinated national newborn screening programme to tackle late diagnosis and reduce preventable deaths.

According to medical professionals, the lack of routine newborn screening, widespread public ignorance about sickle cell inheritance, unreliable genotype tests and strong societal stigma have left millions vulnerable. Nigeria currently has about 50 million people carrying the sickle cell trait, with between two and three percent of the population living with the disease. Nearly half of children affected reportedly die before their fifth birthday due to missed early intervention.

Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder causing red blood cells to become hard, sticky and crescent-shaped. These abnormal cells can block blood flow, resulting in severe pain crises, organ damage and a range of complications including stroke, anaemia, recurrent infections and mental health issues such as depression. Frequent hospital admissions disrupt education and employment opportunities for patients and create significant out-of-pocket costs for families.

Dr Chinedu Ezeh, a haematology consultant based in Lagos, said during a phone interview that “the lack of standardised genotype testing across laboratories has made it difficult for couples to make informed decisions.” He called on the Ministry of Health to strengthen regulatory oversight of testing centres and ensure accurate results nationwide.

Advocacy groups stressed that stigma remains a major barrier. Many patients are labelled as ‘sicklers,’ a term considered derogatory by those affected. Some reportedly hide or alter their genotype status to avoid discrimination at home or in workplaces. “Nigeria cannot win this fight if we do not address ignorance and stigma in our communities,” said Mrs Yetunde Adebayo, convener of a sickle cell awareness initiative in Ogun State.

While premarital screening campaigns have been introduced in several states, gaps in implementation persist due to poor quality control in laboratories and limited public awareness. Experts say robust government action—including full enforcement of existing sickle cell policies and increased funding for awareness campaigns—will be critical to reducing child mortality from the disease.

Stakeholders are calling on both federal and state governments to make newborn screening compulsory across all health facilities as part of routine immunisation schedules. They also want continuous education programmes targeting schools and religious centres to improve community understanding about prevention.

Source: https://www.pulse.ng/story/over-150000-babies-born-with-sickle-cell-every-year-why-nigerias-crisis-persists-2026061915324506760

Central Bank directive aims to strengthen anti-money laundering efforts as hidden ownership structures face increased scrutiny

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has directed all banks, fintech companies and payment service providers in major financial centres like Lagos and Abuja to disclose the identities of their ultimate beneficial owners. The move, announced on Wednesday, forms part of a renewed drive to tackle money laundering, terrorism financing and other financial crimes across the country’s financial system.

According to new regulatory guidelines released by the apex bank, all financial institutions under CBN supervision must identify, verify and maintain updated records of the real individuals who ultimately own or control their businesses. The CBN stated that these requirements are designed to prevent corporate structures from being misused for illicit activities such as corruption, tax evasion and fraud.

The CBN explained that institutions must go beyond company registration documents to determine those who exercise significant control or benefit substantially from a business, even when ownership is obscured through multiple layers or nominee arrangements. “Financial institutions are required to take reasonable steps to determine the natural persons who ultimately own or control a company and ensure that such information remains accurate and up-to-date,” the bank said in its official statement.

Olayemi Cardoso, Governor of CBN, noted that the guidelines are consistent with global standards on transparency and anti-money laundering, adding that hidden ownership arrangements have become a growing concern internationally. According to Cardoso, such structures often enable the concealment of crime proceeds and make it difficult for authorities to trace transactions linked to fraud or terrorism financing.

The directive applies not only to commercial banks but also payment service providers, fintech firms and other regulated entities operating in Nigeria. The CBN emphasised that these measures will help regulators identify true beneficiaries during investigations into suspicious transactions, thereby improving accountability within the sector. Institutions are expected to review their ownership records promptly and ensure full compliance with the updated disclosure rules.

This latest action is part of broader efforts by Nigerian authorities to align local financial regulations with recommendations from international anti-money laundering bodies. By implementing these changes, government hopes to bolster confidence in Nigeria’s financial sector while making it harder for criminals to exploit complex ownership arrangements.

Source: https://www.pulse.ng/story/cbn-orders-banks-fintechs-to-reveal-their-real-owners-in-fresh-crackdown-on-financial-crime-2026061915105684671