Nigeria News (Standard)
Oyagbola, Creative Sector Leaders Urge Increased Investment in Women at Lagos Arts Summit
National Delphic Council, WISCAR and industry icons highlight need for funding, mentorship to boost Nigeria’s creative economy
National Delphic Council, WISCAR and industry icons highlight need for funding, mentorship to boost Nigeria’s creative economy
Creative industry leaders have called for deliberate investment in women to unlock the full potential of Nigeria’s creative sector, warning that persistent barriers to funding, leadership and market access threaten the country’s economic diversification drive. The call was made at the ‘Women in the Arts: Power, Voice and Economic Impact’ summit held in Lagos on Wednesday, convened by the National Delphic Council Nigeria in partnership with Women in Successful Careers (WISCAR).
The event brought together prominent figures from film, theatre, visual arts and cultural enterprise, including Mrs Amina Oyagbola—President of National Delphic Council Nigeria and Founder of WISCAR—who argued that limited access to resources continues to undermine women’s contribution to arts and culture. ‘Nigeria’s creative economy will not reach its full potential if the women driving culture, storytelling, enterprise and innovation remain under-supported. This is no longer just a gender conversation. It is an economic imperative,’ Oyagbola said during her opening remarks.
The summit comes as government intensifies efforts to grow the creative and tourism sectors as major engines of job creation. In 2025, federal authorities unveiled a roadmap targeting $100 billion in GDP contribution by 2030 alongside three million new jobs across creative industries. The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has identified motion picture, music production, broadcasting, arts and entertainment as key contributors to national output—with Nollywood ranked as the world’s second-largest film industry by annual output.
Speaking on behalf of Honourable Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Mr Obi Asika—Director-General of National Council for Arts and Culture—reaffirmed government’s commitment to elevating female voices within Nigeria’s arts ecosystem. Other speakers included veteran actress Joke Silva; Bolanle Austen-Peters, CEO of Terra Kulture; Temidayo Makanjuola; Obi Okigbo; Jude Oni-Okpako; along with global Delphic Council leaders Davina Bautista and Ramesh Prasana.
Discussions highlighted that despite women forming almost half of the workforce in culture and entertainment according to UNESCO data, they remain underrepresented in leadership roles while facing precarious work conditions. Participants called for stronger collaboration among government agencies, private sector actors and development partners to ensure women are empowered not only as creators but also as business leaders and cultural ambassadors.
The summit concluded with a unanimous appeal for practical action—from financing to mentorship—to scale up women’s participation across all segments of Nigeria’s creative economy.
Nigeria News (Standard)
Lagos Environment Commissioner Apologises Over Waste Management Failures Across State
Commissioner admits persistent refuse on major roads, assures residents government is working to resolve collection lapses
Commissioner admits persistent refuse on major roads, assures residents government is working to resolve collection lapses
The Lagos State Commissioner for Environment has issued an apology to residents over the ongoing waste management challenges, acknowledging widespread concerns about refuse heaps littering streets and major highways across the state. The apology was delivered on Friday, 26 June 2026, as Lagosians continue to grapple with mounting trash and irregular waste collection in Nigeria’s commercial capital.
The statement comes amid growing complaints from communities in Lagos Mainland, Ikeja, Surulere and other parts of the South-Western state, where overflowing bins and uncollected waste have become a daily sight. Many residents have expressed frustration over blocked drainage channels and traffic disruptions caused by indiscriminate dumping of refuse.
Waste management has remained a major issue in Lagos, Africa’s most populous city, with the population now exceeding 20 million. In recent months, refuse piles along key routes such as Ikorodu Road and Oshodi-Apapa Expressway have raised public health concerns and drawn criticism from environmental groups. Experts warn that poor sanitation could worsen flooding during the rainy season and increase risks of disease outbreaks.
The commissioner noted that government is aware of the suffering faced by households and businesses due to delayed waste evacuation. He assured Lagosians that measures are being taken to address logistical challenges faced by contractors responsible for refuse collection. “We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused by these lapses in our waste management system,” the commissioner stated, adding that new strategies would soon be rolled out to improve efficiency.
As at press time, there was no immediate response from opposition parties regarding the apology or the state’s handling of environmental sanitation. Government said it is engaging with private sector partners to review current processes and ensure sustainable solutions for keeping Lagos clean.
Nigeria News (Standard)
INEC Says It Has Not Received Funds for 2027 General Elections Amid Budget Concerns
Electoral commission officials in Abuja reveal delayed release of allocated funds, raising fears over timely preparations
Electoral commission officials in Abuja reveal delayed release of allocated funds, raising fears over timely preparations
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has disclosed that it is yet to receive the budgeted funds for the conduct of the 2027 general elections, raising concerns about the timely preparation and execution of Nigeria’s next nationwide polls. The revelation was made by commission officials in Abuja on Friday, 26 June 2026.
According to INEC, despite allocations made in the national budget for electoral activities leading up to 2027, no disbursement has reached the commission as at the end of June. This situation has sparked anxiety among stakeholders about potential delays in procurement, training, and deployment necessary for credible elections across Nigeria’s thirty-six states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The delayed release of funds comes at a time when Nigerians are increasingly vocal about electoral transparency and logistics. Previous election cycles have been marked by late arrivals of materials and inadequate training for ad hoc staff — issues INEC officials say are often tied to funding bottlenecks. The commission’s inability to access its full budget on time could further complicate plans to upgrade election technology and improve voter verification processes.
While INEC did not provide detailed figures or timelines for when it expects the funds, senior officials stressed that early financial support is critical if the commission is to avoid repeating past logistical challenges. They called on relevant authorities to expedite all necessary approvals and transfers so that preparations can commence without further delay.
As Nigerians look ahead to the next election cycle, observers warn that protracted funding delays may undermine confidence in the electoral process. Civil society groups have urged government to prioritise INEC’s requests, noting that transparent and timely elections are vital for democratic stability.
Nigeria News (Standard)
Rapper YCee’s ‘Olodo Uprising’ Comment Triggers Backlash from Peller and Jarvis in Lagos
Peller accuses celebrities of hypocrisy as debate on education and social media fame deepens among Lagos youths
Peller accuses celebrities of hypocrisy as debate on education and social media fame deepens among Lagos youths
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A public feud erupted in Lagos on Wednesday after Nigerian rapper YCee criticised what he described as an ‘olodo uprising’, singling out the growing influence of TikTok creator Habeeb Hamzat, popularly known as Peller. The incident, which played out across social media platforms on 26 June, has reignited debate around academic achievement and online celebrity culture in Nigeria.
YCee, whose real name is Oludemilade Martin Alejo, made the remarks during an appearance on the Afropolitan podcast. He lamented that Nigerian society no longer values academic excellence, saying, “It’s not even Yahoo culture anymore; now we have a ‘Peller culture.’ This ‘olodo’ uprising we are witnessing is terrible. It feels like we are trying so hard to accommodate ignorance so people won’t feel bad, and now they seem to be the majority.”
His comments were interpreted by many as a direct reference to Peller, a Lagos-based TikTok streamer whose unorthodox content has earned him massive popularity despite his limited formal education. In response via Instagram Stories, Peller accused YCee of disrespect and alleged that some celebrities who publicly criticise him privately seek his support for online engagement. “Una dey use money dey beg for DM make they use una sound. Some idiot celebs that I am following are reposting YCee’s video,” Peller wrote, insisting that criticism should not be confused with personal attacks.
Peller’s partner Jarvis, also a content creator, defended the growing number of young Nigerians turning to social media for income. She stated, “I’m a graduate myself. Since the government didn’t provide jobs for us, what exactly did you expect people to do? You can’t expect individuals with high intelligence to end up cleaning toilets.” Jarvis noted that economic hardship and unemployment have pushed some youths towards online content creation as a means of survival, while others have resorted to criminal activity due to lack of opportunities.
The exchange has sharply divided opinion among Lagos residents and beyond. While some commentators backed YCee’s concerns about declining respect for education, others argued his criticism overlooked the realities facing millions of unemployed graduates. The incident has further fuelled discussion about the value of formal education in today’s economy and whether social media stardom offers a viable path for young Nigerians amid persistent job scarcity.
Source: https://www.pulse.ng/story/ycee-peller-culture-backlash-jarvis-2026062612430257478
Lagos Environment Commissioner Apologises Over Waste Management Failures Across State
INEC Says It Has Not Received Funds for 2027 General Elections Amid Budget Concerns
Rapper YCee’s ‘Olodo Uprising’ Comment Triggers Backlash from Peller and Jarvis in Lagos
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