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 Digital Platforms Transform Small Business Operations, Boost Transparency and Efficiency
Service marketplaces in Lagos and other cities improve access to home repairs, events, and waste management for SMEs and consumers
Service marketplaces in Lagos and other cities improve access to home repairs, events, and waste management for SMEs and consumers
Digital service marketplaces are now reshaping the way small businesses operate in Lagos and other major cities, offering greater transparency, trust, and efficiency across sectors such as home repairs, events planning, and waste management. The development comes as service providers and consumers alike seek reliable options in an industry long plagued by price uncertainty and inconsistent quality.
Residents like Chidi Okonkwo in Lekki have faced challenges sourcing trusted technicians for urgent repairs. Okonkwo recounted spending hours searching for a plumber after a burst pipe incident in March, only to be met with disconnected numbers, fluctuating prices, and unfulfilled appointments. His experience mirrors that of many Lagosians who often turn to informal networks or social media groups to find service providers—sometimes at higher costs than market rates.
The rise of digital platforms is addressing these issues by centralising listings, standardising pricing information, and offering verified reviews. This shift is making it easier for small business owners to connect with new clients while building reputational capital based on customer feedback. For consumers, the platforms provide a layer of accountability that was previously lacking in the fragmented local service sector.
Industry observers note that the adoption of digital marketplaces is not limited to Nigeria. Similar trends are emerging across Africa, Europe, and North America as businesses leverage technology to streamline operations and improve service delivery. In Lagos specifically, stakeholders in the home services and waste management space have welcomed the move towards more structured online engagement but caution that regulatory oversight will be needed to sustain trust.
With digital transformation accelerating in Nigeria’s SME sector, experts predict continued growth for online service marketplaces. As more businesses embrace technology-driven solutions, market participants expect further improvements in efficiency and consumer confidence across the country.
Nigeria News (Standard)
Lagos Artists Launch Wave of New Afrobeats Releases as Wande Coal, Davido Lead Music Friday
Industry insiders say Lagos remains epicentre for Afrobeats innovation, with established stars and rising acts releasing fresh tracks
Industry insiders say Lagos remains epicentre for Afrobeats innovation, with established stars and rising acts releasing fresh tracks
GBESUNMO
A new set of Afrobeats singles hit the Nigerian music scene on Friday, with major artists including Wande Coal, Davido, Joeboy, and Magixx unveiling new tracks in Lagos. The latest releases were rolled out on June 26, marking another vibrant week for Nigeria’s fast-growing music industry.
The week’s headline release is ‘Gbesunmo’, a collaboration featuring Wande Coal, Ruger, and BNXN, which blends signature vocals with Afro-fusion rhythms. Wande Coal also teamed up with Wizkid for ‘Oshe’, further cementing his influence on the genre. Other notable singles include Davido’s ‘I Know Who I Be’, featuring JAZZWRLD and GL_Ceejay; Joeboy’s romantic offering ‘YBTM (You Belong To Me)’; and Magixx’s ‘Feel Am’ off his ATOM II EP.
Music analysts note that these regular Friday drops have become critical for maintaining Afrobeats’ global momentum. According to industry stakeholders in Lagos, established stars like Wande Coal and Davido continue to attract mainstream attention, while newer acts such as Taves—who released the reflective track ‘Uche Jumbo’—are pushing the sound in fresh directions. “Lagos is still the engine room for Afrobeats,” said a talent manager based in Victoria Island.
The releases have drawn mixed reactions from fans and critics. While some listeners praised the energy of ‘Gbesunmo’ and the cross-border collaboration between Yamê and Adekunle Gold on ‘On My Mind’, others described Davido’s latest as not significantly evolving his sound. Veteran producer Somi also made waves with ‘Sometimes Love’, featuring The Cavemen, recorded in Lagos and highlighting highlife influences.
With the global appetite for Nigerian pop at an all-time high, experts predict that upcoming Fridays will see even more high-profile collaborations. Record labels are expected to maintain this pace through the summer season, as artists compete for chart dominance both at home and abroad.
Source: https://www.pulse.ng/story/new-music-friday-wande-coal-davido-joeboy-afrobeats-2026062610490667432
Nigeria News (Standard)
Lagos Lawyer Flags Regulatory Gaps in Nigeria’s Surrogacy Practice, Calls for Urgent Reform
Legal expert warns lack of clear guidelines exposes intended parents and surrogate mothers to disputes, urges lawmakers’ intervention
Legal expert warns lack of clear guidelines exposes intended parents and surrogate mothers to disputes, urges lawmakers’ intervention
A legal practitioner in Lagos has raised alarm over the absence of comprehensive regulations guiding surrogacy arrangements in Nigeria, warning that the current legal vacuum exposes both surrogate mothers and intended parents to significant risks. The concern was expressed on Friday, 26 June, during a public discussion on reproductive rights held in Lagos.
According to the lawyer, while surrogacy is increasingly sought after by Nigerian couples facing infertility challenges, the practice remains largely unregulated by existing national laws or health sector policies. This gap, the expert argued, leaves room for potential exploitation, misunderstandings, and protracted disputes over parental rights. “There are many families turning to surrogacy as an option but without proper legislation or oversight, everyone involved is vulnerable to legal and emotional hardship,” the lawyer stated.
The growing popularity of assisted reproduction methods in urban centres like Lagos and Abuja has highlighted the need for clearer frameworks. In the absence of a dedicated law, parties must rely on informal agreements or court interventions when disagreements arise—an approach experts say is inadequate and can lead to conflicting outcomes. Many Nigerians are unaware of their rights or obligations under such arrangements due to the lack of public information and official guidance.
The legal practitioner urged federal lawmakers and regulatory bodies to prioritise drafting a comprehensive surrogacy law that defines roles, responsibilities, and protections for all parties involved. “If Parliament does not act quickly, more families will suffer unnecessary trauma from avoidable legal battles,” the lawyer emphasised. Stakeholders in Nigeria’s health sector have echoed these calls in recent months as cases involving contested parental rights become more common.
As at now, there is no clear timeline for legislative action on surrogacy regulation at the National Assembly. Observers say without urgent reform, Nigeria risks falling behind other African countries that have already established legal frameworks to protect families pursuing assisted reproduction.
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