In his Lagos studio, Nigerian artist Emmanuel Olatunde is transforming the way portraits are painted, using clay sourced from the earth beneath his feet. The 39-year-old artist has developed a unique technique that turns natural clay into paint, using his background in science and his passion for art.
Friday, August 7, 2026
Video - Nigerian artist transforms ordinary clay into intricate works of art
In his Lagos studio, Nigerian artist Emmanuel Olatunde is transforming the way portraits are painted, using clay sourced from the earth beneath his feet. The 39-year-old artist has developed a unique technique that turns natural clay into paint, using his background in science and his passion for art.
Nigeria and Canada sign deal for direct flights
Nigeria and Canada have, for the first time, signed an expanded air transport agreement, which allows for direct flights between both countries.
Aviation minister Festus Keyamo and Canada’s chief air negotiator, Shendra Melia, signed the deal at the high commission in Abuja on Thursday.
Mr Keyamo said the deal was adopted following Nigeria and Canada’s technical review of the existing air services framework.
He described the deal as a milestone designed to boost tourism, encourage new opportunities for airlines to thrive in both countries, reduce travel time, strengthen Nigeria-Canada cultural and economic ties, support family reunification, and minimise logistics costs.
The key agreements include the right for Nigeria and Canada to designate multiple airlines to operate scheduled air services between the two countries and a capacity allowance of 14 weekly passenger flights and 10 weekly all-cargo flights for the designated airlines of each country.
Additionally, the granting of Fifth Freedom Traffic Rights for all-cargo operations, allowing cargo airlines to transport freight between two foreign countries, provided the service originates or terminates in the airline’s home country.
The air transport pact was initially negotiated in 2024 as a code-share-only agreement and was signed in March 2025.
Canadian transport minister Steven MacKinnon also echoed Mr Keyamo’s stance on the deal in a statement on the government’s website.
“The newly expanded Canada-Nigeria Air Transport Agreement will strengthen our economic ties, support tourism and trade, and make it easier for people and businesses in both countries to connect,” he said in part.
The Canadian government noted that Nigeria ranks as Canada’s 38th-largest international air transport market in 2025 and is now its third-largest bilateral air market in Africa, after Morocco and Algeria. It added that the Canada-Nigeria air transport market has more than doubled in size over the past decade.
Official data showed that more than 25,000 Nigerians held valid Canadian study permits as of March 31 this year, reflecting their strong interest in Canada as a study destination.
Over the years, Nigerians travelling to Canada have had to book connecting flights, mostly transiting through Doha, Dubai, London Heathrow, Paris, Amsterdam and Atlanta, among other cities.
Many Nigerians have welcomed the development in social media posts, saying it was long overdue.
An X user, Oyederu Oyewande, commended President Bola Tinubu’s government, saying, “This is a big development. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and God bless Canada.”
Also describing it as a welcome development, another user, Ibrahim Raji, stated, “I look forward to the Nigeria-to-Canada flight that won’t be beyond 6-13 hours direct flight even if it is available once a week; many would like to be in Nigeria at slightest chance, but fear of travelling for 24-48 junketing d globe is much a stress.”
“This is long overdue,” @samiegbasky said. “Kudos to you, Hon. Minister; you got this one spot on. No more merry-go-round before going to Canada anymore.”
Aviation minister Festus Keyamo and Canada’s chief air negotiator, Shendra Melia, signed the deal at the high commission in Abuja on Thursday.
Mr Keyamo said the deal was adopted following Nigeria and Canada’s technical review of the existing air services framework.
He described the deal as a milestone designed to boost tourism, encourage new opportunities for airlines to thrive in both countries, reduce travel time, strengthen Nigeria-Canada cultural and economic ties, support family reunification, and minimise logistics costs.
The key agreements include the right for Nigeria and Canada to designate multiple airlines to operate scheduled air services between the two countries and a capacity allowance of 14 weekly passenger flights and 10 weekly all-cargo flights for the designated airlines of each country.
Additionally, the granting of Fifth Freedom Traffic Rights for all-cargo operations, allowing cargo airlines to transport freight between two foreign countries, provided the service originates or terminates in the airline’s home country.
The air transport pact was initially negotiated in 2024 as a code-share-only agreement and was signed in March 2025.
Canadian transport minister Steven MacKinnon also echoed Mr Keyamo’s stance on the deal in a statement on the government’s website.
“The newly expanded Canada-Nigeria Air Transport Agreement will strengthen our economic ties, support tourism and trade, and make it easier for people and businesses in both countries to connect,” he said in part.
The Canadian government noted that Nigeria ranks as Canada’s 38th-largest international air transport market in 2025 and is now its third-largest bilateral air market in Africa, after Morocco and Algeria. It added that the Canada-Nigeria air transport market has more than doubled in size over the past decade.
Official data showed that more than 25,000 Nigerians held valid Canadian study permits as of March 31 this year, reflecting their strong interest in Canada as a study destination.
Over the years, Nigerians travelling to Canada have had to book connecting flights, mostly transiting through Doha, Dubai, London Heathrow, Paris, Amsterdam and Atlanta, among other cities.
Many Nigerians have welcomed the development in social media posts, saying it was long overdue.
An X user, Oyederu Oyewande, commended President Bola Tinubu’s government, saying, “This is a big development. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and God bless Canada.”
Also describing it as a welcome development, another user, Ibrahim Raji, stated, “I look forward to the Nigeria-to-Canada flight that won’t be beyond 6-13 hours direct flight even if it is available once a week; many would like to be in Nigeria at slightest chance, but fear of travelling for 24-48 junketing d globe is much a stress.”
“This is long overdue,” @samiegbasky said. “Kudos to you, Hon. Minister; you got this one spot on. No more merry-go-round before going to Canada anymore.”
By Oyindamola Olubajo, Peoples Gazette
Thursday, August 6, 2026
Video - Nigeria expands army to strengthen security
President Bola Tinubu has approved a major expansion of Nigeria's army as the country steps up efforts to tackle persistent security threats. Retired military officers and security experts say the move could strengthen rapid response capabilities, but stress that better training, troop welfare and modern equipment are equally critical.
Dangote's planned $5 billion refinery IPO in Nigeria could be followed by a listing in Africa's richest country
Africa's largest stock exchange is positioning itself to host a secondary listing of Dangote Petroleum Refinery, as interest grows across the continent ahead of what could become one of Africa's biggest initial public offerings.
The Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) confirmed it has been in discussions with the Dangote Group and said the company intends to pursue a listing in Nigeria first before exploring a secondary listing in South Africa.
"They will list in Nigeria first but with strong intent to hopefully bring the listing to South Africa," a JSE spokesperson told Reuters.
The Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) has a total market capitalisation of approximately ZAR 24.9 trillion (USD 1.52 trillion), making it the largest stock exchange in Africa and accounting for about 60% of the continent's total equity market value
The planned listing follows reports that Dangote Group is seeking to raise about $5 billion through an initial public offering of the refinery. Sources familiar with the matter said the company has already made a preliminary filing with Nigeria's securities regulator and is targeting an October debut on the Nigerian Exchange.
The Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) confirmed it has been in discussions with the Dangote Group and said the company intends to pursue a listing in Nigeria first before exploring a secondary listing in South Africa.
"They will list in Nigeria first but with strong intent to hopefully bring the listing to South Africa," a JSE spokesperson told Reuters.
The Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) has a total market capitalisation of approximately ZAR 24.9 trillion (USD 1.52 trillion), making it the largest stock exchange in Africa and accounting for about 60% of the continent's total equity market value
The planned listing follows reports that Dangote Group is seeking to raise about $5 billion through an initial public offering of the refinery. Sources familiar with the matter said the company has already made a preliminary filing with Nigeria's securities regulator and is targeting an October debut on the Nigerian Exchange.
Continental investors show strong interest
Investor interest is extending well beyond Nigeria. Kenya is expected to play a significant role in the share sale, with institutional investors, including pension funds, potentially contributing as much as $500 million—about 10% of the targeted fundraising.
Discussions have also taken place with regulators and market participants in Egypt, Ghana and Rwanda to explore ways investors in those countries can participate in the landmark offering, highlighting the refinery's growing appeal as a pan-African investment opportunity.
Built by Africa's richest man, Aliko Dangote, at an estimated cost of $20 billion, the 650,000-barrel-per-day refinery began producing fuel in 2024 and reached full operating capacity earlier this year. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) owns just over 7% of the facility.
A recent private placement valued the refinery at around $40 billion after investors acquired a 6% stake for $2.5 billion. That valuation positions the refinery among Africa's most valuable privately owned industrial assets and sets the stage for what could become one of the continent's largest-ever public listings.
Investor interest is extending well beyond Nigeria. Kenya is expected to play a significant role in the share sale, with institutional investors, including pension funds, potentially contributing as much as $500 million—about 10% of the targeted fundraising.
Discussions have also taken place with regulators and market participants in Egypt, Ghana and Rwanda to explore ways investors in those countries can participate in the landmark offering, highlighting the refinery's growing appeal as a pan-African investment opportunity.
Built by Africa's richest man, Aliko Dangote, at an estimated cost of $20 billion, the 650,000-barrel-per-day refinery began producing fuel in 2024 and reached full operating capacity earlier this year. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) owns just over 7% of the facility.
A recent private placement valued the refinery at around $40 billion after investors acquired a 6% stake for $2.5 billion. That valuation positions the refinery among Africa's most valuable privately owned industrial assets and sets the stage for what could become one of the continent's largest-ever public listings.
By Adekunle Agbetiloye, Business Insider Africa
Nigeria announces rescue of 308 kidnapped citizens
More than 300 people who had been kidnapped across Nigeria have been freed in an intelligence and security operation, the government has announced.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu warmly welcomes the successful rescue of 308 Nigerian citizens who were abducted in different attacks in Niger and Kwara states,” Bayo Onanuga, a special adviser to Nigeria’s president, said in a statement.
The statement said that 163 of those rescued were abducted from the Woro Community in Kaiama Local Government Area in Kwara State, and 145 were taken from Niger State.
“The victims were rescued from the Kainji Lake National Park Forest in New Bussa Local Government Area of Niger State”, according to the statement, as a result of a “coordinated, intelligence-driven operation”. The operation was carried out by the country’s National Counter Terrorism Centre, involving members of the armed forces, the police force and the Department of State Services.
“It was the largest rescue operation ever carried out on the same day by Nigeria’s joint security team,” the statement added.
The government in Kwara State, near the border with Benin, welcomed the rescue in a social media post, local channel Arise News reported.
“Kudos to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, security forces, and everyone who played a role in this huge feat. We are grateful!”, said the Kwara government statement, announcing the release of those abducted during the February 3 attack on local communities in Kaiama.
At least 200 people were killed in the attack, when suspected Boko Haram-linked fighters launched a coordinated assault that lasted several hours, according to the Nigeria-based Punch website.
Kidnapping for ransom by criminal groups, Boko Haram-linked fighters and gangs known as bandits has become a major crisis in Nigeria, especially in areas with little state presence.
Soft targets, including schools, churches and mosques, particularly in vulnerable rural communities with limited state security, have been particularly at risk.
On January 18, 177 people were abducted from three churches in the village of Kurmin Wali in Kaduna State.
Last month, security services freed at least 40 students and teachers kidnapped in May from the southern state of Oyo.
In June, the president announced that the military had “neutralised” more than 13,000 “terrorists” in the past year. The army also said it had rescued 360 people abducted by Boko Haram, which has spread across parts of the country from Borno State, once considered the centre of its operations.
“The successful execution of this intelligence-led operation demonstrates the growing efficiency and collaboration among our security services. I commend our gallant men and women in uniform for their bravery and unwavering commitment to safeguarding Nigerian lives,” the president said in his latest statement.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu warmly welcomes the successful rescue of 308 Nigerian citizens who were abducted in different attacks in Niger and Kwara states,” Bayo Onanuga, a special adviser to Nigeria’s president, said in a statement.
The statement said that 163 of those rescued were abducted from the Woro Community in Kaiama Local Government Area in Kwara State, and 145 were taken from Niger State.
“The victims were rescued from the Kainji Lake National Park Forest in New Bussa Local Government Area of Niger State”, according to the statement, as a result of a “coordinated, intelligence-driven operation”. The operation was carried out by the country’s National Counter Terrorism Centre, involving members of the armed forces, the police force and the Department of State Services.
“It was the largest rescue operation ever carried out on the same day by Nigeria’s joint security team,” the statement added.
The government in Kwara State, near the border with Benin, welcomed the rescue in a social media post, local channel Arise News reported.
“Kudos to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, security forces, and everyone who played a role in this huge feat. We are grateful!”, said the Kwara government statement, announcing the release of those abducted during the February 3 attack on local communities in Kaiama.
At least 200 people were killed in the attack, when suspected Boko Haram-linked fighters launched a coordinated assault that lasted several hours, according to the Nigeria-based Punch website.
Kidnapping for ransom by criminal groups, Boko Haram-linked fighters and gangs known as bandits has become a major crisis in Nigeria, especially in areas with little state presence.
Soft targets, including schools, churches and mosques, particularly in vulnerable rural communities with limited state security, have been particularly at risk.
On January 18, 177 people were abducted from three churches in the village of Kurmin Wali in Kaduna State.
Last month, security services freed at least 40 students and teachers kidnapped in May from the southern state of Oyo.
In June, the president announced that the military had “neutralised” more than 13,000 “terrorists” in the past year. The army also said it had rescued 360 people abducted by Boko Haram, which has spread across parts of the country from Borno State, once considered the centre of its operations.
“The successful execution of this intelligence-led operation demonstrates the growing efficiency and collaboration among our security services. I commend our gallant men and women in uniform for their bravery and unwavering commitment to safeguarding Nigerian lives,” the president said in his latest statement.
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