Kano State in Nigeria married off 1,500 couples in a single ceremony on Friday as part of a government initiative to help low-income residents cover marriage costs and support family stability.
Monday, August 10, 2026
1,500 couples tie the knot during a mass wedding in Kano, Nigeria
Kano State in Nigeria married off 1,500 couples in a single ceremony on Friday as part of a government initiative to help low-income residents cover marriage costs and support family stability.
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
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