Author: Stephen Ibrahim

Nollywood actress and producer Toyin Abraham has publicly responded to claims made by actress Abike Shugaa regarding her experience working on the 2023 film Ijakumo: The Born Again Stripper.

The issue surfaced after a video circulated online in which Shugaa detailed her involvement in the film. In the clip, she stated that she shot two scenes for Ijakumo and was paid ₦50,000, but later discovered that her scenes were removed from the final version of the film. She also said she was not informed about the removal before the film’s release.

In response, Abraham addressed the claims in posts shared on X (formerly Twitter), confirming aspects of the account. She stated that she paid ₦50,000 for two scenes in Ijakumo and added that the scenes were removed by the film’s director.

Abraham also referenced a separate project, stating that she paid Shugaa ₦500,000 for work related to the film Malaika.

In a follow-up post, Abraham said she had initially chosen not to speak on the matter, describing Shugaa as someone she regards “like a daughter.” She also mentioned providing support to Shugaa earlier in her career, including financial assistance.

Shugaa, in her earlier statements, compared her experience on Ijakumo with other projects, including work done with Funke Akindele, where she said she earned between $600 and $800 for PR and content-related roles.

The exchange has generated reactions across social media, with discussions focusing on compensation, communication, and post-production decisions in Nollywood.

Abike Shugaa is the stage name of Olawuni Oluwapelumi Abike, a Nigerian actress, TikTok content creator, and influencer who transitioned from social media fame into Nollywood roles.

She first gained attention on TikTok and Instagram through lifestyle content, skits, fashion posts, and short-form entertainment videos, where she built a young online following. She later moved into acting and gained recognition for appearing in Nollywood productions, including: Malaika (2023), produced by Toyin Abraham. 

MTN Nigeria has suspended its airtime and data borrowing services, widely known as XtraTime and XtraByte, cutting off a widely used fallback option for millions of subscribers across the country.

The move, which quietly took effect this week, has triggered reactions among users who depend on the service for urgent calls, messages, and data access, especially in moments when immediate cash is not available.

At the center of the decision is a new regulatory position introduced by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), which now classifies airtime and data borrowing as a form of digital lending.

This reclassification changes the nature of the service entirely. What was once seen as a telecom convenience is now being treated as a financial product, requiring telecom operators to meet stricter legal and consumer protection standards. As a result, companies like MTN must secure proper licensing and demonstrate compliance with lending regulations before continuing the service.

Existing borrowed balances, however, remain valid and will still be deducted whenever users recharge their lines, ensuring that prior usage is not erased by the suspension.

MTN maintains that the suspension is temporary, positioning it as a compliance step rather than a permanent discontinuation. The expectation is that the service will return once regulatory approvals are secured and operational adjustments are completed.

MTN’s move is unlikely to exist in isolation. Other telecom operators are expected to follow similar compliance paths, suggesting that this is not just a company-specific decision but an industry-wide transition.

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission serves as Nigeria’s primary consumer protection authority, established to regulate fair business practices and safeguard users from exploitative systems across industries.

In 2025, the commission introduced a sweeping framework targeting digital and non-traditional lending. Under this regulation, any service that provides value upfront and recovers payment later is now legally defined as a loan. This includes not just cash lending platforms, but also telecom-based services like airtime and data borrowing.

By bringing these services under formal lending laws, the FCCPC is requiring providers to operate with the same level of transparency and accountability expected of financial institutions. This means clear disclosure of charges, defined repayment structures, proper user consent, and stricter data protection standards.

The Television Academy has officially announced the recipients of the 19th Television Academy Honors, with Heated Rivalry headlining a list of curated six programs recognized for their cultural and social impact.

The annual Honors differ from traditional awards like the Primetime Emmy Awards by focusing specifically on television content that drives meaningful social change, sparks conversation, and reflects real-world issues through storytelling.

Full List of Honorees

The 2026 honorees include:

Heated Rivalry
Adolescence
Dying for Sex
South Park
We Are Ayenda
The Sixth

Among this year’s honorees, Heated Rivalry has drawn particular attention for its exploration of: LGBTQ+ identity in professional sports, The tension between public image and private life and Evolving definitions of masculinity in competitive spaces.

The 2026 list reflects a wide range of themes from personal identity and sexuality to global social justice and institutional power. Projects like We Are Ayenda and The Sixth expand the scope beyond Western narratives, while, the inclusion of South Park explores how animated series can also play a role in shaping public discourse through satire and commentary.

Founded in 1946 in Los Angeles, the Television Academy was created to advance the television industry and recognize excellence in the medium. It is best known for organizing the Primetime Emmy Awards, widely regarded as television’s highest honor.

However, the Television Academy Honors, introduced in 2008, were designed to spotlight a different kind of achievement. Unlike the Emmys, which reward artistic and technical excellence, the Honors recognize content that raises awareness around critical issues, encourages public dialogue and contributes to social progress.

Each year, a select group of honorees is chosen for their ability to influence culture and inspire change, regardless of genre or format.

Honorees will be formally recognized at a ceremony scheduled for May 20, 2026, at the Academy’s Saban Media Center in Los Angeles.

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Nigeria Rapper Ladipoe took to X (formerly Twitter) to call out fellow Mavin Records signee Johnny Drille over the length of time since his last album release, sparking a playful exchange that has since drawn over hundreds of reactions from fans on the platform. 

Ladipoe questioned the singer’s extended break from releasing a full-length project, a comment that has reignited conversations around both artists’ album timelines.

In response, Johnny Drille addressed the remark with humor, turning the conversation back toward Ladipoe. He challenged the rapper to a mutual agreement, suggesting that if he releases an album within the year, Ladipoe should also commit to dropping his own project.

Johnny Drille further referenced Ladipoe’s last studio album, Talk About Poe (T.A.P), released in 2018, while Ladipoe’s most recent project, Providence, arrived in 2021. The comparison underscored the extended gaps both artists have maintained between full-length releases despite remaining active through singles, features, and collaborations.

Ladipoe later responded on the platform, maintaining the light tone of the exchange while effectively accepting the challenge. He stated that if Johnny Drille proceeds with an album release this year, he would also follow suit with his own project.

The exchange has since been interpreted by fans as an informal “drop agreement” between the two artists, both of whom remain active through singles, features, and collaborations.

The interaction is widely viewed as friendly banter within the Mavin Records roster rather than any form of rivalry. However, it has intensified speculation around potential album releases from both artists in 2026.

While neither artist has confirmed official release dates, the exchange has renewed anticipation among fans eager for full-length projects after several years of project releases.

YouTube has introduced a new feature that gives users greater control over their viewing experience, allowing them to effectively remove Shorts from their feed entirely.

The update, which is being rolled out gradually, introduces a “Shorts feed limit” setting that can be adjusted within the app. By setting the limit to zero minutes, users can stop Shorts from appearing on their homepage, recommendations, and overall browsing experience.

Unlike previous options that only allowed users to temporarily hide or reduce Shorts content, this new setting functions as a more permanent solution. Once activated, the Shorts shelf disappears from the homepage, and the platform stops pushing short form videos into the user’s feed.

While the Shorts tab itself may still exist within the app, attempting to engage with it will trigger a notification indicating that the user has reached their set limit.

This marks a significant shift for YouTube, which has heavily promoted Shorts in recent years as its response to short-form video platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels.

The introduction of this feature appears to respond directly to growing user feedback around content fatigue and digital wellbeing. By allowing users to fully opt out, YouTube is becoming a platform that prioritizes flexibility and personalization.

A high-profile entertainment and lifestyle event, The Royal Networking Event, is scheduled to take place on May 1, 2026, at Ciela Resort – Bonanza, bringing together a mix of international and African music stars.

According to promotional materials released by organizers, the event will be headlined by Nigerian Afrobeats star Davido, American rapper Rick Ross, Congolese music icon Koffi Olomide, and singer Cindy Le Cœur.

The event is being organized by Bplatinum Events Co. Ltd and is positioned as a premium gathering that combines live music performances with high-level networking opportunities. Gates are expected to open at 3:00 PM, with tickets available through both online and physical channels.

Davido’s appearance comes shortly after his debut performance at the globally recognized Coachella festival, where he delivered a set that further highlighted the growing international reach of Afrobeats. The performance marked another milestone in his global run and adds momentum to his upcoming appearance in Zambia.

Organizers say the event aims to attract a diverse audience, including business professionals, creatives, and entertainment enthusiasts, while offering a luxury experience beyond a traditional concert setting.

The inclusion of Davido highlights the continued global influence of Afrobeats, while Rick Ross’s appearance is set to promote the event’s international reach. Meanwhile, Koffi Olomide and Cindy Le Cœur bring a strong Central African presence, reflecting the event’s pan-African appeal.

While further details regarding additional performances or side activities have not yet been disclosed, the lineup alone has generated significant attention ahead of the event date.

Nigerian comedian and actor Okey Bakassi has announced a ₦5 million reward following the theft of eight mobile phones during a routine football match in Ikoyi, Lagos.

The incident reportedly occurred on Wednesday evening, April 15, during a regular game attended by a group of professionals and business figures who gather weekly for informal matches.

According to Bakassi, a young man joined the game after approaching the group and was allowed to play. During the match, the suspect allegedly stepped away from the pitch under the guise of an injury or break.

He then moved to the sidelines where players had left their belongings and reportedly stole eight mobile phones before fleeing the scene.

In a video recorded shortly after the incident, Bakassi publicly appealed for help in tracking down the suspect. He offered a ₦5 million reward for credible information that leads to the recovery of the phones or the identification and arrest of the individual.

He emphasized that the reward would still apply even if only one of the stolen devices is recovered.

The case has been reported to law enforcement authorities, and investigations are currently ongoing.

Bakassi also issued a caution to individuals who purchase second-hand phones, urging them to request proper documentation and verify ownership to avoid unknowingly buying stolen devices.

Victoria Police have officially launched an investigation into a historical sexual assault allegation reportedly involving Australian actress Ruby Rose and American pop star Katy Perry, following claims connected to an alleged incident in Melbourne dating back to 2010.

The development marks the formal involvement of law enforcement after the allegation surfaced publicly on social media, sparking widespread attention across entertainment and news platforms.

The allegation first came to public attention when Ruby Rose reportedly made a series of social media posts accusing Katy Perry of sexual assault tied to an incident said to have occurred in Melbourne in 2010. Rose claimed the incident happened at a nightclub in the city when she was in her early twenties.

In her posts, she also suggested that the experience had remained with her for years before she eventually chose to speak publicly about it. The claims quickly gained traction online, prompting intense public debate and media scrutiny.

Katy Perry has strongly denied the allegations through her representatives, describing them as “categorically false” and rejecting the claims in full. Her team has maintained that the accusations are untrue, while Perry herself has not issued a detailed personal statement addressing the specifics of the allegation.

On Wednesday, Victoria Police confirmed that detectives are now examining a report of a “historical sexual assault that occurred in Melbourne in 2010.” Authorities stated that the matter is being handled by specialist investigators and is currently in the early stages.

Police have not released further details, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation.

At this stage, no charges have been filed, and the investigation remains ongoing. Both parties are maintaining opposing positions, with Rose standing by her account and Perry firmly denying the allegations.

The structure of the internet is undergoing a major shift and not because of human users.

According to Kate Johnson, CEO of Lumen Technologies, artificial intelligence bots now account for more than 50% of all internet traffic worldwide. The revelation highlights how rapidly machine-driven activity is beginning to dominate the digital ecosystem.

Kate Johnson made the disclosure while speaking on the growing impact of AI infrastructure, noting that what was once a human-centered internet is increasingly being shaped by autonomous systems.

At the center of this transformation are what Johnson described as “autonomous workers” AI systems designed to perform tasks online without direct human input. These include: AI chatbots and virtual assistants, Automated data scrapers, Algorithmic trading systems and AI-powered customer service agents.

Unlike traditional internet users, these systems operate continuously, exchanging massive volumes of data in real time. As a result, they generate significantly more traffic than individual human activity.

For a company like Lumen, which operates critical global internet infrastructure, the data provides a rare look into how traffic flows at the backbone level. The implication is clear: the internet is no longer dominated by people but by machines interacting with other machines.

Despite the scale of AI traffic today, she emphasized that the industry is still in its early stages. The current surge is being driven by increased adoption of generative AI tools, automation platforms, and enterprise-level AI systems.

This suggests that the 50% threshold may only be the beginning, with AI-generated traffic expected to grow even more rapidly in the coming years.

The rise is also fueled by companies integrating AI into everyday operations from customer support to logistics leading to a constant stream of machine-to-machine communication.

Nollywood actress and filmmaker Ruth Kadiri has ignited widespread conversation online after sharing a spiritual analogy linking the Holy Spirit to artificial intelligence.

In a video posted on Instagram on April 14, 2026, the actress described what she framed as a personal revelation, stating that the Holy Spirit can be understood as the original “first A,I”  a divine helper designed to guide, comfort, and provide answers long before modern technology emerged.

Speaking in a direct and conversational tone, Kadiri said, “God told me that when somebody says, ‘Who is the Holy Spirit?’ The Holy Spirit is what people will call today the first AI.”

Her comparison drew a parallel between how people now interact with AI tools asking questions, seeking clarity, and finding solutions and the traditional Christian belief in the Holy Spirit as a constant, all-knowing guide.

Kadiri’s message centered on what she sees as a growing cultural shift. According to her, many people including Christians are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence for answers and emotional support, rather than relying on spiritual connection.

She warned that this pattern could lead to a deeper sense of emptiness over time, arguing that while AI can offer convenience, it cannot provide true fulfillment. In her view, the Holy Spirit was given as a complete source of direction, wisdom, and comfort; something technology can imitate but not replace.

The actress also framed her message within a broader spiritual narrative, suggesting that modern innovations may reflect attempts to replicate what already exists in a divine form.

The video quickly gained traction across platforms, sparking mixed reactions and debate.

Supporters praised Kadiri for offering a thought-provoking perspective on faith in a tech-driven world. Some described her message as timely, agreeing that spiritual grounding should not be replaced by digital tools.

Others, however, questioned the analogy. Critics argued that comparing the Holy Spirit to AI oversimplifies complex theological concepts, while some dismissed the statement as an attempt to align religious ideas with trending conversations around technology.

Known for her work across Nollywood as an actress, producer, and storyteller, Ruth Kadiri has built a reputation for blending entertainment with personal expression.