Tag: Nigerian

Nigerian billionaire and industrialist Aliko Dangote has been named among the TIME 100 Most Influential People of 2026.

According to the 2026 edition of the annual list, Dangote is the only Nigerian included this year, further strengthening his status as a key driver of Africa’s economic influence on the global stage.

The TIME100 list, which highlights individuals shaping politics, business, culture, science, and global affairs, also features several high-profile international figures, including U.S. President Donald Trump and other global leaders.

Dangote’s inclusion is largely tied to his expanding industrial footprint across Africa, particularly through the Dangote Group, which spans cement production, sugar refining, salt, and fertilizer manufacturing.

In recent years, attention has increasingly centered on the Dangote Refinery, one of the largest single train refineries in the world, which is expected to significantly reshape fuel production and distribution across Nigeria and the broader African market.

The refinery project, alongside his long-standing dominance in manufacturing and commodities, has positioned Dangote as a central figure in conversations about Africa’s industrial self-sufficiency and economic transformation.

This is not Dangote’s first appearance on the TIME100 list. He has been featured in previous editions.

The TIME100 is an annual list published by the TIME that highlights the 100 most influential individuals in the world each year.

Unlike rankings based on wealth or popularity, the TIME100 focuses on real-world influence, people whose actions and decisions shape global politics, business, culture, science, and society.

Each year, the list features leaders across multiple sectors, including government, entertainment, technology, activism, and business. It serves as a snapshot of global power and influence at a given moment in time.

Nigerian poet Adedayo Agarau has been recognised on an international stage. His 2026 poetry collection, The Years of Blood, was selected by the New York Public Library as one of the 25 Best New Poetry Books of 2026, a list that highlights the most compelling and significant poetry published each year. 

Born in Ibadan in 1994, Agarau has rapidly become one of Nigeria’s most important contemporary poets. His writing engages with themes of memory, violence, spirituality, and cultural inheritance. He serves as Editor‑in‑Chief of Agbowó Magazine, an African literary journal, and contributes as Poetry Reviews Editor for The Rumpus. His poems have appeared in respected international publications, and he has been recognised with notable awards and fellowships, including the C.P. Cavafy Poetry Prize and a Wallace Stegner Fellowship at Stanford University.

The Years of Blood itself has also earned recognition beyond the NYPL list. It received the Poetic Justice Institute Editor’s Prize for BIPOC Writers and was listed among the most anticipated poetry collections of recent years in key literary circles. It has also won the 2026 Nossrat Yassini Poetry Prize at the Nossrat Yassini Poetry Festival, selected by the renowned poet Cornelius Eady. 

The collection has been described by the NYPL as “a collected poetry of witness,” giving readers a powerful glimpse into lives marked by loss, memory, and societal violence. Rooted in Agarau’s experiences in Ibadan, the poems blend lyrical reflection with reportage, crafting a narrative that is both intimate and unflinching.

The New York Public Library (NYPL), founded in 1895, is one of the largest and most influential library systems in the world, serving millions of visitors each year across New York City. Beyond lending books, it is a hub for research, cultural programs, and literary recognition. The library maintains curated lists, including the annual Best New Poetry Books, which highlight the most significant and compelling collections of the year. Being selected by NYPL signals that a work has exceptional literary quality and global relevance.

Its annual list is curated by librarians and literary experts who review hundreds of new poetry titles, selecting only those that demonstrate exceptional craft, originality, and impact. Agarau’s inclusion places him among a global cohort of contemporary poets signaling the increasing recognition of African literary voices on the world stage.

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Nigerian trumpeter Joshua Olusanya, popularly known as The Trumpet Influencer, continues to capture global attention with his extraordinary talent and dedication to instrumental music. In a notable display of cultural diplomacy, Olusanya has met with India’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Abhishek Singh, at the Indian High Commission in Abuja, highlighting growing creative collaboration between the two countries.

Discussions according to the reports on the official X account of the Commission of India and Nigeria, focused on potential arts and culture collaborations, including joint musical performances between Indian and Nigerian artists, positioning Olusanya as a rising cultural ambassador for Nigeria.

Olusanya’s most remarkable achievement remains his Guinness World Record for the longest marathon trumpet performance. On May 9, 2025, at Terra Kulture, Lagos, he played continuously for 25 hours, 30 minutes, and 36 seconds, the first-ever record in this category.

Olusanya had to attempt the feat twice after an initial effort was disqualified. Under Guinness rules, only brief five-minute breaks were allowed at set intervals, requiring near-constant performance for more than a full day. The physical challenge was immense: his legs shook, fingers cramped, and lips bled as he pushed through exhaustion.

In interviews with outlets including The Guardian, he emphasized that the record was a way to inspire young musicians and advocate for greater recognition of instrumental artists worldwide.

Olusanya has used his record-breaking platform to inspire the next generation through initiatives like the Joshua Olusanya Empowerment Tour (JOMET), performing at schools and community events to promote music education. His dedication resonates in the arts community and also among faith-based groups in Nigeria, such as Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM), who celebrate his journey as an example of perseverance and divine guidance.

High Commissioner @AmbAbhishekIFS received Nigerian-born trumpeter Joshua Olusanya, fondly known as The Trumpet Influencer, who holds the Guinness World Records for the longest marathon trumpet performance, which lasted for 25 hours, 30 minutes, and 36 seconds. HC discussed… pic.twitter.com/sDykm2igv9

— India in Nigeria (and Benin & ECOWAS) (@india_nigeria) March 19, 2026

Atlético Madrid have officially completed the signing of Ademola Lookman from Italian side Atalanta, confirming reports that the Nigerian forward is set to strengthen Diego Simeone’s squad ahead of the second half of the 2025–26 season. The 28-year-old attacker becomes the second Nigerian male footballer to represent the Spanish giants, following Abass Lawal (2000–2001).

Lookman, known for his explosive pace and technical skill, has previously made his trade across Europe’s top leagues. After early years in England with Charlton Athletic and Everton, he moved to RB Leipzig in Germany, where he showcased his dribbling and attacking versatility. His recent tenure at Atalanta in Serie A has only solidified his reputation as a dynamic winger capable of influencing high-stakes matches.

The move to Atlético Madrid represents a new chapter in Lookman’s career, as he joins a squad renowned for its tactical discipline, defensive resilience, and European ambitions. Simeone’s side is currently competing on multiple fronts in La Liga and continental competitions, and Lookman’s arrival is expected to provide fresh attacking options.

According to reports, Atlético Madrid secured Lookman’s services for a transfer fee of €35 million, with potential bonuses adding up to €5 million. The forward has signed a long-term contract running until June 2030, signaling the club’s confidence in his ability to make an immediate impact.

Lookman’s arrival at the Wanda Metropolitano is not just a personal milestone, it’s a moment for Nigerian football. By following in the footsteps of Abass Lawal, who briefly represented Atlético Madrid during the 2000–01 season, Lookman becomes only the second Nigerian male player in the club’s history, shining a spotlight on the growing influence of Nigerian talent in Europe.

For Atlético, the addition of a player with Lookman’s speed, creativity, and versatility could prove decisive in the final months of the season, particularly as the club chases domestic and continental honors. For Nigeria, it’s another moment to celebrate one of its finest footballing exports making waves on one of Europe’s biggest stages.

The 2024 and 10th editions of Forbes Africa’s annual 30 Under 30 list feature a well-diverse pool of African talents. The list contains some of the youngest and brightest in various fields, including entertainment, education, sports, technology, healthcare, art, and other industries.

On the list, we have talented Nigerians like the founder of Veekee James, Ruth Erikan James, singer-songwriter Adedamola Oyinlola Adefolahan (Fireboy DML), Super Eagles footballer Victor Osimhen, track and field athlete Tobi Amusan, and founder and CEO of Mainlogix Technology, Josiah Akinloye, amongst others.

This year’s edition theme is “Passion, Purpose, and A Decade of the 30 Under 30 List,” celebrating the passion, creativity, and impact of Africans globally.

According to Forbes, Africa’s influence globally is on the rise, with 1.45 billion people across 54 countries driving its economies, largely propelled by its youthful demographic. The United Nations reports that 70% of sub-Saharan Africa is under 30, and by 2050, over a third of the world’s youth will reside in Africa. Experts predict that the continent’s wealth lies in its young, predominantly female population, making them prime investment prospects for the future.

Nigerians featured on the list

1. Adedamola Oyinlola Adefolahan (Fireboy DML), 28, Nigeria
   Singer-songwriter
   Industry: Entertainment 
2. Victor Osimhen, 25, Nigeria
   Footballer and Striker for Super Eagles
   Industry: Sport (Football)
3. Tobi Amusan, 26, Nigeria
   Track and Field Athlete
   Industry: Sport-Athletics
4. Ruth Erikan James, 29, Nigeria
   Founder, Veekee James
   Industry: Fashion
5. Josiah Akinloye, 29, Nigeria
   Founder and CEO, Mainlogix Technology
   Industry: Automation and Technology

“For a decade, we have unpacked the unmistakable potential and story of Africa’s youth. And Forbes Africa’s 10th 30 Under 30 list too has ambition and adrenaline packed into this special issue. These purpose-minded 20-something achievers are on the way up, overcoming the odds in their quest to become tomorrow’s titans and billionaires, making a huge difference in the countries, companies, and communities they serve,” Forbes Africa, Managing Editor, Renuka Methil.

To get featured on the list, applications need to be submitted via official channels. Part of the rigorous reporting and vetting process also involved going through social media profiles, police clearance reports, reference letters from financial institutions, and testimonials from colleagues, collaborators, business partners, and employees of the short-listed nominees.

Background checks were conducted on potential candidates, which included reviewing documentation to ensure there are no criminal records, troubling lawsuits or bankruptcy, and/or allegations of crime, misconduct, sexual harassment, abuse, or fraud.

Dilli Dark is an Indian-Nigerian cross-culture comedy film exploring the life of an African in the beautiful city of New Delhi, India.

The movie follows the journey of a Nigerian, Michael Okeke, who dreams of living in New Delhi and obtaining his MBA. Yet, his aspirations are obstructed by his previous life as a drug dealer. Michael, being African, has to navigate the Indian culture as he will face racial discrimination.

The movie stars Nollywood actor Samuel Abiola Robinson, Geetika Vidya Ohlyan and Shantanu Anam. Directed by Dibakar Das Roy.

“I am back!!! And happy to be Announcing my Next film DILLI DARK; A film about racial discrimination and what life is like for people with darker skin in Delhi and India as a whole,” Samuel Robinson.

The director tells IANS that the film was conceived as an amalgamation of ideas that stemmed from personal experiences including being bullied for having dark skin as well as events that happen in Delhi — racial prejudices against Africans and other dark-skinned people — that brought together themes of race, colour and identity. (Outlook)

See the trailer below:

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