Culture & Society

Burna Boy’s ‘Artivism’ The Political Kaleidoscope of Burna Boy’s Discography

Estelle UbaJanuary 22, 2023

Burna Boy’s discography paints a picture of corruption, control, and neo-colonialism in Nigeria.

December 22/January 23Nigeria

‘My Favourite Nigerian Story Would Be One Told Through Food’ Ayoola Oladipupo's First Draft

Ayoola OladipupoJanuary 20, 2023

Nigerian writer, Ayoola Oladipupo, is currently working on a collection of essays on food culture in Nigeria. Read this interview.

December 22/January 23First DraftInterviewsNigeriavol7-no1

A Myopic Perception of Non-Western Music The ‘Global Music’ Category at the Grammy Awards

Zainab KukuJanuary 18, 2023

The Recording Academy needs to review and redirect how they categorize non-Western musical practices and cultures. To start, more award categories could be introduced to reflect the diverse range of Black music across the world.

Best of 2023: EssaysDecember 22/January 23Nigeria

Big Brother as a Window Into Nigerian Politics Why Do We Respond to Reality TV and our Elections so Differently?

Afolabi AdekaiyaojaJanuary 16, 2023

The voting pattern and culture seen on Multichoice's Big Brother offers insight into the Nigerian psyche and our approach to popularity contests. It allows us to examine the traits prevalent on the Nigerian political landscape and our response to them.

December 22/January 23NigeriaNigeria Decides 2023: Essays

The Artist-Philosopher Keeping Up With My Sister, KemKem

Funmi LijaduJanuary 15, 2023

Olukemi Lijadu, or ‘KemKem’ is a DJ, philosopher and the creator of the 2022 experimental film, Guardian Angel. She’s also my older sister and throughout my life, I have watched her bloom into the incredible, multidisciplinary hybrid creative that she is today.

December 22/January 23International Women's Day - CultureNigeria

A Larger Problem The Romanticization of Mushin

Kehinde GbeleeJanuary 13, 2023

Read the second-place essay of the 2022 New Voices Essay Competition.

December 22/January 23New Voices 2022

‘I Write to Pull the Future Closer to Now’ Natasha Chilambo's First Draft

Natasha ChilamboDecember 23, 2022

Natasha Chilambo believes understanding the many faces of violent extremism in Nigeria will illuminate the many approaches to managing it.

December 2022First DraftInternational Women's Day - First DraftInterviewsZambia

Holiday Reading The Best Books to Gift a Loved One This Christmas

Peace Yetunde OnafuyeDecember 22, 2022

Every year, choosing the ideal present for our families and friends becomes more challenging closer to the festive period. This is a reminder that books can be the best gift to give a loved one.

December 2022NigeriaReading

From Surviving to Thriving Building a Culture of Innovation in Nigeria

Otobong IniekeDecember 21, 2022

Nigerians have developed a positive global reputation for their contributions to innovation across business, science and technology. Unfortunately, this innate spirit of innovation rarely thrives within Nigeria. The Imagine Nigeria report by the UNDP and the Nigerian government explores the strategies and steps that can be implemented to empower innovators and entrepreneurs to institutionalize this culture of innovation locally.

December 2022Nigeria