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The Republic: A Journal of Nigerian Affairs
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V4, N3 Russia's Africa?

August 1, 2020

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September 15, 2020

Create Knowledge Join The Republic as a Full-Time Editorial Assistant (Digital Publishing)

February 10, 2021
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Vol. 4, No. 3

Russia’s Africa?
IN THIS ISSUE
COVER ESSAYS
⎈ Kremlin's Renewed Interest: Russia's Emerging Threat to Elections in Africa by Tabitha Mwangi x Chimwemwe Fabiano; ⎈ A New Imperialism? — Russia-Africa Relations in the Twenty-First Century by Blessing Simura x George Mudimu x Fadzai Chipato ⎈ A Changing Dynamic: The Evolution of Russia-Africa Relations by Aaliyah Vayez; and ⎈ The Kremlin's North African Gateway: A Discourse — Western Sahara, Crimea and Russia's Interest in Morocco by Dylan Yachyshen. Read the entire issue.  

Editors' Picks: Independence Day 2020

Recommended reading by The Republic's editors, on Nigeria 60 years after declaring independence.

  • On the National Red Line Negotiating Nigeria’s ‘Non-Negotiable’ Unity

    Chukwudi UkonneJanuary 27, 2021
  • Pseudo Hope: A Discourse On Nigeria's Vision 2020 and Future Development

    Pseudo Hope: A Discourse On Nigeria's Vision 2020 and Future Development

    Bibiana Ossai and John BabalolaApril 3, 2020
  • From Well-Worn Fatigues to Well-Tailored Suits Joseph Garba’s ‘Diplomatic Soldiering’

    Afolabi AdekaiyaojaSeptember 22, 2021
  • For the People, Without the People The Crisis of Representation in Nigerian Politics

    Dafe oputuMay 9, 2019
  • When Nigerians, Zimbabweans, and Rhodesians Talked About Race Revisiting Nigeria – Zimbabwe Relations

    Brooks MarmonJune 7, 2019
  • This photo is for our piece on Language and the Ghost of Our Colonial Past.

    Nollywords Lionheart, Language and the Ghost of Our Colonial Past

    Ore OgunbiyiNovember 18, 2019
  • This photo is for our piece on the nigerianization of crimes in South Africa.

    Phobia or Scapegoatism? The Nigerianization of Crimes in South Africa

    Hakeem OnapajoSeptember 20, 2019
  • This photo is for our piece on Nigeria and the US visa ban

    A Wake-Up Call? The Recent Travel Restrictions on Nigerians

    Zainab UsmanMarch 9, 2020
  • Egba Women Unite! Lessons from the Egba Women’s Anti-Colonial Movement

    Lanaire AderemiSeptember 8, 2021
  • “We Remember Differently” What Really Happened in Biafra

    Dominique OtigbahMarch 10, 2018
  • This photo is for our piece on 'The Controversial Legacy of Obafemi Awolowo

    An Irony of History The Complicated Legacy of Chief Obafemi Awolowo

    Chukwudi UkonneAugust 31, 2020
  • nnamdi azikiwe's zikism

    Nnamdi Azikiwe’s Zikism The President and the Revolutionary Ideology He Denied

    Akintunde AgunbiadeSeptember 8, 2021

The Latest Online

    • Soulé-Kohndou

      ‘Writing Is a Journey’ Folashadé Soulé-Kohndou’s First Draft

      Folashadé Soulé-KohndouJuly 1, 2022
    • adjaye

      ‘Architecture Is About Ideas’ David Adjaye’s First Draft

      David AdjayeJune 17, 2022
    • kuku

      ‘I’m Working on Myself’ Damilare Kuku’s First Draft

      Damilare KukuJune 10, 2022
    • adegoke

      ‘The Most Important Thing Is the Idea’ Yinka Adegoke’s First Draft

      Yinka AdegokeJune 3, 2022
    • ‘Our People Are Our Greatest Asset’ Lucy Quist’s First Draft

      Lucy QuistMay 27, 2022
    • ‘A Novel Is an Endurance Sport’ Zainab Omaki’s First Draft

      Zainab OmakiMay 20, 2022

Special Focus: COVID-19

Expert Roundtable

  • COVID-19 and the Palliative Force of Religion

    ‘Where is God in All of This?’ COVID-19 and the Palliative Force of Religion

    Abdulbasit KassimJune 19, 2020
  • How COVID 19 affects the environment

    The Vengeful Outdoors? The Environmental Drivers of COVID-19

    Amirah YusufMay 8, 2020
  • Are We Victims of Pharmaceutical Half-Truths? The Politics of Clinical Trials in Africa

    Charles BesidonneFebruary 22, 2021
  • Muhammadu Buhari addresses the nation on coronavirus

    ‘COVID-19 is a Big Scam’ Citizens’ Distrust and the Challenge of Combating Coronavirus in Nigeria

    Hakeem Onapajo and Jelili AdebiyiMarch 30, 2020
  • This photo is for our post on Ebola, COVID-19 and other unprofitable diseases.

    Unprofitable Diseases Ebola, COVID-19 and the Return of Industrial Policy in Africa?

    Francisco PerezNovember 17, 2020
  • Dealing with National Health Emergencies in Nigeria COVID-19: Lessons from Polio Eradication

    Charles BesidonneAugust 19, 2021
  • This photo is for our essay on A monstrous Overlap

    A Monstrous Overlap COVID-19 and the New Climate Change Imperative

    Oluwaseun OguntuaseOctober 16, 2020
  • COVID 19 Pandemic Africans used to test drugs

    Echoes of History COVID Vaccine Tests in Africa

    Muzz MuhammadJune 5, 2020
  • Two Windows COVID-19 and the World Bank’s Pandemic Emergency Financing Facility

    Gbolahan BadmusNovember 23, 2020
  • The Excessive Debt Burdens of COVID-19 Development Financing in the Pandemic

    Chimezie AnajamaMarch 31, 2021
  • What Happens When a Child Gets COVID?

    Todah OpeyemiMarch 8, 2022
  • COVID-19, Pandemics and Reconciling Religious Faith With Science

    God the Master Scientist COVID-19, Pandemics and Reconciling Religious Faith With Science

    Abdulbasit KassimJuly 17, 2020

From Our Latest Issue

  • Kremlin’s Renewed Interest Russia’s Emerging Threat to Elections in Africa

    Karen Wangui Mwangi and Chimwemwe FabianoJuly 24, 2020

A Changing Dynamic The Evolution of Russia-Africa Relations

Aaliyah VayezSeptember 14, 2020

A New Imperialism? Russia-Africa Relations in the Twenty-First Century

Blessing Simura, George Mudimu and Fadzai ChipatoAugust 24, 2020

The Kremlin’s North African Gateway? Western Sahara, Crimea and Russia’s Interest in Morocco

Dylan YachyshenJuly 31, 2020
    • A New Scramble in the Horn of Africa

      A New Scramble in the Horn of Africa The Multipolar Contest for Africa’s Eastern Region

      Stephen PaduanoJuly 27, 2020
    • This photo is for our essay on A New Doctrine? Understanding Russia and the New Scramble for Africa

      A New Doctrine? Understanding Russia and the New Scramble for Africa

      Taigh AdebajoAugust 7, 2020
    • This photo is for our essay on 'The Dynamic Evolution of Russo-African Relations'

      The Dynamic Evolution of Russo-African Relations Africa’s Struggle for Agency in a New Power Tussle

      Chukwudi UkonneAugust 17, 2020

Introducing 'First Draft'

Our New Column Featuring Authors on Books, Reading & Writing

    • Introducing ‘First Draft’: Our New Column Authors and Prominent Figures on Books, Reading and Writing

      The RepublicFebruary 4, 2020
    • ‘Writer, Write.’ Moyosore Orimoloye's First Draft

      Moyosore OrimoloyeFebruary 5, 2020
    • This photo is for our piece on Ore Ogunbiyi's First Draft

      ‘Editing Feels Like Taking Vitamins.’ Ore Ogunbiyi’s First Draft

      Ore OgunbiyiFebruary 12, 2020
    • This photo is for our piece on 'The Lesson is in the Design' Merlin Uwlaka Interview

      ‘The Lesson is in Design’ Merlin Uwalaka’s First Draft

      Merlin UwalakaFebruary 19, 2020
    • This photo is for our piece on ‘The Story Comes With Its Own Style’ Sada Malumfashi's First Draft

      ‘The Story Comes With Its Own Style’ Sada Malumfashi’s First Draft

      Sada MalumfashiFebruary 26, 2020
    • This photo is for our piece on Political theorist Ẹniọlá Ànúolúwapọ́ Ṣóyẹmí’s First Draft

      ‘Finish the Damned Thing’ Ẹniọlá Ànúolúwapọ́ Ṣóyẹmí’s First Draft

      Ẹniọlá Ànúolúwapọ́ ṢóyẹmíMarch 4, 2020
    • This photo is for our piece on Dominique Otigbah's First Draft

      ‘Who has time for undecided authors?’   Dominique Otigbah’s First Draft

      Dominique OtigbahMarch 11, 2020
    • Joshua Segun-Lean's First Draft

      ‘Every Time You Decide to Write, What Is at Stake for You?’ Joshua Segun-Lean’s First Draft

      Joshua Segun-LeanMarch 18, 2020
    • Moyosore Orekoya First Draft

      ‘Talent not nurtured is useless.’ Moyosore Orekoya’s First Draft

      Moyosore OrekoyaMarch 25, 2020
    • Kọ́lá Túbọ̀sún

      ‘Language is resilient’ Kọ́lá Túbọ̀sún’s First Draft

      Kọ́lá Túbọ̀súnApril 1, 2020
    • Saratu Abiola

      ‘Are the people in this story I’m telling recognizably human?’ Saratu Abiola’s First Draft

      Saratu AbiolaApril 8, 2020
    • Oreva Olakpe

      ‘Write Something Every Day’ Oreva Olakpe’s First Draft

      Oreva OlakpeApril 15, 2020

Economic Issues

  • Cryptocurrency essay

    Banks vs Bitcoin The Politics of Cryptocurrency Regulation in Nigeria

    Osivue Itseumah and Mubarak AbdulfataiMay 24, 2021
  • Two Windows COVID-19 and the World Bank’s Pandemic Emergency Financing Facility

    Gbolahan BadmusNovember 23, 2020
  • On a Coding Diet The Place for STEM Development in Nigeria

    Fife OgundeSeptember 3, 2019
  • Paul Kagame at an African Union summit

    Pan-Africanism in Foreign Policy African Organizations as Pan-African Agents in the ‘New Scramble’

    Chinweizu OkekeMarch 8, 2021
  • Reading China What to Read on Africa-China Relations

    Oreva OlakpeNovember 17, 2018
  • Xi-Led Growth? Nigeria at FOCAC 2018

    Oreva OlakpeSeptember 11, 2018
  • ierra Leone’s Alluvial Diamond Industry

    Poor Institutions or Unfair Power Dynamics? Notes from Sierra Leone’s Alluvial Diamond Industry

    Shaquille GilpinJuly 6, 2020
  • Nigeria and Fernando Po in the 1960s.

    When ‘Modern Slavery’ Meant Colonial Rule Nigeria and Panya (Fernando Po) in the 1960s

    Enrique MartinoJune 7, 2021
  • Maga Don Pay Nigeria's Culture of Cybercrime

    Stephen AgwaiborSeptember 6, 2019
 

International Issues

  • Africa in Perspective Migration, Mobility and Modern Slavery in Africa

    Prince Fater AuduJune 7, 2021
  • No More Insufficient Funds Yahoo Yahoo and Cybercrime’s International Ecosystem

    Adewale OloworekendeAugust 28, 2019
  • lumumba

    Returning Lumumba 61 Years After He Was Assassinated, Belgium Will Return Patrice Lumumba’s Remains

    Tomisin AwosikaJune 2, 2022
  • This photo is for our piece on The ‘Hidden Hand’ of Europe, Africans Migration

    The ‘Hidden Hand’ of Europe Migration: Western Tears, African Victims

    Edwin ChegeJanuary 31, 2020
  • Africa’s Stake in Brexit Preparing for the Inevitable

    Carlos LopesJuly 9, 2017
  • ierra Leone’s Alluvial Diamond Industry

    Poor Institutions or Unfair Power Dynamics? Notes from Sierra Leone’s Alluvial Diamond Industry

    Shaquille GilpinJuly 6, 2020
  • Brutish Museums Germany Wants to ‘Loan’ Namibian Artefacts to Namibia

    Tomisin AwosikaMay 26, 2022
  • The Monkeypox Outbreak What You Need to Know

    Tomisin AwosikaMay 24, 2022
  • #TooBigToLike Questioning ‘Choice’ in Global Surveillance Capitalism

    Aarshin KarandeAugust 20, 2019
 

Historical Issues

  • Fearless Fighter The Revolutionary Life of Vera Chirwa

    Boetumelo Julianne NyasuluSeptember 8, 2021
  • Beyond ‘The Wretched of the Earth’ How Frantz Fanon Influenced African Anti-colonial Movements

    Basil AbiaNovember 15, 2021
  • olowu

    Elizabeth Olowu: Nigeria’s First Female Bronze Caster

    Tomisin AwosikaJanuary 13, 2022
 

Political Issues

  • This photo is for our piece on disinformation in Nigeria

    Disinformation Era The Politics of Information in the Digital Age

    Alhassan Pereira IbrahimSeptember 7, 2019
  • Naira Struggles Nigeria's Response to the Crude Oil Price Shock of 2014

    Nonso ObikiliApril 30, 2017
  • Ojukwu

    Who Was Ojukwu? The Many Perceptions of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu

    Charles EkpoSeptember 8, 2021
  • Africa’s Misinformation Struggles The Impact of Misinformation on Africa and African Media

    Christopher AjuloSeptember 6, 2019
  • Sọ̀rọ̀ Sókè is not a Metaphor #EndSARS and the Music Protest Tradition

    Blossom MaduafokwaMarch 10, 2021
  • Youth in South Sudan The Present Political Context

    Denis Martin Andrew WaniApril 3, 2018
  • The Great Unravelling The Disintegration of the Nigerian State

    Chris NgwodoDecember 6, 2017
  • covid 19 nigeria

    Weathering the Storm COVID-19 and the Case for Universal Basic Income in Nigeria

    Oluwaseyi SomefunJune 12, 2020
  • Trade Not Aid Revisiting Obama's Legacy in Africa

    Christopher Olaoluwa OgunmodedeAugust 2, 2017
 

Social Issues

  • Tope Folarin

    ‘Always Call Yourself a Writer.’ Tope Folarin’s First Draft

    Tope FolarinAugust 27, 2021
  • osivue itseumah

    ‘I Get Ideas from the Most Random Places.’ Osivue Itseumah’s First Draft

    Osivue ItseumahJuly 9, 2021
  • writers

    Who’s Writing Who? Literary Cultural Appropriation and Ethnicity in Nigeria

    Zainab OmakiFebruary 8, 2022
  • Let the Photo be Taken (1974-2017) A Conversation with Mozambican Photojournalist Naita Ussene

    Nafeesah AllenJanuary 15, 2020
  • Review: Nearly All the Men in Lagos Are Mad The Women in Lagos are Just as Crazy

    Nneoma KenureJanuary 18, 2022
  • A Particular Kind of Black Man

    A Particular Kind of Bildungsroman Tope Folarin’s A Particular Kind of Black Man

    Lanre ApataMay 1, 2020
  • Soulé-Kohndou

    ‘Writing Is a Journey’ Folashadé Soulé-Kohndou’s First Draft

    Folashadé Soulé-KohndouJuly 1, 2022
  • mwangi

    ‘African Countries Need to Speak With One Voice’ Tabitha Mwangi’s First Draft

    Karen Wangui MwangiMay 13, 2022
  • kuku

    ‘I’m Working on Myself’ Damilare Kuku’s First Draft

    Damilare KukuJune 10, 2022
 

Technological Issues

  • presidency

    Detty December in Nigeria: ‘People are Tired of COVID-19 Protocols’

    Todah OpeyemiDecember 24, 2021
  • covid 19 nigeria

    Weathering the Storm COVID-19 and the Case for Universal Basic Income in Nigeria

    Oluwaseyi SomefunJune 12, 2020
  • This photo is for our interview with Dennis Osadebe

    Dennis Osadebe’s Near Future Art in The Republic V3 N3

    The RepublicSeptember 9, 2019
  • The Monkeypox Outbreak What You Need to Know

    Tomisin AwosikaMay 24, 2022
  • This image is for our piece on African tech for African problems

    African Tech for African Problems Should We Be Celebrating Big Tech in Africa?

    Emeka Joseph NwankwoSeptember 7, 2019
  • #TooBigToLike Questioning ‘Choice’ in Global Surveillance Capitalism

    Aarshin KarandeAugust 20, 2019
  • This image is for our piece on Media and the Globalisation of Misinformation

    Our Post-Truth Era Media and the Globalization of Misinformation

    Nnaemeka IjiomaNovember 1, 2019
  • This photo is for our essay on Southern Africa's Persistent Dilemma

    Southern Africa’s Persistent Dilemma Coronavirus and the Lost Legacy of the AIDS Epidemic

    Liam James KingsleyNovember 2, 2020
  • This photo is for our essay on The Economic Impacts of Internet Shutdowns

    Government Control in the Digital Age The Economic Impacts of Internet Shutdowns

    Osaye AjariDecember 2, 2020

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‘Writing Is a Journey’ Folashadé Soulé-Kohndou’s First Draft

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Fire for Fire Zamfara State Government Wants to Issue Gun Licenses to its Residents to Protect Themselves from Bandits

June 30, 2022
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The Republic
Today in 1962, Rwanda and Burundi became independe Today in 1962, Rwanda and Burundi became independent countries. #RxHistory⏳

On 01 July 1962, Rwanda and Burundi declared independence from Belgium. From 1894 to 1918, the Kingdoms of Rwanda and Burundi were part of German East Africa. In 1918, Belgium took up the administration of both kingdoms and called the region Ruanda-Urundi.

During the colonial period, the Belgians colonial government became concerned with the differences between Hutu and Tutsi ethnic groups. They favored the minority Tutsis over the Hutus and reinforced an ethnic divide that had already been brewing due to centuries of Tutsi monarchical rule.

This favoritism exacerbated the Tutsi hegemony, creating a legacy of tension that exploded into violence even before Rwanda gained its independence. The Rwandan Revolution (1959-1961) was a period of ethnic violence that led to the dismantling of the Tutsi monarchy and a Hutu-dominated republic. 33 years later, the Rwandan genocide (1994) saw the deaths of around 800,000 to 1 million Tutsis.
____________
📝: Ibukun Olokode and Ugonna Eronini
📷: Grégoire Kayibanda (centre), first elected president of Rwanda, with African and Belgian government representatives, Brussels, December 1961. AFP / Getty Images.
The Zamfara State government wants to issue gun li The Zamfara State government wants to issue gun licenses to its residents. #RxNews📡

On Sunday, 26 June 2022, the governor of Zamfara State, Bello Matawalle, announced that residents of the state can now apply to own gun licenses to protect themselves from gunmen and kidnappers. In a statement by Zamfara’s commissioner for information, Ibrahim Dosara, the move was in response to the increasing cases of kidnappings, killings and violent attacks within the state.

The government intends to issue its first 500 gun licenses in phases. First, residents are to apply through their local traditional rulers (emirs), where they will be screened for good character and credibility. Their application will then be moved to the state commissioner of police for a second review. The inspector-general of police will carry out the final phase of screening and reviews before gun licenses can be issued.

Zamfara has recently been grappling with rising banditry attacks. Over 250 people have been killed this year from attacks in the state. Last Saturday, bandits attacked the Mada community in the Gusau Local Council. Promising to return, the bandits have caused thousands of residents from Mada to flee their homes.

Read more about the gun licenses by clicking the link in our bio.
____________
📝: Tomisin Awosika, Junior Editor
📷: The governor of Zamfara State, Bello Matawalle. Daily Post NG.
Today in 1960, the Democratic Republic of the Cong Today in 1960, the Democratic Republic of the Congo became independent. #RxHistory⏳

On 30 June 1960, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) declared independence from its former colonial ruler, Belgium.

In 1885, the area now known as the DRC was handed over by European powers to King Leopold II of Belgium and renamed the ‘Congo Free State’. Leopold acquired Congo as his private property under the guise of bringing civilization to the area.

However, under his rule, an estimated 10 million were tortured, mutilated and killed. Leopold ran Congo as a venture for personal profit and drained the country of its natural resources.

Read more about the DRC’s independence in today’s newsletter which goes out at 6 p.m. (WAT). Sign up at the link in our bio.
____________
📝: Ibukun Olokode and Ugonna Eronini
📷: Pro-independence Congolese crowds cheer Joseph Kasavubu, the Republic of the Congo’s first democratically elected president, at a rally celebrating independence from Belgium, in Kinshasa (then called Leopoldville), July 1960. Joseph Kasa-Vubu.
Should we be concerned about Nigeria’s debt situ Should we be concerned about Nigeria’s debt situation? #OnSite⚡

Between 2015 and the first quarter of 2021, Nigeria’s total debt increased by 230 per cent from N12.6 trillion to N41.6 trillion. This debt reflects the Nigerian government’s domestic and external borrowings, and this increase has heightened concerns about Nigeria’s debt situation—but are these concerns justified?

In our latest online essay, economist from the Nigerian presidential office, Somkele Awa-Kalu calls for more caution and less alarmism in how we assess Nigeria’s debt situation. According to Awa-Kalu, the oil-led 2016 economic recession and the COVID-19 pandemic, were two external shocks that considerably reduced Nigerian revenues, drove up the fiscal deficit, and required significant borrowing by the government.

Awa-Kalu also highlights that there are positive sides to borrowing when debt is effectively utilized. He asks, ‘Despite the explanations of inadequate revenues to fund the budget and thus a need for increased debt, can we say that the proceeds have been put to good use?’ Yes, Awa-Kalu answers and writes, ‘because one of the main uses of these borrowings has been infrastructure development, which is important when trying to build a competitive economy. Nigeria needs to increase spending on infrastructure to over N30 trillion, over the next few decades to help close the infrastructure gap. For context, Nigeria is expected to spend N1.42 trillion on infrastructure in 2022. In a 2020 article, the McKinsey Global Institute stated that, “infrastructure has a socioeconomic rate of return of about 20%”. This essentially means that the investments made in roads, rail, power, and aviation could return 20 kobo in the long run, for every naira spent.’

Do you agree with Awa-Kalu? Are concerns about Nigeria’s rising debt justified or ‘much ado about nothing?’ Let us know in our comments. Learn more at the link in our bio.
____________
📝: Somkele Awa-Kalu
Today in 1976, Seychelles declared independence fr Today in 1976, Seychelles declared independence from Britain. #RxHistory⏳

On 29 June 1976, Seychelles became an independent country. Seychelles came under British rule in 1814 when France formally withdrew its claim after a bloody war. Before that, Seychelles went through periods of Portuguese and French administration.

In 1970, Seychelles implemented a new constitution, universal adult suffrage, and a national assembly. Self-government was granted in 1975 and full independence the following year. Shortly after independence, Seychelles became a one-party state and remained one until 1991.

Did you know that the Seychelles comprises 115 islands, most of them uninhabited? Pirates mainly used the islands until the French took control in the 1750s. They were then named after Jean Moreau de Séchelles, Minister of Finance under Louis XV.

Read more about Seychelles’ independence in today’s newsletter which goes out at 6 p.m. (WAT). Sign up at the link in our bio.
_____________
📝: Ibukun Olokode and Ugonna Eronini
📷: France Albert Rene took the oath of allegiance as the new prime minister together with the new president of Seychelles James Mancham on the day of Independence on June 29, 1976. Mahe Publications Ltd.
Tems has become the first female Nigerian artist t Tems has become the first female Nigerian artist to win a BET award. #RxNews📡

On Sunday, 26 June, at the 22nd BET Awards held at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as ‘Tems’, became the first female Nigerian artist to win a BET award. The singer, songwriter and producer won two awards: one under the Best Collaboration category, for the 2021 ‘Essence’ remix featuring Wizkid and Justin Bieber. She also won the award for the Best International Act.

The Black Entertainment Television or ‘BET’ Awards are awarded every year to celebrate Africans and African Americans that have been exceptional in music, acting, sports and other fields of entertainment. Accepting the Best International Act award, Tems dedicated her achievement to young women and artists. She said: ‘Where I am from, things like this don’t happen. This is a dream and as you are watching me, I want you to imagine yourself as me because you are meant to be here, too. And so, I am dedicating this to every single young woman, every artist, everybody that is striving and dares to dream.’

Tems is currently regarded as one of Nigeria’s mainstream afrobeats female artists. Her 2018 debut song ‘Mr Rebel’ in which she describes herself as ‘the leading vibe’ was self-produced. At the time, without access to a studio, Tems recorded with only her laptop and earphones.

Read more about Tems’ historic win at the link in our bio.
____________
📝: Tomisin Awosika, Junior Editor
📷: 1) Tems poses in the press room during the 2022 BET Awards at Microsoft Theater on June 26, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. Amy Sussman/Getty Images.

2) Tems (centre) accepts Best Collaboration presented by American Express for ‘Essence’ onstage during the 2022 BET Awards at Microsoft Theater on June 26, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. Kevin Winter/Getty Images.
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