Lineup of performers unveiled 

The 67th Grammy Awards are just around the corner, and Nigeria’s music scene is buzzing with excitement as six of the country’s superstars, including Burna Boy, Davido, Rema, Tems, Yemi Alade, and Asake are battling for top honours at this year’s ceremony.

The awards show takes place this Sunday, at the prestigious Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.

These talented artists have earned nominations in major categories, including Best African Music Performance, Best Global Music Album, and Best R&B Song. Tems is leading the pack with three nominations, while Burna Boy is making history as the first African artist to receive Grammy nominations for six consecutive years.

The competition is fierce, but these Nigerian superstars are ready to shine on the global stage. Will they bring home the Grammys’ gold-plated trophies? Your guess is as good as mine. But whatever it is, it will be a good outing for Nigerian music stars.

Particularly, Burna Boy is not an unfamiliar face at the Grammys as well as Davido and Tems. With his profound sound and third Grammy nomination in a row, the self-styled African Giant is sure to bag his second Grammy award. His latest song, “Higher” from his album “I Told Them.” which was released in June last year, was nominated in the “Best African Music Performance” category.

This is Burna Boy’s second consecutive nomination in this category. He has the likes of queen of Afro-pop, Yemi Alade, Asake, Tems and Chris Brown featuring Davido and Lojay to beat in order to clinch the coveted trophy. Like Burna Boy, Tems is one of the top contenders in this year’s Grammys with nominations across three categories. Not only was she nominated for Best African Music Performance with “Love Me Jeje”, she’s also up for Best Global Music Album for her debut album “Born in the Wild.”. She would also be in the running for Best R&B Song for “Burning”, a track from the same album. Building on her Grammy win for contributing to Future’s “Wait for U,” Tems is expected to return home with one of the three Grammy trophies.

Yemi Alade, Asake and Rema are making their first Grammy outing, and one cannot rule out the possibility of one of them clinching at least a trophy. Alade’s nomination in the Best African Music Performance category for her song “Tomorrow”, showcased her resilience, hard-work and dedication to her craft. This adds to her milestone as the first Nigerian female artist and second Nigerian Afro beats artist to reach 100 million views on YouTube for a single video after Davido. Many believe it would be a tough battle for Mama Africa, especially having the likes of Burna Boy, Tems and Chris Brown featuring Davido and Lojay to beat. Rema has done well for himself, and it’s believed that his nomination for Best Global Music Album for his song ‘HEIS’ was long overdue. But if the Edo boy wins the award, it will definitely open a new chapter in his career as a global superstar as well as Asake,whose nomination in the Best African Music Performance category for his song, “MMS” featuring Wizkid has elevated his status on the global stage.

Also, legendary Beninese-French singer,Angélique Kidjo may rewrite her story if she clinches ‘Best Global Music Performance award, for her collaboration with the Soweto Choir on the powerful track “Sunlight To My Soul”. She has Ghana’s reggae and Afro-Roots artiste, Rocky Dawuni to edge out in order to clinch the trophy.

Meanwhile, Trevor Noah, who is also nominated for Best Comedy Album, will serve as host for the fifth year in a row. He is not only stepping in as master of ceremonies, but he will also serve as a producer, per The Wrap.

Though organisers have cancelled several traditional Grammy Week events this year, transforming the awards night as a fund-raising event, to support major relief efforts following the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles. The Recording Academy and MusiCares also have pledged over $3.2 million in emergency aid for music professionals affected by the recent wildfires. The show will air on CBS and stream live for Paramount subscribers with Showtime and be available on-demand for Paramount Essential subscribers the following day.

Lineup of performers

Like the previous editions, there has been a first round of confirmed performers, including current Grammy nominees Shakira, Billie Eilish, Chappell Roan, Charli XCX, Sabrina Carpenter, Benson Boone, Doechii, RAYE, Sabrina Carpenter, and Teddy Swims. Also, joining the lineup of performers at the show are 12 more singers better known as newcomers, Stevie Wonder, Cynthia Erivo, Coldplay’s Chris Martin, Lainey Wilson, Herbie Hancock, Brittany Howard, Brad Paisley, Janelle Monáe, John Legend, Sheryl Crow, St. Vincent, and Jacob Collier.

Beyond that, before the show is the Grammy Awards Premiere Ceremony, which will be broadcast live at 12:30 p.m. PT via YouTube and live.grammy.com. Performing at that event are Yolanda Adams, Wayne Brady, Deborah Cox, Scott Hoying, Angelique Kidjo, Taj Mahal, Joe Bonamassa, Joyce DiDonato, Béla Fleck, Renée Fleming, Muni Long, Kelli O’Hara, and Kevin Puts.

It was previously announced that this year’s ceremony “will carry a renewed sense of purpose: raising additional funds to support wildfire relief efforts and honoring the bravery and dedication of first responders who risk their lives to protect ours.”

Beyoncé

Pop star Beyoncé will be the cynosure of all eyes, as she leads the pack with 11 nominations, including Best Country Album for Cowboy Carter. She is also breaking records as the most-nominated female artist in a single year. Charli XCX, Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar, and Post Malone received seven nominations, while Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan, and Taylor Swift earned six each. Undoubtedly, this year’s Grammys will be the most contested awards of all time.

The Labour Party (LP) has advised the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to forget about participating in the 2027 general elections, declaring that the party has lost direction and focus.

Citing what it described as the intractable leadership crisis rocking the party and the allegation by the 2023 presidential candidate of the PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, that the opposition leaders were being paid N50 million each by the government at the centre to undermine democracy, the LP submitted that the PDP can no longer be expected to provide the much-needed leadership role in Nigeria.

The Labour Party National Publicity Secretary, Abayomi Arabambi, who made the call in a statement he made available to newsmen in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, said if the PDP had not been able to put its house in order and work in unity since losing power in 2015 to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), it will be difficult, if not impossible, for the embattled party to reclaim power in 2027.

Arabambi said given the precarious situation of the PDP today, it will be a deft move if the once-ruling political party in Nigeria heeds the wise counsel, recuses itself from the next presidential election, and joins forces with the Labour Party to make it formidable enough to wrest power from the APC in 2027.

Arabambi said, since the nation inches closer to the 2027 general elections, both the PDP and LP should work together to wrestle power from the APC.

He said, “To avert a repeat of what happened in 2023, when the PDP and LP went to the presidential election separately and lost to the APC, the two of them must join hands and work together as a single entity to upstage the ruling party in 2027.

He enjoined Nigerians to ignore Atiku’s allegation and stop blaming the APC or President Bola Tinubu for the implosion and crisis rocking the PDP, saying the crises are self-inflicted.

He expressed confidence that with the over six million votes garnered by the LP in 2023, there is an assurance that the party will pull winning votes in 2027 and more victory votes if the PDP aligns with LP ahead of the next presidential election.

“PDP is in a serious leadership crisis. They have not been able to put their house in order. With the current crisis, how can they manage the affairs of the country? PDP should recuse itself from participating in the 2027 presidential election and support the Labour Party and Mr Peter Obi to wrestle power from APC.

“We don’t want what happened in 2023 to repeat itself in 2027 when the PDP and LP went their separate ways to contest in that election and divided their votes. If they had worked together as one, their combined votes would have defeated the APC. We don’t want such to happen in 2027.”

Nigerians should not listen to Atiku Abubakar, who is blaming President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the ills of the PDP. The implosion is self-inflicted. Has Atiku been around to organise the party? He is not serious,” Arabambi stated.

The embattled leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has vowed to resist the ruling of the Court of Appeal in Abuja, which affirmed the proscription of IPOB and its designation as a terrorist organisation.

Naija News reports that on Thursday, the Abuja division of the Court of Appeal upheld an order by Justice Abdu Kafarati of the Federal High Court, Abuja, proscribing IPOB and designating it a terrorist organisation. 

Reacting to the development, Kanu stated that the court’s ruling would be challenged within the ambit of the law, as the judgment did not pass the “muster of the Nigerian Constitution and the statutes pertinent to it.”

Kanu argued that the order of proscription by the Federal High Court was obtained through an ex parte application by the Federal Government, rather than through a hearing on notice by a judge-in-chambers, as prescribed by law.

He made this known during his routine meeting with his legal team, led by lead counsel Aloy Ejimakor, at the Department of State Services, DSS facility in Abuja.

A statement issued by Ejimakor after the meeting read in part, “Rising from our routine visitation to Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu today, he instructed the legal team to convey the following to members of the public: The ruling yesterday by the Court of Appeal affirming the proscription of IPOB as a terror group will live in infamy and shall be vigorously resisted within the parameters of the law—both municipal and international.

“Sooner rather than later, it shall be demonstrated that the judgment did not pass the muster of the Nigerian Constitution and the statutes pertinent to it.

“Members of the public should ponder this: One of the main issues we canvassed at the Court of Appeal was that the order of proscription by the Federal High Court was obtained through an ex parte application by the Federal Government, instead of through a hearing on notice by a judge-in-chambers, as prescribed by the pertinent law.

“We also argued that the proscription proceedings violated the hallowed doctrine of fair hearing enshrined in the Constitution, as IPOB was neither put on notice nor heard before the order of proscription was issued.

“In addition to these, we argued that the proscription directive issued to the Attorney-General was signed by the late Abba Kyari, and not by former President Buhari, as the relevant law required. The Court of Appeal acknowledged these irregularities but still went ahead to dismiss our appeal on the questionable premise that national security is an exception to the provisions of the Constitution.”

The Police Service Commission (PSC) has ordered the immediate retirement of officers above 60 and those who have served for more than 35 years. 

PSC reached the decision after its extraordinary meeting.

“The Police Service Commission rose from its first extraordinary Meeting with the approval for the immediate retirement of senior Police Officers who have spent more than 35 years in service and those above 60 years of age,” the PSC spokesman Ikechukwu Ani said in a statement on Friday.

The PSC said it reversed a 2017 decision that approved that “Force Entrants should have their date of appointment in the Force against the date of their enlistment”.

“The Commission has passionately revisited its decision and has come to the conclusion that the said decision in its intent and purpose contradicted the principle of the merger of service in the Public service and it is in violation of Public Service Rule No 020908 ( i & ii) which provides for retirement on the attainment of 35 years in service or 60 years of age,” the statement read.

“Accordingly, the Commission at its 1st extraordinary meeting of the 6th Management Board held today, Friday, 31st January 2025, approved the immediate retirement of those officers who have spent more than 35 years in service and those above 60 years of age.”

Ikechukwu said the decision has been communicated to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun for implementation.

Egbetokun’s Tenure Controversy

The move comes amid calls for the retirement of the IGP owing to his tenure elongation.

President Bola Tinubu appointed Egbetokun as the IGP in June 2023. He replaced Usman Baba. The National Police Council in October 2023 confirmed him as the substantive police chief.

Section 7 of the Police Act 2020 stipulates that anyone appointed as IGP shall stay in office for four years, Egbetokun who was born on September 4, 1964, was expected to retire last September when he clocked 60.

Also, Section 18 (8) of the Police Act 2020 referenced the civil service rule on retirement. It partly read that “every police officer shall, on recruitment or appointment, serve in the Nigeria Police Force for a period of 35 years or until he attains the age of 60 years, whichever is earlier”.

In July 2024, however, the National Assembly passed a bill allowing Egbetokun to stay in office “until the end of the term stipulated in his appointment letter”.

Despite calls for the IGP’s retirement, the Federal Government on Thursday backed Egbetokun’s continued stay. It argued that it was legal.

The lawmaker representing Delta North Senatorial District, Ned Nwoko, has dumped the Peoples democratic Party, citing divisions within the PDP.

Nwoko announced his decision to resigned his membership from the PDP in a letter dated January 30 and addressed to the Chairman of the Aniocha North LGA.

According to the lawmaker, the crisis in the party has not allowed him to deliver on his promises to his constituents.

“The current structure of the party in our state has not been conducive to realizing these promises,” he said.

“After careful consideration, I have come to the conclusion that stepping away from the party is necessary to fulfill my obligations to my people.

“While I bid farewell to my membership in the PDP, I assure all party members and my constituents of my unwavering dedication to statesmanship, unity, and the advancement of Delta north.”

He noted that his decision is rooted in the interests of his constituents.

PDP has been embroiled in a leadership crisis as both Samuel Anyanwu and Sunday Ude-Okoye lay claim to the position of national secretary.

On Wednesday, a fight broke out at the last board of trustees (BoT) meeting of the party on Wednesday. Thugs invaded the PDP National Secretariat in Abuja when the BoT met.

Reigning champions Real Madrid will face 2023 winners Manchester City in the plum tie of the play-off round of this season’s Champions League, following Friday’s draw.

It is the fourth year running in which the sides have been drawn against each other in a knockout tie, with Real emerging victorious in a penalty shoot-out in the quarter-finals last season.

City, who scraped through after finishing 22nd in the league phase in this first season of the new format for Europe’s elite club competition, will be at home in the first leg before going to Spain for the return.

Elsewhere, Celtic will face six-time European champions Bayern Munich, after the Scottish champions reached the knockout stage for the first time in 12 years.

Paris Saint-Germain will play surprise package Brest in an all-French tie, while Juventus play PSV Eindhoven and Feyenoord take on AC Milan in two ties between former winners of the competition.

Last season’s Europa League winners Atalanta, who finished one place outside the top eight which offered a direct path to the last 16, will face Club Brugge of Belgium.

Sporting of Portugal were drawn against last season’s runners-up Borussia Dortmund, while Monaco will take on Benfica having lost at home to the Portuguese club in the league phase.

The play-off ties will take place next month, with the eight winners going through to the last 16 along with the eight highest-placed sides from the league phase.

Liverpool, Barcelona, Arsenal, Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, Lille and Aston Villa are the sides already through to the last 16.

See full list of play-off and round of 16 draws below:

Draw for the Champions League knockout phase play-offs, made on Friday:

Brest (FRA) v Paris Saint-Germain (FRA)

Club Brugge (BEL) v Atalanta (ITA)

Manchester City (ENG) v Real Madrid (ESP)

Juventus (ITA) v PSV Eindhoven (NED)

Monaco (FRA) v Benfica (POR)

Sporting (POR) v Borussia Dortmund (GER)

Celtic (SCO) v Bayern Munich (GER)

Feyenoord (NED) v AC Milan (ITA)

First legs to be played February 11/12, second legs February 18/19

Draw for the last 16, quarter-finals and semi-finals will take place on February 21

Draw for the last 16 is based on a pre-determined bracket:

Brest or PSG v Liverpool (ENG) or Barcelona (ESP)

Club Brugge or Atalanta v Lille (FRA) or Aston Villa (ENG)

Man City or Real Madrid v Atletico Madrid (ESP) or Bayer Leverkusen (GER)

Juventus or PSV v Arsenal (ENG) or Inter Milan (ITA)

Monaco or Benfica v Barcelona (ESP) or Liverpool (ENG)

Sporting or Dortmund v Aston Villa (ENG) or Lille (FRA)

Celtic or Bayern Munich v Bayer Leverkusen (GER) or Atletico Madrid (ESP)

Feyenoord or AC Milan v Inter Milan (ITA) or Arsenal (ENG)

The Federal Government has announced plans to deliver 100,000 social housing units for vulnerable groups across all 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs).

The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, revealed this during his presentation at the 4th Edition of the Real Estate Future Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on January 29, 2025.

Dangiwa called on global investors in Saudi Arabia to take advantage of the huge opportunities in Nigeria’s housing sector.

He disclosed that Nigeria’s huge housing deficit offers enormous business opportunities, adding that the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Programme serves as a low-hanging fruit for investors in the Middle Eastern nation to take advantage of and get good returns.

The Forum themed, “Balance and Innovation in the Real Estate Landscape.” was held at the Four Points Hotel in Riyadh and featured esteemed panellists including HE Eng. Abdullah Al-Attiya, Minister of Municipality, Qatar, and HE Dr. Abdulla Muththalib, Minister of Construction, Housing, and Infrastructure, Republic of Maldives.

Nigeria’s real estate sector contributed around 5.2% to the nation’s GDP in 2024, and will increase in market volume to $2.25 trillion by the end of 2025, Dangiwa noted, saying that despite this, there is still tremendous opportunity for investment, especially in the Residential Real Estate segment.

“Nigerians need homes now more than ever and you can partner with the Nigerian government to deliver these houses at scale,” he said.

Dangiwa noted that Nigeria faces an estimated housing deficit of 28 million units, a situation exacerbated by rapid urbanisation and migration.

“The government is tackling this by prioritizing large-scale housing delivery through public-private partnerships, innovative financing, and government-led interventions. Additionally, efforts are underway to engage state governments in unlocking land for affordable housing projects, as difficulties in land acquisition continue to hinder progress,” he added.

Speaking on the theme, Dangiwa set the context by emphasising that housing is a fundamental driver of economic growth, social stability, and national development.

He, however, said that achieving a balance in the real estate sector between affordability and profitability means that the challenges of sustainability and cost efficiency, as well as policy and private sector incentives, must be addressed.

“In Nigeria, rapid urbanization, population growth, and economic pressures necessitate a rethinking of housing delivery strategies. The Federal Government is committed to addressing these challenges through initiatives like the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Programme, the National Social Housing Fund, and strategic partnerships with local and international stakeholders,” he said.

Addressing the tension between affordable housing and profitability for developers, he acknowledged concerns that affordability often conflicts with commercial viability.

“To counter this in Nigeria, the government is using incentives such as bankable offtake guarantees, facilitated land access, and low-interest financing to encourage investment in affordable housing.

“The planned National Social Housing Fund aims to mobilize long-term concessional financing to ensure accessibility for lower and middle-income Nigerians. Furthermore, innovative models such as off-plan sales and bulk purchasing by cooperatives are being explored to reduce financial risks for developers while ensuring affordability for buyers,” he noted.

The Minister also touched on the subject of sustainability, stressing that energy-efficient buildings, the use of local materials, and smart construction techniques ultimately lower maintenance and operational costs.

On this note, he said the Ministry is working with international partners like IFC EDGE to integrate green building practices into Nigeria’s housing sector through capacity building, technology transfer, and financial incentives.

“Additionally, the establishment of Building Materials Manufacturing Hubs across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones is expected to reduce reliance on imported materials, cut costs, create jobs, and support sustainable housing solutions,” he said.

He further assured the investors of the government’s commitment and actions towards enhancing the affordability of Nigerians to purchase homes through mortgages.

Dangiwa pointed out that high-interest mortgage rates, which can reach up to 30% per annum, have historically made homeownership difficult for many Nigerians.

To address this, he said the government is expanding the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria’s reach and recapitalising it with N500 billion to provide more accessible single-digit mortgage products.

“Additionally, collaborations with the Ministry of Finance Incorporated are in progress to leverage the Nigerian Capital Market and mobilize private sector funding for housing development. The Real Estate Investment Fund, targeting 12% mortgage interest rates instead of the market’s 28-30%, aims to provide bankable offtaker guarantees for developers. Meanwhile, rent-to-own schemes are being introduced to facilitate homeownership through flexible payment structures, including a rental assistance product that enables qualifying applicants to pay rent in monthly instalments rather than upfront lump sums,” he added.

He underscored the importance of PropTech in digitising property transactions and management, making them more efficient and secure.

He revealed that this was being done in collaboration with the World Bank, which is undertaking a National Land Registration and Documentation Programme to streamline land titling, enhance transparency, and improve formalisation in the sector.

“Localisation of housing production remains a priority, with the Ministry championing modular and prefabricated housing technologies to accelerate delivery and reduce costs. By promoting local production and reducing dependence on expensive imports, Nigeria aims to build more homes efficiently and affordably,” he stressed.

Declaring that Nigeria’s Real Estate sector is open for business, Dangiwa reaffirmed the government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for real estate growth through strong policies, regulatory frameworks, and investment incentives.

“Collaboration with the Nigeria Governors’ Forum is also ongoing to improve land access, streamline approval processes, and enhance urban planning policies. Furthermore, urban renewal and slum upgrading initiatives are being expanded to improve living conditions in rural, semi-urban, and urban areas,” he explained.

While he acknowledged the headache investors feel about achieving balance in the sector, he urged all not to treat balance and innovation in real estate as mutually exclusive, noting that they can be pursued simultaneously through smart policies, innovative financing, sustainable construction, and digital transformation.

He reiterated his commitment to advancing policies that make housing more accessible, affordable, and sustainable in alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu Administration.

All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Ayekooto Akindele, has alleged that former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, is bitter against his former principal, Muhammadu Buhari.

His statement followed Amaechi’s recent comment placing former President, Olusegun Obasanjo ahead of other previous Nigerian leaders. 

Amaechi said Obasanjo was the last Nigerian leader to foster a thriving middle class, emphasizing that no administration since then has successfully maintained a stable economic bridge between the wealthy and the poor.

Amaechi made this statement during a two-day event in Abuja, themed “Strengthening Nigeria’s Democracy: Pathway to Good Governance and Political Integrity.”

Akindele, a core supporter of President Bola Tinubu, in a post via his official Facebook page on Friday, alleged that Amaechi may be bitter over Buhari’s failure to endorse him during the APC presidential primary election in 2022.

According to Ayekooto, despite Amaechi’s infrastructural efforts in Buhari’s home town, Daura, the immediate past president failed to impose the former Governor of Rivers State on the ruling party.

He wrote, “Two reasons Amaechi will never forgive Buhari; despite procuring a chieftaincy title in Daura and allocating a Transportation University there, Buhari didn’t impose him on the APC. Chai, this is unforgivable.

“Resiging to run a stadium marathon for APC ticket and lost shamelessly, despite begging Buhari to allow him return as minister, Buhari was just saying MININI as he didn’t understand what he was saying”.

Elder statesman and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Bode George has accused the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and former presidential candidate of the party, Atiku Abubakar, of committing what he called ‘Harakiri’.

Naija News reports that Harakiri is a form of ritualistic suicide that was historically practised by samurai warriors in Japan. The term “harakiri” is derived from the Japanese words “hara,” meaning “belly,” and “kiri,” meaning “cutting.”

Speaking during an appearance on Arise TV, George stated that it is time for all parties to come together and resolve the crisis plaguing the party.

He stated this while reacting to Atiku’s claim that the All Progressives Congress (APC) government was behind the crisis in the party.

George insisted that, like the PDP, the APC also has its issues, stressing that Abdullahi Ganduje was imposed as National Chairman.

According to George: “If you want to be a winner in a political setting, your public image is very important. If people are looking at us and asking, ‘Can you trust this person?’ You mean they don’t have any crisis in APC? Of course, they do.

“They have never held any meeting, no National Executive Committee meeting. Ganduje, who is their chairman, has just been imposed.

“No meeting, no National Executive Committee meeting. So, it’s not only us, but for God’s sake, we can resolve our own.

“Throwing tantrums and pushing issues that it’s the APC that is doing this and that is just undermining the issue.

“We must sit down—all sides of the divide. Both Atiku and Wike have committed Harakiri. We must be bold enough to tell them that enough of this nonsense.