The Metropolitans

Social media has never struggled with sensational claims, but every now and then, a story breaks that demands more than laughter, outrage, or blind sharing. The claim that a strike linked to Donald Trump occurred on Nigerian soil, if true, raises questions far bigger than partisan loyalty or online hype. It touches the very heart of Nigeria’s sovereignty, security, and dignity as a nation. Nigeria is not a lawless territory. It is a sovereign state with a constitution, an elected government, and armed forces mandated to protect its territorial integrity. Any foreign military action within its borders, especially one allegedly ordered by a former or sitting U.S. president, cannot be treated as a casual international affair. It would represent a grave diplomatic and security issue. Supporters of U.S. military interventions often cloak them in the language of counterterrorism, regional stability, or global security. We have heard these justifications before. They are familiar, polished,...

Nigeria’s online activism has a credibility problem. Public outrage is no longer driven by facts or fairness, but by personal relationships, political loyalty, and convenience. Many Nigerians only stand for the oppressed when they have no emotional, social, or political ties to the alleged oppressor. Recent incidents on Twitter/X reveal this hypocrisy in stark terms. When actress Toyin Abraham acted against Ayo, a social media user who repeatedly cyberbullied her, the backlash was immediate. Influencers framed her response as an abuse of power and an attempt to silence dissent. What was largely ignored, however, was the nature of the provocation. The attacks reportedly extended beyond criticism and involved her child, a line universally regarded as unacceptable. Yet, Toyin was condemned. Months later, when Motara and Alabi reportedly picked up another Twitter user for bullying them, the response was noticeably different. The same online voices that demanded restraint and “free speech” ...

The controversy surrounding the deleted tweet attacking former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, has continued to trail the African Democratic Congress (ADC), further exposing the cracks within Nigeria’s so-called “new opposition.” What makes the episode even more damaging is the fact that the tweet did not come from a faceless supporter or parody page, but from the official account of the ADC Coalition Mobilization Wing, a structure created specifically to coordinate political messaging and engagement for the party’s coalition project. After the tweet was posted and public backlash followed, it was swiftly deleted. Rather than address the content directly or accept responsibility, the party and its allies resorted to denial, claiming the post was a product of Photoshop manipulation. This explanation raised more questions than answers. In an era where digital records are easily verifiable and official accounts are closely monitored, blaming image manipulation without...

From Jagun Jagun to Seven Doors, Nollywood superstar Femi Adebayo is proving that his reign in African cinema is far from over. The award-winning actor and filmmaker has continued his dominance at the Best of Nollywood (BON) Awards, marking yet another milestone in a career defined by consistency, creativity, and excellence. In 2024, Adebayo’s blockbuster Jagun Jagun, produced under his thriving production company Euphoria360 Media, swept six major awards out of 24 categories, including Best Actor, Best Costume, Best Indigenous Film, Best Production Design, Best Special Effect, and Director of the Year. Now, in 2025, his latest project Seven Doors has picked up an impressive nine BON Award nominations, solidifying his reputation as Nigeria’s most bankable filmmaker and Africa’s finest actor. Fresh off his AMVCA win as Best Actor in Africa, Femi Adebayo continues to prove his unmatched storytelling power and ability to merge culture with modern cinema. Seven Doors, like his previous...

By  Yemi Akintunde Literacy experts and education stakeholders have called on governments at various levels to reinforce the national core values by deliberate action towards dismantling the idea among the young and old that education is a scam. The stakeholders made the call during a monitored radio programme in Abeokuta organised by the National Association of Seadogs, Ash Montana Deck in collaboration with Trafalgar Deck to mark this year's Literacy Day. Reflecting on the theme of the day, Promoting Digital Literacy: Bridging the Gap, a Counselling Psychologist, Mrs Damilola Onebamhoin and Mr. Emmanuel Kilasho noted that many young and old people in Nigeria were still lagging behing in literacy especially in this digital era. They observed that away from the ability to read and write which used to define basic literacy technology had altered this definition to include digital ability. "Anybody, especially the youths who can not perform basic computer operations and purposef...

Nollywood has come a long way in production quality, storytelling, and global recognition. Today, filmmakers spend millions creating world-class blockbusters, but one major problem continues to hold the industry back, lack of serious promotion. After investing heavily in making a film, many producers often neglect marketing and instead reduce promotion to social media trends most commonly, dancing challenges. While entertaining, this strategy alone cannot carry a film to success. Promotion is not an optional add-on; it is the bridge between a film and its audience. Without aggressive marketing, even the best movies risk going unseen. Hollywood understands this, often matching or even exceeding production budgets with promotional spending. When Nollywood movies underperform despite good production, it’s usually because the audience simply didn’t hear enough about them. Relying solely on influencers dancing on TikTok or Instagram fails to reach the wider, paying audience in cinemas...

By Yinka Rahman The City Boy Movement in Ogun State, under the strategic leadership of Alhaji Kamorudeen Yusuf, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Duties, and the coordination of Dr. Sulaimon Lateef Adegboyega (PhD), has launched a wide-reaching series of grassroots initiatives designed to uplift communities and empower future generations. These interventions are being executed in alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, reflecting a national vision rooted in development, inclusion, and opportunity. Across Ogun State’s three senatorial districts, the City Boy Movement is actively reshaping the educational landscape. Public primary schools in local government areas such as Ado-Odo/Ota, Yewa South, Sagamu, Ifo, and Abeokuta South have benefitted from substantial infrastructure support. Hundreds of students now learn in improved environments, thanks to the provision of chairs and tables that have eased overcrowding and revitalized classroom setti...