Latest from Nigeria

News, events and knowledge. New and updated articles appear first.

Fintiri Pledges Continued Support For Northern Governor’s Wives Forum

Politics & public institutionsNews

FIC REPORT (ADAMAWA STATE) – Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri has pledged his administrations continued support for the Northern Governor Wives Forum (NGWF) to enhance development at the grassroots. Governor Fintiri made the pledge when he received members of the forum who paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House in Yola. He commended the Governor’s wives for the various projects and initiatives they have been…

Effective Communication: A Catalyst for Good Governance and National Development

Politics & public institutionsNews

Effective communication remains a critical component of good governance and sustainable national development. In a democratic society such as Nigeria, the ability of government to formulate sound policies is only one part of the responsibilities of governance; communicating those policies effectively, explaining their benefits and maintaining meaningful engagement with citizens are equally important. For this reason, greater…

1979 October 1: Alhaji Shehu Shagari was sworn in as president.

History & state formation

Shehu Usman Aliyu Shagari GCFR,born February 25, 1925.He was the first and only President of Nigeria’s Second Republic (1979–1983), after the handover of power by General Olusegun Obasanjo’s military government, Shagari also served seven times in a ministerial or cabinet post as a federal minister and federal commissioner from 1958–1975. He was made the Turaki of the Fula Sokoto Caliphate in 1962 by the Sultan of Sokoto Siddiq…

HCSF Rounds Off Staff Interaction Series with Directorate-Level Officers.

Culture & heritageNews

…….Advocates for Stronger Mentorship and Leadership Excellence. The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), Mr. Olumuyiwa Enitan Abel, has concluded his ongoing engagement with staff of the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) with an interactive session with Directorate-Level Officers on Grades 15–17, emphasising the importance of effective leadership, mentorship and institutional excellence…

FG Strengthens National Action to End Violence Against Children, Targets Measurable Commitments Ahead of Manila Conference

Culture & heritageEvent & culture

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s child protection system and translating its commitments on ending violence against children into measurable, adequately funded and accountable actions. The commitment was made at the National Preparatory Meeting for Nigeria’s Participation at the Second Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children (EVAC), held in Abuja ahead of the…

At AGROW Dialogue In Abuja, Kyari Calls For National Digital Farmers Register To End Duplication, Target Support To Real Farmers

Economy & societyNews

The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, has called for a national digital farmers register to end duplication, target support to real farmers and secure food for over 200 million Nigerians. The Minister made the call today, Tuesday 29th September 2026, while declaring open the National Strategic Dialogue on AGROW Subcomponent 2.2 National Implementation Strategy and Digital Agriculture Architecture at the…

BPP Felicitates NCSU, Restates Strategic Role Of Procurement Reforms

Economy & societyNews

The Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) has advised civil servants on the importance of having a business plan for life after retirement. He gave the advice at the 114th Anniversary Symposium of the Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU) held at the Merit House in Abuja. The symposium, themed “Mitigating the Impact of Security Challenges on the Working Class,” focused on the resilience and safety of Nigerian…

2027 Elections: Information Minister Calls For Responsible Broadcasting To Protect Democracy

Politics & public institutionsNews

The Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has called on broadcasters to uphold accuracy, fairness and professional ethics in reporting as Nigeria approaches the 2027 elections, stressing that responsible broadcasting is critical to protecting democracy. The Minister made the call on Monday in Bauchi in a speech delivered on his behalf by the Director-General of Voice of Nigeria (VON), Jibrin…

Olojo Festival: Honoring the Dawn of Creation in Ile-Ife

Festivals & living heritageEvent & culture

Deep in the heart of Ile-Ife, Osun State—widely regarded as the spiritual cradle of the Yoruba people—one of the most ancient and revered cultural festivals in Nigeria is celebrated: the Olojo Festival . Held annually, usually in September or October, this powerful tradition draws thousands of spectators and participants from across the Yoruba nation and beyond. The name Olojo translates to “The Day of the First Dawn” , representing…

Nwonyo Fishing Festival: Taraba’s Spectacular Celebration of Culture and Aquatic Heritage

Festivals & living heritageEvent & culture

Nestled just five kilometres north of Ibi in Taraba State, Nigeria, lies Lake Nwonyo—home to one of the most captivating and culturally significant festivals in West Africa: the Nwonyo Fishing Festival . Celebrated annually, this grand event brings together the people of Ibi and neighbouring communities in a vibrant display of unity, tradition, and aquatic prowess. The lake, believed to be the largest natural lake in West Africa,…

Afan National Festival: A Celebration of Heritage in Kagoro

Festivals & living heritageEvent & culture

Every year on January 1st, the vibrant town of Kagoro in Southern Kaduna State comes alive with color, rhythm, and ancient tradition. The Afan National Festival, celebrated by the Oegworok (Kagoro) people, is one of Nigeria’s most enduring cultural events, with a history believed to span over 400 years. Held in the palace grounds of the Chief of Kagoro in Kaura Local Government Area, this festival is more than just a New Year…

Omabe Festival – A Sacred Cultural Celebration of the Mba Waawa People

Festivals & living heritageEvent & culture

The Omabe Festival is a revered cultural event celebrated every five years by the Mba Waawa community in the Nsukka region, Enugu-Ezike, Enugu State, Nigeria. Deeply rooted in tradition, the festival is considered a spiritual and communal treasure, especially among the Imufu people. Having existed for several centuries, the Omabe Festival is seen as a time of purification and spiritual cleansing. It is believed that the masquerade…

Nigerian Academy for Cultural Studies

Science, education & ideas

Follow the steps below to make payment for your admission: Cultural Relevance A programme designed to promote and preserve Nigeria’s cultural heritage.

NACUS To Take Off With Campuses in Lagos, Ogbomosho, Cross River & Abuja

Science, education & ideas

The Federal Government specialized monotechnic for cultural studies, called the Nigerian Academy for Cultural Studies (NACUS), is expected to commence its academic session in September, 2025, with pilot campuses in Lagos, Cross River, Ogbomosho in Oyo State and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The Monotechnic, which is powered by the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), a parastatal of the Federal Ministry of…

Nigeria Host the World

Culture & heritage

Nigeria is set to host the maiden edition of the World Orisa Congress, an event that will unite practitioners, scholars, and enthusiasts of the Orisa tradition and Yoruba traditional religion from across the globe. This landmark announcement was made by Otunba Biodun Ajiboye, Executive Secretary/CEO of the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), at a recent press briefing in Abuja.

Cuisines in Nigeria

Culture & heritage

Food is more than sustenance—it’s a symbol of heritage, identity, and communal life. Across Nigeria’s six geo-political zones, each dish tells a story of tradition, environment, and people. At NICO, we celebrate these diverse cuisines as a vital part of our cultural fabric Kaduna | Kano | Katsina | Kebbi | Jigawa | Sokoto

Languages in Nigeria

Languages & oral traditions

Language is more than a tool for conversation—it is the heartbeat of culture, the keeper of history, and the bridge that turns strangers into kin. Imagine our nation without words: no folktales shared at dusk, no marketplaces buzzing with playful bargaining, no lullabies drifting through moonlit courtyards. From the gravelly greetings of the Sahel to the lilting choruses of the rainforest, every syllable spoken across Nigeria…

Cultural Festivals

Festivals & living heritageEvent & culture

Nigeria is renowned for its vibrant tapestry of festivals, each reflecting the diverse customs, beliefs, and histories of its people. From centuries-old masquerade parades to modern music carnivals, there’s always something exciting happening in every corner of the country. Dive into the sections below to discover the range of celebrations that make Nigeria’s cultural landscape truly unique. Rooted in ancient customs and passed down…

NICO Takes FG To A Roundtable Discussion With Brazil On Traditional Medicine For Global Recognition

Nigeria in the worldNews

The National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), a parastatal of the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, is spearheading strategic engagements with key Brazilian institutions aimed at securing global recognition, scientific validation, and commercialization of traditional medicine as a viable component of modern healthcare systems.

Nigeria-Brazil Bilateral Meeting Agrees on Traditional Medicine, Medicinal Plant Research and Healthcare Innovation-Says Otunba Ajiboye

Nigeria in the worldNews

The just-concluded Nigeria-Brazil Bilateral Meeting to forge strategic alliance for the transformation of traditional medicine into Global Health Solutions hosted by Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Brazil’s foremost public health research institution has recorded significant breakthroughs, reinforcing the commitment of both countries to deepen cooperation in areas capable of delivering social, economic, and public health…

Foreign Policy Objectives

Nigeria in the world

Nigeria’s 4D Foreign Policy, introduced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and operationalized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is a strategic framework built on four pillars: Demography, Development, Diaspora, and Democracy. This doctrine redefines Nigeria’s role on the global stage, shifting from reactive diplomacy to proactive engagement, and positions Nigeria to lead regional cooperation, economic transformation, and peace…

Training School

Science, education & ideas

The National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) Training School, the academic and capacity-building arm of NICO commenced active training in 2008 with a broad-based curriculum which is reviewed from time to time to conform to contemporary realities within the culture sector. With the Institute’s National Diploma in Cultural Administration and Resource Management (NDCARM) accredited by the National Board for Technical…

Heritage Sites

Places & landscapes

There are two (2) World Heritage Properties in Nigeria. More Sites are on the Tentative List of Nigeria’s World Heritage Properties for up scaling to be approved by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee as World Heritage Sites in the nearest future.

Entertainment

Culture & heritage

Nollywood emerged in 1992 and quickly imposed itself as one of the world’s largest film industries. Today, it comes just behind “Hollywood and “Bollywood”, American and Indian film industries respectively. It is a unifying brand for practitioners in scripting, directing, sound, High Definition (HD) techniques, acting, cinematography, make-up, editing, etc. in Nigeria, Nollywood is the Nigerian national movie industry articulated…