Echotitbits – Nigeria News

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  • Asake Teases New Cinematic Music Video Featuring Nollywood Veterans

    Asake Teases New Cinematic Music Video Featuring Nollywood Veterans

    Asake has shared a teaser hinting at a high-budget, cinematic music video for his next release—complete with cameo appearances from Nollywood veterans.

    The concept appears to nod to classic Nigerian action-film aesthetics, expanding Asake’s signature visual language that blends street culture with stylized storytelling.

    The Guardian Nigeria and Netng have both noted the cultural weight of blending Afrobeats visuals with Nollywood legacy talent.

    Echotitbits take: This is audience-retention strategy at its best. By tapping Nollywood’s deep cultural memory, Asake is building visual legacy—not just hits—so the music lives longer in an era of fast, disposable content.

    Source: AfroBeating – https://afrobeating.com/asake-releases-new-music-video/ (2026-01-30)
    Photo Credit: AfroBeating

  • Rema Sells Out Arena in Japan, Continuing Global Dominance

    Rema Sells Out Arena in Japan, Continuing Global Dominance

    Rema has sold out his first arena show in Tokyo, underlining the growing reach of his “Afrorave” sound across Asia.

    Reports describe a high-tech stage setup and a setlist balancing major hits with experimental moments—an approach that has helped him connect globally without flattening his identity.

    The Sun Nigeria and Rolling Stone have both referenced the milestone as a key marker for African music exports.

    Echotitbits take: By winning in Asia, Rema is diversifying Afrobeats revenue beyond the usual US/UK lanes. If more artists follow, the industry’s touring and licensing economics could become far more resilient and truly global.

    Source: BusinessDay – https://businessday.ng/life-arts/article/remas-heis-world-tour-eyes-350000-attendees-across-global-venues/ (2026-01-30)
    Photo Credit: BusinessDay

  • Kanye West Sparks Controversy with Unannounced Pop-Up in Milan

    Kanye West Sparks Controversy with Unannounced Pop-Up in Milan

    Kanye West (Ye) triggered chaos in Milan after staging an unannounced pop-up during Milan Fashion Week, drawing huge crowds and reportedly blocking streets.

    The display centered on an “architectural” clothing concept, but attendees say no items were available for purchase, and authorities eventually stepped in over crowd control concerns.

    WWD and The Cut have both noted how the disruption pulled attention away from official runway programming.

    Echotitbits take: Ye remains a chaos-first marketer—building his own spotlight outside the traditional calendar. The tactics are divisive, but the turnout reinforces a reality: his influence still converts attention into mass movement.

    Source: Yahoo – https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/kanye-west-hope-music-comeback-221511744.html (2026-01-30)
    Photo Credit: Yahoo

  • Plot to Assassinate President Tinubu and Top Officials Uncovered

    Plot to Assassinate President Tinubu and Top Officials Uncovered

    Premium Times reports (January 30, 2026) that a joint intelligence operation involving the Nigerian Army and the State Security Service (SSS) uncovered and disrupted an alleged plot aimed at overthrowing the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

    The alleged conspiracy, said to have taken shape in late 2025, reportedly targeted President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker Tajudeen Abbas for assassination.

    Investigations reportedly advanced after a military whistleblower raised an alarm about a planned strike during a major presidential outing, prompting the cancellation of some high-profile national events and a wave of arrests of alleged military and civilian collaborators.

    ThisDay and The Nation also reported additional details, including claims of coordinated suspect activity and ongoing efforts to trace alleged financial sponsors.

    Echotitbits take: This development highlights persistent friction within parts of the security architecture and political class. While disrupting the plot is a major security win, the administration will need to manage public perception of instability. Expect tighter surveillance in Abuja and possible reshuffling of mid-level military commands in the weeks ahead.

    Source: Daily Trust – https://dailytrust.com/how-coup-to-topple-tinubu-was-uncovered-foiled/ 2026-01-30

    Photo Credit: Daily Trust

  • Nigeria and United States Reinforce Strategic Trade and Investment Ties

    Nigeria and United States Reinforce Strategic Trade and Investment Ties

    The Guardian reports that Nigeria and the United States reaffirmed plans to deepen bilateral economic relations after a high-level Commercial and Investment Partnership meeting in Lagos.

    Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, said the engagement is intended to streamline trade processes and attract sustainable U.S. capital into emerging sectors.

    Discussions reportedly centered on agriculture, the digital economy, and manufacturing, with both sides looking to reduce trade barriers and improve investor confidence through policy consistency.

    Channels TV and BusinessDay also covered the meeting, noting expectations of a more predictable operating environment for U.S. firms and potential FX benefits tied to stronger commercial flows.

    Echotitbits take: The timing is strategic as Nigeria tries to diversify away from crude oil. The reported involvement of U.S. agriculture-linked stakeholders hints at food-security collaboration via technology transfer. Watch for follow-on instruments such as export incentives for non‑oil products and targeted investor protections.

    Source: The Guardian – https://guardian.ng/business-services/nigeria-u-s-remain-committed-to-economic-ties-says-oduwole/ 2026-01-30

    Photo Credit: The Guardian

  • NUPRC Opens Bidding for 50 New Oil Blocks to Boost Production

    NUPRC Opens Bidding for 50 New Oil Blocks to Boost Production

    Channels TV reports that the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) opened the 2026 bidding round for 50 oil blocks as part of efforts to lift crude oil output and revenues.

    The commission says it has lowered entry barriers to attract local and international independent players and has pledged transparency under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

    The Punch and Vanguard also highlighted the economic implications, including a focus on blocks with proven reserves and the investment rationale behind lowering barriers for capable operators.

    Echotitbits take: After years of output pressure from divestments and operational disruptions, this bid round will be a credibility test. The decisive variable is security—oil theft and pipeline sabotage still distort project economics. Expect strong interest from indigenous operators and smaller international independents if the fiscal and security signals hold.

    Source: The Punch – https://punchng.com/nuprc-opens-50-oil-blocks-for-bidding-bars-weak-firms/ 2026-01-30

    Photo Credit: The Punch

  • Nollywood Actor Arrested Over Alleged Involvement in Plot Against Government

    Nollywood Actor Arrested Over Alleged Involvement in Plot Against Government

    Premium Times reports that Nollywood filmmaker and actor Stanley Amandi was arrested over alleged involvement in a propaganda scheme linked to the foiled coup plot.

    Investigators reportedly allege he was recruited to help manage public messaging after a planned assassination of top government officials, as part of a wider sweep of civilian collaborators.

    Daily Post and Leadership also reported reactions, including calls for due process and concerns about the use of cultural influencers in political subversion.

    Echotitbits take: This is a rare instance where a creative-industry figure is publicly tied to a treason-related investigation. It underscores how governments increasingly treat narrative control as a national-security vector. Expect heightened scrutiny of politically themed productions, funding flows, and influencer networks.

    Source: BusinessDay – https://businessday.ng/news/article/nollywood-actor-stanley-amandi-arrested-for-alleged-role-in-coup-plot-against-tinubu/ 2026-01-30

    Photo Credit: BusinessDay

  • Controversy Swirls Around Federal Government’s New Tax Reform Law

    Controversy Swirls Around Federal Government’s New Tax Reform Law

    Vanguard reports that controversy is growing over the exact version of a tax reform law signed by President Bola Tinubu, with claims that the enacted document contains “differentials” from the version debated and passed by the National Assembly.

    The reforms aim to simplify the tax code and improve collection efficiency, but some lawmakers and critics argue alleged discrepancies could impose undue burdens on small businesses and the middle class.

    The Nation and Daily Trust also reported on the dispute, including claims of administrative discrepancies in the final draft and legislative concerns about possible alterations before presidential assent.

    Echotitbits take: If the alleged differentials are material, implementation will face legal and political headwinds—potentially including injunctions and corporate challenges. The fastest de‑risking move is immediate publication of the clean legislative text trail (passed version vs assented version) and an agreed correction mechanism to preserve reform credibility.

    Source: The Punch – https://punchng.com/tax-laws-that-split-abuja-how-tinubus-reforms-sparked-governance-storm/ 2026-01-30

    Photo Credit: The Punch

  • Geregu Power Plc Names Sean Manley as Interim Chief Executive Officer

    Geregu Power Plc Names Sean Manley as Interim Chief Executive Officer

    Leadership reports that Geregu Power Plc appointed Sean Manley as Interim Chief Executive Officer, effective February 2, 2026.

    The appointment is reportedly subject to approval by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC). Manley is described as having more than three decades of experience in the power sector, including work at Siemens on thermal power projects.

    The Punch and ThisDay also covered the development, noting positive investor sentiment and expectations that his international experience could support technical partnerships and operational upgrades.

    Echotitbits take: Interim CEO appointments usually signal a board prioritizing continuity and operational discipline while it searches for a permanent successor. For Geregu, the near-term market signal will be measurable improvements in availability, heat-rate performance, and maintenance execution—especially as power-sector reform pressures increase.

    Source: BusinessDay – https://businessday.ng/companies/article/geregu-taps-siemens-energys-sean-manley-as-interim-ceo-to-spearhead-new-growth-strategy/ 2026-01-30

    Photo Credit: BusinessDay

  • Health Experts Warn Against Growing Roadside Food Drying Culture

    Health Experts Warn Against Growing Roadside Food Drying Culture

    Daily Post reports that health professionals are warning against the practice of drying staple foods such as cassava, maize, and beans along major highways in Nigeria.

    Experts say roadside drying exposes food to contaminants including heavy metals from vehicle exhaust and dust-borne pathogens, with toxins settling directly on food as passing traffic raises dust clouds.

    Vanguard and The Guardian also echoed concerns, including links to gastrointestinal infections and broader food-safety risks tied to limited access to modern processing facilities.

    Echotitbits take: This is an infrastructure-and-public-health gap showing up in everyday food handling. Without affordable community dryers, solar kilns, and hygienic aggregation points, the practice will persist. A practical fix is local processing hubs near farming clusters, backed by microcredit and enforceable food-safety standards.

    Source: Daily Post – https://dailypost.ng/2026/01/30/dust-on-meal-tables-experts-reveal-hidden-dangers-of-nigerias-roadside-drying-culture/ 2026-01-30

    Photo Credit: Daily Post