
Nigerian Afrobeats singer Burna Boy, whose real name is Damini Ogulu, has set a new record for African artists on the Billboard U.S. Hot 100 chart. He now holds the highest number of entries, surpassing fellow Nigerian artist Tems. Ogulu announced this milestone on Tuesday, highlighting its significance for his career. Both Burna Boy and Tems previously had eight entries each. Burna Boy secured his ninth entry through a collaboration with Colombian singer Shakira on the official FIFA World Cup song, "Dai Dai," which debuted at No. 75 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song's momentum increased after a performance by Burna Boy and Shakira at the FIFA World Cup opening ceremony in Mexico. This achievement places Burna Boy ahead of Tems, who now holds the second-highest number of entries among African artists. Burna Boy is also the first African artist to chart at least one song on the Billboard Hot 100 for six consecutive years. His entries include "Loved By You" 2021, "Last Last" 2022, "Sitting On Top of the World" and "Talibans II" 2023, "Just Like Me" and "We Pray" 2024, "WGFT" 2025, and "Only You" and "Dai Dai" 2026. Additionally, Burna Boy recently exceeded 40 million monthly listeners on Spotify and has received multiple nominations for the 2026 Grammy Awards.
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Must ReadThe Manufacturers Association of Nigeria MAN has voiced concerns regarding a significant 22.5% year-on-year contraction in commercial bank credit to the manufacturing sector in 2025, falling from N8.53 trillion in December 2024 to N6.61 trillion in December 2025. Mr. Segun Ajayi-Kadir, Director-General of MAN, stated that this decline, which represents a N1.92 trillion reduction, is alarming and could impede industrial growth, job creation, and economic diversification. He noted that manufacturing experienced one of the steepest credit contractions among major sectors, trailing behind the oil and gas sector N10.59 trillion and the finance sector N9.24 trillion in credit attraction. Ajayi-Kadir attributed the credit allocation decline to high interest rates, bureaucratic hurdles, and inconsistent policies, also criticizing the non-implementation of the N1 trillion Manufacturing Stabilisation Fund from the Federal Government’s Accelerated Stabilisation and Advancement Plan ASAP in 2024. He warned that inadequate access to affordable financing could undermine the 2025 Nigeria Industrial Policy NIP and lead to reduced manufacturing capacity utilization, stagnation of the sector’s GDP contribution, job losses, supply-side inflation, and foreign exchange pressures. To address these issues, Ajayi-Kadir proposed reducing benchmark interest rates by 200 to 300 basis points, incentivizing banks to lend to manufacturing at single-digit rates, increasing the capital base of the Bank of I
Must ReadKenyan prosecutors announced they will charge several students with the murder of 16 schoolmates following a dormitory fire in late May. The incident at Utumishi Girls’ School in Gilgil, approximately 100 kilometers north of Nairobi, resulted in the deaths of 16 pupils aged 15 to 18 and injuries to 132 others. Nine students from the school, which primarily serves children of police officers, remain in police custody, having been arrested on arson charges the day after the tragedy. The Director of Public Prosecutions has approved charges against the implicated students, who are expected to face 16 counts of murder each. A spokesperson for the prosecutors office indicated that the suspects would likely be charged in court on Wednesday, but declined to provide further details as they are minors. Kenya has a history of deadly dormitory fires, with the Kenyan Red Cross recording at least 47 such incidents in 2026 alone. Several fires have occurred since the Utumishi incident, leading many boarding schools to send pupils home to prevent similar disasters. Experts suggest these incidents may be linked to copycat attacks and frustration with the education system.

Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri has appointed former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, as the state's representative on the Board of Trustees of the Northern Nigeria Security Trust Fund. The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Humwashi Wonosikou, announced the appointment, stating it reflects the administration's commitment to strengthening regional security and ensuring Adamawa State's representation in key decision-making bodies. The Northern Nigeria Security Trust Fund, established by the Northern Governors' Forum, is a sub-national initiative to complement security agencies' efforts. It aims to support intelligence coordination, provide operational logistics, enhance inter-state collaboration, and promote community-based security initiatives across the 19 northern states. Governor Fintiri described Mustapha as a seasoned public servant whose experience, leadership, and national stature qualify him to represent Adamawa State's interests. Fintiri expressed concern over security challenges in Northern Nigeria, including banditry, terrorism, kidnapping, and communal clashes, highlighting the need for proactive measures like the Trust Fund. He is confident that Mustapha will use his experience to advance the fund's objectives, foster synergy among states, and ensure Adamawa's voice is heard in the pursuit of a safer Northern Nigeria. The governor reiterated his administration's commitment to collaborating with federal and regional stakehold