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Ranks Africa Best of the Year 2025 — Call for Nominations

Rate & Ranks

Ranks-Staff

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July 20, 2025

Ranks Africa Best of the Year 2025 — Call for Nominations

Ranks Africa is proud to announce the launch of Best of the Year 2025 — a landmark initiative that celebrates excellence across People, Brands, and Industries shaping Africa’s future. [nomination link]

From outstanding leaders and changemakers to pioneering companies and innovative industries, Best of the Year recognizes those who set the pace, inspire others, and drive impact.

What to Expect

✅ Magazine Feature – Each honoree will be spotlighted in Ranks Africa Magazine and across our digital platforms.
✅ Media Recognition – Stories will be amplified on our media platforms to reach a wider audience.
✅ Plaque Presentation – Honorees will receive a prestigious plaque as a symbol of excellence and recognition.

Nomination Details

📌 Nominations are now open for categories across People, Brands, and Industries.
📌 Closing Date: 20th October 2025
📌 Submit your nominations by filling the official form here: [nomination link]

Be part of this celebration of Africa’s finest.
Nominate today and let the world know who deserves to be named Best of the Year 2025!

Governance Categories

Governor of the Year
Minister of the Year
Senator of the Year
House of Representative Member of the Year
State House of Assembly Member of the Year
Local Government Chairman of the Year
First Lady of the Year

Vote for Nigeria’s best-performing Governor in the areas of economy and business growth.

Ranks-Staff

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January 12, 2023

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Vote for Nigeria’s best-performing Governor in the areas of economy and business growth.

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EXCLUSIVE: RANKS AFRICA MAGAZINE SPECIAL EDITION IN PARTNERSHIP KIDD WAYA

Magazine

Ranks-Staff

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December 19, 2022

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EXCLUSIVE: RANKS AFRICA MAGAZINE SPECIAL EDITION IN PARTNERSHIP KIDD WAYA

Narrative does change; as life goes on, the beauty of who you are will be defined by your intentions toward yourself, your fans, and your craft. Kiddwaya is a major player in Entertainment industry, and he is using his influence and individuality to improve the relationships of the fans and Stan.

How Kiddwaya moved away from other people’s realities to pursue his own reality without taking away his wholesome personality needs to be adequately studied. Kiddwaya channeled his intuition into a dream life and the goals he has always desired at a time when so many people believed in life on social media and were faking impressions just to keep up with the gram. He took the importance of social media and celebrities’ lifestyles to a different level, thereby steadily building his fortress and creating a diversified niche.

The reality of a favorite can also influence the stans, which explains the WDG’s extraordinary composure and positivity adoration. a base that took time not just to keep up with their favorite alone but also took a cue from his positive and global impact. Boldness and a proper understanding of life are their forte—class beyond class, you might say.

Due to Kidd Waya’s significant actions over the course of his three years of fame, this special edition of Ranks Africa Magazine is dedicated to him.

So now it’s over to you. What do you think of this issue, both in print and online? What do you like and what is missing? Let us know RanksAfrica@gmail.com or @RanksAfrica on Twitter and Instagram and we’ll see what we can deliver in our forthcoming issues.

READ FULL DIGITAL COPY HERE

Ranks Africa Magazine: Without a doubt, Kunle Afolayan revolutionized how viewers rated Nigerian films.

Magazine

Ranks-Staff

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December 14, 2022

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The influence of Kunle Afolayan is long-lasting and profound. Prior to the monumental success of ANIKULAPO, Kunle Afolayan has always worked with magic, both historically and currently. He served as an inspiration for many filmmakers even before cinema and online streaming were widely adopted in Nigeria; to his credit, movies like Irapada, The Figurine, Phone Swap, October 1, Roti, The CEO, Mokalik, etc. have all been named the finest movies by movie lovers.

Ranks Africa Magazine Special Edition: Kunle Afolayan

Without a doubt, Kunle Afolayan revolutionized how viewers rated Nigerian films. He is one of the most well-known directors to emerge in the last two decades. He also fits the description of a director who is aware of the idea of talent stardom.

Even though Kunle Afolayan has not yet received an Oscar, he will always be considered one of the best in the world. For this reason, a special edition of Ranks Africa Magazine has been created to recognize and commemorate him.

With nearly three decades of professional acting experience, Kunle Afolayan is not just a talented filmmaker but also a very skilled actor who is pleasant, charming, and easygoing.

We also name 14 actors in this special issue of the magazine who you should watch out for in 2023. The list includes actors who are having breakout years, stars of highly anticipated films for the awards season, and even actors who are making their film debuts.

So now it’s over to you. What do you think of this issue, both in print and online? What do you like and what is missing? Let us know RanksAfrica@gmail.com or @RanksAfrica on Twitter and Instagram and we’ll see what we can deliver in our forthcoming issues.

DOWNLOAD THE DIGITAL COPY HERE

RANKS MAGAZINE-FASHION EDITION: NIYI LAWAL BRIDGING THE CULTURE

Magazine

Ranks-Staff

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October 25, 2022

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In Nigeria, becoming a successful entrepreneur and influencer is not simple, especially for well-known individuals. There is pressure attached. Hard work, expertise, and frequently a small bit of luck is necessary.

One of the few people who had a successful business before becoming famous is Niyi. Since Niyi Lawal was presented to the world via the reality television show “Big Brother Naija” season 6’s “Shine Ya Eye,” many have come to the conclusion that you don’t need to be an entertainer before you join the show.

Due to the way he conducts himself on the show, Niyi continues to be one of the most respected #BBNAIJA naija alumni.

We at Ranks Africa have decided to celebrate those who have achieved professional success and used their enterprises to have a positive influence on their industry as well as society at large. This is the driving force behind this magazine.

This time around, Niyi Lawal, a successful serial entrepreneur and fashion influencer, is the subject of our focus story. You’ll find this quite interesting.

THE PRINT COPY IS GOING TO BE AVAILABLE FROM 30TH OCT. 2022

You can order by sending Email Ranksafrica@gmail.com or DM @ranksafrica on instagram

You can DOWNLOAD DIGITAL HERE FOR FREE

RanksBusiness Magazine: Taking a giant step from certainty to uncertainty, Cross da Boss inspires entrepreneurs

Magazine

Ranks-Staff

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September 4, 2022

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RanksBusiness Magazine: Taking a giant step from certainty to uncertainty, Cross da Boss inspires entrepreneurs

Ranks Magazine is a media outlet documenting creative minds today for tomorrow, which Identify and Promote Business, People and Industries from the perspective of every people & connecting people to latest business news

Two things happen when you live through an era of rapid change, as we are now. Firstly, there is an inevitable surge of artistic creativity and second the contrarians, the non-conformists and the anti-heroes come into their own. We witness the rise of the rebel: those who don’t play by the normal rules, who flourish in chaotic, unpredictable times and welcome uncertainty without fear. This is what this edition of Ranks Africa Magazine, celebrating Entrepreneur, Cross Okonkwo is all about. This edition celebrates the curious revolutionaries who think differently and this is reflected in the articles and contents carefully put together in this edition.

This edition, gives an insight into the life and brand of Ikechukwu Sunday Cross Okonkwo, popularly known as Cross, Entertainer, Lifestyle & Fitness Entrepreneur and the King of the Cross Nation.

The Hardcopy is 8,000 and 2,000 for digital copy

PAY TO Worldlink ICT Services 1014791447, zenith bank

Send Payment Slip +2348137586216 or +2348087571401 for Confirmation

LIMITED EDITION AVAILABLE

Taking a giant step from certainty to uncertainty, Cross da Boss inspires entrepreneurs, setting a new standard beyond entertainment on this exclusive edition of Ranks Magazine which explores his entrepreneurship journey, growth and lifestyle.

To all members of the CROSS NATION across the globe, this is a must have ‘master piece’ of your king and serial Entrepreneur available.

ICON EDITION: LAYCON FROM LOCKDOWN ICON TO UNSTOPPABLE SUPER STAR

Ranks-Staff

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November 8, 2021

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ICON EDITION: LAYCON FROM LOCKDOWN ICON TO UNSTOPPABLE SUPER STAR

The history of the Nigerian Entertainment landscape in the last decade cannot be said to be complete without a reference to the year 2020 which significantly affected all spheres of the entertainment industry. From Music, Movie, Comedy, to Cinema and Shows, every aspect were significantly affected as a result of the global pandemic which led to months of lockdown across the world including Nigeria. In the midst of this pandemic, while many entertainers were struggling to survive, and some pushed off the scene due to the New Normal, a new star was born, changing the face and phase of entertainment in Nigeria. His name is Olamilekan Agbelese popularly known as LAYCON, the phenomenal champion of the Lockdown episode of the “Big Brother Naija” reality TV show, who is now the Unstoppable Superstar.

Ranks Magazine is a Single Character Tabloid that intends to holistically capture the life, career growth and creativities of certain individuals who have distinguished themselves in their chosen fields of endeavours. It has a tripartite motive of; serving as a compendium for the personality, x-raying the known and revealing the unknown.

This edition, gives an insight into the lockdown ICON of Big Brother Naija, x-raying his rise to stardom, critique of his album and perspectives of fans about him. A perspective analysis of this phenomenon GOD IN HUMAN BODY is presented in this edition and it is insightful. As you flip through the pages, you will no doubt see the depth of research and robust intellectual analysis in all the discourses.

Welcome to the world of Ranks.

Chief Editor: Charles Omotayo.

Creative Director: Wale Kazeem

Project Coordinator: Wale Kazeem | Lanre Adegbaju

Photographer: Lopeze Photography

Stylist: Leereeks The Stylist

Read below Excerpts

ICON EDITION: AGAIN, WHO IS LAYCON?

ICON EDITION: THE UNSTOPPABLE JOURNEY OF LAYCON

VIEWS AND PERSPECTIVES OF FANS AND FRIENDS ABOUT LAYCON

Laycon: The Long Walk to Shall We Begin Album

WHY SOME FANS CHOOSE TO GO ON EVERLASTING JOURNEY WITH LAYCON

You can Download full Magazine

https://ranksmagazine.com/product/laycon-icon-edition/

Ranks Africa Partners Unstoppable Super Star LAYCON in ICONIC EDITION of Ranks Magazine

Magazine

Ranks-Staff

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August 21, 2021

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Ranks Africa Partners Unstoppable Super Star LAYCON in ICONIC EDITION of Ranks Magazine

Ranks Africa is up to something with The Lockdown ICON who is now Unstoppable Superstar ‘LAYCON’ with forefront Fanbase ICONS, who are currently redefining Fanbase ideologies and goals.

The partnership is to produce a Single- Character Magazine which intends to holistically capture the life, career growth and creativity of LAYCON who have distinguished himself as REALTY STAR AND RAPPER with uncommon melodies. Ranks Magazine has a tripartite motive of; serving as a compendium for the personality, x-raying the known and revealing the unknown of the personality and promoting the works and creativity of the personality.

The September Male Edition is nicknamed ICONS EDITION to illuminate the positive beacons in a sea of negativity, especially at a time like this when youths of this age are finding entertainment and self-reliance unworthy.

The September Editon will be out on the 10^th September also open for partnership in form of adverts and promotions.

ICONS, let’s do this for the culture. READ NOW

For Advert Placement: +23480875771401 or Email info@RanksAfrica.com

Photographer @Lopeze_photography

Stylist : @leereeksthestylist

Creative Director: @rhwaley
@ranksafrica
@ranksmagazine

BBNAIJA SEASON 11 — WEEK 8: TRAM HOLDS NO. 1 FOR A SECOND STRAIGHT WEEK AS TEMI, SHEBA, BLUETOPHIA & FLORA COMPLETE THE TOP 5

BBNaija Face-Off

Tosin Ranks

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September 20, 2026

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TRAM HOLDS NO. 1 FOR A SECOND STRAIGHT WEEK AS TEMI, SHEBA, BLUETOPHIA & FLORA COMPLETE THE TOP 5

Eight weeks in, and TRAM remains at the top.

After reclaiming No. 1 in Week 7, TRAM holds onto the leading position for Week 8, becoming the first housemate in several weeks to maintain the top spot back-to-back in the Ranks Africa BBNaija Season 11 Social Ranking.

Temi moves up to No. 2, Sheba remains firmly among the season’s leading conversation drivers at No. 3, Bluetophia holds No. 4, while Flora maintains her place in the Top 5 at No. 5.

The conversation continues with Oyin at No. 6, Barry at No. 7, Bells moving to No. 8, Chimsom at No. 9, and Ricky to complete the Week 8 Top 10 at No. 10.

As the season moves deeper into its final stretch, consistency is becoming increasingly important — and TRAM has now taken control of the conversation for two consecutive weeks.

Week 7: No. 1. Week 8: No. 1.
TRAM stays on top.

Editor’s Note: This ranking reflects the independent assessment and opinion of Ranks Africa, measuring the frequency and consistency of social media conversations and visibility surrounding BBNaija Season 11 housemates. It is not a prediction of voting results, eviction outcomes or the eventual winner.

#BBNaija #BBNaijaSeason11 #BBNaija2026 #TRAM #Temi #Sheba #Bluetophia #Flora #Oyin #Barry #Bells #Chimsom #Ricky #RanksAfrica

Rosey Manfere: Style Rooted in Confidence and Elegance – Ranks Honors: Best Dressed 2026

Tosin Ranks

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September 20, 2026

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Rosey Manfere: Style Rooted in Confidence and Elegance – Ranks Honors: Best Dressed 2026

Some people wear beautiful clothes. Rosey Manfere wears confidence with effortless elegance.

Over the years, Rosey Manfere has cultivated a distinctive personal brand built on fashion, lifestyle, and authenticity. Through her growing digital presence, she has inspired a community that appreciates refined style, confidence, and individuality. Her influence extends beyond aesthetics, using fashion as a powerful expression of personality and self-belief.

Throughout 2026, Rosey continued to distinguish herself with a wardrobe that balances sophistication, contemporary trends, and timeless elegance. Whether appearing at exclusive events, collaborating with fashion and lifestyle brands, or sharing carefully curated style moments with her audience, every look reflects intention, creativity, and consistency.

What makes Rosey’s style stand out is its versatility. She transitions seamlessly from elegant evening wear to modern contemporary fashion while maintaining a signature aesthetic that feels authentic rather than trend-driven. Her attention to detail, confident presentation, and appreciation for quality craftsmanship have made her one of the fashion personalities whose style continues to resonate with audiences.

Beyond fashion, Rosey represents a new generation of digital creators who understand that personal style is an extension of identity. Her journey demonstrates that consistency, originality, and confidence remain the true foundations of lasting influence in fashion.

Editor’s Citation

Recognised for exceptional personal style, remarkable consistency, effortless elegance, originality, and an outstanding contribution to contemporary fashion, Rosey Manfere is proudly recognised as one of the Ranks Honors: Best Dressed 2026 Honorees.

Watch out for our exclusive feature on Rosey Manfere in the upcoming Circle Magazine Recognition Edition, where we explore her fashion journey, signature style, and the story behind her recognition as one of the Ranks Honors: Best Dressed 2026 Honorees.

Follow @rosey_manfere on Instagram for more inspiring style moments from one of today’s defining fashion personalities.

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MORE THAN TWO DECADES LATER, MERCY AIGBE IS STILL SHOWING US HOW IT’S DONE

Tosin Ranks

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September 19, 2026

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MORE THAN TWO DECADES LATER, MERCY AIGBE IS STILL SHOWING US HOW IT’S DONE

More than two decades into her journey, Mercy Aigbe is still acting, producing, creating and showing up with the hunger of someone who has much more to give.

There is something remarkable about being celebrated at the beginning of a career.

There is something even more remarkable about still giving people reasons to celebrate you more than two decades later.

That is where Mercy Aigbe finds herself in 2026.

Not looking backwards. Not simply living on the strength of what she has already achieved. Not occupying the industry as a veteran whose most important work belongs to another era.

She is working.

And working at a level that deserves more flowers than perhaps she has been given.

Mercy’s 2026 is not built around one big appearance. Look across the year and you find an actress repeatedly showing up in different worlds, different productions and alongside different generations of performers.

There is Everything Is New Again. There is The Return of Arinzo. Efunroye: The Unicorn. Ajosepo 2: The Gathering. ÌWÉ ÀLÀ (An Ojude Oba Story). Aunty Agbaya. Alikama. And there is The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives, where she steps into the role of Iya Tope alongside one of the year’s formidable ensemble casts.

And somehow, while doing all of that, Mercy is still producing.

Through Mercy Aigbe Productions, projects including Sisi Mecho and Enirewu show another side of the story — an established actress who is not content to wait for someone else to decide when she works, what stories get told or where audiences get to watch them.

That is perhaps what makes this stage of her career particularly deserving of recognition.

She Hasn’t Allowed Longevity to Become Comfort

After more than two decades, nobody would question Mercy Aigbe if she slowed down.

She has built the name. She has accumulated the credits. She has experienced different eras of Nollywood and watched new generations arrive.

Yet 2026 does not look like a victory lap.

It looks like another working year. She can enter another filmmaker’s production and become part of an ensemble. She can move into a Yoruba-language story. She can appear in a cinema release. She can return to her own production company, develop another project and take it directly to an online audience.

Actress when the role calls. Producer when the story is hers to build.

That flexibility has become one of the strongest signatures of her career.

And Then There Is Iya Tope

The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives gives Mercy another substantial platform in 2026.

As Iya Tope, she enters a complicated household populated by strong personalities, secrets and shifting power dynamics. The role places her alongside Odunlade Adekola, Iyabo Ojo, Bimbo Ademoye, Omowunmi Dada and an extensive ensemble.

For an actress with Mercy’s history, there is something particularly satisfying about seeing her inside a project of this scale at this point in her journey.

She doesn’t need to be introduced. She doesn’t need the role to establish her. She simply needs another opportunity to remind us why she has lasted.

Give Mercy Aigbe Her Flowers

Longevity can sometimes make achievement look ordinary.

When someone has been around long enough, audiences become accustomed to seeing them. Another movie arrives. Another performance happens. Another production gets released.

But consistency should not become invisible simply because someone makes it look normal.

Mercy Aigbe has spent more than two decades building, and in 2026 she is still standing strong — appearing across projects, producing her own films, adapting to new distribution platforms and remaining part of the conversation alongside performers who entered the industry years after she did.

That deserves acknowledgement. Not because she has been here for a long time. Because after all that time, she is still giving us reasons to pay attention.

Some people deserve their flowers for what they did.

Mercy Aigbe deserves hers for what she has done — and for the fact that she is still doing it.

Still Acting. Still Producing. Still Standing Out.

More than two decades later, Mercy Aigbe isn’t finished building her story.

And in 2026, perhaps she deserves her flowers more than ever.

Ayo Makinwa: The Photographer Behind Timeless Visual Stories – Ranks 5-Star Photographer 2026

Tosin Ranks

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September 19, 2026

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Ayo Makinwa: The Photographer Behind Timeless Visual Stories – Ranks 5-Star Photographer 2026

Great photography does more than capture a moment—it preserves emotion, celebrates identity, and creates stories that last for generations. Ayo Makinwa has consistently demonstrated that philosophy through his work.

Based in Lagos, Ayo Makinwa has established himself as one of Nigeria’s respected photographers, building a portfolio that spans fashion, beauty, portrait, lifestyle, commercial, and wedding photography. His work is defined by clean compositions, refined lighting, and an ability to bring out the personality of every subject, making each image both authentic and timeless.

Throughout 2026, Ayo continued to strengthen his reputation through a growing body of work that reflects exceptional technical skill and artistic vision. Whether photographing fashion editorials, beauty campaigns, commercial projects, or intimate portrait sessions, his images consistently demonstrate precision, creativity, and an eye for detail that distinguishes his work within Nigeria’s creative industry.

What sets Ayo Makinwa apart is his ability to create photographs that feel natural while maintaining a premium editorial quality. Rather than simply documenting people, he creates visual experiences that communicate confidence, elegance, and emotion. His collaborative approach has earned him the trust of brands, creatives, and individuals seeking imagery that goes beyond aesthetics to tell meaningful stories.

His contribution extends beyond photography itself. As part of Nigeria’s growing creative community, Ayo has participated in professional conversations around photography, visual storytelling, and the business of creativity, reflecting his commitment to the continued growth of the industry.

As fashion, beauty, and commercial photography continue to evolve, Ayo Makinwa remains committed to raising creative standards through consistency, professionalism, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.

Editor’s Citation

Recognised for exceptional photography, creative excellence, outstanding professionalism, consistent visual storytelling, and an exceptional client experience, Ayo Makinwa is proudly recognised as a Ranks 5-Star Photographer 2026.

Watch out for our exclusive feature on Ayo Makinwa in the upcoming Circle Magazine Recognition Edition, where we explore his creative journey, photography philosophy, and the story behind his Ranks 5-Star Photographer 2026 recognition.

Follow @ayo.makinwa on Instagram for more inspiring visual storytelling and exceptional photography.

Dahmola: The Stylist Everyone Wants in Their Corner — Ranks 5-Star Fashion Stylist 2026

Tosin Ranks

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September 19, 2026

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Dahmola: The Stylist Everyone Wants in Their Corner — Ranks 5-Star Fashion Stylist 2026

Some people style clothes. Dahmola styles identities.

Every unforgettable red-carpet appearance begins long before the cameras arrive. It starts with a vision, a sketch, a conversation, and a stylist who understands that fashion is more than clothing—it’s storytelling. That philosophy has made Dahmola one of Nigeria’s most respected celebrity fashion stylists and one of the creative forces shaping modern African style.

Over the years, he has built a reputation for creating elegant, contemporary, and memorable fashion moments for some of Africa’s biggest personalities. His styling is defined by precision, confidence, and a deep understanding of silhouette, craftsmanship, and personal branding. Rather than chasing trends, he creates looks that become part of a celebrity’s story.

His journey into fashion began behind the scenes as a costume designer on productions such as Skinny Girl in Transit and Flawsome, before transitioning into celebrity styling. Working on film sets gave him an appreciation for character, storytelling, and image building—skills that now define his work as a personal stylist. He has also cited his early experience at Arise Fashion Week as a formative step in his career.

Today, Dahmola’s portfolio includes some of the continent’s most recognised names. From Toke Makinwa, whose weekly looks on BBNaija: The Buzz became fashion highlights, to Sharon Ooja, Bonang Matheba, Simi, Bisola Aiyeola, Beauty Tukura, Adesua Etomi, and Stephanie Coker, he has consistently delivered standout looks that dominate conversations across entertainment and fashion.

One of his defining moments came through Sharon Ooja’s wedding fashion, where his styling helped create some of the year’s most celebrated bridal images. His work has also extended beyond Nigeria, styling South African media personality Bonang Matheba for major public appearances, reinforcing his growing influence across the continent.

What separates Dahmola is his belief that styling begins with understanding the individual. Every client has a unique personality, lifestyle, and image, and his role is to elevate—not replace—that identity. His process combines consultation, research, mood boards, collaboration with designers, and meticulous attention to detail, resulting in looks that feel authentic while pushing creative boundaries.

Beyond styling celebrities, Dahmola has become an advocate for Nigerian fashion, regularly collaborating with local designers and championing homegrown creativity. His work demonstrates that African fashion can be sophisticated, globally relevant, and unmistakably original.

Editor’s Citation

Dahmola has established himself as one of the defining image architects of contemporary African fashion. His consistency, creative vision, and ability to transform clothing into unforgettable moments have earned him the trust of some of the continent’s biggest stars.

For his outstanding contribution to celebrity styling, his influence on modern African fashion, and his continued commitment to excellence, Ranks Circle proudly recognises Dahmola as a Ranks 5-Star Fashion Stylist — Nigeria 2026.

Nora Awolowo Is Building a Movie Moment Nigeria Has Never Seen Before

Cover Stories

Tosin Ranks

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September 18, 2026

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Nora Awolowo Is Building a Movie Moment Nigeria Has Never Seen Before

Some people make movies.
Nora Awolowo is trying to change the way we experience them.

On 26 September 2026, Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos is set to become the stage for one of the most ambitious film events Nigeria has attempted: 50,000 people gathered in one place to watch a single film, in an official attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the largest attendance at a film screening.

That film is Black Market.

Produced by Nora Awolowo and Nicole Ofoegbu, and driven by a wider collaboration involving Rixel Studios, FilmOne Studios, Signet Ring Studios and Switch Visuals Production, Black Market is being positioned as more than another movie release. It is an exercise in scale, collaboration and ambition.

For Nora, it represents another bold step after Red Circle, the 2025 crime thriller that made her the youngest Nigerian filmmaker to cross the ₦100 million box-office milestone as a producer and cinematographer.

But this time, the ambition stretches beyond box-office numbers.

Directed and co-written by Fatimah Binta Gimsay, with Abdul Tijani-Ahmed as co-writer, Black Market follows a group of market women navigating a dangerous cross-border smuggling operation amid fuel scarcity, survival and escalating pressure.

And then there is the premiere itself.

The existing Guinness World Record stands at 43,624 attendees, set in the Philippines in 2015. The team behind Black Market wants 50,000 people at Tafawa Balewa Square. If successfully verified, that would take the record to Nigeria.

Fifty thousand people. One location. One Nigerian film.

That kind of thinking is what makes Nora’s current chapter particularly interesting.

Most filmmakers understandably spend their energy trying to get a movie made, distributed and watched. With Black Market, Nora and her collaborators are asking whether the experience surrounding a Nigerian film can become as ambitious as the film itself.

Can a premiere become a mass cultural gathering? Can tens of thousands of people be brought together around a Nigerian movie? Can the launch itself become part of the story?

Those are big questions — and attempting to answer them requires more than filmmaking. It requires partnerships, logistics, marketing, audience mobilisation and the willingness to attempt something that could very publicly succeed or fall short.

That willingness to think at scale has increasingly become part of Nora Awolowo’s story.

She built her reputation behind the camera as a cinematographer before expanding further into producing. Red Circle demonstrated that her work could connect commercially. Now Black Market is testing something different:

How big can the moment around the work become?

And importantly, she isn’t building that moment alone.

The scale of Black Market is also a story about collaboration — filmmakers, studios, producers, actors, event specialists and partners coming together around an unusually ambitious idea. That makes the attempt bigger than any single name.

Still, Nora sits at the centre of a fascinating career trajectory: a young filmmaker who crossed a major box-office milestone with her first feature and, rather than simply repeating the formula, followed it with a project aiming for an entirely different kind of record.

September 26 is therefore more than another premiere date.

It is an experiment in just how big a Nigerian film experience can become.

And whether 50,000 people ultimately fill Tafawa Balewa Square or not, the ambition itself says something about the filmmaker Nora Awolowo is becoming:

She isn’t interested only in making the movie.

She wants to make the moment around it impossible to ignore.

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A post shared by Oreoluwa Awolowo (@noraawolowo)

IYABO OJO IS HAVING THE KIND OF CAREER RUN THAT DESERVES ITS FLOWERS

Cover Stories

Tosin Ranks

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September 18, 2026

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IYABO OJO IS HAVING THE KIND OF CAREER RUN THAT DESERVES ITS FLOWERS

From Labake Olododo to The Return of Arinzo and now The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives, Iyabo Ojo is showing what longevity looks like when an actress refuses to stand still.

There are careers built around moments, and there are careers built around the ability to keep creating new ones.

For Iyabo Ojo, longevity has never meant simply remaining visible. Her recent run has shown an actress and filmmaker continually finding new ways to occupy the screen — sometimes in front of the camera, sometimes behind it, and increasingly on both sides at once.

In 2025, she stepped into the title role of Labake Olododo, playing a formidable Yoruba heroine in the Biodun Stephen-directed epic. But Iyabo’s involvement extended beyond performance: she was also an executive producer on the project.

Then came Behind the Scenes, where Iyabo appeared as Alero — another reminder that even while building her own productions, she remains willing to enter someone else’s world and simply do the work as an actress.

Then She Took the Director’s Chair

2026 brought another evolution.

With The Return of Arinzo, Iyabo didn’t only star in or produce a film. She directed it, marking her feature directorial debut.

That progression matters.

Actress. Producer. Executive Producer. Director.

Not because collecting titles automatically makes someone important, but because Iyabo has increasingly demonstrated a willingness to take responsibility for what reaches the screen rather than waiting only for roles to arrive.

And Now, Iya Segi

Her next major appearance puts her inside one of 2026’s notable Nigerian ensemble productions: The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives, an adaptation of Lola Shoneyin’s acclaimed novel.

Iyabo plays Iya Segi, Baba Segi’s first wife — a formidable matriarch and strategist whose position within the household places her at the centre of its complicated dynamics.

She joins an expansive cast that includes Odunlade Adekola, Omowunmi Dada, Mercy Aigbe, Bimbo Ademoye, Bisola Aiyeola, Kunle Remi, Shaffy Bello, Lateef Adedimeji, Nancy Isime, Uzor Arukwe, Daniel Etim Effiong and Bimbo Manuel.

The project also gives Iyabo another opportunity to remind audiences of something that can occasionally get lost amid conversations about her producing, entrepreneurship and public profile:

Iyabo Ojo can act.

After carrying her own productions and stepping behind the camera, she can still enter a major ensemble, inhabit a character and allow the performance to do the talking.

Still Acting. Still Producing. Still Building.

That may be the most interesting thing about Iyabo Ojo’s current chapter.

She isn’t behaving like someone simply protecting what she has already achieved. She is still adding to it.

She can lead a film. She can produce one. She can direct one. She can step into an ensemble and become Iya Segi. And before one chapter completely closes, another is already taking shape.

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That is what makes this run worth recognising.

Iyabo Ojo isn’t just staying relevant — she is continuing to expand what her career can contain.

CHIDI DIKE & AMAL UMAR BRING CINEMA-WORTHY MAGIC TO YOUTUBE IN LOVE & FAITH

Screen Stories

Tosin Ranks

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September 16, 2026

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CHIDI DIKE & AMAL UMAR BRING CINEMA-WORTHY MAGIC TO YOUTUBE IN LOVE & FAITH

This feels new, refreshing and beautifully ambitious.

Chidi Dike and Amal Umar take centre stage in Love & Faith (Hello Arewa), the new release from Amal Motion Pictures — a production that brings the look, scale and ambition of a cinema-worthy movie directly to YouTube.

From the visual treatment and cinematography to the locations, styling and overall production quality, Love & Faith arrives with a level of polish that makes it feel bigger than the typical expectations surrounding a YouTube release.

And perhaps that is what makes it particularly refreshing: Amal Motion Pictures isn’t treating YouTube as a reason to lower the standard. The platform may be digital, but the ambition feels cinematic.

At the centre are Amal Umar and Chidi Dike, bringing together screen presence, chemistry and two different corners of Nigeria’s film audience in a project that feels like an exciting meeting point between Kannywood and Nollywood.

Love & Faith is another reminder that some of the most interesting shifts in African filmmaking are happening where premium production meets direct audience access.

Cinema-worthy. Fresh. Accessible. And now on YouTube.

🎬 Love & Faith (Hello Arewa)
📺 Watch now on Amal Motion Pictures on YouTube.

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#RanksAfrica #LoveAndFaith #ChidiDike #AmalUmar #AmalMotionPictures #Nollywood #Kannywood #AfricanCinema

Ranks Africa People of the Year 2026 (POTY 2026) — Nomination Extension

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Tosin Ranks

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September 16, 2026

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Ranks Africa People of the Year 2026 (POTY 2026) — Nomination Extension

NOMINATIONS EXTENDED

Ranks Africa has officially extended public nominations for the Ranks Africa People of the Year 2026 across all industries.

Following the opening of public nominations for the first time, the nomination period will now remain open until:

30 September 2026

From business, fashion, beauty, technology and finance to entertainment, sports, automobile, real estate, aviation, energy, healthcare, tourism, media, agriculture, public service, social impact and more, the initiative seeks to identify outstanding individuals making significant impact across Africa and beyond.

TO NOMINATE

Send your nomination to:

info@ranksafrica.com info@ranksafrica.com

Include:

• Full name of nominee
• Country
• Profession/industry
• Category of nomination
• Current role, organisation or brand
• Brief profile
• Key achievements and impact in 2026
• Reason for nomination
• Relevant website/social media links
• Supporting links or evidence, where available
• Nominator’s name and contact details

Self-nominations are accepted. There is no nomination fee.

Click the link below to view all categories and nomination details.

Ranks Africa People of the Year 2026: Public Nominations Are Now Open

NEW DEADLINE: 30 SEPTEMBER 2026

All nominations are subject to research, verification and editorial assessment by Ranks Africa.

RANKS AFRICA PEOPLE OF THE YEAR 2026
Recognising the people shaping industries, communities and the African story.

Click the link below to view all categories and nomination details.

Ranks Africa People of the Year 2026: Public Nominations Are Now Open

A First for Africa: The Future Awards Africa Unveils Five-Host Lineup From Across the Continent for 20th Edition

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Ranks Screen

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September 14, 2026

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A First for Africa: The Future Awards Africa Unveils Five-Host Lineup From Across the Continent for 20th Edition

Five hosts from Nigeria, Tanzania, Malawi, Botswana and Kenya will come together on one stage for a first-of-its-kind awards experience as TFAA marks 20 years of celebrating exceptional young Africans.

The Future Awards Africa (TFAA) is making a bold statement at 20. For its landmark 20th edition, Africa’s foremost platform celebrating young changemakers and achievers is set to make history with a hosting line-up unlike any seen before on an African awards stage: five hosts from five different countries across the continent.

Set to hold this November at the Balmoral Events Centre in Lagos, Nigeria, TFAA will be hosted by Nigerian award-winning actress Genoveva Umeh; Tanzanian actor, producer and former Big Brother Africa winner Idris Sultan; Malawian award-winning radio broadcaster, presenter and TV personality Priscilla Kayira; Botswana television and radio host, lifestyle content creator and “Blessed Village Boy” Resego Motlhokathari; and Kenyan media personality, actress, entertainer and events host Claudia Nasibwa.

From Nigeria’s thriving film industry and Tanzania’s entertainment scene to Malawi’s broadcast culture, Botswana’s growing creator ecosystem and Kenya’s dynamic media landscape, TFAA20 will bring five different expressions of contemporary Africa into one room.

Last year, TFAA broke new ground when Kenyan media personality Azeezah Hashim became its first East African host. One year later, that representation has expanded across five countries, turning the TFAA20 stage into a reflection of the diversity of the continent.

The line-up also tells another story about TFAA’s evolution. For Genoveva Umeh, TFAA20 is a homecoming of sorts. After winning The Future Awards Africa Prize for Acting in 2024, the acclaimed Nigerian actress returns two years later as a host of the awards’ landmark 20th edition.

Her path from winner to host captures the essence of TFAA’s two-decade-long journey. The platform has not only recognised exceptional young Africans at pivotal moments in their careers; it has also watched many of them grow, evolve and return to its stage in new chapters of their stories.

Often described as “Africa’s Nobel Prize for Young People,” TFAA has spent 20 years identifying, recognising and amplifying outstanding Africans between the ages of 18 and 33 across business, technology, creativity, governance, media, entertainment and other sectors. Its alumni have gone on to build businesses, influence culture, lead movements and take African excellence to global stages.

Now, at 20, TFAA is celebrating that legacy while looking firmly towards what comes next. This year’s edition, themed “Celebrating the Redefiners: Africa’s AI Generation,” will spotlight a new generation of young Africans using technology, creativity and bold ideas to challenge conventions and reimagine what is possible across the continent. In bringing together five hosts from five different countries, the milestone edition extends that same spirit of possibility beyond the award categories and onto the stage itself.

Speaking on the historic hosting line-up, Ayodeji Razaq, Executive Director of The Future Awards Africa, said, “Twenty years is a defining milestone for The Future Awards Africa, and we wanted the stage to reflect how far the platform has come. Bringing five hosts from five African countries together is a bold expression of the continental platform TFAA has grown into. Each host brings a distinct voice, culture and energy to the stage, and together, they represent the diversity and dynamism of the Africa we have spent two decades celebrating. There could be no better way to mark 20 years.”

With the hosts now unveiled, the countdown to TFAA20officially begins.

Nominations remain open, allowing members of the public to nominate themselves or exceptional young Africans creating meaningful change across their communities and industries.

Nominations can be submitted via [awards.thefutureafrica.com](http://awards.thefutureafrica.com)

Five hosts. Five countries. Five voices. One stage.

A continental first. This is TFAA20.

You can follow The Future Awards Africa on these platforms to stay up-to-date:

IG: thefutureawardsafrica

X:tfaafrica

Tiktok: thefutureawardsafrica

For enquiries or further details, contact: info@thefutureafrica.com

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TRAM HOLDS NO. 1 FOR A SECOND STRAIGHT WEEK AS TEMI, SHEBA, BLUETOPHIA & FLORA COMPLETE THE TOP 5

Editor’s Citation

More than two decades into her journey, Mercy Aigbe is still acting, producing, creating and showing up with the hunger of someone who has much more to give.

She Hasn’t Allowed Longevity to Become Comfort

And Then There Is Iya Tope

Give Mercy Aigbe Her Flowers

Still Acting. Still Producing. Still Standing Out.

Editor’s Citation

Editor’s Citation

From Labake Olododo to The Return of Arinzo and now The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives, Iyabo Ojo is showing what longevity looks like when an actress refuses to stand still.

Then She Took the Director’s Chair

And Now, Iya Segi

Still Acting. Still Producing. Still Building.

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