Beauty Queen “Beauty Tukura” indeed looks good in just about anything. But when it comes to posing for a photoshoot, the reality star proves time and again that you can be comfortable, fun, or even tell a beautiful story without uttering words.
Austria is set to introduce a new work authorization category aimed at cross-border commuters, as part of efforts to address labour shortages and create a more structured framework for foreign workers who live outside the country but travel in regularly for employment.
Beginning December 1, 2025, the government will launch the “Frontier Worker Permit,” a document designed specifically for individuals who reside in neighbouring countries—such as Germany, Italy, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic—but work in Austria on a daily or weekly basis.
The initiative, announced by Austrian labour authorities, seeks to streamline the legal status of so-called frontier or cross-border workers who maintain their primary residence abroad while holding jobs within Austria’s borders.
According to officials, the permit will offer a clear, formal pathway for this category of employees, many of whom are currently operating under fragmented or varying administrative arrangements depending on their employer and region.
The model is straightforward: frontier workers will continue living in their home country, commute across the border for work, and return after completing their shifts—without taking up long-term residence in Austria.
Government representatives say the scheme is intended to balance Austria’s growing labour needs with responsible migration management, ensuring that essential sectors in border regions can access qualified staff while maintaining regulatory oversight.
The new permit is expected to benefit industries such as healthcare, hospitality, manufacturing, and logistics, which rely heavily on cross-border labour and have reported persistent staffing shortages in recent years.
The Federal Government has suspended the controversial 15% import duty on petrol and diesel, a move that has drawn widespread praise from independent oil marketers, who had previously protested against the policy.
The marketers argued that imposing the duty would amount to indirect regulation in a supposedly deregulated environment. They highlighted the role of imported petroleum products in preventing monopolies, fostering competition, and supplementing domestic refinery outputs, which remain insufficient to meet national demand.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had approved the duty in October 2025 following a request from the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS). The policy, applied to the cost, insurance, and freight (CIF) value of imported petrol and diesel, was intended to make imported fuel less competitive, encourage local refining, boost domestic capacity, and moderate pump prices.
However, the policy faced strong opposition from Nigerians and oil marketers, who warned that its implementation could push fuel prices above N1,000 per litre. Some analysts also criticized the suspension, arguing that it represents a long-term misalignment with Nigeria’s energy security and industrial objectives, as imported fuel remains cheaper than locally refined products.
Despite this, the suspension has been welcomed by many as a sign that public opinion is being considered in national energy policy, reflecting ongoing debates about balancing local refining development with immediate consumer needs.
Play to Win, one of West Africa’s most influential and fast-growing music business summits, returned to Lagos for its second edition with a powerful message: Africa’s creative future will be built on structure, knowledge and global access.
Presented by The Law Offices of Robert A. Celestin in partnership with Empire Africa, the 2025 edition expanded its scale, visibility and impact anchored by a historic 12-hour global livestream, industry-led masterclasses, strategic networking engagements and a spotlight on rising African talent.
And at the center of this year’s story is Esoterica, the emerging artist who was unveiled as the winner of the highly anticipated Play to Win 2025 Live Auditions.
ESOTERICA RISES: A STAR EMERGES FROM LAGOS
Esoterica
After a rigorous audition process featuring dozens of Lagos-based performers, Esoterica was officially announced as the 2025 Live Auditions Winner. She stepped forward to receive a symbolic ₦3,000,000 cheque, presented on stage amid cheers, camera flashes and a global online audience.
Her prize package includes:
• ₦3 million cash award
• A full professional studio equipment bundle
• Automatic admission into the Creative Business Academy (CBA) Africa Programme
Her victory captivated both the live audience and thousands of online viewers, marking her as one of the new voices to watch in Africa’s evolving music landscape.
Second and third-place winners also received scholarships into the CBA Programme via the Play to Win Beneficiary Fund, further extending the summit’s commitment to talent development.
A THREE-DAY SUMMIT REDEFINING AFRICAN MUSIC BUSINESS
Hosted from November 14–16, 2025, Play to Win offered a structured and immersive program designed to empower emerging creatives and equip industry professionals with world-class knowledge.
DAY ONE: THE 12-HOUR GLOBAL LIVESTREAM
The summit made history with a record-breaking 12-hour broadcast, the longest continuous music business livestream ever produced from Africa.
Viewers across the continent, Europe, the Middle East and the U.S. tuned in to watch auditions, interviews, executive commentary and live judging expanding Lagos’ influence as a global creative hub.
DAY TWO: INDUSTRY WELCOME RECEPTION
The exclusive mixer brought together:
• Label executives
• Entertainment lawyers
• Producers and songwriters
• Media professionals
• Cultural influencers
The evening created new alliances and strengthened industry networks essential for Africa’s next decade of creative growth.
DAY THREE: PANELS, MASTERCLASSES & THE CULTURAL AFTER-PARTY
Day Three delivered deep, actionable knowledge through a series of high-level sessions featuring influential voices shaping Africa’s music ecosystem.
HIGHLIGHT PANELS & STRATEGIC INSIGHTS
1. How A&R, Management, Marketing and Distribution Power the Modern Artist
Featuring senior executives from Empire Africa, the panel explored how artists break globally through coordinated creative direction, digital strategy, and brand positioning.
2. The Four Essential Contracts Every Modern Artist Must Understand
Led by award-winning entertainment lawyers Robert A. Celestin and Camille N. Anidi, this legal masterclass broke down:
• Artist Management Agreements
• Recording Contracts
• Publishing Deals
• Producer Agreements
The session armed attendees with the legal clarity needed to navigate today’s complex music landscape.
3. Sound, Stage & Strategy: Inside the DJ and Producer Economy
Featuring Dutty Yosa (Rema’s official tour DJ), Dope Caesar, and Ronny Jatagani (Founder, Element House), this conversation opened the curtain on performance economics, touring, and digital-era branding.
The summit concluded with an official Lagos-style after-party featuring leading DJs celebrating the city’s rhythmic heartbeat and cultural influence.
PLAY TO WIN: BRIDGING AFRICA TO THE WORLD
Speaking on the significance of this year’s edition, project lead Camille N. Anidi emphasized the mission:
“Our goal is to equip artists and executives across Africa with the knowledge, legal understanding and global perspective they need to truly compete. Play to Win is a bridge between creativity and structure, between Lagos and the world.”
Founder Robert A. Celestin, an award-winning U.S. entertainment lawyer whose firm has represented global stars including Pop Smoke and XXXTentacion, delivered expert insights on artist development, management, and intellectual property protection.
Their leadership combined with Empire Africa’s support continues to position Play to Win as one of the continent’s most credible platforms for music business education.
ABOUT PLAY TO WIN
Play to Win was founded to close the gap between creative talent and business literacy across Africa’s rapidly expanding entertainment economy.
The inaugural edition in 2024 attracted over 250 participants.
The 2025 edition scaled significantly, adding:
• Global livestreaming
• Expanded partnerships
• Increased talent support
• New training and mentorship opportunities
The summit remains dedicated to empowering emerging African creatives with the access and expertise needed to compete on a global stage.
After nearly a decade of dominance in Afrobeats, Kizz Daniel steps into a new artistic era, rebranding himself as Uncle K a name that reflects both maturity and industry mileage. This persona takes center stage in his May release, Uncle K: Lemon Chase, an EP that extends his tradition of pairing unconventional titles with content that only loosely connects to them. It’s classic Kizz Daniel: unpredictable, mischievous, and unmistakably himself.
The EP features an ensemble of collaborators including Zlatan, Odumodublvck, Bella Shmurda, Fola, Runtown, Angelique Kidjo, and Johnny Drille. While seven tracks make up the project, only two are solo efforts; the rest rely on Kizz Daniel’s knack for pairing his smooth delivery with strong supporting voices from across the Afrobeats spectrum.
The project opens with a playful celebration of African beauty. Kizz Daniel leans into swagger and romantic storytelling, singing, “I tell my padi make he come see my babe, he say Orobo lo gbe.” What follows is a mix of affirmations and heartfelt pleas for more time to hustle and make ends meet. However, the track suffers from uneven mixing a distraction that takes away from its emotional charm.
Fola, currently enjoying his moment in the spotlight, shines on “Titi.” Much like the opener, the track revolves around love, reassurance, and vulnerability. Both artists tap into shared emotional territory, delivering a warm, melodic performance. On “Secure,” Kizz Daniel shifts to a more cautionary tone, urging listeners to maintain financial stability. Zlatan’s presence injects Yoruba humour and streetwise charm, turning a serious topic into a light-hearted, memorable track.
The mood darkens thoughtfully on “Al-Jannah,” a heartfelt tribute to the departed. Odumodublvck and Bella Shmurda channel their personal losses, offering a raw, universal message that resonates with anyone who has mourned loved ones.
Runtown delivers an unexpected, refreshing appearance on “Peace I Chose,” a mid-tempo track centered on loyalty and devotion. His signature calm elegance gives him the upper hand on the record, blending seamlessly with Kizz Daniel’s tone.
The tempo spikes with “Eyo,” a lively club-ready jam built for nightlife energy loud, punchy, and designed to move bodies.
The project closes on a high note with “Police,” featuring Grammy-winner Angelique Kidjo and Johnny Drille. The trio glide over a smooth, understated production, exchanging melodies and harmonies with satisfying chemistry.
Across Uncle K: Lemon Chase, Kizz Daniel reinforces what fans already know: he deeply understands legacy and longevity. Even with its flaws particularly in mixing and mastering the EP reflects his commitment to evolution while maintaining the sound that made him one of Afrobeats’ enduring forces. Nearly ten years in, the Ogun State-born star still delivers work that resonates, reminding listeners why he remains central to the genre’s story.
Africa’s push toward renewable energy faces a growing threat from high clean-technology tariffs and ongoing trade barriers, according to a new global trade and climate briefing released by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
The report warns that despite a dramatic global decline in the cost of renewable technologies—particularly solar and wind—African countries remain unable to fully capitalize on these gains due to restrictive trade policies that inflate prices and slow adoption.
UNCTAD highlights that worldwide, the energy landscape has shifted rapidly over the last decade. The average global cost of electricity generated from new solar installations has dropped by 41% since 2010, while the cost of onshore wind power has fallen even further, becoming 53% cheaper than fossil-fuel generation. These reductions, the agency notes, should ideally make clean energy more accessible than ever.
However, Africa’s ability to benefit from this progress remains constrained. Many African countries continue to face high import tariffs, complex customs procedures, and other non-tariff barriers that drive up the cost of renewable energy components such as solar panels, inverters, turbines, and battery systems.
As a result, clean-energy technologies that have become affordable globally remain prohibitively expensive in several African markets, slowing the continent’s transition away from fossil fuels.
UNCTAD emphasizes that global trade is a powerful but underused tool for climate action, arguing that lower trade barriers could accelerate renewable energy deployment, reduce emissions, and help developing countries transition more equitably.
The agency urges governments, multilateral institutions, and private-sector partners to reform trade policies, strengthen regional value chains, and invest in infrastructure that supports the large-scale adoption of clean energy across the continent.
Jumia Technologies AG has reported a pre-tax loss of $17.7 million for the nine-month period ending September 30, 2025 — a marginal improvement from the $17.8 million loss recorded during the same period in 2024.
The slight recovery, however, was overshadowed by softer-than-expected revenue figures and continued profitability pressures. Jumia posted an earnings-per-share (EPS) loss of $0.150, missing analyst expectations of $0.130, signaling that cost management alone has not been enough to counter slower top-line growth.
According to the company’s latest financial disclosure, revenue for the quarter stood at $45.6 million, falling short of the market consensus of $50 million. The underperformance highlights ongoing challenges in boosting sales momentum and increasing monetization across its African markets.
Despite these hurdles, Jumia pointed to Nigeria as a key bright spot. The company said its Nigerian operations delivered some of the strongest improvements in:
Order volumes
Customer activity
Gross merchandise value (GMV)
Nigeria’s continued strength provided critical support to group performance at a time when other markets posted slower growth trajectories.
As Jumia faces heightened competition, shifting consumer spending patterns, and macroeconomic headwinds across the continent, the company’s management said it remains focused on strengthening operational efficiency and deepening engagement in its most promising markets—chief among them Nigeria.
Nigeria’s head coach, Eric Chelle, has sparked controversy after alleging that a member of the DR Congo staff engaged in “voodoo” practices during the tense penalty shootout of Sunday’s 2026 World Cup playoff match in Rabat.
The dramatic clash, which ended Nigeria’s qualification hopes, saw the Super Eagles fall to DR Congo after a 1–1 draw and a nerve-wracking shootout. Speaking after the match, Chelle claimed that unusual actions by a Congolese official on the touchline may have influenced the outcome.
According to Chelle, the staff member was seen performing what he described as “voodoo gestures” as players prepared to take their spot-kicks. While the coach did not provide further evidence, the accusation has already stirred debate across social media and among football fans on the continent.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has not yet issued a statement regarding Chelle’s remarks, and DR Congo officials have dismissed the claim as baseless.
Nigeria’s exit marks their second consecutive failure to reach the World Cup, intensifying scrutiny around the team’s performance and technical decisions. DR Congo, meanwhile, moves on to the intercontinental playoffs as they continue their bid for a historic appearance at the 2026 tournament.
The Democratic Republic of Congo strengthened their push for a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after defeating Nigeria 4–3 on penalties in a dramatic African play-off final that ended 1–1 after extra time on neutral ground in Rabat.
In a match defined by grit, tension, and fine margins, it was Leopards captain Chancel Mbemba who delivered the decisive moment. The veteran defender calmly converted the winning spot-kick after Nigerian defender Semi Ajayi saw his effort saved by Congolese goalkeeper Timothy Fayulu in the sixth round of the shootout.
The victory sends DR Congo into next March’s intercontinental playoff, where they will battle for a historic return to the global stage. For Nigeria, however, the result marks a painful setback confirming that the three-time African champions will miss a second consecutive World Cup.
Nigeria had started brightly, taking the lead just three minutes into the contest when Frank Onyeka’s powerful effort took a deflection that wrong-footed Fayulu. But the Leopards grew steadily into the match, and their persistence paid off in the 33rd minute when Meschack Elia reacted quickest inside the box to fire home the equalizer.
Despite a series of late chances for both sides, neither team could find a breakthrough in regulation time or extra time, sending the tie to a high-stakes penalty shootout. The Congolese held their nerve, sealing a famous win that keeps their World Cup ambitions alive.
Nigeria, meanwhile, will be left to reflect on another missed opportunity on the road to football’s biggest tournament this time after a performance that never truly clicked on the Moroccan turf.
The Federal Government has unveiled plans to create a national Farmers’ Registry, a unified database designed to capture key information on farmers across the country, including their identities, farm sizes, and exact locations. The initiative aims to strengthen traceability, enhance accountability, and ensure that agricultural interventions reach the intended beneficiaries.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, disclosed the development while outlining new measures targeted at improving food production and reducing leakages in government support programmes. He explained that the registry, being developed in partnership with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), will serve as a reliable verification and planning tool for the sector.
Kyari noted that the digital database will enable the ministry to accurately identify and evaluate farmers eligible for various government interventions — from input distribution and mechanisation support to credit schemes and climate-smart farming initiatives. By linking each farmer’s profile to their National Identification Number (NIN), the government hopes to eliminate duplication, ghost beneficiaries, and middlemen that often disrupt agricultural support systems.
According to the minister, the Registry will also improve monitoring of productivity, farm expansion, geographical distribution of crops, and the success rate of federal agricultural policies. He added that the system represents a significant step toward professionalising the nation’s agricultural workforce and ensuring that smallholder farmers receive timely and efficient assistance.
The Farmers’ Registry is expected to roll out in phases, beginning with pilot states before expanding nationwide. Authorities say the initiative aligns with broader national efforts to boost food security, modernise agriculture, and strengthen data-driven decision-making across the value chain.
The Lagos International Theatre Festival (LITF) 2025 commenced on a vibrant note Friday night as cultural stakeholders, government leaders and creative industry icons gathered at the MUSON Centre, Onikan, for its highly anticipated Opening Night.
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, led the state’s delegation to the ceremony, accompanied by the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, who has been instrumental in driving Lagos’ cultural tourism agenda. Their presence underscored the state government’s commitment to expanding platforms that showcase Lagos as West Africa’s creative powerhouse.
The event attracted a distinguished audience of policymakers, performers, filmmakers, theatre professionals, and international guests, further cementing LITF’s reputation as one of the continent’s foremost theatre showcases.
A major highlight of the evening was a special presentation by the African Movie Channel (AMC). The showcase spotlighted the network’s contributions to Nollywood and reaffirmed the festival’s mission to elevate African narratives through world-class theatrical and cinematic expression. Audience members were treated to compelling performances and curated screenings that celebrated the richness of African storytelling.
With its dynamic opening, LITF 2025 sets the stage for a week of performances, workshops, artistic collaborations, and cultural engagements across various venues in Lagos. Organisers say this year’s edition will continue to amplify the city’s status as a thriving hub for arts, culture, and creative innovation.
The festival is expected to boost tourism, support local talent, and strengthen Lagos’ positioning as a growing centre for global cultural exchange.
Lagos once again proves that its creative heartbeat continues to rise — boldly, vibrantly, and unmistakably.
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, led the state’s delegation to the ceremony, accompanied by the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, who has been instrumental in driving Lagos’ cultural tourism agenda. Their presence underscored the state government’s commitment to expanding platforms that showcase Lagos as West Africa’s creative powerhouse.