Entertainment

Netflix marks Nigeria’s 64th Independence with 2024 films, Including ‘Hijack 93

As Nigeria celebrated its 64th independence anniversary, Netflix announced an exciting collection of upcoming licensed Nigerian stories that will showcase the country’s dynamic storytelling talent.

This thrilling lineup, debuting throughout the final quarter of 2024, underscores Netflix’s dedication to entertaining its Nigerian members with various exciting local stories.

This diverse slate of local content, which spans a variety of genres and themes, features upcoming films and series from acclaimed filmmakers such as; Charles Okpaleke, Femi Adebayo, Clarence Peters, Omoni Oboli, and Zeb Ejiro. Starting in October, these stories will entertain audiences to experience the richness of Nigerian culture and narratives like never before.

“It is essential to us that Netflix remains the premier destination for the best in Nigerian storytelling for our members in Nigeria,” said Ben Amadasun, Netflix’s Vice President of Content for the Middle East and Africa. “We aim to continue celebrating the country’s rich and vibrant culture and history by acquiring a variety of exciting licensed titles from Nigeria’s best filmmaking talent.”

With a commitment to proving that great stories can indeed come from anywhere and be loved everywhere, Netflix continues to spotlight Nollywood as a cultural and entertainment powerhouse. The upcoming 2024 slate includes new releases like the film Hijack 93, a thriller film inspired by true-life events launching on 25 October, the anniversary of the event. Hijack 93 tells the story of four young men who hijack a plane in protest of the annulled 1993 elections in Nigeria. As they navigate the high-stakes situation, they must balance their demands with the safety of the passengers and their freedom. The film, created by Play Networks Studios (Blood Vessel, Glamour Girls), will feature an all-star cast including; Nancy Isime; Sharon Ooja; Jemima Osunde; Idia Aisen; Adam Garba; Nnamdi Agbo; Akinsola Oluwaseyi; Allison Emmanuel; Efa Iwara and John Dumelo.

“Hijack 93 is a fictional retelling inspired by the true events of a Nigerian Airways flight that was hijacked in 1993 by some Nigerian teenagers. Such historic events that are part of the spine of our democracy tend to dissolve before the next generation knows of it. As a filmmaker, my focus is telling our true African stories for the world to see,” says Charles Okpaleke, producer & co-founder of Play Network Studios.

Also launching in 2024 – but only available in Africa – are Inside Life a series launching on 11 October; Domitilla* – a film launching on 8 November, the film Sisi London launching on 29 November) and Seven Doors* a film that will launch on 13 December.

Netflix has renewed the Nigerian fan-favorite series, Aníkúlápó for another season and recently kicked off production in Ibadan and Ghana where the series leads Sola Sobowale, Bimbo Ademoye, and Lateef Adedimeji to make a comeback to reprise their roles alongside new cast members Antar Laniyan, Joke Muyiwa, Adebowale Adebayo, and Saidi Balogun. The film, which once peaked at #1 on the Netflix Global Top 10 list and returned as a series will be produced by Kunle Afolayan Productions and directed by the award-winning filmmaker Kunle Afolayan.

Speaking about the upcoming season. Afolayan says, “We’re overjoyed that Netflix has renewed Anikulapo for another season. We take pride in telling our stories authentically and this series is a powerful reflection of Nigerian culture and history. This season will explore the complex realities of the slave trade, with actors from Portugal, Ghana, and Nigeria, showing the global connections in our history. Filming in Oyo State and Ghana helped us ground the story in places rich with our heritage. We’re excited to continue sharing this journey with the world and celebrating the depth of our culture.”

Celebs

Davido gifts personal assistant Lati Range Rover as birthday gift

Afrobeats superstar Davido has once again shown love to those in his inner circle by gifting his longtime personal assistant and close friend, Lati Biola, a brand-new Range Rover as a birthday present.

The heartwarming gesture comes as no surprise to fans familiar with the duo’s long-standing friendship, which dates back to Davido’s childhood. Lati, who served as Davido’s best man during the singer’s high-profile wedding to Chioma in June 2024, has remained a constant in the artist’s journey, both professionally and personally.

In the early hours of June 25, 2025, Davido took to Instagram to celebrate his best bud, tagging him as his ‘favourite person’ and posting pictures from the birthday dinner and clubbing. He also posted the keys to the luxury vehicle with the caption, “Love you my brother, enjoy new keys from your boy.”

It is worth noting that this is far from the first time Davido has gifted Lati a car. In 2019, Lati revealed that the singer was so generous that he gifted him a new red Benz worth ₦70 million.

Entertainment

Tems shows appreciation with ₦3 Million gift to fan who crocheted her portrait

Nigerian singer and Grammy Award winner Tems has gifted ₦3 million to a fan who spent over 70 hours crocheting a stunning tapestry portrait of her.

The fan, identified as Odum Ifeoluwa on X (formerly Twitter), shared her handmade creation online, hoping the singer would see it. The video posted showed the time-lapse creation process of the black and white piece, which came out looking just like the Essence singer.

She wrote on X, “I hope @temsbaby gets to see this coz I don’t have many followers on here, but after 8925 Stitches and 70 hours, I finished this crochet portrait of tems, I made this to mark the 1yr anniversary of when I started crocheting. It’s also my first time doing tapestry. I love you, Tems.”

The tapestry garnered reactions from X users who commended the young woman for her creativity, and in time, Tems herself stumbled across her hard work and was immediately amazed.

Yo this is unbelievable. You are incredible! I NEED IT RIGHT NOWWW. Can I buy it, please? “ Tems commented.

Shortly after the interaction, it was revealed that Tems sent ₦3 million in appreciation for the artwork.

Overwhelmed with emotion, the fan replied, “OMG😭 this has to be the best day of my life. @temsbaby. Thank you so much. @yvonneonyanta you’re are amazing. The rebel gang is the best community ever, thank you to everyone for your positive comments. Thank you so much🙏”

Social media users praised Tems for her kind gesture, and others commended the businesswoman’s talent and gratitude.

Reactions:

Tems is such a nice person, some celebrities would have ignored. Congratulations to the crochet girl, her hard work paid off.

That’s how you help a small scale business strive. Big ups to Tems!

The girl’s emotional intelligence should be studied, no price tag, just gratitude and she received way more than she expected.

Entertainment

Tinubu, you are incapable – Falz slams president over Benue killings

Nigerian rapper and activist, Falz, has condemned President Bola Tinubu over the recent mass killings in Benue State, accusing him of failing in his most fundamental responsibility as a leader.

In a strongly worded post shared on X on June 16, 2025, the rapper expressed deep frustration at what he described as a repeated pattern of government negligence amid growing insecurity across the country.

You have consistently shown that you are incapable of performing the primary duty of securing the lives and property of your citizens. This routine statement does not cut it.

Falz’s comments come in the wake of public outrage over the massacre of more than 200 people in parts of Benue State. The killings, which have been linked to suspected herdsmen attacks, have drawn widespread condemnation from Nigerians and prominent voices in entertainment.

After being called out online for what many people perceived as his silence on the matter, President Tinubu took to X to address the massacre, saying “Enough is enough.”

His statement read in part,

“I have been briefed on the senseless bloodletting in Benue State. Enough is enough! I have directed the security agencies to act decisively, arrest perpetrators of these evil acts on all sides of the conflict, and prosecute them.”

Political and community leaders in Benue State must act responsibly and avoid inflammatory utterances that could further increase tensions and killings.This is the time for Governor Alia to act as a statesman and immediately lead the process of dialogue and reconciliation that will bring peace to Benue.

Our people must live in peace, and it is possible when leaders across the divides work together in harmony and differences are identified and addressed with fairness, openness, and justice.

Despite finally addressing the bloodshed, many Nigerians have still faulted Tinubu for not speaking on it early enough, especially after the Pope.