Category: The Nation – Nigeria

Is the country ready to set forth now?

Is there a reason to celebrate the 65th anniversary of Nigeria as an independent country? Some doubt it, mainly because of the many twists, turns and rocky rides. But, others contend that there are reasons to mark the landmark because the country has survived despite so many challenges that could have truncated the journey.

But, here we are.

The first indication that it would not be a smooth ride came soon after the Union Jack was lowered at the complex later named after the first Prime Minister, Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa. Chief Obafemi Awolowo could hardly hide his indignation in his memoirs as he recalled that he was tucked in a corner at the event, far away from where other main actors in the independence struggle sat. Pettiness at play.

Since the National Council of Nigerian Citizens (NCNC), one of the three major political parties opted to align with the Northern People’s Congress (NPC), leaving the Action Group (AG) in the lurch; it was obvious that some dirty fight lurked. Federal might was unleashed to dislodge the AG from the Western Region where it held sway, with a breakaway faction led by Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola propped up to seize control.

The process started as early as 1962, when an externally-induced implosion was made to hit the AG like a dynamite. Soon after came the Coker Commission of Enquiry, the Treasonable Felony Trial, restriction and later jailing of the AG leader and founder, Chief Awolowo.

Those not blinded by partisanship knew going that route would not end well as Awolowo was a cult figure in the Western Region. Before the Federal Elections of 1964, the alliance between NCNC and NPC had disintegrated. Two broad alliances went into that election. The NCNC and the Akintola splinter group formed the Nigerian National Alliance (NNA) while the NCNC and AG formed the United Progressive Grand Alliance (UPGA). Obviously AG was the party of the Western Region, but the federal elections and the consequent regional election of January 1965 were ignobly rigged in favour of the NNA to dislodge the AG.

Politically, the trend has continued since then. Each election was hotly contested and rejected by the losers. It could hardly be said that, beyond electoral infrastructure put in place at so much cost, Nigeria has failed to mature on election matters over the years.

Apparently, for every action, there is a reaction. The manipulation of the polity led to the military coup of 1966. And, consequently, there was the pogrom, the counter-coup of July 1966 and the civil war that boiled over the following year. In the process, no institution of state was spared the accompanying desecration, including the military.

Although General Yakubu Gowon who was head of state when the war ended in January 1970 announced that there was ”no victor, no vanquished”, it was obvious that the Biafra secession bid had been quashed and there were consequences. Till date, the South East that sought to leave the union has continued to complain about marginalisation; at least politically.

Such political mistrust among the various parts of the country could not but have affected the economy, social relations, and thus, development. Insecurity, though diminished in some parts, is a concern in other parts of the country. In the North East, there is the Boko Haram and Ansaru insurgency that has raged for more than 16 years. It has claimed so many lives and herded many into poorly funded refugee camps. Happily, two kingpins of the groups have been nabbed. It’s progress.

It has spread to the North Central, especially in Plateau and Benue States, where some schools and targeted communities have not been spared. In the region, it took the form of religious intolerance, well-armed herders taking on farmers and wanton destruction of farms, homes and lives by terrorists. In the North West also, banditry and kidnapping have been the order of the day as enemies of state and criminals have continued to unleash their fury on the people. Kaduna State brandishes hope in the region and there may be a berth of peace in places like Zamfara and Katsina where there are still challenges.

In other parts of the country, the South West and South South, kidnapping for ransom has been on a lower scale. In all cases, the police and armed forces have recorded advances. Much work remains. The destruction of livelihoods has pushed more Nigerians into the poverty net.

Thus, until the Tinubu administration courageously came up with measures to check the periodic eruption of economic recession, it was as if successive governments, military or civilian, had no clue what to do. For two years now, the economy appears to have become stable, though it still has a long way to go.

The President said at the coronation of the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, last week, that the economy has turned the bend. But, has it really? The macro-economic indices suggest that it has, with headline inflation constantly heading South month-on-month for about half a year now, and the GDP recording sometimes record increase. But, it is yet to percolate to the common man who, therefore, finds it difficult to believe the authorities. It is expected that the result would be more visible in 2026.

The story of the nation since independence has been a talent of official squandermania and brigandage, with little vision to plan and save. The subsidy scam and currency manipulation brought the economy to a state where we borrowed to pay routine government bills. Hence the task of rescue before the Tinubu administration thst has headed off the economic apocalypse with his reforms.

Obviously, where the economy has been in the doldrums for so long, the health and education sectors could only have received some battering. Neither has received up to seven per cent allocation from the budget in the past 20 years. Political leaders express disgust for the local health institutions by patronising foreign hospitals for the most common ailments.

When seizing power from the Shagari administration in 1983, General Muhammadu Buhari described our hospitals as ”mere consulting clinics”. Not much has changed since then, compounded now by exodus of doctors, old and young, who have chosen to export their services to other lands. Nigerian students, too, sell whatever is available to obtain higher education abroad. Until of course, the NELFUND initiative offering loans to students of the poor.

It should not be all about lamentations about missed opportunities. A lot could be done to salvage the situation as there is unanimity of opinion among experts that Nigeria has an abundance of human and material resources to draw it out of the wood. It has a population, all of about 230 million, mostly young people who are energetic and forward looking, as against 30 million in 1960. This is an asset that most countries lack.

It also has so much solid minerals in all parts of the country, mostly waiting to be tapped. Those being tapped are by criminals and foreigners. Crude oil that has been a blessing to other nations has been largely doom to Nigeria, owing to poor management and monumental corruption. Of late, though, crude oil output has ticked up due to work by our armed forces to curb criminals stealing our black gold.

If corruption is checked and appropriate persons are employed to ensure that Nigeria joins the league of developed countries, in a short while, Nigerians would be proud of their country again and we can stand tall in the comity of nations. The Central Bank of Nigeria’s handling of foreign exchange, the salvaging of corrupt practices have diminished instances of corruption as attested to by our captains of industry.

Nigerians should realise that pulling in different directions cannot help them. As we move towards the seventh decade after independence, we should realise that we owe future generations, and indeed the black world a duty to redeem our dignity by killing corruption and tapping resources available for development.

As Walter Rodney said, ‘every generation must, out of relative obscurity, discover its mission, fulfill or betray it.’ The reforms of the Tinubu administration is showing promise on many levels beginning with financial engineering whose success can trigger a wholesale rebirth. For instance, not long ago, critics were jittery and even gloating that the naira would dive down to N2,000 to a dollar. Now it’s below N1,500. Not there yet, but a sign we can reclaim our country.

ýThe Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has blamed unnamed ‘saboteurs and selfish political actors’ for fuelling insecurity in the nation’s capital, vowing to crush criminal networks that he said are undermining Abuja’s peace and development.

ýDelivering his 65th Independence Day message on Tuesday, Wike acknowledged that Abuja’s security situation has worsened in recent months, with kidnappings and violent attacks shaking residents’ confidence in the capital’s safety.

ý’This is no time for complacency. Those who profit from chaos or sponsor insecurity to achieve political aims will soon realise that the FCT is not a playground for lawlessness. We are working closely with security agencies to dismantle these criminal rings once and for all,’ the minister warned.

ýWike’s remarks mark one of his strongest indictments yet of what he described as ‘deliberate attempts to embarrass the government and make the FCT ungovernable.’

ýHe urged residents to be vigilant and to report suspicious activities, insisting that security cannot be left to the authorities alone.

ý’We cannot be everywhere at once. Every resident has a duty to safeguard their neighbourhoods. This is a fight for our collective survival,’ he said.

ýWhile celebrating Nigeria’s 65th independence anniversary as a milestone of unity and resilience, Wike said the moment also called for sober reflection on how insecurity threatens the sacrifices of the nation’s founding fathers.

ý’The FCT is the heartbeat of the country, the symbol of our unity. We cannot allow bandits, kidnappers, or their sponsors to tarnish that image,’ he said.

ýThe minister praised residents for backing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which he said has brought major infrastructural upgrades, including strategic road projects, rehabilitated schools and hospitals, and support for farmers, youths, and women.

ýAccording to the minister, ‘No city can claim greatness without modern infrastructure. We have focused on building roads, upgrading health and education facilities, and empowering small businesses to restore faith in government.’

ýLooking ahead to the February 2026 Area Council elections, Wike cautioned political actors against stoking violence.

‘Campaign for your candidates with decency and vision, not with thugs and weapons. We will not allow anyone to plunge the FCT into chaos,’ he said.

ýWike closed his address with a mix of warning and optimism, ‘We have a President determined to restore security and improve the lives of citizens. The future of Abuja will not be dictated by criminals or their backers. We will fight for this city, and we will win.’

Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly on Tuesday tasked the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, to intensify efforts in promoting the state’s cultural heritage and improving its tourism potential.

The call was led by Hon. Bonu Solomon, Chairman of the Committee on Tourism, Arts and Culture, who stressed during plenary that the theme of this year’s World Tourism Day, ‘Our Country, Our Heritage,’ underscores the need to harness Lagos’ untapped tourist attractions.

He urged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to direct the ministry to actively promote the state’s cultural values, saying such efforts would significantly boost the economy.

Hon. Gbolahan Yishawu suggested setting up a tourism calendar to help visitors plan their trips, while Hon. Omolara Olumegbon recalled how ‘Detty December’ attracted over 500,000 visitors to Lagos last year.

Also contributing, Hon. Oladipo Ajomale proposed the development of an iconic landmark similar to Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, recommending a giant edifice such as an Eyo statue integrated with restaurants, shopping malls, and other attractions to strengthen Lagos’ position as a global tourism hub.

A Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria (COCSON), Nigerian Interfaith Forum (NIF), National Coalition for Market Men, Women and Artisans (NACOMWA), and Petroleum Consumers’ Protection Alliance (PCPA) have called on the federal government to support the Dangote Refinery and petrochemicals against ongoing attacks by ‘oil cartel.’

The organisations that for decades, Nigerians have been held hostage by a cartel that thrived on import dependency, round-tripping, subsidy scams, and artificial scarcity.

The organisations condemned recent actions of Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers’ Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN), and the ill-timed strike threats by Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), Trade Union Congress (TUC), and Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) that disrupted activities at the oil company.

COCSON’s President, Ibrahim Suleiman; NIF’s National Chairman, Mathew Ayodele; NACOMWA’s National President, Boma Agbede, and PCPA’s Chairman, Yusuf Danladi, charged President Bola Tinubu to hold the unions responsible if there is a breakdown of law and order in the country.

The organisations noted that DAPPMAN has chosen to undermine the Dangote Refinery and petrochemical and other indigenous refining initiatives because they fear competition, transparency, and efficiency.

According to them, DAPPMAN’s opposition to Dangote Refinery’s emergence as a major force in local refining is not about policy or about patriotism but about preserving their stranglehold over Nigerians.

‘Their agenda is to keep fuel importation alive, so they can continue profiteering at the expense of ordinary citizens who are already battered by poverty, unemployment, and inflation,’ they said

‘We declare our unwavering support for the Dangote Refinery and other indigenous refineries as the path to energy security, job creation, and economic sovereignty.

‘We demand that the government stand firm with the Dangote Refinery and accelerate policies that will break the cartel’s stranglehold once and for all,’ they added.

President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to empowering Nigerian youths and consolidating economic reforms, as the country marked its 65th Independence Anniversary.

In a national broadcast from the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Tinubu described young Nigerians as the ‘greatest assets’ of the nation, urging them to dream big and innovate across science, technology, sports, arts, and the creative sector.

The President highlighted several initiatives rolled out to support education, entrepreneurship, and youth development.

He disclosed that the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) had so far disbursed N99.5 billion in student loans and N44.7 billion in upkeep allowances to about 510,000 students across 228 higher institutions in the country.

‘Our administration, through policies and funding, will continue to give you wings to fly sky-high.

‘We created NELFUND to support students with loans for their educational pursuits. Approximately 510,000 students across 36 states and the FCT have benefited from this initiative, covering 228 higher institutions,’ he said.

He added that the Credicorp scheme had granted N30 billion in affordable loans to 153,000 Nigerians for vehicles, solar energy, home upgrades, and digital devices.

Similarly, he said the YouthCred programme, launched in June, had begun offering consumer credit to National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members to aid their resettlement.

Tinubu further noted that the investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) programme, jointly implemented with the Bank of Industry, African Development Bank, French Development Agency, and Islamic Development Bank, was at the verge of full implementation.

This, he said, was to support the technology and creative sectors.

On the state of the economy, the President admitted that ongoing reforms had caused temporary pains, with inflation and high living costs affecting citizens.

‘The alternative of allowing our country to descend into economic chaos or bankruptcy was not an option.

‘ Sacrifices made were laying a new foundation cast in concrete, not on quicksand,’ he said.

He said the real measure of progress would be seen not only in statistics but also in food security, quality education, reliable electricity supply, and safer communities.

Tinubu urged state and local governments to complement federal efforts by boosting productivity, innovation, and enterprise.

‘Let us be a nation of producers, not just consumers. Let us farm our land and build factories to process our produce. Let us patronise ‘Made-in-Nigeria’ goods. I say Nigeria first,’ he declared.

The President assured citizens that the dawn of a new, prosperous, and self-reliant Nigeria was within reach, calling on all Nigerians to support the nation-building process.

The National Cashew Association of Nigeria (NCAN) has dismissed reports suggesting the existence of an interim leadership within the association, reaffirming that Dr. Ojo Joseph Ajanaku remains its duly elected and recognised national president.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, NCAN described the claims made at a recent press briefing by an unidentified group, stressing that the so-called interim executives do not represent the interests of the cashew industry.

The association explained that its national election was conducted on 23 November 2024 at the FACAN Headquarters in Abuja, where Dr. Ajanaku emerged as president and was duly sworn in by the Board of Trustees.

It maintained that any insinuation of a leadership tussle was a ploy to misinform stakeholders and distract from ongoing efforts to strengthen the cashew subsector.

Responding to allegations that NCAN had delayed the implementation of the cashew industry road map, the association clarified that the document was produced by an international development partner and is currently undergoing review in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI) and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS).

According to NCAN, the review is necessary to ensure the framework aligns with Nigeria’s national priorities.

‘The association remains united and focused on advancing the nation’s cashew industry. We assure Nigerians and international partners that NCAN, under the leadership of Dr. Ajanaku, is open for business and committed to driving growth in the sector,’ the statement read.

NCAN therefore urged stakeholders to disregard the claims of what it described as self-styled interim executives, while reiterating its commitment to working with government and private sector players to boost cashew production, processing, and export in Nigeria.

Enthused by her experiences at the recently concluded CANEX Book Factory Prize for Publishing in Africa, in Algiers, Convener, Quramo Festival of Words, (QFEST) Mrs Gbemi Shasore has urged storytellers, publishers and readers to be courageous in advocating for change, which she said, is not an abstract thing. ‘Change is not an abstraction for me. It is visible in the streets, on our screens, in who reads and in how we read. It demands courage from storytellers, publishers and audiences alike,’ she added.

On returning from Algiers where Zimi, the 2023 Quramo Writers’ Prize winner was shortlisted for the CANEX Book Factory Prize for Publishing in Africa, she was renewed with vigour. That trip felt like a quiet nudge: the small labours of a modest publisher in Lagos can reach beyond our borders. It reminded her that when we nurture writers at home, their stories travel farther than we imagine.

That sense of possibility sits at the heart of this year’s theme: A Brave New World. This year’s QFest was designed as a festival that meets this moment: a space where difficult histories can be held, new technologies interrogated, bold futures imagined and new writers and stories discovered through the Quramo Writers Prize. The festival opens tomorrow and runs till Sunday October 5 at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Among guests expected at the festival include Prof. Mukoma wa Ngugi, a writer, poet and scholar, who teaches at Cornell University and has produced fiction and criticism that question memory, language and identity across Africa and its diaspora.

He will lead an intimate conversation on Saturday October 4, a rare chance for festival audiences to hear directly about the ideas and the craft behind his novels and poetry. Also on the guests list is Stephen James Smith, the award-wining Irish poet, and James Murua the Kenyan writer at the festival.

According to Shasore, their presence is more than star power; ‘it’s a reminder of the intergenerational, Pan-African and intercontinental conversations we’re trying to sustain at Quramo between those who inherit our literary traditions and those who reinvent them.’

‘Across the programme you will see that thread. We open with master-classes tomorrow with masters of their craft like Dele Sikuade, BB Sasore, Prof. Mukoma and Prof. Sarah Dorgbadzi the Ghanaian storyteller at the Quramo Hub in Victoria Island.

‘On Friday, October 3 features a conversation with the Quramo Writers’ Prize Top Five, culminating in the evening unveiling of the 2025 winner – moments that celebrate new voices and our ongoing commitment to publish and platform them. Saturday holds conversations that move from the intimate – a Writers Exchange between poets Tade Ipadeola and Stephen James Smith – to the public and urgent: a carefully framed conversation on the Nigerian Civil War, 961 Days: Brothers at War. Never Again- which aims for reflection and healing rather than recrimination with voices like Major General Akintunde Akinkunmi (rtd) and Ed Keazor amongst other discussants. That afternoon we honour film storytelling with the exclusive screening of Thicker Than Water from Nemsia Studios and, on Sunday, a moving documentary by Remi Vaughan-Richards, Sin is a Puppy That Follows You Home.

‘We have sought balance: workshops and masterclasses to sharpen craft; panels on AI, migration, climate and film distribution to test new ideas; cultural exchanges like Siamsa to remind us how stories sit inside ritual and song; and spoken-word nights that let younger voices speak directly. These sessions are not separate acts – they are parts of one conversation about who we are, what we owe each other, and how storytelling can help us imagine safer, fairer futures.’

The Olalekan Ayinla Foundation has distributed over 500 school kits to pupils across eight primary schools in Ikeja, Lagos State.

This was part of its Back-to-School Programme designed to support widows, orphans, indigent children, and senior citizens.

The items, which included school bags, uniforms, sandals, and writing materials, were shared among pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds to ease the financial burden on their parents and encourage learning.

Founder of the foundation, Olalekan Ayinla, said the initiative was born out of a conviction that education remains the most powerful tool for empowerment and national development.

‘Education is very important in Nigeria. These children are the future of tomorrow. We all passed through this same road, so it is only right that we give back to society,’ he said.

Ayinla listed the benefiting schools to include Ukera Primary School, Adeniji Jones Primary School, Tokunbo Alli Primary School, Shogunle Primary School, Estate Primary School, Ogba, St. Peter’s Anglican School, Alausa, Opebi Primary School, and Osubiniye Primary School.

‘In total, we are distributing nearly 500 items today across eight schools. This is our way of empowering children. Beyond this, we also plan to extend support to widows, senior citizens, and orphans,’ he added.

According to him, the foundation remains committed to expanding its reach with interventions that will continue to cover pupils, widows, less privileged families, and senior citizens.

‘Nigeria’s growth is not the responsibility of the government alone. Every one of us must play a role in helping others. Through little acts of giving, we can change lives and build the country we want,’ he noted.

An official of the Social Mobilisation Department of the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Sumbo Omobolanle, lauded the actions of the foundation.

She called for more private interventions to complement government efforts in tackling the issue of out-of-school children.

‘The reality is that many pupils cannot even afford exercise books or school bags. We appeal to more well-meaning Nigerians and NGOs to step in, because the government alone cannot do it,’ she said.

Head Teacher of Estate Primary School, Ogba, Mrs. Olanrewaju Funmilola, described the donation as a huge relief to parents struggling with the rising cost of basic school items.

‘On behalf of the school management, parents, and pupils, I express heartfelt gratitude to the Foundation. This will bring joy to families that could not afford basic school items,’ she said.

Assistant Head Teacher of Adeniji Jones Primary School, Mrs. Aishat Mohammed, said the initiative would boost the morale of pupils who had been struggling without adequate learning materials.

‘The children are so happy to receive these gifts. We pray that more pupils will benefit in the future,’ she said.

On October 1st, 1960, Nigeria gained independence from British colonial rule. It was celebrated as freedom from centuries of human and economic exploitation. It marked the end of the slave trade, the dehumanization of our people, and the systematic drain of our natural wealth. But more than six decades later, the question still echoes: Did Nigeria truly achieve independence, or was it only the beginning of another phase of control?

From the very first administration in 1960, it became clear that independence was not complete. Nigeria’s leadership was forced to operate within frameworks designed by Western interests, particularly around the control of natural resources.

As military coups toppled governments and dictatorships emerged, foreign influence remained in place. Policies were shaped abroad, debts piled up, and sovereignty was limited. Independence too often looked like an illusion.

At the heart of this neo-colonial arrangement was the constant effort to dominate Nigeria’s natural wealth. By keeping the country dependent on foreign refineries, international lenders and imported goods, external powers ensured that Nigeria remained under their grip. Successive governments, from one Head of State to another, found it difficult to break free. Progress was slowed and dignity was weakened.

The story began to change with the rise of Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Though educated abroad, Tinubu was forged in Nigeria’s own political struggles. From his days in NADECO resisting military dictatorship to his transformation of Lagos State into Africa’s fastest-growing economy and one of the most creative hubs in the world, he built a reputation for resilience, vision and innovation. What he did in Lagos was a preview of the national rebirth he now drives as President.

Today, under President Tinubu, Nigeria is walking firmly toward true independence.

His words, ‘It is time to work as partners, not as masters and servants,’ capture a new spirit of leadership. His government has refused to bow to external pressure, choosing instead to design policies that directly serve Nigerians. His leadership beats like the drum of freedom, breaking the chains of neo-colonialism that have held the nation for decades.

In the oil and gas sector, Nigeria now hosts the world’s second-largest refinery, a bold step that ends reliance on foreign refineries. In finance, Tinubu’s reforms focus on reducing debt, exempting the poor from excessive taxes and strengthening the naira. These are practical steps that secure Nigeria’s sovereignty and give the people control over their future.

Healthcare, education, infrastructure and agriculture are also being reshaped. Federal medical centres are being expanded and the cost of dialysis has been reduced. A new health insurance network is being built to protect citizens. The NEL Fund supports students and young people.

Airports are being revived and transport systems upgraded. In agriculture, regional food hubs are being established to stabilize prices, ensure food security and reduce dependence on imports.

In less than two years, these reforms have started to show real results. Nigerians are seeing change in their daily lives, from cheaper access to healthcare to new opportunities in education and work.

Unlike past administrations that kept the country tied to dependency, Tinubu’s government is building structures that guarantee lasting independence. For the first time, Nigeria is setting its own terms and standing tall in global affairs.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has proven himself to be more than a reformer. He is the leader who has finally redefined independence for Nigeria.

What began in 1960 as political freedom is now becoming full economic and institutional independence. Under his leadership, Nigerians can celebrate freedom that is real, practical and irreversible.

– Gbenga Abiola, national coordinator, Tinubu Media Force, Nigeria’s largest progressive grassroots media structure

Uche Aghulor’s journey from a local choir to international acclaim is a story of technical mastery and a mission to elevate African classical music on the world stage. Her journey, which has taken her from Lagos to Athens, London, Rome, and now the United States, underscores the power of persistence and cultural pride in a field long dominated by Western traditions.

She first became enthusiastic about music as a child when she joined the church choir, where she discovered harmony, vocal discipline, and the profound joy of moving people through song. That early foundation became the springboard for a remarkable journey that has transformed her into one of Nigeria’s most celebrated musical voices abroad, a versatile artist admired for her ability to fuse deep cultural identity with masterful artistry.

Her career now embodies a dynamic range of roles, from soloist and teacher to choir and artistic director, all united by her unwavering pursuit of musical excellence.

‘The church has always been at the center of my musical journey. I started as a choir girl from a young age, and somehow that part of me remained alive.

‘Those early years in the choir taught me the fundamentals of singing and the importance of emotional connection in performance. The discipline, joy, and sense of purpose I found there still guide me today,’ the internationally recognised singer from Delta State noted.

Aghulor reflects on how her early experiences taught her to find profound meaning in music-a principle that now drives her dedication to promoting music deeply connected to her cultural roots. For a start, her pursuit of musical and academic excellence eventually took her to the University of Notre Dame in the United States, where she earned a Master of Sacred Music on a full scholarship and graduate assistantship.

According to her, she chose Notre Dame for its strong academic reputation, commitment to sacred music, and supportive community. ‘I was particularly drawn to Notre Dame because of the community there, and I knew that was something I needed in a foreign country,’ Uche said.

She explained that her attraction to the Sacred Music programme came from the fact that the church has always been central to her artistic life. While at Notre Dame, she immersed herself in studies that broadened her understanding of different genres and performance practices.

As the youngest of seven children born to Dr. Samuel and Lady Philomena Aghulor, Uche learnt to view spirituals, African art music, opera, and choral music as living traditions with profound cultural significance rather than merely as performances. ‘I am a better musician and artist as a result of the programme. I developed a deeper understanding and appreciation for choral music, opera, African art music, spirituals, and other forms of vocal music,’ she told The Nation.

An historic first performance

Driven by a hunger for knowledge that extended far beyond the shores of Nigeria, Uche found herself at the University of Notre Dame. Her years there were crowned with a historic honour when she became the first Nigerian in decades to lead the singing of the Alma Mater at the inauguration of the University’s President, Reverend Bob Dowd.

This was a singular privilege, Uche said, as such an inauguration occurs perhaps only once every twenty years, making her selection for the role profoundly significant. ‘We have an abundance of talent at Notre Dame, but for someone like me to have that responsibility is a testament to the institution’s values of fostering a sense of community while striving for excellence,’ she said.

The renowned soloist and artistic director described the moment as a powerful reaffirmation of her belief in the importance of representation. ‘For people to see a Nigerian woman in that position meant more than words can express,’ she said.

Eager to build on her success at Notre Dame, Uche set her sights on a larger global stage, enrolling in a Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) programme at James Madison University, which she attended on a full scholarship and graduate assistantship.

‘This next chapter will position me for a university-level teaching position, which complements my performance career and cultural advocacy work. As a Nigerian soprano, I want to contribute significantly to the performance practice of classical music,’ she said.

She stressed that the integration of African art music into mainstream classical programming is another area she will be investigating in her dissertation study and performance practice. Beyond the classroom, however, Aghulor has established a stellar academic history. For instance, she has appeared internationally in Athens, London, and Rome, and has performed as a soloist in major works such as Handel’s Messiah and Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana.

In Rome, she presented Nigerian folk tunes to a European audience, an experience she described as deeply rewarding. ‘It was a wonderful experience. The audience responded really well, and it makes me happy knowing people enjoy our art songs both at home and abroad,’ she recalled.

According to her, she sees every international performance as both a musical and cultural exchange. ‘Each time I perform abroad, I feel like I am carrying my heritage with me. It is an opportunity to tell our story through music,’ she said.

Notably, Uche has since discovered an ingenious approach to blending Western classical techniques with African cultural expressions in her performance. According to her, ‘The key is understanding that both (Western classical techniques and African cultural traditions) share fundamental musical principles, including rhythmic complexity, melodic development, and harmonic progression. Expressing them through different cultural lenses creates a huge distinction.’

This fusion, she noted, allows audiences to experience the familiar and the new at once. ‘When people hear an African melody supported by classical harmonies, they are intrigued, and that opens the door for deeper appreciation,’ she said.

In addition to her performance career, Uche also plays a leading role in the Pan-African Art Music Initiative, which promotes African composers and musical traditions on international stages. Justifying the role, she said: ‘There is a need for more African voices to be heard in the classical music world.

‘Events like festivals are opportunities to learn and to impact as well. People are curious, and we have the responsibility to give the best representation of our musical culture as performers or composers.’

She added that the Pan-African Art Music Initiative also works to ensure African art songs are performed with the same technical mastery and respect given to Western works.

In her role as an educator and voice coach, Uche utilises an inclusive pedagogical approach, informed by her experience teaching students from diverse musical backgrounds in both Nigerian and American institutions. Her methodology is centred on the core principles of building confidence, fostering inclusion, and prioritising growth over technical perfection.

‘I teach my students to believe in themselves and to feel included. Differences in musical background can help identify technical skills already developed and ultimately adapt or expand the student’s performance,’ she explained.

One of her guiding principles is prioritising progress rather than flawless execution. ‘I used to tell my students in Nigeria to choose growth over perfection. Perfection is an illusion and what matters is being better than you were yesterday. I am most fulfilled seeing growth and knowing I have contributed to it in some way,’ she stated.

Her teaching is deeply informed by her own cross-cultural journey, allowing her to tailor lessons to each student’s needs. ‘Some of my students have never heard African art music before they met me. By the time they graduate, they’re singing it confidently and understanding its depth,’ she shared, beaming with a smile.

She also said she embraces teaching as a two-way exchange. ‘I learn from my students every day. They challenge me to think differently and to keep improving my methods,’ she said

In spite of her remarkable exploits and successes, Uche admitted that African classical musicians face steep institutional and economic barriers to accessing global platforms, pointing out, for instance, that Africa has abundant talent and creative vision, but these assets are constrained by limited access to world-class training and professional development ecosystems concentrated in Europe and America.

‘In Nigeria specifically, musicians encounter significant obstacles in marketing classical music, securing high-quality instruments, and maintaining reliable electricity for rehearsals,’ she said, adding that there are systemic bias in concert programming

‘Indigenous compositions and African art songs frequently receive insufficient commitment and technical mastery,’ she said, pointing out, however, that ‘Addressing this inequity is central to my artistic mission.’

As part of Uche’s artistic mission, her recording career offers another platform for connection. She recently released a single titled Holy, available on major streaming platforms, and is planning further releases, including collaborations with contemporary artists.

‘Classical training gave me solid grounding in how the voice functions and core musical fundamentals. But I don’t see this education as something that should distance me from people, quite the opposite. It helps me communicate more clearly. My aim is to show that classical skills can beautifully support and elevate music from any cultural tradition,’ she explained.

Uche added that working with contemporary musicians allows her to reach younger audiences who may not be familiar with classical music, creating a bridge between genres. She, however, admitted that life abroad has not been without challenges.

Among the hardest cultural adjustments she faced when moving from Lagos to Indiana was the distance from family. Beyond missing important events, Uche explained she had to acclimatise to unfamiliar weather, food, and social customs. ‘I had to rebuild my support network from the ground up, which was a challenge for someone who draws strength from close personal ties.’

She credited her successful adaptation to maintaining an open mind toward cultural differences and an unwavering dedication to her professional and personal responsibilities.

While she identified most naturally with the role of a soloist, she clarified that her artistic ambitions extend far beyond the spotlight of personal performance.

‘My aspiration is to demonstrate that excellence and impact are possible anywhere, irrespective of one’s cultural background or place of origin.

‘I want to be known for expanding horizons, helping audiences appreciate the depth of African musical heritage, and showing Nigerian students the breadth of opportunities available to them.

‘Through my role as an educator, I hope to have created opportunities and cleared pathways that make the journey easier for others. That, for me, will be the true measure of success,’ she added.