• Nelson C.J.

Stories by Nelson C.J.

People try to salvage items from the burned-down secondhand clothing market at Kantamanto in Accra, Ghana, on January 2, 2025. The fire at the Kantamanto market began in the early morning hours, destroying a large part of the area and displacing thousands of traders.
News

Six Months After Kantamanto Market Fire, Traders Still Feel the Burn Amid Ghana’s Economic Challenges

Traders affected by the Kantamanto fire say they are struggling to restart their businesses. Meanwhile, the economy is affecting foot traffic in the once buzzing Ghana market.

The African Literature Ecosystem Used to Be Unstoppable. What Went Wrong?
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The African Literature Ecosystem Used to Be Unstoppable. What Went Wrong?

The late 2000s to late 2010s were an era of vibrant publications, literary prizes, and the emergence of incredible literary talents. All that has been replaced with a loss of community and dwindling literary spaces.

Nigerian author Esther Ifesinachi Okonkwo poses for a portrait shot in a blue shirt and long black braids.
News

In Her Debut Novel, Esther Ifesinachi Okonkwo Expands the Nigerian Immigrant Experience

‘The Tiny Things Are Heavier’ is a stirring and masterfully delivered bildungsroman that follows a young Nigerian woman as she tries to make sense of her new life and what exactly she wants from it.

How NBA Star Precious Achiuwa Brought Nigerian Fashion to the Court
Sports

How NBA Star Precious Achiuwa Brought Nigerian Fashion to the Court

In a campaign highlighting homegrown styles and cultural roots, the basketball player rocked a range of streetwear fits from The Kowa Studio, WafflesnCream, Lost Archives, ZTTW, and Ashluxe.

How Nigerian Fashion Brand Dye Lab Hacked International Pop-Ups
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How Nigerian Fashion Brand Dye Lab Hacked International Pop-Ups

Rukky Ladoja and Ozzy Etomi create cultural experiences with their cross-continent pop-up events as a way to better connect with their customers.

How Afrobeats Star Bnxn Made His Most Vulnerable Album Yet
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How Afrobeats Star Bnxn Made His Most Vulnerable Album Yet

In his sophomore record, ‘Captain,’ the Nigerian singer displays emotional depth that cements him as a sensitive and powerfully relatable artist.

How a Young Ghanaian Found His First Rental Apartment in Accra
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How a Young Ghanaian Found His First Rental Apartment in Accra

Adinan Yussif’s approach to finding his starter place was unconventional. It also helped him beat out the expensive rental market in Accra, Ghana.

Fuse ODG Wants You to Reclaim Your African Names
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Fuse ODG Wants You to Reclaim Your African Names

With his latest album and incisive social media posts, the British Ghanaian singer explores African heritage and delivers a powerful message about embracing African names.

For Many Ghanaians, President John Mahama Is off to a Great Start
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For Many Ghanaians, President John Mahama Is off to a Great Start

Now in his second nonconsecutive term, the West African leader is heading a proactive and highly responsive administration that’s winning over many citizens.

Meet the Nigerian Artist Osoranna Mojekwu Commissioned by Adidas for Its New Lagos Flagship Store
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Meet the Nigerian Artist Osoranna Mojekwu Commissioned by Adidas for Its New Lagos Flagship Store

His two large-scale works for the global sportswear giant explore resilience and community, marking a personal and professional milestone for the U.S.-born creative.

#FreeTogo Protests: Young People Want to End a Dictatorship
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#FreeTogo Protests: Young People Want to End a Dictatorship

Protesters have taken to the streets and online, calling for the resignation of President Faure Gnassingbé, who has been in power since 2005.

Best West African Songs of 2025 So Far — Mid-Year Roundup
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Best West African Songs of 2025 So Far — Mid-Year Roundup

As more West African artists create sounds that inspire internet trends and extend their longevity, others are experimenting with new forms and doubling down on storytelling. Read ahead for the best West African music of the year so far.

Demonstrators gather during the End Bad Governance protest in Abuja on August 1, 2024.
News

TikToker's National Service Extended by Two Months Following Her Criticism of the Nigerian Government

Back in March, Nigerian authorities tried to silence Rita Ushie's critique of the country’s failing government, but thousands of citizens responded by amplifying her message.

In “My Mother Is A Witch,” Nigerian Actress Efe Irele Bares It All
Film + TV

In “My Mother Is A Witch,” Nigerian Actress Efe Irele Bares It All

Set in Edo State, Nigeria, this film examines a tense mother-daughter relationship and what happens when love looks like control.

Eshete stands in front of a chain link fence, he is wrapped in large plastic sheets while it snows.
Film + TV

'The Cat Man Eshete' Highlights the Lasting Impact of Being a Refugee

In honor of World Refugee Day, this documentary film follows an Ethiopian refugee who provides a makeshift home for displaced cats in New York City, and the powerful story that led him there.

What It’s Like To ... Be An International Music Lawyer In Nigeria
What It's Like To...

What It’s Like To ... Be An International Music Lawyer In Nigeria

As Nigeria’s music industry grows into a global powerhouse, Akinyemi Ayinoluwa is one of the lawyers helping to ensure that the creatives behind the hits, especially songwriters and producers, are legally protected and properly recognized.

Ckay Is Ready For His Second Coming
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Ckay Is Ready For His Second Coming

For his latest EP, ‘Ckay The Second,’ the emo-Afrobeats star returns to find meaning and reflection.

For Father’s Day, Five African Creatives Share The Fondest Memories of Their Dads
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For Father’s Day, Five African Creatives Share The Fondest Memories of Their Dads

Artists, writers, and actors Yagazie Emezi, Nicole Asinugo, Emeka Nwagbaraocha, Goodness Emmanuel, and Joojo Addison share sweet memories of their fathers.