progress | fashion |streaming
FEATURE ARTICLE
Progress on a Normz!
In full bloom!
Bet Why?
Tudun!
EDITOR’s NOTE!
Happy new year.
When I read the articles for this edition, I realized that we need to make more money because my team are always
thinking
about
get
rich
schemes
-
betting,
fashion and one is clearly considering either becoming a tech bro or going into Nollywood.
Daddy Seyi, plEAsE let things make sense and be stable this 2026. That’s all we need for a prosperous year.
We’re all in the same boat, god safe us.
Keni naiz year ahead.
Thank you,
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FEATURE ARTICLE
Progress on a Normz!
Whew, what a ride!
“If you’re going through hell, keep going.”
— Winston Churchill We made it !!!! At the start of the year, it looked like the Nigerian economy dey carry us go where we no know. On that journey, several checkpoints and potholes threatened to stress our lives, but God came through for us.
We started the year by mathematically changing the metrics of our indicators; rebasing our GDP and inflation. In simple terms, it’s still the same journey, same road, but like switching from your normal car to Cabzero; cleaner and more convenient. Inflation that was 30% had started to decline, and FX was a bit more stable; thanks to Daddy Seyi, Uncle Cardoso, and the many IJGBs that increased supply briefly.
However, the year showed us its own level of shege. It hasn’t been a smooth journey the potholes of inflation, the checkpoints of high interest rates, and the fuelguzzling nature of the naira all tried their best to slow us down.
Our report card! “It does not matter how slowly you go,
as long as you do not stop.”
— Confucius
Interest rates remained high through much of 2025 as the CBN used it to control inflation, and everybody (whether small or large businesses) felt it. And it worked, inflation continued cooling and the economy started showing small signs of maturity. For the exchange rate, that’s where Uncle Cardoso deserves his own pepper soup. After spending months doing backflips, it settled into a range that gave people room to plan instead of panic. Hovering between ₦1,400 and ₦1,600 to the dollar may not be a victory lap, but it is stability. At least now people are not using the exchange rate as an excuse to be wicked; they are doing it with their chest. Credit rose, the stock market became proud, and foreign reserves became healthy.
But somehow, the road this year hasn’t been as terrifying as the ones we’ve survived before. 2024 was not even the best, but 2025 was better.
Inflation dropped to 17.82% from the infamous 33.88% recorded in October 2024. Food didn’t necessarily become friendly, but at least tomatoes stopped pretending to be luxury items.
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The reality is simple: whether on a bad road or a good one,
once
the
vehicle
is
steady,
AC
blazing,
little
snacks here and there, we can easily enjoy the journey to the promised beautiful destination.
Oil dey my head Oil production improved slightly, enough to give the national wallet a hint of courage. The non-oil sectors also
pulled
their
weight;
ICT,
finance,
trade,
entertainment, and other non-oil sectors carried the journey like the cheerful passengers who never sleep, never complain, and somehow keep the energy up even when everyone else is tired.
But no Nigerian road trip is without its warning signs.
Insecurity and insurgency across farming communities threatened to disrupt logistics and food supply.
We even got President Trump to give us side-eye. This pothole is one that we must consciously watch out for this new year.
They say when two elephants fight, the grass suffers; clearly, we Nigerians are the grass because the shege we have seen in the fight between Dangote Refinery and NNPC is a lot. Las las, we need fuel pump prices to
drop.
At
least
this
December
is
the
second
successive year without fuel scarcity. As long as the gbasgbos is pushing prices downward, the rest of us are happy to mind our business.
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In full bloom!
First of all
Fashion is a universal language, but in Africa, it’s a fullblown
economic
dialect,
bold,
unapologetic,
Naija no dey carry last second
and
distinctly ours.
Africa’s fashion industry is already valued at over $31 billion,
From
Dakar’s
tailors
every
garment,
hand-stitch
alone
contributes
about
15%
to
that figure, approximately 4.7 billion (that’s hooge if
fashion
you ask us). That market is projected to double as
houses, to Lagos, where creativity moves faster than
demand for African luxury, ready-to-wear and cultural
inflation (and that’s saying something).
craftsmanship explodes. Here, fashion is not just what
Nairobi’s
rising
history
Nigeria
into
to
who
and
ethical
you wear; it’s a value chain with multiple moving parts.
For years, African fashion lived in the shadow of global luxury giants, (let’s not begin to name them because that would be an entire piece on its own). But the tides have turned.
Today, Africa isn't just inspiring global fashion, it’s driving it.
Designers
across
multimillion-dollar innovation,
and
a
the
continent
engine demand
are
powered for
building by
authenticity
a
culture, that
the
world can no longer ignore. We have really come a long way but here’s the real gist.
Africa’s fashion boom isn’t just creativity; it’s economics. Serious economics. And let’s be truthful: if African fashion is the rising tide,
Nigeria is the giant wave pushing it forward.
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From the fabric, textile production, tailoring, designers and couture ateliers, stylists, photographers, content creators, retail,
e-commerce
and
fashion
techs
and Logistics, distribution and export hubs.
Each part fuels the next. A single outfit in Nigeria, for example, can involve everyone from a fabric seller in Balogun/Turkey/China, to a tailor in Surulere/Yaba, a stylist in Lekki, a photographer in Abuja and a courier company delivering nationwide and even globally.
Designers are peeling back the curtains to give us front
row
access
to their BTS process
these
days.
See ehen, we Nigerians don’t just dress well, we dress deliberately. Our fashion carries identity, status, pride, and narrative. This cultural intensity is now a global commodity. Our industry is also built on skill, hustle and innovation. Designers, tailors, stylists, and storytellers form one of the
most
entrepreneurial
continent.
From
premium
rates
couture to
communities bridal
houses
ready-to-wear
brands
on
the
charging scaling
online.
We get workings die; did you see the plethora of exhibitions at the last fashion week?
the original one, not that one they do at the beach. The creativity chokeeee!
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Follow the money
Fabric vendors dominate the starting point; demand for lace, aso-oke, adire and Ankara alone is enormous. Have
you
seen
some
of
your
favorite
designers’
recent collections? The vendors themselves, usually members of rural communities are cashing out heavily from increased demand. Tailors and designers form the well-lubricated economic engine, arguably the largest employer in the ecosystem and the creatives (stylists, photographers, and content creators) have carved profitable niches; thanks to digital storytelling. Retail
and
e-commerce
platforms
are
redefining
access and creating global reach, and finally logistics ties it all together, from market sourcing to last-mile delivery.
The number of users in the fashion e-commerce market in Nigeria was modelled to amount to 9.39 million users in 2024.
this number has risen by seven million users since 2017. Between 2024 and 2029, the number of users will rise by 5.61 million users, continuing its consistent upward trajectory. It is an ecosystem that feeds itself, and it is growing.
The Numbers Ahead:
What’s the Future outlook?
In the next 3–5 years, the Nigerian fashion economy is
projected
Nigeria
is
deserves
to
grow
finally
as
between
getting
more
the
Nigerians
10-25%. much
are
Made
in
attention
it
buying,
creating,
exporting, and influencing fashion trends than ever before. At least we have japa to thank for it, as you make plans to leave Nigeria, carry enough o so the world can see the splendor. The world loves it and they are responding with partnerships, collaborations, and capital.
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While Daddy Seyi is working on inflation and
price
Fashion isn’t just what we wear anymore.
volatility,
been
It’s who we are.
don’t
panic
creativity
has
always
Nigeria’s strongest currency. The future of African and
It’s how we earn.
Nigerian fashion is global, digital, and economically
And
significant. The industry is transforming from cultural
economies shaping Africa’s next decade.
it’s
one
of
the
most
promising
creative
expression to an export-ready powerhouse.
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Bet Why?
These are the issues.
Falling in the middle of Oshodi from losing a bet is an
Yes, betting is now more mainstream than before but
over-the-top reaction, quite dramatic, if you ask me.
it’s mostly due to increased internet penetration and
But somehow, that is what I usually picture when I
rise of smartphones. Essentially, betting has been a
imagine someone losing a big bet, especially when
part of our culture for the longest.
they are sure of their
“sure odds”. I am tempted even, to tag the culture of betting in Nigeria a type of “minimum wage behaviour” but betting is what everybody does, the rich people just call it speculating and trading.
The rise of betting culture in Nigeria does not come as a surprise when you consider that we are a sportloving country with a teeming youth population that
Betting and Trading.
are constantly looking for ways to make it quick in this economy. We are also a poor country and the need to
People who trade on the stock exchange have the
make low cost and high-risk investment is too good
things they look out for; they follow news, analyze
to ignore.
stats, track performance and take positions (either short or long). It’s the exact same thing with betting.
Our yoots have no morals?
I know the government is talking about not making Well, organized betting is not new in Nigeria neither is
mathematics compulsory but if you want to see the
it only synonymous to Nigeria especially when there is
application of mathematics; go to a betting shop. It is
a city in the desert whose entire economy is built on
also
betting.
betting
shifting slips
conversations and
on
predictions,
social
media,
especially
with
when
a
celebrity announces they placed some crazy bet, I Infact there are 35 betting companies with a market
know you know what I’m talking about. It’s actually so
cap of $1bILLIOn and above spread across different
rampant that the National Lottery Trust Fund estimate
countries in the world. Clearly we haven't started in
that more than 60 million Nigerians place more than
Nigeria! Even before the days of Premier Lotto (Baba
$5.5 million daily on betting and more than 14 million
Ijebu), we had Niger Pools; government sef invested
betting stakes. On one hand, the ministry is moving
in it so I have countered the two arguments.
considering that payout in Nigeria is less than 10%,
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On the other hand, the adverse effect of gambling
Infact three of the top 10 most visited websites by
addiction
Nigerians
in
innovation
behind
is
becoming
more
pronounced
in
our
society.
2025
are
betting
withdrawals
sites. Even the
and
deposits
is
impressive. As the industry grows, so too must efforts to educate users and promote safer betting practices, to avoid being the fly that follows the corpse to the grave.
All about Oblee! Clearly
betting’s
problem
but
biggest
based
on
undoing
is
experience
the
addiction
from
other
countries; it’s probably not going to go away anytime soon. Whether you are for or against betting, there clearly needs to be better regulation in that industry. Developed countries have even created monikers like
“Gamble responsibly” and
special
betting
controls.
It
is
why
regulatory
bodies are now paying closer attention, the industry is also moving toward more formal structures that could ensure better consumer protection and tax revenue generation. Some Nigerians will die on the hill that the betting culture is a call for concern, others think it is diversifying.
and
helping
the
economy,
as
well
becoming
a
transformative force in the entertainment space. At the end of the day, we all want to believe what aligns with our convictions. As for me, my sure odds is that I’ve still not recovered from dettying my December, so I’ll sit this one out.
Clock it!
From
a
business
perspective, the
growth
of
online
sports betting in Nigeria is staggering and admirable. The industry is estimated to be worth billions of naira and continues to attract both local entrepreneurs and international
investors.
Betting
companies
sponsor
football clubs, fund grassroots sporting events, and create jobs in tech, marketing, customer service, and more. It is now an entire ecosystem that is actively contributing to the country’s digital economy.
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Tudun! Golden age of streams
The 1930s are often regarded as the golden age of cinema; technology had significantly improved to add sound to movies, colours; Charlie Chaplin and other celebs. It was a break from the norm and a breath of fresh air in that space; that feeling is the same almost 100 years later as we enter a new golden age of streams.
This shift to the now popular streaming culture started with the widespread availability of broadband internet in the early 2000s and provided the necessary infrastructure for internet streaming to become a mainstream phenomenon (thanks to all the fathers of internet).
It wasn’t a coincidence that this led to the rise of platforms like MySpace,YouTube; where you get to learn the entire syllabus you were trying to understand all semester from some Indian guy. Today that industry is worth more than $150 billion and estimated to reach $400billion before 2030. At this point, if something cannot be streamed, it might as well not exist.
Streams of Joy
We owe much of the success of the internet streaming industry to technology and of course the pandemic. High speed, clear graphics, powerful devices, and sophisticated platforms along with a condition that forced us to be couch potatoes by force.
And we have accepted it; even people that shouted that it was demonic are now some of the biggest users. What internet streaming has basically done is a fundamental reconfiguration of value chains. In the past, traditional media operated on high fixed costs, limited distribution, and strong gatekeeping power, like a cabal. Streaming platforms flipped this model with lower marginal distribution costs, global reach, and scalable monetization through subscriptions, advertising, and data. The result: an industry where scale matters more than geography and where firstmover advantages can compound rapidly.
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By the 2010s, the market had become intensely
These days its not even about the quality of your
competitive. New players have gained ground, and
camera or whether people understand what you are
platforms began investing heavily in exclusive, original
saying just get in front of your camera and make
content to differentiate themselves.
content. It’s why more than 5 million Nigerians are
One more Episode! Internet streaming is not even about movies and that’s what makes it valuable. Music, sports, skits, exclusive parties and in there is a random guy downloading food at 1 am on Nigerian TikTok. Suddenly, content is now moving faster than DVDs, schedules are
employed via the streaming value chain alone. Even local filmmakers who previously relied on cinema releases and DVDs are beginning to realize the huge potential YouTube offers producers, making it easier to reach international audiences while making sharp returns. Come rain come sun, Odogwu must marry Achalugo init?
becoming optional, and attention has become the real currency. Whether you are a big company or on your bed, everybody is competing for the same attention.
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So what’s your excuse? Streaming is not without its own headache; at first investors only cared about growth but these days; which one is profit again. There are also people who feel like the growth has peaked and is well saturated; if that is true why is Netflix fighting Paramount for Warner Brothers?
To be fair sha, there is also rising content costs, intense competition, and subscriber saturation in mature markets further compressing margins. Many platforms now face the difficult trade-off between growth and profitability, prompting price increases, ad-supported tiers, and consolidation across the industry.
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But there is hope, the growth trajectory for streaming and internet usage is positive so lets just say we still have a few years before people move on to the next thing. So if you feel like you have a content worth sharing; all you need is a smartphone and internet, look at the Ikorodu Boys and several other content creators that have gone from grass to glam.
You don’t need the big media to even give you an opportunity; and don’t say money because you can buy and pay small small on Altmobile.
Maybe that’s the best way to deal with all that 2026 has for us.
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Thank You! i hope you enjoyed being “serious”
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