Music

Reported

Asake announces 'M$NEY in Lagos' concert for 20 December, top ticket ₦20m

12 Nov 2026, 17:42 GMT

Asake performing on stage — Photo: Mensah Memories / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0

Afrobeats star Asake has announced a major end-of-year concert in Lagos.

The show

In a short video on Instagram on Thursday, 12 November 2026, the singer, whose real name is Ahmed Ololade, announced 'M$NEY in Lagos', which will take place on 20 December at Oasis Ground on Coastal Road, Victoria Island. Ticket prices reportedly start at ₦100,000 and go up to ₦20 million for the most expensive package, making it one of the priciest concerts of the festive season.

Background

Asake rose to fame in 2020 with his hit 'Lady' and joined Olamide's YBNL label in 2022. He has released four studio albums: 'Mr Money With The Vibes' (2022), 'Work of Art' (2023), 'Lungu Boy' (2024) and 'M$NEY' (2026). In February 2025 he launched his own label, Giran Republik. He has earned two Grammy nominations, for 'Amapiano' with Olamide and 'MMS' with Wizkid. The Lagos show comes during a busy December, with Olamide also announcing a YBNL reunion concert in the city on 18 December.

The concert is on 20 December in Victoria Island.
Tickets reportedly cost up to ₦20 million.
Olamide's YBNL reunion is two days earlier.

More gist

MusicReported

A studio microphone — Stock image: Lucasbosch / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Fuji star Adewale Ayuba explains why he now backs Tinubu for 2027

12 Nov 2026, 20:43 GMT

Veteran Fuji musician Adewale Ayuba says he is supporting President Tinubu's re-election after seeing improvements for himself, pointing to repaired roads into his hometown of Ikenne, easier access to fuel and fewer university strikes.

Veteran Fuji musician Adewale Ayuba has declared his support for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 election, explaining why he changed his stance on campaigning for politicians.

What he said

In an interview reported on Thursday, 12 November 2026, Ayuba said he had previously stayed away from political campaigns because he wanted to judge the President's performance for himself. He said his decision was based on what he had personally experienced, not on politicians' promises. He pointed to five major roads leading into his hometown of Ikenne in Ogun State, which he said were now in good condition, and recalled how difficult it was to get fuel for his band's trucks early in his career, saying fuel is now easier to access. He also said parents can now be more confident their children will graduate on time because of fewer strikes by university lecturers.

His message

Ayuba urged Nigerians to acknowledge improvements when they happen instead of focusing only on the negatives.

Background

Celebrities have been increasingly vocal on both sides of the 2027 race.

Music

Side-by-side photos accompanying the Speed Darlington and Burna Boy apology story — Photo: Trend Naija

Speed Darlington apologises to Burna Boy, begs him to drop court charges

12 Nov 2026, 11:42 GMT

Singer Speed Darlington has publicly apologised to Burna Boy and asked him to withdraw the legal charges against him, promising never to insult or mention him again.

Singer Speed Darlington has made a public apology to Burna Boy, appealing to the Grammy-winning star to withdraw the court charges filed against him.

What he said

In a video posted on Instagram on Thursday, 12 November 2026, Speed Darlington, whose real name is Darlington Okoye, admitted that his words may have caused Burna Boy pain and embarrassment. He said he had wrongly assumed that other people shared his own temperament and tolerance, and pledged to stop all comments about the singer, direct or indirect, if the charges are withdrawn. He also promised to stop mentioning Burna Boy's name altogether once the matter is settled.

How the feud began

The dispute escalated in October 2024, when Speed Darlington posted videos questioning Burna Boy's Grammy win for his album 'Twice as Tall' and making disparaging remarks about him. The matter later became a legal case, with Speed Darlington facing charges filed after a complaint from Burna Boy's camp.

How people reacted

The apology drew a wave of reactions online, with many users surprised by Speed Darlington's change of tone. Burna Boy had not publicly responded at the time of writing.

MusicReported

Ayra Starr confirmed for Coachella 2027 on SZA-headlined Sunday

11 Nov 2026, 17:46 GMT

Ayra Starr will perform at the 2027 Coachella festival in California, appearing on the Sunday bill of both weekends, which SZA headlines. The singer told fans: 'See you in the desert.'

Afrobeats star Ayra Starr has been announced as one of the performers at the 2027 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.

The line-up

The festival's organisers revealed the line-up on Instagram on Wednesday, 11 November 2026. Ayra Starr is on the Sunday bill for both weekends and is expected to perform on 11 and 18 April 2027. The Sunday shows are headlined by American R&B star SZA, with Don Toliver, Kygo, Jorja Smith, Victoria Monét and Tove Lo among the other acts. Dua Lipa is among the festival's other headliners. Coachella takes place at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California, from 9 to 11 April and 16 to 18 April.

Her reaction

The singer shared the news on her own Instagram page with a short message telling fans she would see them in the desert.

Background

Ayra Starr, signed to Mavin Records, rose to international fame with hits such as 'Rush' and has become one of the most successful young Nigerian artists of her generation. Coachella is one of the world's biggest music festivals.

2027 elections

A glass ballot box — Stock image: National Museum of American History / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain

INEC says it will obey final court ruling on Atiku, begins moving election materials

12 Nov 2026, 20:43 GMT

INEC chairman Joash Amupitan says the commission will abide by the final court decision on Atiku Abubakar's candidacy. The commission has also started moving non-sensitive election materials to states and says PVC production is complete.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it will be bound by the final court decision on whether Atiku Abubakar can contest the 2027 presidential election.

What INEC said about Atiku

Speaking in London on Thursday, 12 November 2026, where he was briefing an audience at Chatham House on election preparations, INEC chairman Professor Joash Amupitan said the commission would follow whatever final ruling the courts give in the dispute over Atiku's nomination. A Federal High Court in Abuja on 5 November nullified the David Mark-led leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and reportedly voided the primary that produced Atiku as its candidate. The ADC has appealed, and its lawyer has argued that the judgment contained no express order invalidating Atiku's candidacy.

Materials on the move

Separately, INEC National Commissioner Professor Rhoda Gumus said on Thursday that the commission had begun moving non-sensitive election materials to some geopolitical zones. Speaking while receiving a delegation from Kenya's electoral commission, she said INEC had completed nine of the 14 activities on its election timetable, finished producing Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and sent the first two batches to most states. She urged registered voters to collect their cards and said staff training was under way.

Background

The presidential election is scheduled for 16 January 2027. Amupitan recently completed a tour of the six geopolitical zones to assess readiness. Separately, a Federal High Court in Kaduna on Thursday nullified an ADC primary in the state, adding to the party's legal troubles.