Nigerian Afrobeats stars Burna Boy and Tems have secured nominations at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards, with Burna Boy receiving two nods and Tems earning one.   Burna Boy, whose real name is Damini Ogulu, is nominated in Best Collaboration alongside Colombian singer Shakira for their FIFA World Cup 2026 official song, “Dai Dai.” The track also earned a nomination in the Best Latin category. Tems, born Temilade Openiyi, is nominated for Best R&B for her collaboration with British rapper Dave on “Raindance.” The nominations were announced on Tuesday ahead of the awards ceremony, scheduled for September 27 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. Burna Boy and Shakira will compete for Best Collaboration against Clipse, Kendrick Lamar, Pusha T and Malice; French Montana and Max B; Madonna and Sabrina Carpenter; PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson; and Teyana Taylor and Lucky Daye. In the Best Latin category, “Dai Dai” faces songs by Anitta and Shakira, Bad Bunny, Fuerza Regida, Karol G, Rosalía featuring Yahritza y Su Esencia, and Ryan Castro, Kapo and GANGSTA. Tems’ “Raindance” will compete against releases by Bruno Mars, Chris Brown, Justin Bieber, Kehlani, and Mariah the Scientist and Kali Uchis. Madonna leads the overall nominations with 11, followed by Taylor Swift with nine. Notably, the Best Afrobeats category is absent from this year’s awards. South African singer Tyla won the category in 2025 with “Push 2 Start”, after also winning in 2024 with “Water”. Rema and Selena Gomez won the inaugural Afrobeats award in 2023 for “Calm Down”. The 2026 MTV VMAs will air live on CBS, with a simulcast on MTV and streaming on Paramount+. Fans can vote in most categories daily until September 25 at 6pm ET.

Endocrinologists have urged the Federal Government to subsidise insulin and introduce a dedicated policy to improve access to the life-saving medication for Nigerians living with Type 1 diabetes.   The call was made on Wednesday during the sixth Annual Ogun State Youth Diabetes Camp organised by the Talabi Diabetes Centre in Abeokuta. According to the doctors, the sharp rise in insulin prices is placing a heavy financial burden on young people who depend on the medication to stay alive. The Camp Coordinator of the Talabi Diabetes Centre, Dr Olubiyi Adeshina, said a vial of insulin that previously cost about ₦5,000 now sells for approximately ₦25,000. He explained that some patients require about two vials each month, meaning insulin alone could cost about ₦50,000 monthly, excluding expenses for blood glucose monitoring and other aspects of diabetes care. Adeshina warned that people with Type 1 diabetes cannot safely stop taking insulin because prolonged insulin deficiency can cause dangerously high blood sugar, coma and death. “All the days of their lives, at least three times a day, they will need to inject that insulin or else the blood sugar goes excessively high,” he said. The doctor explained that Type 1 diabetes occurs when the immune system destroys the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas, leaving affected people dependent on insulin for survival. He identified excessive urination, excessive thirst, weight loss, blurred vision and wounds that fail to heal among the symptoms associated with diabetes. The Acting Director of the centre, Dr Ayotunde Ale, also appealed to President Bola Tinubu to establish a dedicated policy for people living with Type 1 diabetes, particularly children and young adults. Ale said the monthly cost of insulin had risen from about ₦5,000 to approximately ₦25,000 amid inflation and rising living costs. She called on the government to subsidise insulin and urged the National Assembly to address the challenges confronting people living with the condition. Beyond the cost of treatment, Ale highlighted stigma and misconceptions as additional challenges facing young people with Type 1 diabetes. She urged parents to seek medical attention and screening for children showing symptoms rather than attributing unexplained deaths to traditional beliefs. The centre also called for greater involvement by non-governmental organisations and other stakeholders to support Nigerians living with diabetes. Participants at the camp received training on safe insulin administration, blood sugar monitoring, appropriate nutrition and physical exercise.

President Bola Tinubu has appointed Abel Enitan as the new Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, effective August 27, 2026.   Enitan, currently the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Education, will succeed Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who is retiring after reaching the statutory retirement age of 60. According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Enitan is the most senior Permanent Secretary in the Federal Civil Service. He has served as a Permanent Secretary for seven years and seven months, with postings to the Ministry of Police Affairs, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and the Office of the Vice President. Tinubu said Enitan brings extensive institutional experience and an understanding of the workings of the Federal Civil Service to his new role. The President also commended Walson-Jack for her service and contributions to reforms and innovations within the Civil Service. Tinubu charged Enitan to consolidate ongoing reforms, strengthen professionalism and efficiency, and build a more responsive Civil Service capable of supporting his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda. Enitan was born on December 12, 1966. He attended Ajibode Grammar School, Ibadan, and the College of Arts and Science, Ile-Ife, before obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and Banking from the University of Lagos in 1988. He later earned a Master of Science degree in Public Policy Analysis from Nasarawa State University, Lafia, in 2015. Enitan, an indigene of Osun State, will formally assume office on August 27 following Walson-Jack’s retirement.

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke’s convoy came under attack by suspected hoodlums in Osogbo on Wednesday, shortly after the governor visited the palace of the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji.   According to a report by PUNCH, the incident triggered an exchange of gunfire between the suspected attackers and the governor’s security personnel. The shooting reportedly lasted between 12 and 15 minutes and occurred shortly after Adeleke left the palace hall, where he had met with the traditional ruler. Adeleke had arrived at the palace at about 3:15pm in a convoy of about 20 vehicles after visiting the Osun State headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Osogbo to receive his Certificate of Return following his re-election. An eyewitness told PUNCH that the governor had already entered a vehicle with some close aides when heavy gunfire began. The attackers were reportedly travelling in an unregistered Sienna bus and allegedly approached the palace through the Ita Olokan area of Osogbo. A trader near the palace, identified as Munirat, said the attackers appeared to have known about the governor’s visit and may have been waiting for his arrival. She said the assailants damaged the palace’s main gate and fired towards the entrance before security personnel repelled them. The trader also said gunfire was heard near the Osogbo Central Mosque as the attackers engaged the governor’s security team before fleeing towards Ita Olokan along the Osogbo-Ilesa Road. The incident reportedly caused panic in the area, with traders and residents abandoning their businesses and seeking safety. Osun State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, confirmed the attack. He said the governor’s security personnel successfully repelled the assailants and that no casualty was recorded. “They are hoodlums, and the governor’s security repelled them. They attacked the governor’s convoy at Ataoja’s palace. No casualty,” Alimi said. PUNCH reported that sporadic gunshots were still being heard around the area as of 4:45pm, while several business owners had closed their shops amid fears of further violence. The latest incident comes against the backdrop of previous political violence and security concerns in Osun. In June, the Ataoja alleged that gunmen had attacked his palace, while the police later disputed aspects of the account, saying a suspect arrested in connection with the incident was unarmed. The reported attack on Adeleke’s convoy follows his successful re-election and comes at a time of heightened political tension in the state.