Valentine’s Day is still a couple of weeks away, but you know what they say about being proactive—if you stay ready, you don’t have to get ready. Why wait until February 13 to start shouting “God, when?” when you can take charge and find the love of your life right now?

Follow this foolproof guide and secure a temporary situationship before February 14.

Pretend you’re a gym enthusiast

Everyone knows gyms are where the hottest singles hang out in January, trying to lose the weight gain from Detty December and stick to their “New Year, New Me” resolutions. So, dust off those trainers and sign up. You don’t have to actually work out—just look busy while scanning for potential baes. Bonus points if you “accidentally” bump into someone while pretending to lift weights.

Post more thirst traps

If the love of your life isn’t sliding into your DMs, you’re simply not posting enough. Show some skin, use a filter, and caption it with something vague like, “Looking forward to February.” If that doesn’t get people shooting their shot, then maybe it’s time to move to the next step.

Rekindle something with an ex

So what if they cheated? Or ghosted you? Or still owe you ₦20k? The past is the past, and the point is, you’re not trying to spend February 14 alone. Send a “Happy New Year” text, and see where it leads. A temporary situationship is better than no situationship at all.

Download ALL the dating apps

If you’re not swiping at least 100 times daily, you’re not trying hard enough. Bumble, Tinder, Hinge, Grindr, Badoo—download them all and say yes to every “let’s see where this goes” message. Who cares about compatibility? You’ll figure that out after securing your Valentine’s Day high.

Shoot your shot with everyone in your office

Workplace romance isn’t ideal, but desperate times call for desperate measures. Just pick someone, compliment their lunch choices for a week, and ask them out for drinks. Who knows? They might be just as tired of spending every Valentine’s Day as a single pringle just like you. 

Take what belongs to Caesar

Listen, sometimes the love of your life is just temporarily with someone else. It’s not your fault their partner doesn’t know how to treat them right. Do your research, slide into their DMs with precision, and show them why you’re the soulmate they never knew they needed. It’s not stealing; it’s a redistribution of love to where it belongs.

Manifest your bae

At this point, if all else fails, it’s time to put your faith in the universe. Light a scented candle, write down your ideal partner’s qualities, and chant, “My February 14 boo is coming” three times. We can’t promise it’ll work, but it’s worth the try.

READ THIS TOO: Love Life: She’s a Chronic Debtor, But We’re Giving Love a Second Chance

Below, we have curated ten creators that you should look out for in 2025:

The Cast of This Week Tonight

The first entry on our list is not one person but a group of comics who have consistently created sketch shows that table the myriad of issues that keep us all at night in the vane of Saturday Night Live. Everything from government policies to campaign billboards has been on the sharp end of the commentary from the cast of This Week Tonight.

Temi Adetayo, Fejiro Omu, Eme-Uche Chidera, Okiki Aribigbola and Kolamide have been able to break through the trend of making caricatures of already marginalised people as comedy by elevating relevant topics with humour.

Ama the Amazing

Perhaps one of the hardest categories to break through is the food category, in large part because many of us are not as willing to proclaim that our mother’s food might not be the best out there. But Ama was able to do that. His videos, cooking for his friends, have been exciting to watch. Though he still has under 100k followers on Instagram, brands already see his potential and have partnered with him for dozens of his videos.

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Aida

Aida cultivated a following in 2024 for her unique spin on an otherwise familiar brand of TikTok content. Gist has always been a huge part of the internet and how news is consumed online, but she has been able to elevate the format by presenting herself as your best friend. Think Gistlover for the Republic Journal crowd.

Fido

His December hit song, “Joy Is Coming” is already the song of the new year. After a year filled with economic upheaval and a very wonky power grid, the musician Fido preaches hope in a seemingly hopeless situation. Already, critics are highlighting the similarities between his sound and Kizz Daniel, who also rose to fame by consistently dropping hits.

Bloody Civilian

The musician Emoseh Khamofu, known as Bloody Civilian, has been trying to break through as an Afrobeats artist for years. But after she called out the controversial minister, Helen Ukpabio, who has been criticised for causing large-scale harassment and violence against children accused of witchcraft late last year, she found new fame that led to a renewed interest in her music.

Iremide Adeoye

As a young Israel Ransome-Kuti in the Bolanle Austen-Peters original Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, Iremide Adeoye ushered himself into a new level with his acting. He currently stars in three Showmax originals, including the latest season of the hit show Wura, where he first got the public’s attention. He started out in the creative space as a drummer, but after an actor didn’t show up on set, he was offered the role and has been taking his acting seriously ever since.

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Ifeoma Nkiruka Chukwuogo

The trifecta creative—actor, singer, and dancer—Ifeoma Chukwuogo has been working her way up in entertainment for some years now. But at the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) last year, the feature film she directed, Phoenix Fury, was met with critical acclaim. Chukwuogo won Best Director for this film. While it has not yet had its cinema run or debuted on a streaming platform, it’s expected to be successful.

Dahmola

Stylist to the stars, Dahmola had one of his best years yet in 2024, culminating with Christmas in Lagos, for which he was the costume designer. Toke Makinwa, Simi, and Bonang Matheba are among his clientele. In an interview with Zikoko last year, he said he was ready to expand his offerings to include bridal styling. Some brides and their grooms have already enlisted his services for their big day ‘fits.

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Angel Micheal

Think of Angel Micheal’s brand of content as “A day-in-the-life” on steroids. He took an old internet format and reimagined it by attempting to show the lives of others. He has done A-day-in-the-life videos of the pre-internet world, bricklayers, mechanics and more.

Chidimma Adetshina

After facing a series of xenophobic attacks in South Africa that ultimately pushed her out of the Miss South Africa contest, she emerged winner of the Miss Universe Nigeria contest, which saw her represent the country at the global Miss Universe contest. Though she didn’t win, she was the first runner-up, which was a huge victory considering the year she had.

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ALSO READ: 8 Nigerian Albums To Look Out For in 2025

Now that the love and light of the holiday season has fizzled away, can we all agree on one thing? Nigerians need a masterclass on the art of gifting. Why else would someone think it’s okay to wrap up an old bundle of Ankara fabric that’s been marinating in camphor for years? Why are you giving it out if you won’t go near it?

We asked a few people to share the worst gifts they received during the holidays, and their stories are proof that Nigerians are not serious people.

Bukky*

Since November, I’d been dropping gift exchange hints in the family group chat, and everyone agreed my suggestions weren’t bad ideas. So, I bought gifts for two of my favourite siblings, expecting them to get me something in return. I kept returning to the Christmas tree to see if my name was there, but nothing.

I held on to my gifts, assuming they were waiting for New Year’s. But when nothing showed up, I reluctantly gave my siblings their gifts. Everyone made casual jokes about how I took gifting so seriously. Moments like that make me wish I was born into a different family.

Derinsola*

I know my boyfriend meant well, but I can’t lie—I don’t like his Christmas gift. It was a designer bag from one of those high-end stores on the Island with an end-of-year sales promo. I think he remembered me mentioning the bag earlier in the year, which was sweet.

But the colour he picked was entirely off, and the bag had signs of wear and tear. It’s been sitting in my room since I unwrapped it because I don’t know what to do with it. Knowing my boyfriend, it’s only a matter of time before he notices I haven’t used it. I don’t want to seem ungrateful, but I also can’t pretend I like it.

Tunde*

To be fair, I didn’t go all out for my Secret Santa either—I gave a manicure and pedicure set worth about ₦10k. But the Ankara I got in return smelled so bad, even as a rag it stunk up my flat. I’ve tied it up in nylon and plan to give it to scavengers when they come around.

I’d have been upset if this had happened six years ago. But I’ve been in the corporate world long enough to know that Secret Santa is a scam. Never spend too much; the effort is rarely mutual.

Tola*

My big mummy hadn’t been to Nigeria in five years, so when she announced she was coming for Christmas, she asked what we wanted as gifts. I didn’t trust her taste, so I said, “Just a wristwatch.”

How could anyone go wrong with a wristwatch, right? Well, she gave me a Ben 10 wristwatch. Does she think I’m 10 years old? Anyway, I tossed it in my wardrobe. I’m sure it’ll come in handy as a birthday gift for one of my nieces or nephews.

Michael*

I’m not a pet person, but my cousin thought gifting me a kitten was a good idea. Don’t get me wrong; the kitten was adorable, but between work stress and Lagos traffic, the last thing I needed was to babysit a hyperactive pet.

When I asked why she chose a kitten, she said, “I thought it’d help you relax.” Relax how? Long story short, I sold the kitten and used the money to buy a power bank. My cousin doesn’t know yet sha.

Chika*

My office does a Secret Santa every year, and somehow, I always get paired with someone unserious. Last year, my colleague gave me a mug with my office nickname. I don’t even drink tea or coffee.

Meanwhile, I went all out and got her a skincare set because she was always complaining about her skin being dry. The worst part? She said, “I thought you’d find it funny.” I didn’t.

Alex*

It was my first Christmas at this fancy company, so I assumed Secret Santa would be top-tier. I bought my recipient an air fryer. But when I got my gift at the party, I knew disaster was waiting.

From the wrapping, I could tell it was a vase. I told myself, “Maybe it’s antique and worth a lot.” Nope. It was the most basic vase ever when I unwrapped it at home. I’m pretty sure it came from a declutter page. Secret Santa isn’t for me.

READ THIS NEXT: Love Life: She’s a Chronic Debtor, But We’re Giving Love a Second Chance

That’s why we asked Nigerians to share their New Year’s resolutions for 2025. From career goals to personal growth, and from the relatable to the ridiculous, their responses are motivating reminders that we’re all in this together.

So, what do Nigerians want to achieve in 2025? Here’s what ten people had to say:

Mariam

My resolution for the year is broken down across career, faith, money and enjoyment. It breaks down what goals I want to achieve at the end of the year, how much money I want to save, and what I can do to be a better Muslim. The enjoyment is simple stuff I enjoy like skincare and the books I want to buy.

Every year I make resolutions, I follow through on most of them. Before I wrote out what I wanted for 2025, I listed what I achieved in 2024 and realised that I hit 70% of my 2024 goals. I wrote out the resolution for 2025 in my app note and I’ll check it regularly to ensure I’m on the right track.

Olayemi*

My resolution for the year is to get better at my job. That is, improving my writing, my knowledge about the things that I cover and my source list, and connecting more with people doing incredible work in my ecosystem. I didn’t follow through with all my resolutions for 2024, and even this year, it’s been hard — because new year resolutions involve a change of habit and carving out time for new things you think are worth pursuing. That’s really been difficult, changing old habits and some things I still do.

And of course, I know that most of what I see is an accumulation of small, tiny habits: read one hour today, read one hour tomorrow, eventually by the end of the month, one has probably finished reading four books. Everyone already has busy lives, but it’s the intention of carving out time for something and sticking to it. Being disciplined about it is usually hard for most people and for me as well. But this year, we go again — we no gree, because eventually my life’s in my hands and it’s up to me what I make of it.

Mikun

I no longer work with resolutions, I work with prophecies and it’s much more effective. For example, I knew everything that happened to me in 2024 will happen right from the last days of 2023. God told me everything and I wrote them down. To help me visualise it, I put the visions together in one picture. Occasionally, I get visions about what God is willing to share about the people around me as well. I also told my friends what He had told me because I needed witnesses. God told me everything, down to December. So I’ve ditched resolutions since then. I follow prophecy and God’s instructions.

I have no resolution for 2025 either. My ultimate goal is to seek the kingdom of God. That’s all He told me for this year. And no, I’m helped by God so I don’t backslide on His instructions.

I put aside resolutions and started to work with prophecy in 2024 because that was the year I started hearing God and trusting His leading. I used to be a control freak, so I was a fan of resolutions. They used to fail like mad. For example, in 2023, I told myself that I was going to make my first million. I worked so hard but I didn’t hit it. I did in 2024 and it was a gift. In 2024, I did everything God told me and more. There was something He told me about November 2024 and I was terrified it wouldn’t happen, but it did. When you follow visions, you have a divine advantage. It’s really beautiful. To be honest, I don’t do anything outside the Holy Spirit. I don’t have habits that He can’t break. I had an addiction to soda and I wanted to stop it. I told Him about it and it’s been easy since then. Sometimes, prophecies can come in the form of instructions that would require you to drop certain habits. 

Philemon

I don’t think they’re new year resolutions. I like to think of them as goals I’d like to achieve because they’ve been my goals even before 2025. I’ve never really written down a new year’s resolution. I didn’t have any new year’s resolutions for 2024. My goals were to improve my craft and value, which I think I did.

This year, I have goals I’d like to achieve and I work towards. The first and the most important is to get more money. I’m also keen on improving my health and value as an individual and a professional. I also want to build my body. That’s all.

Betty

My new year resolution is to deepen my creative explorations: write more and paint more. I spent last year in a pessimistic struggle for survival. 2025 is a nice year to make a change. I don’t usually have new year’s resolutions, but I follow through like 50% according to my track record.

Chigor

I actually don’t follow up with my plans. I usually come into the new year with plenty of energy and then back slide later. Last year for instance, one of the things I said I was going to do was workout, but I only did it till March and stopped. I backslided on some other plans last year that I can’t really start listing. But there are some like working out, making more friends, putting my work out there and stuff that I achieved.

The effort I make to follow through with my resolutions is mostly not calling them “resolutions” and making them a big deal, because once it’s framed as a big deal, my brain sort of taps out along the line. So, I’m just taking things one step at a time. For 2025, I don’t really have a “resolution,” but one thing I’ve acknowledged I want to do this year is go out more. I already aligned with one of my friends on this. We’re supposed to have a call this weekend about it actually.

Bobga

I didn’t set clear resolutions in 2024, to be honest. I went with the flow for most of it. Though it wasn’t horrible because I was very malleable and adjusted to situations better. For instance, I’d been waiting for my results to get cleared, so I could go do my NYSC, but I wasn’t sure when they’d clear it. So whenever I got disappointed by the school, I just made short term decisions that I believed would add up in the long run, like learning to mix vocals, or taking tutorials to improve my visual art.

This 2025 is the first time I’m setting clear resolutions. I want to hit the gym and bulk up. I want to drop more projects as an artist, explore more genres as an artist too. I also plan to be more outgoing.

Samuel

My resolution for the new year is to get a job that pays in dollars  because I’m currently too poor to live in this country with my current income as a graphic and product designer. Also, I want to work more on my music this year.

I had a resolution to learn product design in 2024 and I followed through. I always try my best to follow through because my resolutions are very critical to my life. This new year, I’m taking one step at a time and staying positive.

Owoh

My resolution this year is to try as much as possible to stay sober. I want to cut down my drinking and smoking habits this year and focus on working out. My body needs a break and the exercises. My resolution for 2024 was to earn bigger and I did it. I got a new job and doubled my income. In 2025, I’m confident I’ll make more money than I did last year, but my health is my top priority this year. My HMO covers gym membership, which I’m super grateful for, and I’ve already registered and started working out small small.

Dinho

The thing about resolutions is that I’m always backsliding. I don’t think I’ve ever made a resolution and seen it through. Funny, I didn’t have any resolutions in 2024, I just wanted to get through the year. Regardless, what’s life if we don’t strive?

2025, so help me God, I intend to be more disciplined about showing up everyday. I genuinely believe it’s the key to success in my life. I’ve been committing to that by following the routine I created for myself to optimize workflow last year. I’m not taking any unnecessary days off.

Read Next: 14 Nigerians on Their Most Used Social Media Slang of 2024

What’s your earliest memory of each other?

Henry: It was in 2018, at a wedding where Joy was a bridesmaid, and I was a guest. We sat at the same table and she made a joke about her dress being too tight. I laughed so hard I spilled wine on myself. There was a charm about her that just pulled me in.

What made her joke that funny?

Henry: It was the delivery and how freely it came out. I think that’s stuff you only say to your girls, not to random guests at a party.

Joy: That dress was suffocating me. I saw Henry laughing after my comment and thought, “He seems like a fun guy.” Later that night, the MC dragged us to the dance floor for a competition, even though Henry swore he couldn’t dance.

Henry: It’s the truth—I still can’t dance. But we had fun.

Did you spend the rest of the wedding together?

Henry: Not really. We talked and danced for a bit, but nothing deep. We talked about Nigerian tailors, the food, and the bride, who was a mutual friend. Also, she had bridesmaids duties, so she kept disappearing. 

Joy: He asked for my number at the end of the night. I thought to myself, “Hmmm, would it kill Lagos men to talk and leave it at that?” But I gave him the number. I figured I could block or ignore him if things got weird. 

So, when did you contact her, Henry?

Henry: The moment I got home. I wanted to be sure she gave me the correct number, and I was curious to see if she had the same energy online.

Joy: I was close to ignoring him because I was exhausted when I got home. But he kicked things off with a string of unhinged stickers, and as a WhatsApp sticker collector myself, I knew he had a sense of humour. We texted a little bit that night, then every week after that. At first, it was just small talk as we slowly got closer. I realised I liked him when he started calling me his “go-to for good vibes.”

Henry: I liked her even before she realised it. She seemed thoughtful and really present. She cared deeply for those around her, which I first noticed at the wedding, but I chalked it up to her bridesmaids duties. 

One day, I casually mentioned I had a terrible cold at work. Joy showed up at my place that night with a bowl of pepper soup and painkillers. That was when I knew I wanted more with her.

Sounds like you both clicked very early

Joy: Yes, we did. The early days of knowing each other and becoming an item were really good. We spent so much time together—going on dates, hanging out with friends. It was fun and easy because Henry didn’t try to control my carefree nature. I’ve dated people who said I was too much or not ladylike enough. But Henry accepted me for who I was.

Henry: We were inseparable. My friends and family members also loved her. Her infectious energy lights up a room and attracts people to her. I didn’t have to do much to bring her into my social circle.

I feel like I’ve missed something. When did you guys become official?

Henry: Six or seven months after we met. We were both single, and our family and friends already assumed we were together because we showed up to gatherings and posted the cutest photos. We didn’t try to correct the impression that we weren’t lovers, but it might have sped things up.

Joy: I’d been single for a year and some months, and I think I fell for him because of how spontaneous everything was. I’m intentional with everything, including my love life. But when I met Henry, I wasn’t searching like I’d been for previous relationships. The spontaneity made it easy to go with the flow and say yes to him when he asked. 

Right. Seeing that the early days were sweet, was there ever a moment you noticed something that made you pause?

Henry: Yes, but it wasn’t immediate. At first, everything was fine, but I started hearing things from mutual friends about how Joy owed them money. I didn’t think much of it because it felt like normal life stuff.

What do you mean by “normal life stuff”?

Henry: You know, like running short on cash before payday or borrowing to cover emergencies. I figured everyone has those moments. But it became concerning when I noticed how often it was happening. Friends would make side comments or joke about her borrowing habits, and it started to feel like more than occasional lapses.

Joy, what were you borrowing money for?

Joy: Mostly for my side hustle—an events business. Sometimes I’d take loans to pay vendors or secure venues, thinking the next client payment would cover it. Other times, it was for personal things—family emergencies and other bills. I always thought I could manage it until things spiralled out of control.

Did Henry know about this while you were dating?

Joy: I didn’t want Henry to think less of me, so I made a conscious effort to not involve him.  I never borrowed from him or shared that part of my life with him.

Henry: Hearing about it from other people made it worse. I felt like she was hiding things from me. I couldn’t comprehend the situation because I hardly turned down her financial requests when she asked. She was also on a ₦50k monthly allowance, which I insisted on giving her, even though she said she wasn’t comfortable placing that kind of financial burden on me. If she needed money for her business or personal stuff, I’d have happily given her without expecting her to pay back. 

How did that impact your relationship?

Henry: It was a source of constant arguments. When I heard something, I’d try to bring it up gently, and she’d get defensive. It wasn’t even about the money — it was the secrecy and how it made me feel like I didn’t fully know the person I was with.

I couldn’t understand why it was even happening. She had a good paying job, her parents are above average, and on top of that, she had a boyfriend who was willing to give if she asked. 

Joy, how did you feel when Henry brought it up?

Joy: I felt ashamed. I knew I had a problem, but I didn’t want it to affect us, so I kept that side of my life away from him. When he confronted me, I went defensive every time because it felt like a personal attack, even though his heart was in the right place. 

Suddenly, my parents’ and siblings’ warnings replayed in my head. They’d insisted I talk to Henry about it when we got serious, but we had something good. I didn’t see the need to sour it up. Moreover, unlike previous partners who I’d borrowed from, I never borrowed from Henry. This was progress in my books. 

Did you ever think it could threaten your relationship in any way? 

Joy: Deep down, yes. But I convinced myself that we’d be fine as long as I didn’t borrow from him or make it his problem. Looking back now, I see how naive that was. Even if I didn’t borrow directly from Henry, it still seeped into our relationship.

Henry: And that happened in some of the ugliest ways possible. Some mutual friends started calling her “Debbie” and I didn’t get it at first.

One day, a mutual friend texted me saying, “Tell Debbie to pay up,” and I was determined to get to the root of the matter. I didn’t care that it meant getting into a fight with her.

Was that your first big fight?

Joy: It was. I hated that it was about money, and even worse, my borrowing habits.

Henry: After I confronted her, she got defensive and tried to play the victim, saying I should be on her side regardless of whatever accusations. It didn’t matter that she was ruining our reputation and making people say ugly stuff behind us.

Joy: I cared about those things, but I was also helpless. The ordeal was overwhelming, and I felt like I’d failed myself yet again. All the spiritual interventions, therapy sessions and attempts to better myself—all down the drain. 

I’m sorry. Did this fight lead to a turning point in your relationship?

Henry: Not entirely, but it planted the seed for our breakup. The final straw was when Joy borrowed from a loan shark and defaulted. They showed up at my office and caused a scene. I can’t describe how humiliating that was.

Joy: That day was my rock bottom. I realised my actions didn’t just affect me, they  also hurt the people I cared about.

Henry: After the loan shark incident, I asked for a break to cool off, but what should have been a few days break became weeks, then months. Joy didn’t make any attempt to reach out, and I just left it at that. 

Joy: I wasn’t sure how he would react if I reached out. After the loan shark event, he didn’t try to have a discussion or register his displeasure. He just went silent, and in my head, I was sure he was done with me. 

I’m not sure he remembers, but the way he asked for a break reinforced the thoughts I had about him being embarrassed of me.

I’m curious. How did you both handle the breakup?

Henry: I buried myself in work and tried to move on. I dated a bit, but nothing serious.

Joy: It was a wake-up call for me. I started therapy again and took steps to manage my finances better. I dated other people as well, but I felt like Henry was the one who got away. We were perfect, didn’t have any problems in the relationship except my personal issues, and I knew deep in my heart that I’d give it a chance if he ever asked again. 

But we had no contact for two years.

So, how did you two reconnect?

Joy: In July 2023, we bumped into each other at another friend’s wedding i. I suspected he was going to be there, and I promised myself to keep things cordial regardless of the energy I got from him.

But my courage flew out the window when he approached to say hi. I became nervous, but I managed to apologise and tell him about my progress.

Henry: I’d seen her a few times since our breakup but avoided her. Once, I saw her at a mall and left for a different one. 

I knew she was going to be at the wedding when I got the invite. I considered turning down the invite, but I was also itching to talk to her. I could see she had changed, she seemed more grounded, and she was eager to talk about her progress with her money problems. Speaking again felt like old times.

What happened after you met at the wedding??

Joy: He checked in the following day, much to my surprise.  I didn’t expect him to follow up so quickly. 

At first, our conversations were casual—exchanging updates and catching up on life. About a week later, we decided to hang out for lunch, and it was like no time had passed. The difference this time was that we had a lot more honesty between us. 

Henry: We eased into things with frequent calls before meeting up for lunch a week later. I didn’t want to rush or complicate things, so I kept it light.  That said, spending time with her reminded me of everything I loved about her. As we continued hanging out, old memories returned, and everything felt natural again.

I see. What’s the situation with you two now?

Joy: We’re taking things slow. I was seeing someone when we reconnected in July, and I didn’t think Henry would be keen on a second chance. But I broke it off because I see something long-term with Henry.

Henry: It’s hard to deny her growth. She has a level of honesty and accountability now that makes me see her in an entirely different light. I still feel strongly about Joy and I believe we all deserve a second chance. 

Sweet. How are you helping her stay on track, Henry?

Henry: Therapy has been a game changer for sure; I make sure she doesn’t miss her sessions. I’m also a lot more involved in helping her budget, set financial goals, and only borrow when absolutely necessary. I’m her official accountability partner.

Neat. On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate your love life?

Henry: I’d say a 7. We’re rebuilding, but we’re in a good place.

Joy: Same here. It’s not perfect, but it feels like we’re moving in the right direction.

If you want to share your own Love Life story, fill out this form.

Bad Faith

This Uche Jumbo film is about the jealous nature of human beings. Here a housemaid and her friend collide to poison her boss and steal from her. It features actors like Chisom Omoge, Clinton Joshua, Daniel Etim-Effiong and Jumbo herself.

It’s Our Wedding

Chioma Chukwuka and Uche Jumbo star in this Chinney Love Eze’s film about two mothers who wouldn’t let their kids get married because they’re archenemies. Actors like Michael Dappa and Adegoke Peace also star in it.

The Homecoming

In this emotional film, a woman returns home to loss, broken family ties, unresolved issues, and a toxic work environment. Yet she finds love in all the chaos. It features Bimbo Ademoye, Timini Egbuson and Bisola Aiyeola.

Teacher Dorcas

This film follows the story of a teacher named Dorcas who loves her job and gives her all to educate her students. She helps a student who is impregnated beat societal stigmas and gets back to her education. Bimbo Ademoye, Lateef Adedimeji, and Ehis Perfect feature in this Uduak Isong production.

Ibale

In this YouTube Yoruba film, a poor couple finds a spiritual solution to their financial troubles at a babalawo’s place. But their fate is tied to the wife’s “ibale” (or virginity in English). Ayo Olaiya, Temitope Aremu, and Akinola Akano are cast members.

Business Partner

Veteran actor Bolaji Amusan, AKA Mr. Latin, produced this comedy about elderly friends who come together to form a business of fake seers. But they ruined it eventually with their greediness. It features acts such as Adeola Soremi, Monsuru Ijayegbemi and Yomi King. If you like Mr. Latin’s kind of comedy: light, a bit corny and cheesy, then you’ll enjoy this.

Unwanted Wife

A mother-in-law takes over her son’s house and makes his wife’s life hell. Chioma Nwosu and Shazanay Okawa star in this film.

Last Days

A devoted Christian and single mother questions her faith and God when her breast cancer returns. This is a Moses Olufemi film that stars Funsho Adeolu, Susan Peters, and Bimbo Ademoye.

Hyphen

This Ayobami Adegboyega film tells the story of a stingy husband who disrespects his wife and always makes excuses that “things are hard,” yet he finds money to fund his adulterous lifestyle. Other actors include Omolara Ayoola, Gabriella Obadare and Joseph Solomon.

Meet the Parents

A lady called Gina met a guy called Bolu coincidentally, setting off their romance in the festive season. It explored other themes like family and communication. This latest Omoni Oboli film features actors like Michael Dappa, Patrick Doyle and Toyin Alausa.

Like everybody else, President Tinubu is back to work after a very intense, traffic-inducing Detty December. But unlike some of you who are yet to draw up your plans for the year, the president has shared the policies he plans to introduce in 2025. 

If you typically yawn at the mention of policies, there are chances that you will enjoy this piece because I asked ChatJibiti (not to be mistaken for ChatGPT) to rank Tinubu’s new policies for me. 

Multipurpose National Identity Card (ChatJibiti rating (2.5/5)

President Tinubu is giving Nigerian fintech a run for their money with the proposed multipurpose National Identity Card. The president has approved the creation of identity cards that also double as payment cards—as in, cards that display your identity and net worth.

With this new ID, you can withdraw money, pay for stuff online, and do anything with a payment card, no matter what bank you use. The federal government is partnering with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Afrigo payments to pull this off. They are also banking (pun is highly intended) on these cards to reach 100 million Nigerian citizens. So, there’s a high chance that you’ll be getting a new identity card soon. 

What ChatJibiti thinks: Collecting this card might be a do-or-die affair judging by the federal government’s history of humbling Nigerians. In 2020, telecom companies and FG formed a toxic bromance, followed by threats to ban  sim cards of Nigerians who hadn’t registered for their National Identity Numbers (NIN). 

You probably know the history better than I do, but the threat led to crazy queues that made the collection of NIN cards look like the devil’s idea. Seeing as the goal is to reach 100 million Nigerians (who are likely not interested in getting new IDs), I’d nicely suggest that you start getting ready for similar threats and queues. The card itself isn’t a bad idea because it will increase financial inclusion (especially in rural areas), which is stuck at 64%. I don’t hate it, and I don’t like it, so it’s a 2.5/5 for me.

National Youth CONFAB (ChatJibiti rating (1.5/5)

For a country whose population is largely made of young people, the Ministry of Youth has been inactive for way too long. Tinubu must be tired of paying the  salaries of everyone in the ministry and seeing no results because he’s finally giving the ministry real work.

In October 2024, President Tinubu’s screen time hit the roof (because Nigerian youths had a lot to say about his administration on social media). Instead of clapping back like any other social media user, he made things slightly more physical by proposing a gathering of youths, fancily named The National Youth Confab. 

The confab will be attended by young Nigerians from all over the country. They will be tasked with putting their heads together to propose solutions to social issues like education, employment, innovation, security, and social justice. The Ministry of Youth is likely to keep the selection process public and transparent, so there’s a chance you might be invited. 

What ChatJibiti thinks: You might want to reduce your expectations to zero because a similar confab was pulled off during Goodluck Jonathan’s administration and was an absolute mess. It was so messy that even the ideas birthed during the confab were never implemented. Forgive my pessimism, but I hope history doesn’t repeat itself. If it works out, though (and a president finally chooses to implement great ideas from the largest demography in the country), it could be a great thing. Very heavy on “could”, so I’d rate it 1.5/5.

National Credit Guarantee Company  (ChatJibiti rating (4/5)

The president wants to “enhance living standards” by making it easier for Nigerians and key sectors of the economy to access credit. 

What ChatJibiti thinks: Nigerians need more loans than ever before (thanks to some famous policies by the same president who’s proposing this new policy). I’m not mad at this at all because it means easier access to loans for average Nigerians and businesses when it kicks off in the second quarter of 2025. I still don’t know all the details, but it’s good thinking on Tinubu’s end. 

 Tax Reform Bill  (ChatJibiti rating (2/5)

The tax reform bills are four separate laws designed to organize everything about taxes and how they’re managed in Nigeria into clear categories.

These bills are still being debated in the National Assembly, but they are expected to be passed in the coming months. Although several Nigerians and some leaders are still against these reforms, President Tinubu doesn’t seem like he can be talked out of implementing them as soon as possible. 

What ChatJibiti thinks: Taxes are important, especially for a country that’s still struggling to monetize its non-oil sectors. But one of the tax reforms the president is proposing includes an increase in Value-Added Taxes (VAT). Not only will this make basic items like food, electricity, and transportation more expensive, but it will also contribute to the financial frustration Nigerians are currently facing. I think the president needs to go back to the drawing board for this one. 

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Romantic love had its glory days, but let’s be honest, it’s 2025, and we have bigger fish to fry.  Have you seen the dollar to naira rate? Or have you forgotten now’s the time to get to work if you want to build generational wealth?

Listen, if you’ve been tossing and turning, wondering whether to give up on the idea of finding true love, this is your sign to move on and focus on greater things. 

Romantic love is hard labour disguised as soft work

You’re spending money on dates, stressing over anniversary dates, and waiting up all night to text them back. Isn’t it funny how people say “love is easy” but then hit you with “relationships require work” in the same breath? Which one should we believe, dears?

The ROI? Negative

You put in time, money, emotions, and even data bundles just to be ghosted or, worse, hit with “It’s not you, it’s me.” All that effort only to be added to a group chat as “The one we don’t talk about.” No, thanks.

Who needs romantic love when there’s love at home?

Your family members won’t cheat on you, lie about their whereabouts, or leave you on read. TBH, they might, but it’s not that deep with them, right? Familial love is consistent, dependable, and always there when you need it. Romantic love could never.

Avoiding family drama is self-care

There’s nothing worse than introducing someone to your family only for your aunt to ask, “Is this one serious or like the last one?” Let’s save ourselves the embarrassment and focus on our careers instead.

Soft life is easier without relationship problems

Imagine sleeping peacefully, knowing no partner is mad at you for not texting “goodnight.” This is the soft life we’re talking about, free of unnecessary guilt trips and relationship arguments.

All love ends the same way: By force or by fire

The way we see it, you’ll either break up or grow old together and argue about who should spend an entire month with your children. Either way, does it sound like fun? Be honest.

Friendship is the real love story anyway

Your friends are the ones who’ve been holding it down since the first heartbreak. Why are we not putting more energy into friendships? Let’s normalise going on baecations with our besties. Romantic love is so 2024.

Read this next: How to Keep Your IJGB December Fling Interested After They Return Abroad

When Dubem and his wife moved to the UK three years ago, they had no idea that the “for better or worse” part of their vow would become literal. He talks about how he and his partner were able to survive a long-distance marriage, health issues, relocation and financial stress.

When did you start considering japa as an option?

Japa has never been a strange concept to me; It’s a normal thing in my family. All my siblings left the country on the student route, and I left Nigeria using the Spousal Support  Visa route. 

I initially preferred Canada, but my wife got a job in the UK, so we had to move here instead. We made the decision because it felt like we were working hard and earning well in Nigeria but weren’t seeing any results. It just felt smarter to start over in a country with systems in place to make your life easier.

How’s that going?

So, we left the country with a ten-year plan. The idea was to return after ten years and set up our business. We planned to save up at least ₦100 million in capital.

We’ve been here for two years and are about 20% close to our savings goal. But recently, we had to buy a car. We paid in cash because we were still holding on to the Nigerian mentality that you are better off saving than relying on the credit system, which is a working credit system here. I’m only just now starting to accept that it’s a better way to make big purchases. We also had a baby.

Congratulations!

Thank you. That gives you an idea of why we’re still at 20%. I’m confident that we’ll go harder soon. 

When we first moved, we lived in two different towns about seven hours’ drive away from each other, but that allowed us to focus on working as much as we could and earning a lot of money.

We used to travel to see each other once a month and spend a weekend together. Recently, though, things have changed, and we now live together. We now have other things taking our money, but we’re definitely still on track for that long-term goal.

How long did you guys live apart?

Almost a year. 11 months apart.

How did that affect your relationship?

We are not strangers to long-distance relationships. When I met my wife, I was schooling in the north, and she was transferred to work in Abuja. We decided to stay friends, but as time progressed, we started dating. When we started dating, I got a job in Abuja, and she got another job in Lagos. So doing long distance in the UK was no different.

You mentioned that you left on a spousal support visa. What did the process of getting the visa look like?

The UK’s National Health Services is one of the biggest employers of immigrants in the UK. My wife is a radiographer, so there were good job opportunities for her. We started the process before getting married, but COVID-19 forced us to deprioritise it.

The first thing we did was to register with the licensing board here. To do that, you need to present specific certificates showing that your education in Nigeria is equivalent to the UK’s requirement. This stage would also require you to present a statement of result. In our case, getting that document wasted our time because Nigerian universities can be somehow.

Once you can satisfy their requirements for that award, you get a license proving you have the right to practice in the UK. Once you pass that stage, you pay the registration fee and everything else.

The next thing is to apply for jobs that offer sponsorship. Those are the kinds of jobs that can give you the documents you need to apply for your visa. In our case, relocating with this visa took almost 10 months because we had issues with our passports. We both decided to renew our passports before leaving, and even though we paid for the fast track, it took us about two months to get that passport. We also had to prove that we were married.

We got our marriage certificate from a small court in my wife’s hometown, so we worried it wouldn’t be internationally acceptable. The court in question had no verifiable email or contact information, so a friend advised us to attach a PDF containing pictures of our wedding day, and that was what we did. 

Another process that frustrated us was getting the tuberculosis test. You can only take the test in a UK-approved home centre. Getting a date for the test was hell; Something that should typically take weeks ended up lasting for about two months. We nearly lost the sponsorship from her employer because they thought she was unserious. Thankfully, everything worked out in the end.

Thank God!

Yeah. The final thing we needed was a police character certificate to prove that we were not criminally wanted in our country. Some parts of the application process for this certificate can be done online, but you have to go to the police station for your biometrics and other things. I remember my wife leaving the house around 8 am and getting back around 6 pm. That was because there was a long queue, and the process was unnecessarily stressful. She even had to pay a policeman about ₦2,000 to quicken the process.

God abeg. So, what was it like settling into the UK?

My wife’s employer had an apartment ready for her when she arrived in the UK, but there was a rule against me living there. She was living close to London while I  had to move to Newcastle.

I was squatting with a friend whose apartment was big enough for two people. But getting a job wasn’t easy for me even though I was well educated and had a great portfolio. 

After some rejections, I realised that they didn’t necessarily respect my Nigerian education. It wasn’t a question of competence because I wasn’t even getting interview invitations. Some Nigerians in the UK advised me to apply for factory or supermarket jobs, and that was what I did. I didn’t even last up to two weeks before I fainted at work–I had to do lots of heavy lifting while working from 6 am to 6 pm, and we weren’t allowed to sit at all during those 12 hours.

At first, it was just a fall, but I picked myself up immediately then I fell again, and I was asked to go home. I was stuck at the bus stop for hours, and it was freezing. I hadn’t made enough money to buy a proper winter jacket. The one I had was the second-hand jacket I bought from Yaba. I can’t remember the details, but it was at the bus stop I ultimately passed out.

I somehow ended up at my friend’s place, but  I insisted on not going to the hospital (as I was later told). I was unconscious for three days, and when I regained consciousness, the first thing I did was put in my resignation.

So sorry about that experience. Did you get a better job after you quit?

I got a customer care representative offer about a week after that experience. It felt like a big downgrade because I was the head of marketing in a company when I lived in Nigeria. I was about to sign the offer when I got led by the Holy Spirit to check the company review. Thank God I did because it was about two stars out of ten. So, I just emailed HR to inform them that I won’t be moving forward with the role.  I started applying again and eventually got a job by recommendation. The job would make me move to Kent, much closer to my wife’s location.

I took the job, and I’ve been working there ever since. One of the reasons why I’m still there is because I have empathetic employers. My wife had a complicated pregnancy, and we used to be in and out of the hospital.

At some point, the NHS stopped paying her because she had been sick for more than 60 days in nine months. But my employers were very understanding. I had to be in the hospital as much as my wife; we didn’t have anybody else to help, but my employer never complained about my absence. All they asked me to do was to take my laptop to the hospital, join a few meetings in the morning, get some tasks done, and that’s all. Then, they allowed me to take another one or two days off, and my income was never deducted based on all of this.  They are great people.

Love that for you. Do you have any tips for couples that want to japa through the spousal support visa?

This is more of an advice than a tip. Be open to not being physically together for a while. Go where the money is, even if it means maintaining a long-distance relationship. Other couples might be lucky enough to get a well-paying job in the exact location, but they should keep an open mind.

Another thing you should do is work hard. You should both be working if you’re coming into the country as a couple. Nobody should sit around waiting for a dream job when other options exist to make money. But you should also make life easier for anybody with the sponsorship. For instance, I do the hospital runs for our baby while my wife focuses on not slacking at work because my job is more flexible.

What happens if she slacks at work?

If her employer isn’t satisfied with her performance, they can choose not to renew her visa. God forbid, but if that happens, she can apply for another job that comes with sponsorship before the visa expires. In the worst-case scenario that she doesn’t get a job, the UK government will give her about 60 or 80 days before declaring her an illegal immigrant.

Interesting. What’s one thing you love most about living in the UK?

It’s the constant access to power supply. As little as it may seem, that’s my favourite thing.

How happy are you with your life in the UK?

Oh, very happy. Things have fallen into place in the last three years. I love my job and my church.

I have a strong community here–We watch each other’s kids, celebrate, and help each other in many ways. Since my wife gave birth, we’ve not had her mom or mine come for omugwo, but the mothers in our church haven’t given us a reason to feel their absence. My wife gave birth to our baby through cesarean section, but these women were so helpful during the healing process. They would bring both of us food and help with the baby. That’s to give you an idea of the kind of community we have.

 Want to to share your japa story? Please reach out to me here. 

See below eight albums that you should look out for in 2025:

TBA* — Tiwa Savage

In case you’re wondering what TBA is, I’m simply saying that the title of Tiwa Savage’s new album, set for release this year, is to be announced. She recently posted on her IG story that the album, her fifth release, will likely be her last one. Its release date is also to be announced. While we wait for the album, stream her latest single, “Mega Money Mega.”

Unkle K — Kizz Daniel

Whether Kizz Daniel is looking to offer big-uncle support to his nieces and nephews or a crash course on enjoyment to the youngins who find him cool, his upcoming album, Unkle K, is giving millennial vibes. No release date yet, but we trust Mr. No Bad Songs to deliver jams for both the young and old. His new single with AG Baby is out.

No Sign of Weakness — Burna Boy

I’m hoping that when Burna Boy is done with all his internet drama, which should’ve faded with 2024, he’ll join us in 2025 and begin a proper, organic rollout for his next album, No Sign of Weakness. There is no release date yet. No confirmation if “Bundle By Bundle” is a single from Burna’s new album, but it’s his latest jam and it gets the club going.

Clarity of Mind — Omah Lay

After finding love among fans of emo music, Omah Lay leaves his Boy Alone era behind and offers Clarity of Mind with his upcoming album. This time, he picks yellow as his album art, something brighter and illuminating, to win over all the happy folks and possibly heal those still lonely and struggling. It’s been eleven months since this song came out. We patiently look forward to his next drop.

I Am the Blueprint — Qing Madi

Thankfully, Qing Madi didn’t rob us of her incredible talents by giving up on music at age 13. Now, she’s 18, and her debut album, dropping on January 31, 2025, is set to make a statement of what she had said about herself and her musical journey: I Am the Blueprint. It isn’t a cap that she’s one of the hottest 18-year-old singers and dancers in Afrobeats at the moment. She has a new single titled “Favorite Pyscho.”

5ive — Davido

On March 14, 2025, Davido will put out his fifth studio album 5ive. It’s a 17-track album, and he has dropped two singles, “Awuke” and “Funds” off it. It’s almost two years since OBO’s last album, Timeless, and I hope the new one, 5ive, is worth it. “Awuke” is one of two singles he put out last year.

Protect Sarz At All Costs — Sarz

Nigerian prolific music producer and DJ, Sarz is back this year with a new project, Protect Sarz At All Costs. From its title alone, it’s giving ambitious. With a daring solo project like Sarz Is Not Your Mate and the beastly EDM-infused production he’s churning out lately, his new album is set to be an experimental and bold rave soundscape. No release date yet, but keep on jamming his new single with Asake.

TBA* — Lojay

Afrobeats lover boy Lojay will also release his first official full-length album in 2025. There is no title or release date yet, but we’ll continue rinsing and repeating his latest singles like “Billion”, “Loveless,” and “Dishonest.”

ICYMI, Our 10 Best Afrobeats Albums of 2024