Celebrity News
IShowSpeed Hits 50 Million Subscribers in Lagos, Celebrates Milestone Live
Lagos was the stage for a major milestone in online entertainment this week when American YouTuber and Twitch streamer IShowSpeed, born Darren Jason Watkins Jr., reached 50 million subscribers during a livestream from the city on January 21, 2026. The achievement coincided with his 21st birthday, which he celebrated live with fans in Lagos and viewers around the world.
IShowSpeed’s Africa tour, titled “Speed Does Africa,” began on December 29, 2025, and has taken him to multiple countries across the continent. His stop in Lagos drew particularly large crowds, highlighting the city’s role as a hub for digital culture and entertainment in Africa.

IShowSpeed – Instagram
The 50 million subscriber milestone was reached live on camera, with millions of fans watching the subscriber counter tick over in real time. At one point, IShowSpeed paused his security convoy to react live as the counter hit 50 million, sharing the moment directly with his audience.
This milestone places IShowSpeed among YouTube’s fastest-growing channels and confirms his position as one of the most influential Black creators on the platform. The event also showcased the growing global recognition of African cities in the digital entertainment space, with Lagos becoming a focal point for fans and media worldwide.

IShowSpeed – Instagram
During his time in Lagos, IShowSpeed visited several key locations, including local markets and cultural spaces. He sampled Nigerian food, including jollof rice, which he praised during the livestream, and interacted with fans on the streets, making the milestone feel both personal and communal.
Thousands of fans gathered during the livestream, capturing and sharing clips online, which drew global attention to Lagos and the broader African creator community. The event underlined the rising impact of digital creators across Africa and how local cities are increasingly becoming central to global streaming culture.

IShowSpeed – Instagram
For IShowSpeed, reaching 50 million subscribers marks a major career milestone. His journey from energetic gaming streams to global recognition demonstrates the power of personality, consistency, and audience engagement in building a worldwide following. With the Africa tour highlighting both his growth and the continent’s growing role in digital culture, Lagos will be remembered as the city where this milestone became a shared, global moment.
Celebrity News
Akin Faminu Inducted Into the BoF 500 Class of 2026
Dr Akin Faminu just added another accomplishment to his résumé. The Lagos-based doctor and content creator has been inducted into The Business of Fashion 500 Class of 2026, an index of people who shape the global fashion industry.
He is one of 100 new members this year. The BoF 500 began in 2013 with 500 names and has since grown into a community of 1,713 people. New members are chosen over several months, based on nominations from existing members and the BoF team. Faminu joins the Sub-Saharan Africa group alongside Bobby Kolade, Joram Muzira and Michelle Francine Ngonmo.

Photo: Instagram/@akinfaminu
In the class announcement, BoF founder Imran Amed named Faminu as an example of how fashion is changing. He said the Nigerian doctor-turned-creator has made Yoruba ceremonial dress legible as high fashion.
The journey here started in 2014, when he launched a personal style platform called The Way Men Dress. He trained as a doctor at the University of Lagos, graduating from its College of Medicine in 2018, and continued attending fashion weeks in Lagos, London, Paris and Milan.
BoF describes his wardrobe, saying it leans on sharp tailoring, exaggerated proportions and statement accessories, with Nigerian designers like Orange Culture, Emmy Kasbit, Ugo Monye and Ashluxe sitting beside heritage references and global luxury labels. It also lists Daniel Wellington among his collaborators and names him a partner for Moët & Chandon and Nivea.

Photo: Instagram/@akinfaminu
The honours were already stacking up. In 2025, he was named Best Dressed Male at the AMVCA in a popular vote. On November 22 that year, he won the Man of Style award at the EMY Africa Awards in Accra, Ghana.
In Paris, the new class gathered at the BoF 500 Gala during Paris Fashion Week, with guests from more than 70 nationalities. Faminu wore a deep plum double-breasted suit by Nigerian label Deji & Kola. The jacket has velvet lapels with a leaf pattern embroidered in copper and orange tones, and the same detail runs down to the pocket flaps. The trousers were wide-legged, and he wore an unbuttoned velvet shirt. He added tinted sunglasses, a big ring, a watch and black dress shoes.
In his caption, he said he had typed and deleted it many times. He thanked God, his family and friends, and everyone who backed him, and called the honour a win for all of them.

Photo: Instagram/@akinfaminu
Earlier this year, at the Lagos premiere of The Devil Wears Prada 2, he wore a different kind of look by Mekallia. It was a wine-coloured vest covered in gold and cream shells, worn over a white shirt with full, gathered sleeves and burgundy wide-leg trousers with round sunglasses.
Celebrity News
Veteran Actor Olu Jacobs Dies at 84
Veteran actor Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs, popularly known as Olu Jacobs, has died at the age of 84.
His family announced his death on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, in a statement shared on Instagram. His wife, veteran actress Joke Silva, shared a photograph of Jacobs alongside the announcement, while their son, Olusoji Jacobs, also shared news of his passing.
The family statement identified Jacobs as a husband, father, grandfather and uncle, and referred to him as “The Lion of Lufodo.” It listed his dates of birth and death as July 11, 1942 – September 16, 2026.
The family also appealed to bloggers and social media influencers to respect their privacy as they mourn his death.
Jacobs leaves behind a career that spanned British theatre and television, international film and several decades of Nigerian cinema. Before becoming one of Nollywood’s most recognisable actors, he trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London.

Photo: Instagram/@olusojijacobs
His early professional career included appearances in British television productions and international films. Among his film credits were The Dogs of War, Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend and Roman Polanski’s Pirates. His work during this period established an international dimension to a career that would later become closely associated with Nigerian cinema.
After returning to Nigeria, Jacobs continued working in television and film. He appeared in the NTA detective series The Third Eye and went on to build an extensive body of work in Nollywood, appearing in numerous productions over several decades.
His career extended beyond acting. Together with Joke Silva, Jacobs co-founded the Lufodo Group, which includes the Lufodo Academy of Performing Arts. Their work through the group covered film production and training within the performing arts, giving the couple a role in both the creative and educational sides of Nigeria’s entertainment industry.
Jacobs and Silva were married and had two children. Their professional partnership also became a notable part of their contribution to Nigeria’s performing arts.
Over the course of his career, Jacobs received several honours for his work. He received the Industry Merit Award for outstanding achievement in acting at the 2013 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards and was also recognised with a lifetime achievement award at the Africa International Film Festival.

Photo: Instagram/@olujacobs
In 2011, he received the national honour of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) from the Nigerian government in recognition of his contribution to the arts.
In his later years, Jacobs largely withdrew from public life. In 2021, Joke Silva disclosed publicly that her husband was living with Lewy body dementia, a progressive condition. His reduced public appearances subsequently led to several false reports of his death. In 2024, another widely circulated report claiming that he had died was dismissed by his family.
Jacobs’ death on September 16, 2026, was confirmed by his family. The family has not disclosed a cause of death in its announcement and has asked the public to respect its privacy during the mourning period.
He celebrated his 84th birthday on July 11, 2026, just over two months before his death.
From his early work in British theatre and television to international film and his decades in Nigerian cinema, Jacobs built a career across multiple generations of screen entertainment. His work in acting, production and performing-arts education made him a longstanding figure in Nigeria’s entertainment industry.
Celebrity News
Ayra Starr to Headline 2026 NFL London Game Halftime Show
Ayra Starr to Headline 2026 NFL London Game Nigerian singer Ayra Starr has been announced as the halftime performer for the 2026 NFL London Game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Jacksonville Jaguars.
The NFL made the announcement on Thursday, August 27, confirming that Ayra Starr will take the stage at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday, October 11. The game is scheduled to kick off at 2:30 p.m. British Summer Time (9:30 a.m. ET).
Her booking comes with a notable first. The NFL says Ayra Starr will become the first Afrobeats artist to headline a halftime show at one of its games.

Photo: Instagram/@complex_uk
She is also among seven artists selected to perform during halftime across the NFL’s 2026 International Games, presented by American Express. This year’s international programme will see regular-season games played in seven countries across four continents.
Ayra Starr reacted to the announcement on social media, describing the London performance as a dream come true.
“I am so excited to perform at the NFL halftime show in London. London is one of my favorite places in the world and to bring Starrgirl to the NFL global stage is a dream come true for me. I can’t wait to see you guys there!”
The performance comes less than two months after the release of her third studio album, Starrgirl, which arrived on August 14. The 16-track album features collaborations with artists including ZAYN, Leon Thomas and Wizkid.
That timing gives the singer an opportunity to introduce Starrgirl to an audience far beyond her usual music listeners. The NFL’s London games attract fans from different backgrounds, making the halftime stage another major international platform for her music.

Photo: Instagram/@ayrastarr
The league also pointed to Ayra Starr’s growing profile outside Nigeria. According to the NFL, she has accumulated more than seven billion global streams and over one billion views on YouTube since beginning her career in 2021. She has also earned two Grammy nominations for Best African Music Performance, won the BET Award for Best International Act and performed at Glastonbury Festival.
Tim Tubito, the NFL’s senior director of global game presentation, music and entertainment, said the decision was influenced partly by the strong connection between African music and London, as well as Ayra Starr’s relationship with audiences in the city.
The October game is part of the NFL’s biggest international schedule. The league will stage regular-season games in London, Madrid, Melbourne, Mexico City, Munich, Paris and Rio de Janeiro in 2026. Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is set to host two London games, while Wembley Stadium will host another.
The halftime show will be broadcast live in the UK on free-to-air Channel 5 and Sky Sports.
With her October appearance, Ayra Starr will bring Afrobeats to one of the NFL’s biggest international stages and become the first artist from the genre to headline an NFL game halftime show.
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