Queen moremi

For the Woman Building Her Dream: Business Success in 2026

moremi — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 10:38:15 +0000

Happy New Year! It’s the 21st of January and already the fourth week of the year. And yes—we’re still allowed to wish one another a Happy New Year. It’s not too late.

I was in prayer the other day, and while praying for my husband’s and my businesses, the Lord gave me a powerful word.

He said to me, “In this season of business, what is going to work is a combination of the old and the new.”

I believe this is a timely revelation—not just for me, but for every entrepreneur reading this. Especially in this age of AI and rapid technological innovation, we’re all trying to keep up with the latest tools to improve our processes and serve our clients better. And that’s not a bad thing at all.

However, we must be careful not to spend so much time chasing what is new that we forget the old techniques and practices that worked—and still work. Keep this in mind as you plan your year.

The Bible says, “Have you seen a man diligent in his work? He shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mere men.” — Proverbs 22:29 (NKJV)

Scripture wasn’t speaking of “men” as a gender here, but of mankind as a whole—humanity.

So to the woman reading this, I’m wishing you much success this year.

2026 is our year. Amen.

The post For the Woman Building Her Dream: Business Success in 2026 appeared first on Queen moremi.

From Being a Talent Manager to Becoming The Talent! Lola Adamson is Fearlessly Fulfilling Her Purpose

moremi — Sat, 17 Jan 2026 06:00:07 +0000

If you are familiar with entertainment industry circles in Nigeria, chances are you may have at one time or another, met Lola Adamson, or at least heard her name.

Lola was well known as one of the best publicists and talent managers in the country, who worked with lots of big names in the industry including Tiwa Savage, MI, DJ Cuppy, and many others.

I “met” Lola back in the day when I used to work at BellaNaija as Assistant Editor and Business Development Manager. I met her via e-mail and phone calls actually. Something about her just really resonated with me even though I had never met her in person. Maybe it was something about her tone. I had spoken to my fair share of talent managers/publicists back in the day and for some reason, a lot of them had a tendency to sound really frantic (due to the nature of their job I guess, they were always under pressure to deliver). Lola always sounded calm, and I found that so interesting. Then of course I researched her and found out she was this really huge deal.

Anyways, I’d always admired her work from afar. Over time, I noticed she wasn’t as active in the industry as she once was and I wondered why.

So I asked her, and she graciously granted us this interview where she reveals personal details about the road to switching careers in her 30s, following her true calling, how her faith in God changed the trajectory of her life, and much more.

Hey Lola, where have you been?
Hiya! Hahaha, the question I’ve been getting a lot lately. Physically, I am currently in Los Angeles taking acting classes to perfect my skills and at the same time taking the steps to secure a better future .

For people who may not know who you are, please introduce yourself?
My name is Lola Adamson and I am an actress, a lover of life. A firm believer of first finding yourself (knowing your true identity), then finding your purpose and working your hardest to achieve it.

You used to be a talent manager/publicist in Nigeria at some point. Tell us more about this career path and why you deviated from that?
Oh wow, being a talent manager and publicist was a very interesting part of my life, it helped get me to where I am today. But it wasn’t something I was meant to do forever, and I think I always knew that, but I suppressed the feeling for a long time. I like to think it all happened for the right reasons.

I moved back to Lagos in December 2009 after completing my masters in England (I really don’t like using the word “moved back” because I lived there for just about 2 years, lol).

I decided to go into PR in 2009 and in January 2010 I set up my company. I met M.I in February with the hopes of being his publicist, but he said “No, I want you to be my manager” (I was honestly asking myself back then, “what did I do right and am I manager material?”). Turns out I was perfect manager material, Lol. And that’s how management came into my life.

The next 6 years after that was mainly focused on management and PR (I added tailored event production to my company services in 2017), big and small jobs, A-list clients and underground talents. I enjoyed it, but I always felt incomplete. I always thought there was more I could achieve as a publicist/talent manager but most of the things I tried to work on never seemed to pan out well for me. So as a typical Lagos hustler, I decided to add more to the mix of what I was doing.

I worked with Ndani as the social media manager and events coordinator from 2014-2015, started a blog and moved on to a vlog on YouTube later in 2016. I got a job with RocNation as the General Manager for Africa in 2015 and this brought me back full time into the music industry.

Months after I had stopped managing Cuppy in 2016, I started asking myself series of questions, “what’s really next Lola? Continue managing talents?” and not long after that, my boss from RocNation called to say, “Lola we just signed Tiwa Savage, that’s your next project?” and then I said to myself, “Well, looks like I’m still managing talents”, Lol.

I loved what I was doing but I wasn’t complete, and I had to feel complete and honestly, I thought feeling complete was doing what I have always wanted to do, be an actress, but I didn’t realize then that that’s not what I needed to fill the void within me, now I do. Only Jesus could fill that emptiness which when I did realize, made me complete and gave me the confidence and strength to go after my dreams.

January 1 2017, I woke up in my cold room in Birmingham and literally said to myself “I AM DONE”.

I had a minor argument with my dad 2 nights before. I started the conversation with “Daddy please, when the time comes, let my siblings do what they really desire to do and let’s just guide them. Remember how you didn’t want me to study theatre arts when I wanted to?” and he responded with “I did what a good father would have done, the industry wasn’t looking hopeful then and I wanted to protect you”.

What I was doing was trying to blame someone else for me not going after my dreams when in true context, I had every opportunity to go after it, I mean I was 33 going on 34, I had stopped asking my father for money years ago before that night (well he actually bought my ticket for the family vacation, let me not lie, Lol), I could have picked it up but I was scared and not confident that I could pull it off.

As much as I loved what I was doing, it always felt like a JOB and that wasn’t what I wanted. I decided to stop management and PR that very day, even before going back to Lagos. I turned down almost every offer that came my way that year. I continued with my vlog which wasn’t paying me and the moment I decided to add event production to my bag of talents, I was approached to handle PR for, and plan the entire 2-day musical showcase for Tolani in 2017. Handling the PR for that job was not so much an issue for me as I used it to explore a skill I had but never really put to good use.

The only client I had left as a talent manager was Tiwa Savage and that was via my contract with RocNation which I couldn’t abruptly end, and I was glad because working with Tiwa motivated me some more as it showed me a different side of her, a side that inspired me so much. Her work ethics. Tiwa does not play when it comes to her career and seeing first hand her passion to do things right and professionally motivated me to keep pushing myself.

How did acting come into the mix?
My dad is an artist and as the only child back then, I would always be with him in the studio, watching him paint, listening to music and dancing together, I had my mini canvas and paint brushes as well, it was perfect.

I grew up wanting to be an actress, a musician and a model (the triple threat, lol) but then I grew up and all that changed, lol. As a child, my dad would always show me magazines with models and actresses and tell me I had to eat right to get good skin, take my education serious so no one could say they made me because only God can make and break anyone.

I have always loved movies and everything involved in the process of making one, it has always fascinated me. The stories in some movies would have me pondering on certain issues for days, I would day dream about being in movies with Julia Roberts and Bimbo Akintola. I was actually in a movie Bimbo Akintola shot in 2017, and that blew me away. She’s such a fun person. It was a minor role, but I was such an excited puppy to be on set, the waiting didn’t even bother me, Lol. One time I had to wait till 4am before they shot my scene and I had been there since 8pm, lol. I would also picture being in movies with Macaulay Culkin, Whoopi Goldberg and a lot more. I still feel that way today. In fact the feeling is stronger and the pictures in my head are more vivid.

In my own weird way, I always held on to the desires of being an actress, but I wasn’t confident enough to chase it. I wasn’t getting the right support and I felt people would end up laughing at me, so I made myself believe there was no point chasing a dream that wouldn’t be a reality for me. A fantasy, that’s what I called it.

Before my decision in 2017, I would tell friends in the film industry I wanted to be an actress and honestly they didn’t take me serious, Lol. They literally thought I was joking and would say things like “Lola stop now, Lola music genius, Lola music guru.” All that didn’t help. Some friends like Seun Ajayi and Kunle Idowu (Frank Donga) gave me good support and pushed me to go after it, this was back in 2015 when we all worked together at Ndani. Seun pushed me to go for an audition which I did but never got called back for, lol. That didn’t make me feel good, I wasn’t confident enough and that made me think there was no point and I wasn’t good enough.

After I made that decision in January 2017, I spent most of that year going for auditions in Lagos, I cannot stress on how hectic that process is. I respect all the actors and actresses who go through this. When next I go for an audition in Lagos, I will be ready, Lol.

I would get asked at these auditions “ahh why are you here, leave this hustle for us now”, “all you have to do is call one of these producers and you will get a role”. My first thought was “do they know me?”As a talent manager I didn’t think I was well known. I couldn’t explain to anyone then how going through that process was important to me, I was ready to do the work, I really was not going to ask for favors, I had said to myself “if this is going to happen for real, I want to earn it.”

Luckily, I was able to book 3 roles that year, 2 of those were speaking extras and I was the happiest I had been in a long time. I got call backs and got roles, God was moving in my life.

Tell us about your ongoing professional acting training?
Ohhhh, it has been such an exciting experience, the main workshop I attend is Truth Be Told Acting Collective coached by Bojesse Christopher. First time I took his workshop was in September 2017 as a test run and I fell in love with his techniques, Meisner repetition and Stanislavski techniques. I knew I would always go back, and I did.

I also went to Identity Drama Acting school (Los Angeles campus) where I learnt some more skills added to what I learn every week at Bojesse’s workshop. There I learnt more about breaking down scripts, movement techniques, voice classes and so much more essentials. It has shown me the extensive work that goes into being a great, talented and skilled actor and that’s what I want to be.

Bojesse’s workshop is also like therapy for me. I started the workshop with a huge wall up, cut off on the inside, almost numb to feelings, stone cold look, it was a huge period of transition for me. But as the great coach he is, he challenged me and pushed me to be more vulnerable and open without holding back, when to suppress and when to let go. It has truly been a blessing and it helps my everyday living. My confidence boosted, I started looking people in the eye and not avoiding contact, when I get in front of a camera or people, I am not in my head thinking of what to say or do, I am there with them.

It’s all been such a life changing experience, I am always looking forward to going to class.

Will you be pursuing acting full time now?
Oh Yesssssss!!!!!

What were your family and friend’s reaction when you told them you wanted to take your acting more seriously?
From my past experience, I have learnt to speak with those who matter, whatever anyone wants to say, they are free to say. Everyone is different, we can’t all agree on the same things or see things the same way, it is humanly impossible. So, I focused on telling those who mattered and who cared, the rest just seem to have stumbled on monologues posted on my Instagram page.

My dad was still a bit worried when I initially told him I decided to drop management and focus on acting full time, I could hear it in his voice but the amazing father he is, he said I will support you in every way I can, I’ve got your back and he has. My dad rates my class performances, points out habits he notices, tells me to be myself and not feel anxious. Then he’ll say, I rate you 45%, do better next time, Lol.

That’s exactly what I want from people, I want you to be honest with me, don’t just gass me up and say “you go girl, you’re killing it”, when you’re thinking to yourself “she blinks too much, she should have paused a bit before responding” or whatever you feel should be worked on, don’t be a yes man or woman with me please. If you can’t be honest, I would respect you more for not saying anything or commenting on my post. I have had a few of those, some friends have DM’d me with their thoughts and areas they felt I could do better, and these are actually people I never thought would reach out, I respect that and always take on their advice.

I remember someone sending me a DM on Instagram last year saying “na wa o, you’re really taking this your acting serious”, my mental response was “no, I’m waiting for you to tell me what to do and how to live my life”, but I just responded with YES! Lol.

My mum is an original Lola cheerleader, lol. My super prayer warrior.

My best friends have been nothing but supportive, Oh My Lord. I am so blessed to have the close friends I have. They have been there, never backing down. My best friends Aj and Aramide send me money all the way from Lagos (isn’t it usually the other way around, Lol). My childhood best friend Grace lives in Manchester and at some point this year, she was sending me a particular amount monthly, like pocket money. She would call panicking, how are you eating, how’s your account, you just paid your fees, you just paid your rent, in-fact I will start sending you this amount monthly, Lol. I truly truly am blessed.

Did anyone ever discourage you from pursuing your acting career?
Not really, at least not boldly saying “don’t do it, you won’t succeed”, I could see it in their faces though and hear it in their voices. They didn’t believe in me, some would laugh, and some would say “okay don’t worry, I’ll let you know”, and of course I never heard from them again. After a while I thought that’s fine, I believe in myself and that’s enough, I am ENOUGH.

When did you first get saved?
First time for me was in 2013, I was slowly hitting depression. I could hear it knocking on my door but GOD!!!! I dodged a bullet, I was saved, I found Jesus, but I just knew Him surface level, I didn’t continuously seek Him when I found a certain peace. I would pray baby Christian prayers, I hadn’t learnt the true meaning of worship (I don’t mean just singing. Worship is our love expressed to God as a response to His grace towards us, and this covers many grounds). I was still doing certain things I shouldn’t have been doing, I was trying to eat my cake and have it, Lol.

How would you describe your relationship with God?
I don’t think there are any existing words to truly describe my relationship with God, I’m sure a lot of people will agree with me on this when it comes to describing their relationship with Him, words are not enough.

God is my everything, we talk everyday without fail. I have grown to love and respect Him more and more. It has not been an easy journey but worth every second and I appreciate it more each day.

I do not want to EVER want to do anything, take a step, make plans, eat, sleep, speak, anything at all, without Him, there’s just no point. He’s the foundation of everything and anything concerning Lola Adamson. And talking about Him just gets me excited, I am all smiles right now.

In what ways did your spiritual life impact the change in your career?
A whole lot! But at the beginning I didn’t realize that it was what was fueling my decision, my drive, my passion. It really was the push.

I was finally positively confident, I was starting to figure myself out and that confidence in me had risen to a point of me finally letting the thought of acting out of the cage I had put it in. The source of my confidence was Christ, it was His grace that was developing and shaping me into the Queen I was created to be. I am constantly working on it, I believe there’s more I haven’t explored yet.

My faith started building up from 2016. By 2017 I was attending church more frequently, praying on my own, going for night vigils and looking forward to it. I had cut a lot of things out of my life, I just wanted more of Jesus (I still do) and because of this, things were slowly shifting in my life. One of my closest friends who helped me a lot from 2016 is Lynxxx. Not a lot of people saw Jesus the way I did, I wanted to be around people who were hungry for His love and presence in their lives and were not ashamed to say it, that was my new cool. I don’t mean just going to church on Sunday people, lol. Some people thought talking deeply about God wasn’t cool and some said your relationship with God should be private, I mean how can you keep Him private? He said go out into the world and tell the people about Him and His promise.

Thankfully, Lynxxx for me was that one perfect friend, he still is and it’s always great when we link up (physically or over the phone), which is often.

As my spiritual life developed, I believed more in myself because I believed in my Savior. If I ever questioned anything in my life, I didn’t have to question the right things, it just felt right and didn’t feel like I was deceiving myself.

Do you ever struggle with self-doubt? If so, how do you handle this?
I did and in a little way I still do, it’s been a long battle but I’m winning now, lol. I didn’t believe people would accept me as an actress, I never should have let that get into my head, but I did. I fed the negative seed of “no one thinks you’re good, no one will accept you”, when I should really have been saying “I am great, I should go for this because this is what I was born to do, it’s not about people, it is about me and I am enough”. I put people’s thoughts and opinions first before mine and that was my first mistake.

As a talent manager I didn’t think I would get to the stage I did, every client was a surprise to me. I actually do not remember going after a client and selling my company and services, I was always approached. Wow look at God. Thing is I may doubt myself a little, but I do not doubt God, and that’s all that matters.

As a Christian, the way I handle it when negative seeds pop up in my thoughts is to first of all surrender it to God. We all know what those thoughts feel like, they don’t feel good and they don’t make you feel good. They make you feel negative about yourself or situation and that is no way to life a full life. Those are not my thoughts, they are not of God and therefore are not welcome.

What I do after is to speak to someone I trust, someone close. I pour out my feelings, I cry if I have to, I let it all out and I have been blessed with amazing people that when I speak negatively about myself, they respond with something positive and speak positivity into my life.

I would advise people to always open up to people close to them, could be a friend, family, Bible study partners, accountability sisters or brothers, people who will bring you back to the positive side. Not people who will feed the self-doubt with fear, doubt and worry. Figure out who is right for you and who isn’t, that helps. I have different people I speak to about different things; my accountability sisters have been a huge blessing in my life. I have never met these women face to face and we have all only been friends for a year, but it feels like forever.

What’s next for Lola?
That’s a great question. I say that because I don’t fully know, Lol.

I know what direction I am headed, what I want to achieve, I know what gets me excited, emotionally happy that I start to cry at just the thought of it. There is no prefect way/route to get there but there’s a perfect Father, God, and His ways and plans for my life are far better than my plans for myself.

There’s no doubt that I am meant to be an actress, I have never believed in it more than I do now. I also do not want to rush and make unnecessary mistakes or decisions along the way, it would be amazing to get called up for a role right now, but there’s a process, I don’t want to start half ready, so I am doing the work now.

I take life as it comes, one day at a time. It’s good to make long term plans but I don’t rely on those plans because we all know how life is, Lol. I rely on God. I have grown to appreciate the NOW, where I currently am because where I am today is connected to where I am going to. It’s no mistake that this is my path, I feel it and I am ready to face the tests and trials because most importantly, I know I am not running this race alone, God is always with me. I do not take it for granted, I pray for contentment and patience a lot because it is so easy to miss my old life of always having money when I needed it, spending how I liked, traveling when I want to, to now when my cash flow is limited. I have literally started a new life chapter, I have started from the bottom again and that’s perfectly okay. I knew there was more in life for me and I am sacrificing what I have to, to achieve it all. There’s a price to pay for everything great, your dreams, desires, passion. The questions are, are you ready to pay for it? How bad do you want it?

What advice would you give African millennial women who desire a career in the arts?
Please go for it. If you feel it deep in your gut, if it keeps you up at night, the slight thought of it makes your heart race and you can see the pictures so clearly in your head then please GO FOR IT.

People say you can do whatever you set your mind to, I didn’t believe it until I started chasing my dreams.

Africa is evolving daily, and our creative industry is one to look out for. We have so many talented people who feel chasing their dreams is a waste of time because their parents or someone said it to them that and they believed it.

Understand that you are who you choose to be, do not live life dependent on what others have to say about you. You have to make your own decisions.

If it seems hard at first, that’s because it is, and you have to work twice as hard if you do not have things easily handed to you. Never give up, do not quit, keep pushing. There will be days where you’ll feel drained and tired and you’ll probably scream and say God why, God when, God do they have two heads. That’s fine, scream, cry, but get back up and keep pushing forward.

Surround yourself with positive people, think positive thoughts. And most importantly, seek God and not just surface level, it has to be continuous and once it becomes a part of you, you will want nothing more than to be in His presence. I am a Jesus baby and it’s pretty hard to not include Him in everything I say and do. I really can’t believe I have become this person, I love it, lol.

Do you think it’s ever too late to pursue your dreams?
It is never ever too late to pursue your dreams. We all wish we started early, we say if we go back in time we would have lived life in our 20’s the smart way but I don’t mind because not everyone was created to start at a certain age. Our destinies are not the same, our paths are all different, they may connect but they are all different.

So, I say do not beat yourself up, it is never too late. What’s important is the journey and to finish right. When you realize you’re not doing what you were created to do, no matter what age, get up and start going after that one thing that brings all the joy to you and doesn’t feel like a job.

As a spiritual person, I’ll say this; This life is never without troubles, sadness, disappointments and tears. However, what distinguishes the people of God is their relationship with God.

***

Follow @lolaadamson_ on Instagram.

The post From Being a Talent Manager to Becoming The Talent! Lola Adamson is Fearlessly Fulfilling Her Purpose appeared first on Queen moremi.

African Female Authors to Read in 2026

Ireoluwatomiwa — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 21:24:54 +0000

There’s something electric about discovering a book written by an African woman — the way it whispers promises of belonging, power, and stories that are unapologetically ours. In 2026, these are the women whose words are inspiring us to think, feel, and see the world in bold new colours.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie – Dream Count

After more than a decade, Adichie is back with Dream Count, weaving together the lives of four women—each carrying the weight of love, trauma, and fierce resilience. With her trademark empathy and clarity, she reminds us that no life is a single story.

Pemi Aguda – Ghostroots and more to come

Aguda’s Ghostroots is a stunning collection of short stories that explore motherhood, identity, and what it means to haunt the past. Winner of two O. Henry Awards and a finalist for the National Book Award, Aguda stands out for her eerie grace and haunting depth. Her upcoming novel, The Suicide Mothers, is already one to watch.

Tlotlo Tsamaase – Womb City

From Botswana comes Tsamaase, whose speculative fiction bends reality with beauty. Her novella The Silence of the Wilting Skin is dark and lush, while Womb City—a Locus Award top-ten finalist—welcomes readers into a world where architecture and magic intertwine.

Aiwanose Odafen – We Were Girls Once

In her second novel, Odafen sharpens her lens on womanhood in Lagos. We Were Girls Once is unflinching and lyrical, exploring friendship, betrayal, and what it means to grow up in a world that’s always watching

Mubanga Kalimamukwento – Obligations to the Wounded

Zambian author Mubanga’s stories unveil lives shaped by trauma, love, and survival. Obligations to the Wounded won a Minnesota Book Award and landed on several best-of lists this year. Her prose rises from the ashes of colonial and personal grief to voice something fierce and unshakeable.

Hemley Boum

From Cameroon, Boum’s storytelling is both powerful and profound. Her fifth novel, Le Rêve du pêcheur (The Fisherman’s Dream), explores intergenerational trauma and mental health with poignant precision — earning her the Grand Prix Afrique in 2025. Her writing bridges past and present, emotions and insight.

These women aren’t just writing books; they’re shaping culture. In 2025, African female authors are leading with stories that demand to be read — and you don’t want to miss them.

The post African Female Authors to Read in 2026 appeared first on Queen moremi.

How Didi Ajayi’s Move Back to Nigeria from America Changed Her Life Forever

moremi — Wed, 14 Jan 2026 07:15:33 +0000

If you have lived in Nigeria at least over the past 3 years, you may have noticed that ever since the economic downturn up until now, moving overseas has become more of a trend than ever before, due to the hardship experienced by many.

Many are fleeing the country to seek greener pastures in the Western world.

But Nigerian-American millennial, Didi Ajayi, actually did the opposite – she gave up a comfortable life in the United States to move back to Nigeria.

I recently caught up with her for a quick chat about her journey, and boy did she drop some gems! We all could learn a thing or two from her willingness to embrace the unknown to find a unique path for herself.

Read and be inspired.

BACKGROUND

Tell us about yourself

My name is Didi. By profession, I’m a lawyer.

I attended the University of Georgia where I got a degree in Psychology, and went on to Law school, and I got my JD. And then I moved back to Nigeria and went to Nigerian Law school and became a barrister at Law after doing the bar exam here. Then I started practicing.

I worked at a law firm here in Nigeria, but recently became an entrepreneur – I co-own a legal consulting start-up company. In my spare time I like to blog. Before I moved to Nigeria I had a natural hair blog that I was really into. And after I moved back to Nigeria I kinda wanted to document my experiences living in Nigeria, so I started a vlog series about this. I wish I knew the things that I know now, before I moved back. Like things I could have avoided or known about how to make my transition easier. I wanted to do the vlog for people in diaspora, who are considering moving back. Showing them what living here is like. Although there are some bad sides, there are lots of good sides, and that’s the reason why I’m still here.

Why did you move back to Nigeria despite having an amazing life in the US?

Although I’m American and grew up in the US, I was actually born in Nigeria.

My dad lives here, and half of my siblings grew up here in Nigeria. When I lived abroad, I used to spend some of my vacation time here in Nigeria.

Every time I visited, I really enjoyed my stay, and I saw that there was potential here even though some people didn’t really this. I would say I moved back because I’m a bit idealistic. Some people usually say I’m a bit too optimistic.

I had always been interested in moving back home. So my dad suggested that while attending Law school in Nigeria, if I was really interested in testing the waters and working here, I could look for internships at law firms and just see how it goes.

As fate would have it, I eventually ended up working at the law firm I interned at. I enjoyed my experience so I thought that since I had worked in the US, there was no reason why I could not do that here.

I think there’s something interesting about working in a developing county where everything hasn’t fully developed. You can actually be a pioneer and make you own stuff here, whereas in the US it’s a lot harder to do so. Here, there aren’t as many obstacles if you want to establish yourself. Also, there’s some certain level of comfort just knowing that I have family and people here that I really didn’t have in the US. Even though my mom and my sister are still in America, I decided to move back.

THE MOVE

On challenges experienced when she first moved back

I had so many! I think my moving back experience was kind of different from a lot of people that moved back here, as most were probably doing their NYSC.

In my own case, I moved back and went to law school in Abuja. I had never gone to to boarding school or anything. So being at the law school felt like living on campus for the first time, which was very different. It almost felt like I was going to high school not even college. I felt trapped at some point.

I was so used to having internet. On the first day I came into the country, I used up all my data because everything was running, all my apps etc. So I had to get used to that.

I was pretty much used to the people in a sense because I was coming home during vacation. But when I started working here, I didn’t realize that co-workers and people in general, would could care so much about details about your personal life. This took some getting used to, as I was accustomed to being a lot more private about intimate details about my life. It was a norm for me to keep my personal life very separate from my work life.

Those were the things that I think were the biggest things I had to get used to when I came back.

Making friends

I moved back in my late 20’s. I think that when you get older you are kind of like at this place in your life where you know what you want, and the kind of friends you need in your life. So making friends just becomes a lot harder and a lot of people have their own social circles so it was hard to integrate people’s social circles.

When I was going back to school, I found out that a lot of people were younger than me. People are taking that step earlier in Nigeria, unlike in the US. I worked before I went to the Law school in the US. So making friends was a bit of a challenge.

I think growing up in the US, the culture is a bit more open. You have more people opening up, sharing and talking. Just generally being ourselves. This is kind of the reverse in Nigeria – which kind of felt weird. I find out that as women here in Nigeria, we have to be a bit more guarded and less open. When I first encountered this, I didn’t like that feeling. But luckily I found friends who I could be myself with. It took a lot of time but I eventually figured it out.

On meeting the love of her life

In terms of dating, it’s funny because I met my husband basically the first day at school. So I didn’t really do much of dating.

I feel like my mom and aunties use me as an example to their friend’s daughters. They are like “do what DIDI did, move back, you will find your husband” lol.

I don’t know if it was luck or God because I totally didn’t see this coming.

The highest point of moving back

Definitely, meeting my husband was my highest point of moving back, I definitely would have never met him without moving back because he has actually never been to the US. He grew up in the UK.

I think that moving back made me discover certain aspects of my character – this is like the most adventurous thing I have ever done. It made me step out of my comfort zone in a way I was never capable of. I was always that type of person that when there’s a road map set, I follow the road map. E.g: Go to college, go to graduate school, work, get a job… and that would have been my story till the end of my life.

When I applied to Law school, I had no vision of the future. I just knew that I wanted to do this and see where it goes. My move back showed me that I am adaptable and that sometimes, you do have to step out. And sometimes a risk is worth it in order to get a bigger reward.

Also, it challenged me to have to step out in order to make major changes. It convinced me that no matter what the situation may be, I do have the capacity to make it, and even thrive.

ADAPTING

On getting used to Nigerian currency

I had to first of all, stop thinking in dollars. I used to convert everything into Naira, thinking everything was cheap. But the reality was that I wasn’t earning money in dollars, especially when the exchange rate changed.

I had just started working and the salary just wasn’t adding up to what I was earning in the US. In the beginning of 2017, I had to try to figure things out. I had to be a lot more economical and I realized that this was why everyone seemed to have a side hustle.

I realize that if you are doing only one thing, it’s kind of difficult to survive – and not only just surviving, but being able to afford some luxuries in life.

I feel like that’s why people have other avenues of income streams, especially if you are employed by someone else. It made me hustle more.

The currency difference made me be more economical in my purchasing choices.

Driving

I was really scared when I first started driving in Lagos. In Abuja, it was quite easier because the road was wider, but Lagos was scary. So what my parents did was to get our gate man to teach me how to drive from home to work and he taught me different routes. He drove like a Danfo driver so the driving was a bit aggressive, but he also gave me different safety tips. The next week, I drove by myself, and I was literally holding my breath because I was really wondering what I would do if something bad happened. But soon, I adapted just fine.

LEISURE

How she lets her hair down
I feel like Lagosians, out of all Nigerians like to have variety I n terms of having places to go, what to do, things to do. What I do for fun depends on my circle. Sometimes we go clubbing. I am kind of nerdy so I may just visit the museum, but I haven’t found a friend who would want to go, so I just go there myself.

I love nature, I feel like I have gone to the Lekki conservation center too many times. I love travelling – I’m from Awka Ibom state originally, so I will just go there or go to Port Harcourt in my spare time.

I like writing, reading and watching movies. My husband likes to play football so I will go and watch him play sometimes. I also like to do fun fitness classes and activities

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

On what advice she would give young women who want to own their own businesses

I am still at the inception stage of my business, so I try to have extra money saved up so that I can withstand not having money for a long time.

I have a partner so we work as a team. It is challenging when you first start out for sure. Even if you are working, you keep asking yourself, “where am I gonna get the time and the money to grow this business and also get clientele?”

My advice would be for you to just take on what you can handle and try to do it to the best of your ability. Do your works so well that people would be so impressed by the the standard and quality of your work , that they will keep coming back to you.

You also need to network. You have to get to know people and show them what you are capable of. Sometimes it may take offering services for free or discounted rates so that they can know who you are and see what you can offer, and then you can go from there.

CULTURE

Her thoughts on being a Black, African woman in Nigeria Vs. in America

Being a Nigerian woman in the US, I was relating with more White people, so I didn’t necessarily have an African experience – I had more of a Black American experience.

I would say that one of the major differences is that in the US, no one was really asking me about my personal life except my parents. There wasn’t that much pressure socially. But when I moved to Nigeria, there was a huge difference. I found that people just wanted to pry into your personal life, and I’m like “why are we having these conversations? Why am I being treated differently when I am single compared to when I’m married?”

When I got married, I was getting questions like “When are you having a child?” It was very weird that people that are not close to you are coming to you to ask such a question.

Certain words and actions people expressed when I first moved back to Nigeria, made me feel like women were not valued in the society.

Advice on moving back to Nigeria

Do your research, we are fortunate to have Internet access and you have Google. Also, reach out to people who have moved back. Visit before moving back.
Your mindset would determine how this goes for you. In addition to having a positive outlook, you also have to be quite open to possibilities.
Have fun. Try and enjoy it. Meet and mingle with people you probably normally wouldn’t interact with. Live in the moment.

Connect with Didi on social media (@afrocurlitan):

Youtube

Twitter

Instagram

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When God Stops You: Stephanie Ike Okafor on the Power of His Love

Ireoluwatomiwa — Mon, 12 Jan 2026 20:29:48 +0000

Love is often reduced to a feeling. A vibe. A fleeting, fluffy thing we fall in and out of. But what if love, true love, was the most powerful force on earth?

This is what Pastor Stephanie Ike Okafor unpacks in her teaching “The Power Of God’s Love”. In her message, she takes her audience on a deeply personal and biblical walk through the truth so many of us struggle to grasp: that we are fully, completely, and relentlessly loved by God. This is about identity, intimacy and God’s divine rescue plan for your soul.

“You are the object of God’s love. And there is nothing you can do about it.”

It’s the kind of line that sounds simple until you sit with it. Many of us grew up earning love, performing for acceptance, or believing that love had to be proven with struggle. But Stephanie reminds us that God’s love doesn’t play by human rules. It’s not cautious. It’s not temporary. It’s not based on your perfection. It’s based on His character.

She dives into 1 John 4:7-10, explaining that we don’t define love; God does. Love started with Him. And He demonstrated it not in words alone, but by sending Jesus to die while we were still sinners. That means love found us broken, not perfect. Unworthy, but chosen.

“We are not trying to get God to love us. He already does.”

Throughout the message, she breaks down how love is not just something God feels; it’s who He is. His love is what rewrites your story. His love is what heals the parts of you that trauma tried to bury.

But even more than that, Pastor Stephanie makes it personal.

She talks about how shame and pain make us believe we’re too far gone. How so many of us wear masks and armour, even in church, because we don’t want to be truly seen. But the love of God is not intimidated by your darkness.

“You cannot hide from the love of God. Even in your lowest moments, His love is still in pursuit of you.”

Pastor Stephanie says the reason many people struggle with their faith isn’t because of doctrine, it’s because they don’t believe they’re truly loved. And when you don’t believe you’re loved, you question everything: your worth, your purpose, even your prayers. But she says God’s love is so committed to you, He’ll find you in your hiding place and cover you with mercy, not condemnation.

She makes it clear this is not the kind of love that flinches at your failure.

“God is not surprised by your mistakes. He loved you before you even made them.”

This is a message that makes you feel known because it pulls back every false version of love you’ve accepted and puts the real thing in front of you: love that is patient, restorative, and intentional. Love that doesn’t give up.

But that same love? It doesn’t always come as a “yes.” Sometimes, it comes as a stop. Pastor Stephanie shares how we often think it’s the enemy delaying us, but sometimes it’s actually God who’s doing the stopping. She asks plainly, “What happens when God is the one who stops you?”

In a world that glorifies always pushing forward, she reminds us that God’s correction isn’t rejection, it’s redirection. His interruption, she says, is still love. Even when it doesn’t feel good, “God’s love will correct you.” It’s not punishment; it’s protection.

So, she issues a challenge: don’t just hear about the love of God. Receive it. Let it change the way you see yourself. Let it shatter the lie that you are too broken, too late, or too much.

Because the truth is, God’s love doesn’t flinch at your failure — it finds you in it.

If you believe you are loved, not based on your wins or your weaknesses, then everything changes. You pray differently.
You live differently. You love differently.

And that’s the power of God’s love.

Watch the full video by Stephanie Ike Okafor here:

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Pewbeam AI: How Dára Sobaloju is Merging Faith and Technology

Ireoluwatomiwa — Fri, 09 Jan 2026 10:37:29 +0000

Artificial intelligence often gets a bad reputation, especially in faith spaces. It’s been called “the devil’s box,” a symbol of everything that feels too modern, too risky, too human-made. But what happens when technology doesn’t compete with faith — it complements it?

That’s exactly what Nigerian developer Dára Sobaloju set out to explore with Pewbeam AI, a new tool designed to make church services more immersive and spirit-led through technology.

Pewbeam AI automatically displays Bible verses in real time, not from preloaded slides, but from the pastor’s own words. As the message unfolds, the AI listens, understands, and projects the corresponding Scripture for everyone to see. It was first tested at CCI Global, Ibadan, and the response was powerful: a seamless blend of technology and the Word that enhanced—not distracted from—the worship experience.

Dára explained that his inspiration came from seeing how often technical delays interrupt sermons. “I wanted to build something that serves the Church,” he said. “A tool that keeps the flow of the message intact and helps people connect more easily with the Word.”

What he’s created is more than an app; it’s a glimpse into how innovation can honour God when it’s rooted in purpose. It’s proof that AI isn’t inherently evil; it’s a tool. And like any tool, its impact depends on the intention behind it.

For many Christians, there’s been growing tension between faith and technology. But projects like Pewbeam AI are rewriting that story. They show that the Church can embrace digital tools without losing its spiritual depth. They remind us that creativity, even in tech, comes from the Creator Himself.

You can watch Dára Sobaloju explain how Pewbeam AI works here

Story source: TechCabal

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Supernatural Encounters With Jesus: Anxiety Healing

moremi — Thu, 08 Jan 2026 11:35:00 +0000

As the year 2025 rolled in, I noticed I had begun to feel a mind-numbing anxiety.

And it wasn’t anxiety stemming from anticipation about the new year and what it might bring. No. This felt… different. It felt like I was wandering through a lonely airport, dragging heavy baggage that didn’t even belong to me.

These feelings were strange, especially because, in reality, I wasn’t worried or anxious about anything at all.

I felt this way for days on end—racing heart, light-headedness, gasping for breath intermittently throughout each day, and a gnawing sense of foreboding.

On one of those days, I was randomly watching YouTube when a sermon popped up. During the sermon, the pastor said, “There are some of you in this room, and you’re feeling anxiety that is not yours.” And I was like, “Wow, that’s me!

That night, I spoke to God about this misappropriated anxiety. And He spoke back. I had a dream.

In the dream, I saw myself getting ready for my morning road walks, just as I usually do in real life. I have a routine where, as I’m putting on my workout clothes, I ask my Google Nest to play my favorite upbeat song to help boost my energy for the long walk ahead. “Hey Google, play… by…”

Then I heard the Holy Spirit say:

“This particular song is the root cause of your anxiety. There’s a specific drum pattern in the song that is affecting your mind. The singer actually has no idea what impact the song’s composition and lyrics are having—because she didn’t write or produce it. They just gave it to her, and she sang it.”

When I woke up the next morning, I resolved never to play that song again. Not only that—I completely purged my workout playlist of all songs of that nature. And from that moment, the anxiety completely disappeared.

This experience taught me the importance of guarding my ear gates. What we hear has a profound impact on us. So be careful what you expose your ears to – it just could be the cause, or contributor of some feelings of unease you may be experiencing.

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Scriptures That Carried Me Through My Healing Season

QMAdmin — Sat, 20 Dec 2025 05:00:36 +0000

Healing isn’t always pretty. It’s not all spa days and self-care candles. Sometimes, it’s late-night tears, unanswered prayers, and relearning how to breathe through the pain. I’ve had a season like that. Maybe you have too. The kind of season where your heart feels so heavy and the only thing that makes sense is turning to God.

During that time, Scripture wasn’t just something I read; it became something I clung to. Certain verses felt like lifelines when I couldn’t find the words to pray. I’d write them down in my journal or tape them to my mirror as daily reminders that I wasn’t walking alone.

One verse that carried me was Isaiah 41:10: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.” It reminded me that even when I felt abandoned, I was still held.

Psalm 147:3 hit even deeper: “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” I read that over and over, sometimes through tears, just to remind myself that being broken wasn’t the end, healing was happening, even if slowly.

Another powerful one? Romans 8:28: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him.” It didn’t mean everything suddenly felt good, but it reassured me that God was working through the mess.

Honestly, healing took time. Some days I was hopeful, other days I just wanted to hide under the covers. But Scripture gave me something solid to hold onto when everything else felt shaky.

If you’re in your own healing season, let me tell you this: you’re not weak for needing time. You’re not faithless for feeling pain. And you’re definitely not alone.

God is near to the brokenhearted. And sometimes, the softest whispers from His Word are exactly what carry us through.

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Smart Side Hustles Women Are Using to Grow Their Income

Ireoluwatomiwa — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 11:17:07 +0000

It’s no longer news — women are not waiting around for perfect conditions or inflated salaries. They’re building multiple streams, securing soft lives, and rewriting the rules of wealth. From tech to trade, smart side hustles are giving women more than “extra cash” — they’re unlocking freedom, options, and confidence.

So what are the smart side hustles women are leaning into right now?

1. Freelancing in High-Demand Skills

Think content writing, copyediting, UI/UX design, digital marketing, and virtual assistance. Platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and LinkedIn are where women are pitching, pricing, and profiting all from their laptops. You don’t need to know everything, just something. Free resources on YouTube or Google can help you grow fast and earn faster.

2. Personal Shopping via Shein, AliExpress & Co.

People want trendy outfits, accessories, or household items, but many don’t know how to order online, or they simply don’t want to. That’s where this hustle comes in. Women are helping others shop on platforms like Shein, AliExpress, and even Amazon, managing everything from size guides to delivery tracking. You charge a small fee or build your profit into the order. It’s low-risk, service-based, and in high demand.

3. Social Media Management

There are businesses everywhere, but not all of them know how to “show up” online. If you can create content, schedule posts, manage DMs, or write engaging captions, you can land clients fast. You don’t need a marketing degree — just creativity, consistency, and a working phone. Many women start with one client and grow from there.

4. Mobile Beauty & Wellness Services

Makeup artists, nail techs, and massage therapists are ditching shop rent and taking their skills to the client. House calls are not only convenient for customers, they’re lucrative for you. With a well-stocked kit and good word-of-mouth (or Instagram reviews), you can build a premium service without needing a physical salon.

5. Reselling (Fashion, Food, Skincare — You Name It)

Whether it’s thrift fashion, perfume oils, hair extensions, zobo, or skincare in bulk, women are flipping products for profit. You can sell from your house, on WhatsApp, Instagram, or even Jumia. It’s not about how big you start, it’s how well you brand, price, and serve.

Side hustles aren’t just a trend — they’re a strategy.
A way for women to stay empowered, take up space, and fund the lives they truly want. Whether it’s for “japa” goals, savings, or just the soft life God promised, women are moving differently. And smartly.

So don’t just scroll and wish.
Learn. Launch. Earn.
Your next stream of income might be a DM, delivery, or decision away.

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Queen Moremi to Offer Free Public Relations Training to 5,000 Female SME Founders in 2026

QMAdmin — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 06:51:02 +0000

We are super excited to announce that we will be providing free Public Relations (PR) training to 5,000 Nigerian female SME founders in 2026!

This program aims to equip women entrepreneurs with essential visibility and communication skills needed to stand out in Nigeria’s increasingly competitive digital and AI-driven business landscape.

Nigeria is home to one of Africa’s most vibrant SME sectors. According to the SMEDAN and National Bureau of Statistics report, SMEs account for 96% of all businesses in the country. Nigerian women are playing an increasingly significant role within this sector, with over 41% of micro-businesses and about 32% of SMEs led by women. In recent years, growth in female entrepreneurship has accelerated: A 2024 report indicated a 14.29% rise in women-led businesses, showing continued upward momentum despite economic challenges.

Furthermore, Nigeria consistently ranks among the world’s top countries for women entrepreneurs due to necessity-driven business creation. In many states, women form the backbone of local economies—running businesses across retail, agriculture, fashion, beauty, food production, logistics, wellness, and professional services. Yet despite this undeniable presence, visibility remains a major challenge.

In today’s digital marketplace, thousands of Nigerian SMEs compete each day for customer attention on social media, e-commerce platforms, and within highly crowded local industries. The rise of AI-driven content, automated advertising, and sophisticated digital branding has widened the gap between businesses that can tell compelling stories and those that cannot. Many women entrepreneurs-especially those running small, growing, or bootstrapped businesses-struggle with limited knowledge of PR, restricted networks, and the high cost of communications expertise.

Queen Moremi’s free PR training program is designed to close this gap by helping female founders:

Craft compelling brand stories relevant to the Nigerian market
Build visibility using digital media and community networks
Understand press engagement and local media landscapes
Leverage AI tools for content creation and customer engagement
Increase profitability through stronger brand presence and trust

Speaking on the initiative, Moremi Elekwachi, Founder of Queen Moremi, says:

“Nigerian women are driving some of the most creative, resilient, and high-impact businesses in the country, yet many remain unseen in the markets they serve. In an age where digital visibility can determine business survival, our entrepreneurs need more than hard work – they need strategy, storytelling, and the confidence to be visible. This training will empower 5,000 women with the tools to elevate their brands, scale sustainably, and unlock new levels of profitability in 2026 and beyond.”

As more Nigerian women-led businesses gain visibility, they strengthen local economies, create jobs, and expand the country’s entrepreneurship landscape. Empowering female founders with PR skills is not only a business move – it is an investment in Nigeria’s economic future.

To apply for this program, fill out the application form here: https://forms.gle/tQRaMa7d9KPHzViN9

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