Buying a new smartphone can be exciting, but getting a phone that is counterfeit, refurbished without disclosure, or different from what the seller advertised can quickly turn the experience into a nightmare. In Nigeria, phones are sold through official stores, independent dealers, online marketplaces and informal outlets. Prices can vary significantly, which makes it important to know what you are actually paying for before handing over your money. The good news is that you don't need to be a smartphone expert to perform some basic checks. Here are practical ways to check whether a phone is genuine before buying it. 1. Check the IMEI Number One of the first things you should check is the phone's IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number. You can usually display the IMEI by dialing: *#06# You can also find it in the phone's settings or on the original packaging. What should you check? Compare the IMEI shown on the phone with the IMEI printed on the b...

  Nigerian Afrobeats star Ayra Starr has reassured fans about her health after a recent hospital-bed photo sparked concern among her supporters. The singer appeared on the Today show in the United States on August 7, where she spoke briefly about her recent hospital visit and said she was recovering. Ayra Starr did not disclose the reason she was admitted to the hospital. Ayra Starr Says She Is Healing During her appearance, the singer was asked about the hospital photo she had shared with fans and whether everything was okay. Ayra Starr responded that she was doing better and was grateful to have regained enough strength to perform. She also expressed gratitude for being able to appear on the show and perform despite her recent health scare.  Her comments have provided some reassurance to fans who had been worried after seeing the hospital image. The Hospital Photo Got Fans Talking July 31, Ayra Starr shared a photo of herself in a hospital bed while giving a peac...

 Big Brother Naija Season 11 has barely begun, but Biggie has already introduced a major twist that has left housemates thinking carefully about their chances in the competition.. The latest development, known as The Gambit , was introduced during the opening week of the “Show Ya Sef” season and has changed the way housemates are approaching the game. Among those affected by the unexpected twist is Flora, one of the 24 housemates competing in Season 11. Biggie introduces ‘The Gambit’ Biggie surprised the housemates after their first nominations by revealing that the first week would not end with a normal eviction. Instead, viewers would choose one male and one female housemate to become The Gambits . The role comes with a major advantage: the selected housemates will have a guaranteed place in the Big Brother House until the finale. However, there is a significant catch. A Gambit housemate will not be eligible to win the ₦160 million grand prize.  The Gambits c...

Peter Okoye and Lola Omotayo: A Look at Their Journey Together Nigerian singer Peter Okoye, popularly known as Mr P, has spent much of his adult life in the public eye, first as one half of the famous P-Square music duo and later as a solo artiste.  Away from the stage, another important part of his story is his relationship with Lola Omotayo-Okoye, whom he married in 2013. Over the years, their relationship has attracted public interest, particularly because their marriage has existed alongside the highly publicised disagreements within the wider Okoye family. Despite the attention, it is important to separate confirmed information about Peter and Lola's marriage from speculation and social-media narratives. The timeline  2000s — They begin dating Peter Okoye and Lola Omotayo began their relationship years before their marriage. Reports at the time of their wedding described them as having dated for several years before deciding to make their relationship offi...

Looking for the best budget laptops for students in Nigeria in 2026? You don't necessarily need an expensive MacBook or high-end gaming laptop to handle schoolwork. A good student laptop should be able to handle everyday tasks such as research, Microsoft Office, Google Docs, online classes, Zoom meetings, assignments, presentations, browsing and entertainment without becoming frustratingly slow. For most students, we recommend looking for at least 8GB of RAM and an SSD , while students doing programming, graphic design, video editing or other demanding work should consider 16GB RAM or a more powerful processor. Prices can change depending on the seller, configuration, warranty and current market conditions, so treat the price ranges below as rough buying guides rather than fixed prices. Quick Comparison: 10 Best Budget Laptops for Students in Nigeria Laptop Processor RAM Storage Indicative Price Range (Verify Before Buying) Best For Lenovo IdeaPad Sl...

  Updated: August 2026 Buying a smartphone on a budget doesn't mean you have to compromise on quality. Today, several brands offer powerful devices with excellent cameras, long battery life, fast charging, and smooth performance—all for under ₦300,000. Whether you're a student, content creator, gamer, or business owner, this guide highlights the 10 best smartphones under ₦300,000 in Nigeria to help you make the right choice. Whether you prioritize raw performance, battery longevity, or social media-grade photography, here are the 10 best options available right now. The Top Contenders (At a Glance) Smartphone Estimated Price Range Key Highlight Redmi Note 14 (8GB/128GB) ₦262,000 - ₦265,000 Best Overall Balance Tecno Camon 40 ₦280,000 - ₦285,000 Best Camera & Media Redmi 15 (8GB/256GB) ₦210,000 - ₦21...

 Artificial Intelligence (AI) has transformed how students learn and how content creators produce high-quality work. Whether you're writing assignments, designing graphics, editing videos, or creating social media content, AI tools can save time and improve your results. The best part? Many of these tools offer generous free plans that are perfect for students and beginners. In this guide, we'll explore the 15 best free AI tools every student and content creator should know in 2026. Quick Comparison Table AI Tool Best For Free Plan ChatGPT Writing & Research ✅ Yes Google Gemini Research & Study ✅ Yes Canva AI Graphic Design ✅ Yes Grammarly Grammar & Writing ✅ Yes Notion AI Note-taking & Productivity ✅ Limited Perplexity AI Research with Sources ✅ Yes CapCut AI Video Editing ✅ Yes Adobe Express AI Graphics & Social Media ✅ Yes Leonardo AI AI Image Generation ✅ Yes Microsoft Copilot Produ...

  Welcome back to Naija Buzz Media! The administrative landscape of Osun State has been thrown into intense public scrutiny following jaw-dropping revelations from a recent forensic audit report concerning the state's civil service payroll system. The Osun State Government has announced what it describes as a major discovery during its ongoing payroll verification exercise, alleging that a single name and one Bank Verification Number (BVN) were linked to salary payments meant for 962 individuals . Shocking Discovery in Osun: One Name & BVN Allegedly Received Salaries Meant for 962 Workers The revelation has sparked widespread reactions, with many Nigerians calling for a thorough investigation into the state's payroll system. What the Government Claimed According to the state government, the alleged irregularity was uncovered as part of efforts to clean up the public service payroll and eliminate fraudulent salary payments. Officials said preliminary findings s...