Back to reality
New records, new taxes, new accidents, same Nigeria
What’s up guyyy?
Tell me why I barely recovered from December and New Year before reality said “stand up.” One minute it’s fireworks and resolutions, next minute it’s taxes, strikes, and headlines again.
And of course, Nigeria did not waste time reminding students that enjoyment has an expiry date. Here’s what went down this week:
Tax Has Entered With Full Chest
No more “they want to start.”
Tax laws have officially started, and suddenly everyone is a tax analyst.
Students with side hustles, freelancers, small vendors all asking the same question:
“Please, where do we even start from?” 😭
January said welcome to adulthood.
While You Were Resting, A Student Was Breaking World Records
Stephen A. Oyelami, a student of Agricultural and Bioresources Engineering, at the Federal University of Technology, Minna, was part of a team that set a Guinness World Record for the longest marathon reading aloud by a team, clocking 431 hours, 31 minutes and 25 seconds in Lagos. The feat aimed at promoting literacy and celebrating Nigerian authors has been praised as a huge win for student achievement and intellectual culture.
New Year, Same Strike Stress
Students in Nassarawa State tertiary institutions are still dealing with strike issues as lecturers down tools over unresolved demands.
For affected students, resumption is uncertain, plans are paused, and frustration is loud..
New year, same academic anxiety.
Even champions are not safe on Nigerian roads
World-famous boxer Anthony Joshua was injured in a road crash on Dec 29 on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway that tragically killed two of his associates. The incident has brought road safety concerns back into national conversation especially among commuters and students travelling for exams and resumption.
Social media paused briefly to remember that road safety in this country is not a joke.
Security reality check
Between holiday travels, accident reports, and security warnings in some regions, students were reminded (again) that moving around Nigeria requires sense, prayer, and sometimes luck.
January is not for cruise. January is for awareness.
Let's recap,
2026 wasted no time.
Taxes became real, strikes followed students into the new year, Nigerian students made global headlines, and reality entered with full force. Same country, new calendar, same resilience.
We moveeee! Happy New year, if you like.
Catch up on previous gist on What's Up by 10.8.8 Africa and don't forget to connect with us on all socials
Until next gist,
Gbemi from 10.8.8 Africa ✨