Entertainment

Adeboye, Tiwa Savage, Obi Cubana, Other Celebrities Who Received Honorary Degrees In 2022

Published

2 years ago

December 27, 2022

2022 brought showers of national and international academic honours for Nigeria’s famous personalities.

From entertainers, to politicians, and religious heads, several public figures received honorary and actual degrees from national and international universities.

Here is a list of famous Nigerians who earned academic recognitions in 2022 as compiled by The PUNCH:

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Inarguably one of the most academically decorated persons in Nigeria, Adichie opened the floor for the showers of honours this year after she earned her 16th honorary doctorate degree from the Catholic University of Louvain, Belgium in April.

The renowned author also boasts of doctorate degrees from several reputable institutions including Yale University, the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Edinburgh, Duke University, Georgetown University, and Johns Hopkins University.

Professor Helen Paul

The comedy and acting powerhouse both shines on stage, and in her academic endeavours.

Paul, who bagged a doctorate degree in Theatre Arts from University of Lagos in 2019, revealed in May of this year that she was promoted to a professorship position at the Heart International University, USA, where she currently works.

The comedian and was also appointed as the Head of Department of Arts, Music and Entertainment at the varsity.

The success was a family affair as Helen’s husband, Femi Bamisile, was also awarded a Doctorate degree in Law, by the same University.

Peter Okoye

Peter, one half of Nigerian music duo, Psquare, bagged an honorary doctorate from the Escae-Benin University, Benin Republic in June.

Announcing the news via his Instagram page, he wrote, “Dear Team P! It’s a great honor to be decorated by a distinguished educational institution, Who have recognized my contribution to Dance and Music as well as my support for the youth in the entertainment industry.”

IK Ogbonna

Ikechukwu Mitchel Ogbonna was another Nigerian celebrity awarded an honorary degree in June 2022.

Institut Superieur De Technologies Et De Management, Togo, awarded Ogbonna a Doctorate (Honorary) Degree of Arts in leadership and Development.

Wole Soyinka

Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, added another feather to his already colourful academic cap in 2022.

The prolific writer bagged an honorary degree from the reputable University of Cambridge, UK, in June.

One of the most prestigious honours in the world, the Cambridge varsity honorary degree is bestowed upon people “who have made outstanding achievements in their respective fields,” the varsity’s official site noted.

The Adeboyes

The founder of Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, and his wife, Pastor Foluke, both bagged doctorate degrees this year.

In July, Pastor Foluke was conferred a honorary doctorate degree in Education by the Benson Idahosa University Edo.

Likewise, Pastor Adeboye himself received an honorary doctorate degree from the Oral Roberts University, USA in December.

In total, Pastor Adeboye boasts of 8 honorary degrees from different universities in the world.

Tiwa Savage

“Some call me Queen, but it’s Dr Tiwa Savage from now on,” an excited Tiwa said as she gave her acceptance speech during the University of Kent graduation ceremony which held in July.

While the mother-of-one had a rough 2021, 2022 was definitely her year of bouncing back, better and stronger.

Coupled with multiple brand deals and hit features, the songstress bagged an honorary doctorate degree from her alma mater, the University of Kent, UK.

Dubbing her the “Queen of Afrobeats” the University hailed Savage for “her inspirational and international career in music.”

Mishael Maro

Nigerian film director and producer, Mishael Maro, was conferred an Honorary Fellowship of the James Currey Society at the African Studies Centre at the University of Oxford in July.

Maro currently serves as an Academic Visitor at the African Studies Centre, University of Oxford, for the 2022-2023 Academic year

The Fellowship is named in honour of British publisher, James Currey and his contributions to African scholarship and literature.

Ireti Doyle

Wedding Party actress, Ireti Doyle was not left out in the 2022 academic honours galore.

The veteran thespian was conferred with an honorary doctorate degree by the Institut Superieur de Communication et de Gestion University in Benin Republic.

The actress confessed that while she had a “healthy expectation of receiving accolades” she did not envision an academic honour.

Bob Manuel Udokwu

Former Guinness Ultimate Search games master, Bob Manuel, was another Nigerian actor conferred an honorary doctorate degree by the Institut Superieur de Communication et de Gestion University in August.

Ireti Doyle also broke the news and shared their pictures from the ceremony on her Instagram page.

Both veteran actors incidentally both featured in the movie, Living in Bondage, which clocked 30 years on the day they were both conferred the award.

Queen Silekunola Naomi Ogunwusi

Queen Silekunola, estranged wife of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi was also decorated with academic honours this year.

In September, the Queen was conferred an honorary doctorate by the Myles Leadership University, Benin Republic.

Rejoicing via her Instagram page, the prophetess wrote, “While you walk through this world, please work hard. The heat will come but the honours will soon follow.”

Kaffy

Popular dancer, Kafayat Oluwatoyin Shafau, also known as Kaffy, was also honoured with a doctorate degree from Myles Leadership University in September.

The 2022 honour is her second, as she earlier bagged a doctorate degree from Escae Benin University, Benin Republic, in 2020.

Adesua Etomi-Wellington

The multi-award winning Nollywood actress not only bags awards for her performances on stage, she was also given a nod in the academic world this year.

In September, Wellington was awarded an honorary doctorate degree by her alma mater, the University of Wolverhampton.

In a statement by the UK varsity, Etomi was lauded for her “phenomenal contribution to arts and culture”.

Obi Cubana

Nigerian businessman and socialite, Obinna Iyiegbu was among the several celebrities conferred with honorary degrees this year.

The club owner bagged a honorary Doctor of Business Administration from the Enugu State University in November.

Celebrating the win, Cubana wrote on his Instagram page, “He wrote, “Ladies and Gentlemen. You may wish to address me henceforth as Dr. Obinna Iyiegbu Okpataozueora 1! (Dr. Of Business Administration).”

Sunday Igboho

In November, Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeymo alias Igboho was also conferred with academic honours.

Igboho was awarded an honorary doctorate degree from Triune Biblical University in Brooklyn, New York, the United States of America.

Governors

Governors of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Rivers State, Nyesom Wike; and Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, all received honorary doctorate degrees from Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo State in December.

The news was shared by the Governor of Lagos State, Sanwo-Olu, where he congratulated his colleagues for the achievement.
PUNCH

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Entertainment

Regina Daniels And Angela Okorie’s Cold War Deepens

Published

4 days ago

June 8, 2025

Editor

The silent cold war between two Nollywood divas, Angela Okorie and Regina Daniels, finally came to the fore days back, but what shocked many was the sheer bluntness with which Okorie aired her grievances.

For months, rumblings of tension between the actresses had circulated in close Nollywood circles. But on Instagram this week, Okorie finally made her feelings public, firing off a volley of pointed words at her younger colleague, Regina Daniels.

It all began when Regina posted what many initially saw as a subtle, dignified note urging Angela to forgive and move on from old grievances. But those close to the drama knew the post wasn’t as innocent as it seemed. In the message, Regina made a pointed reference to Angela’s child — “wey gidigba” — a choice of words Angela found deeply patronising.

And then the gloves came off.

Angela, not one to mince words, took to her Instagram Stories in a fiery tirade that quickly went viral. “You feel because you married a grandpa you can talk to me?” she blasted, referring to Regina’s high-profile marriage to billionaire Senator Ned Nwoko. “Marrying an older man does not give you the licence to disrespect your elders,” Angela added.

The Nollywood community was left stunned, not only by the sharpness of Angela’s words but also by the underlying history she unveiled. In another post, she reminded Regina of humbler days, when the young actress reportedly visited Angela’s home with deference.

“You are like a child to me… you used to come to my house with so much respect,” Angela wrote, a subtle reminder of a former mentorship or camaraderie between them.

The older actress didn’t stop there. In her posts, she openly questioned Regina’s upbringing and sense of propriety: “Me I just think say every young girl wey go school suppose get sense, especially a child with proper home training.”

But despite her anger, Angela was careful to draw a boundary regarding Regina’s powerful husband.

“No disrespect to your husband,” she wrote, before adding another sting: “You just won’t stop embarrassing Nigerians from time to time with you and your old man.”

In one of the sharpest moments of her tirade, Angela issued a direct and final warning to her younger colleague: “If you insult me again, I will remind you what you have forgotten. Last warning, Regina Daniels.”

Within Nollywood’s closely watched social media circles, Angela’s outburst has triggered a wave of speculation. Was this an isolated reaction or the surfacing of long-simmering resentment? Industry insiders suggest this may not be the end of the spat.

As of the time of filing this report, Regina Daniels has remained silent, with no official response to Angela’s public lashing.

Entertainment

MC Oluomo: ‘I’m Going To Court’, Aisha Blows Hot On Venza Gift Allegation

Published

5 days ago

June 7, 2025

Editor

Nollywood actress, Aisha Lawal, has denied claims that she received a Toyota Venza from National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) leader, Musiliyu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo.

Describing the claim as false and defamatory, Lawal vowed to take legal action against the individual responsible for the allegations, declaring, “I’m going to court.”

Speaking during an appearance on the Talk To B podcast, the actress addressed the viral accusation, stating that she drives a Lexus GX 460 and has never received a car gift from MC Oluomo or anyone else.

“One man, an adult, I wondered if it was a setup or if he smoked weed, he sat and set a camera and said MC Oluomo collected a blue Venza from him and gave it to me. I didn’t collect any car. Why would I die mysteriously when I didn’t eat mysteriously?” she questioned.

Lawal expressed disbelief over the video, revealing she only watched it after hearing her name in a disturbing prayer.

“I didn’t watch that video until I heard the prayer where he said, ‘Aisha Lawal, I’m the owner of that blue Venza with you.’”

Firmly distancing herself from the allegations, she said, “I have suffered in the past. Put some respect on my name. I’ve never even driven a Venza. I drive a GX 460, and my shop is like the fourth or fifth building I’ve built.”

Recounting her personal journey, Lawal explained how hard she has worked over the years and how such defamatory claims undermine her efforts.

“COVID era was a turning point in my life. In a week or two, I made 10 million naira. That was during my first pregnancy. Maybe the same day you went to pay for an IVF that didn’t work out, someone saw you at a filling station and asked for money. If you didn’t laugh, they’d say you’re proud.

“Do you know what I’m going through? Someone even said, ‘You didn’t choose children, you chose money.’”

Sharing her early struggles, the actress added, “My dad acted like he didn’t give birth the first life he came. I started driving at the age of 16. They taught me so well I could even change a tyre. I drove my dad for a year. That roundabout at Adeoyo, a trailer once ran into me—I had to match brake.”

“I used to take night buses from Odogwu to Aba, wearing a nose mask and face cap. People saw me then but didn’t say anything. I didn’t want to pay for a hotel, so I took night buses.

“I even entered vehicles transporting fowls from Aba to Ibadan, sometimes to Ijebu Ode, before I started going to China.”

Determined to clear her name, Lawal emphasised, “I cannot study Law for seven years and not go all the way to court. He should get a good lawyer.”

Entertainment

Netflix Hikes Subscription Fees In Nigeria Again

Published

1 week ago

June 4, 2025

Editor

Streaming giant, Netflix, has increased subscription prices in Nigeria for the third time in less than a year.

This most recent rise is the first one for 2025.

Updates on the company’s website seen by PUNCH Online show the new pricing.

Under the new price, Netflix’s Premium plan now costs ₦8,500 a month, up from ₦7,000.

The Standard plan jumped to ₦6,500 from ₦5,500.

The Basic plan rose to ₦4,000 from ₦3,500, and the Mobile plan is for ₦2,500, up from ₦2,200.

This follows two earlier price hikes by Netflix in April and July 2024.

The Nigerians’ new round of economic pang
Nigeria currently faces challenges of rising living expenses, a falling naira, and record inflation.

This follows the recent hike in tariffs by Nigerian telecom providers by as much as 50 per cent.

The parent company of DStv and GOtv, MultiChoice, announced new prices that took effect on March 1, 2025.

MultiChoice announced that the price of the DStv Compact bouquet was increased from ₦15,700 to ₦19,000, reflecting a 25 per cent increase.

The price of the Compact Plus package increased from ₦25,000 to ₦30,000, and the premium DStv package saw a rise from ₦37,000 to ₦44,500.

For GOtv subscribers, the Jinja package increased from ₦3,600 to ₦3,900, and Jolli from ₦4,850 to ₦5,800. The GOtv Max plan rose to ₦8,500 from ₦7,200, Supa climbed to ₦11,400 from ₦9,600, and Supa Plus increased to ₦16,800, up from ₦15,700.

Netflix has yet to release an official statement.