As an avid reader of newspapers with interest ranging from Energy, Environment, Society etc.; I usually look forward to reading columns by some Nigerian journalists/columnists since I have come to understand that challenges facing different countries are peculiar, and columnists use their platform to examine some of the burning issues in the polity and suggest solutions to same. As a result of this, I love to read columns in Nigerian newspapers for the perspective of the writer on the Nigeria realities.

In of all this, without sounding patronising, I think Thisday newspaper still parades some of the brightest columnist in the country. Although, they need to get more professionals on some subject matters to write more detailed piece especially on topics relating to science.

From my understanding, majority of Nigerian columnist have partisan leanings. So in one way or the other, it is not difficult to tell which side of the divide they belong. One factor I can deduce for this is that most of the newspaper houses are owned by politically exposed people. So I think he who owns the piper dictates the tune is the case here.

So below are few of the people I enjoy their columns and always look forward to it. This list is in no particular order.

Dele Momodu: The self acclaimed celebrity journalist like he loves to call himself pens the column titled "Pendulum" every Saturday in Thisday newspaper. Dele is one writer with a fertile imagination like one commentator pointed out. He is very expressive with words. But sometimes can be caught up in the web of over hyping people. He is not afraid to call out erring members of the political class. If Dele was a musician, he will be a rival to Wasiu Ayinde - KWAM 1, the Fuji icon, based on the way and manner he praises people.

Sam Omatsaye: The Itshekiri born Sam, an old student of Ughelli College in Delta State is a columnist with the Nations newspaper. His column is published every Monday. He loves to refer to himself as an essayist. Sam's way of writing is fascinating. In my opinion, he comes across more like a poet. From his writings, it is evident he is an avid and vast reader going by the way he usually reference other authors from medieval times to present. Sam doesn't call out people most times except for people that have crossed the path of his boss. His work is usually filled with rhymes. He will do better as a poet.

Reuben Abati: Reuben writes for a number of newspapers, but his Tuesday column in Thisday newspaper titled "Tuesday with Reuben Abati" is one I usually follow. Reuben has a great academic background, having a degree in Theatre Arts, Law, and Communication. This shows in his writing. Being a former spoke's person to President Jonathan; and also a Deputy Governorship candidate to Buruji Kashamu of PDP in Ogun State gubernatorial elections of 2019, Reuben has varying experience which he brings to his writings. As a PhD holder, his articles are sometimes written in scholastic manner. Other times, he writes his like a movie script. He doesn't fail to show his love for women and bottles in some of his writings. He has a good knowledge of Nigeria laws and he sure put them in context whenever his topic demands.

Segun Adeniyi: This Kwara born journalist, and former spoke's man to late President Yar'dua is one writer who writes some interesting piece at times. Segun's thought is well aligned with happenings in the polity. If there is one word to describe Segun, I would say he is one person who wants to be in the good book of every politician regardless of party affiliations. So this sometimes makes it difficult for him to maintain a firm position. His column is titled "Verdict" and published every Thursday in Thisday newspaper.

Shaka Momodu: Shaka is not your every day columnist. He is a fiery writer. He writes with so much energy which shows his passion for Nigeria. In this current political dispensation, he is the most fearless columnist who is not afraid to lay facts bare regardless of whose ox would be gored. He has got a ground grasp of the polity and every of his piece is usually at the heart of it. If Femi Adeshina's title of wailers still holds, Shaka would be a ranking member. He usually punches the acclaimed integrity of this government with lines that can be directly linked to appointees and head of the Government at different times in their political life. His column doesn't have specific days it is published in Thisday newspaper. Sometimes it appears on Mondays, and other times just random days within the week. His column is titled "This Republic".

Alex Otti: This former banker and serial governorship candidate in Abia State is one writer who I enjoy to read his column. His column is titled "Outside the Box" and appears in Thisday newspaper on Mondays. Based on his education and work experience, Alex writes mainly on economy. His piece is one I would recommend. He addresses the problem and profer solutions. This is something that can not be said of most Nigerians, given the fact that they only complain without suggesting way forward.

Farook Kperogi: America based Farook writes for Tribune and Daily trust newspaper. But his piece in Tribune is one I love to catch up with. The title is "Notes from Atlanta". Farook is a professor of English and Communication and he doesn't fail to show his dexterity of the English language in his writings. I read his piece for this reason. He is a staunch critic of this current administration. In my view, I think Farook should write more on national issues with an open mind because he has the intellect to do justice to many topics.

Others I love to read their columns include Akin Osuntokun of Thisday newspaper, Abimbola Adelakun of Punch newspaper, Isaiah Mailafia of Business Day newspaper, Ijeoma Nwogwugwu of Thisday newspaper, and Sonala Olumhense of Punch Newspaper to mention but a few. I would have love to say a few things about the names mentioned here but I don't want to make this thread too long to allow for easy read as I know members of this constituency don't like to read lengthy articles.

I would say it is somewhat difficult for me to choose a favourite.

For other people here, do you face similar difficulties in choosing your favourite columnist? Would you recommend another columnist for me that I didn't mention here? Let me know your thoughts.

Lalasticla over to you, sir.

Yomi Odunuga and Sam Akpe

It would be nice if you can state the title of their column and the newspaper they write for.

ProudlyAfarmer:
Yomi Odunuga and Sam Akpe

Nnanna Ochereome,'people and politics' vanguard newspapers

Rudolf Okonkwo, writer of "Correct me if I am right".. Sahara Reporters

Sorry, I don't like Nigerian columnists.

Try those articles on Bloomberg, Economist and New York Times to enjoy yourself

SoNature:
Sorry, I don't like Nigerian columnists.

Try those articles on Bloomberg, Economist and New York Times to enjoy yourself

You should see where I wrote above that countries face their own peculiar problems. Columnists with the Bloomberg, Economist and co won't address the Nigerian problems. Even when they try to, they write from the position of face value.

I follow the international media space to an extent but beyond their writing style or flowery prose, their platform is to discuss mainly issues pertaining to their country.

niyogeol:
You should see where I wrote above that countries face their own peculiar problems. Columnists with the Bloomberg, Economist and co won't address the Nigerian problems. Even when they try to, they write from the position of face value.

I follow the international media space to an extent but beyond their writing style or flowery prose, their platform is to discuss mainly issues pertaining to their country.

Uncle, those foreign media houses have Nigerian writers who write about Nigeria as well.

But the editors rework the articles in a way you would rarely tell they were originally written by Nigerians.

Not many youth read much.

SoNature:


Uncle, those foreign media houses have Nigerian writers who write about Nigeria as well.

But the editors rework the articles in a way you would rarely tell they were originally written by Nigerians.

You are right. But anyone who can't append his Nigerian name to an article cannot be said to be Nigerian now. Between, it is not an every day occurrence with these foreign newspapers. And most times when they happen, the political gladiators back home are behind the scene trying to outshine or ridicule themselves. Which most times is not in our best interest.

Just like one editorial did by Irish Times on the PI/D debacle between the Irish owned company and Nigeria. They heaped blames towards the Nigeria State, and the comments from their readers said so many funny things about Nigeria which many were not true. Although another piece from Bloomberg gave some insight into the shady past of the founder of the company, PID. Whom they said was a mechanic at a point in his life and even a failed entertainer in his native Ireland before the Nigeria oligarchs turned him to a Mafia by awarding him contracts which he wouldn't have gotten in his home state.

Mahmud jega of daily trust

BitCraftman:
Not many youth read much.

You are not wrong. This is not only a Nigeria problem. But more bearing with the young people here. They prefer to catch up on Big Brother Naija, or even go as far as the international stage like catching up with the Kardashians just to form woke.

For me, it is something my dad instilled in me when I was in High School. So it has become an habit of some sort.

MartinsOnyx:
Rudolf Okonkwo, writer of "Correct me if I am right".. Sahara Reporters

I think this same fellow writes for Punch newspaper.

I wouldn't like to read from people with such mindset then.

Sonnyboom:
The bigot in chief himself

Okey Ndibe.... That guy is a bomb

Seun, lalasticla, mynd44, davide470, and other mods here, why can't this thread grace the front page for people to contribute to it and discuss?

Given the reach of the platform you have created Seun, you can also help shape the outlook of young people beyond the gossips and innuendos that mostly catch their fantasies by putting some educational posts on the homepage daily. That way, you will always attract the sort of people who engaged on this forum say 7 - 10 years ago. The conversation here has simply lost steam.

Nairaland is your legacy. And your foresight in creating it has to be commended. But you have to sustain the health of the conversation here. The information this forum provided me is immense and I believe I can't thank you enough for it. But many of those people who contributed to such robust conversations have since moved on because of how the space has degenerated by tribal herdsmen, scammers and people spamming threads and seeking cheap popularity. Please rethink this and make this space more engaging and innovative.

I have moderated social media on the global stage with one of the biggest players in the industry. So I can offer some perspective if you are interested. Regards.