2023 in Review: The 23 Stories You Loved on BellaNaija

Before entering Big Brother’s house, Ipeleng Selepe had a YouTube channel where she posted interesting and insightful vlogs especially tailored towards skincare and a smattering of general content creation. Her account has since moved from under 1,000 subscribers to 12,400 subscribers. We shared with you all at the times Ipeleng, the skin care aficionado, shared helpful skincare tips, based on her personal experience, on her YouTube channel.

Whether you’re looking for a significant change or a subtle step outside your comfort zone, 2023 was the year for good hair. See all the best 2023 hair trends.

19.

Chef Hilda Baci Attempting to a Guinness World Record with Her 4-Day Cook-a-Thon

Hilda Effiong Bassey, also known as Hilda Baci, the head cook at FoodbyHilda, attempted to break the Guinness World Record for the longest cooking marathon. The cook-a-thon began on May 11 and ended on May 14, and was live-streamed on multiple social media channels. During the event, Hilda prepared over 250 recipes including Party Jollof, Coconut Rice, Native Rice, Peppered Fish, Turkey Stew, and more. Amazingly, she went on to achieve a total of 100 hours of cooking!

18.

Lil Durk featured J. Cole and Burna Boy in “All My Life”

American rapper Lil Durk linked up with Nigerian Afrobeats hitmaker Burna Boy for the remix of “All My Life”, his hit song with rapper J. Cole. First released in May, the Dr. Luke-produced song has garnered over 225 million streams on Spotify.

17.

The Cast of “Shanty Town”

The Xavier Ighorodje and Chichi Nworah creation follows the story of three Lagos-based hustlers who unite to wage war against the biggest and most ruthless crime ring in the state. Shanty Town’s star cast features Nollywood veterans like Richard Mofe–Damijo, Ini Edo, Chidi Mokeme, Nse Ikpe–Etim, Shola Shobowale, Shaffy Bello, Ali Nuhu, and Uche Jombo. Also featuring in this star-studded show are Zubby Michael, Nancy Isime, Yaw Naija, Omowunmi Dada, Mercy Eke, Shola Sobowale, Regina Daniels, Judith Audu, and one half of iconic Nigerian music duo P-Square, Peter Okoye.

16.

Omah Lay’s latest single “Holy Ghost”

Nigerian singer Omah Lay released “Holy Ghost,” produced by LEKAA. It follows his “Boy Alone: Deluxe” album, released in June 2023.

15.

Actress Nkiru Sylvanus’ Traditional Wedding

 

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14.

Wizkid, Rema, Tobi Amusan, Eche Chinonso, Sandra Ikeji… Meet the Nigerians Who Have Set Guinness World Records

We spotlighted the exceptional Nigerians who have shattered barriers and set Guinness World Records. Among them are those who attempted to surpass existing records, some who exceeded their previous achievements, and others who remain undefeated in their respective records. Each one of them has made an extraordinary impact. From iconic music legends like Fela Kuti and Wizkid to phenomenal dancers such as Kaffy and Pink Debbie to the record-breaking DJs like DJ Obi and DJ Venum, the following list showcases the incredible accomplishments of these Nigerians who have engraved their names into the Guinness World Records.

13.

See the 10 Times Sylvia Nduka Slayed in an Office-Friendly Dress

Work dresses are a timeless addition to any wardrobe, regardless of whether you work in a traditional office, remotely, or constantly find yourself on the move meeting clients and colleagues. Enters Sylvia Nduka, the renowned Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria 2011, who has transitioned from pageantry to becoming a successful entrepreneur and humanitarian. With her impeccable sense of style and empowering presence, she has emerged as a formidable figure in the realm of office-friendly fashion. Sylvia Nduka has effortlessly captured hearts with her undeniable beauty and has become a standout figure in the fashion world, thanks to her innate fashion sensibility. Her style is a fusion of vibrant colours, captivating ankara prints, and a seamless blend of form-fitting and loose-fitting dresses. No matter your taste or work environment, you’re sure to find a few hits below, courtesy of Sylvia Nduka — You’re welcome.

12.

Diamond Platnumz feat. Koffi Olomide on “Achii”

Tanzanian Bongo Flava singer Diamond Platnumz released the official video for his song “Achii,” featuring Congolese Soukous singer Koffi Olomide. The talented Fole X directed the colourful video, and Lizer Classic produced the song.

11.

“I want to be gardened” – What’s Your Favorite Line from Queen Charlotte?

If you’re a fan of Netflix’s hit series “Bridgerton,” then you must have loved the spin-off, “Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story.” From steamy romance to laugh-out-loud moments and an incredible soundtrack, this series had everything. But what really caught the attention of fans were the memorable lines that left us feeling all the feels.

10.

Cuppy bagged an MSc in African Studies from Oxford University

9.

Big Brother Titans Housemates

Big Brother Naija and Big Brother Mzansi joined forces for this year’s season, which was named “Big Brother Titans.” It premiered in January and featured 20 housemates from Nigeria and South Africa. They competed for a grand prize of $100,000. Some of the notable housemates were Khosi, Yemi Cregx, and Juice Jay, co-hosted by Ebuka Obi-Uchendu from Big Brother Naija and Lawrence Maleka from Big Brother Mzansi. At the show’s end, Khosi emerged as the winner, with Kanaga Jnr as the first runner-up.

8.

Davido’s “Timeless” Album

7.

Winners of the 8th All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA)

6.

The Beauty Queens Who Represented African Countries at Miss Universe 2023

We introduced you to beauty queens representing different African countries at the 72nd Miss Universe in El Salvador, including Nigeria, South Africa, Egypt, Namibia, and Zimbabwe.

5.

Uzoamaka Okafor: Things People Don’t Tell You About Moving to the UK

Uzoamaka Okafor reflected on her experiences moving to the UK and shared some tips on how to prepare for moving to the UK and what to expect when coming to the UK for studies or whatever.

4.

Mercy Eke, Tiwa Savage, and Eniola Badmus at the Celebration of Life of Wizkid’s Mum

3.

Tribute to Mohbad

The Nigerian music industry was thrown into a state of shock and mourning after they learned about the passing of Mohbad. The talented singer, known for his unique baritone and beautiful songs like “Ask About Me”, “Pariwo”, and “Peace”, passed away, leaving fans and fellow celebrities in shock and grief. Nigerian celebrities, fellow musicians, and fans took to their various platforms to express their condolences.

2.

Victor Osimhen made history at the 2023 Ballon d’Or

This year has indeed been a good one for Victor Osimhen. The Napoli striker secured the 8th spot in the 2023 Men’s Ballon d’Or rankings. His outstanding performance during the 2022–2023 season, with 25 league goals leading Napoli to their first Serie A title in 33 years, earned him the Best Striker in Serie A award. He also played a crucial role in Napoli’s UEFA Champions League journey and helped the Super Eagles qualify for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. Osimhen’s 8th-place finish set a new record as the highest-ranked Nigerian and African player in the Ballon d’Or, surpassing Kanu Nwankwo’s 24-year-old nomination.

1.

First look at Ini Edo’s Daughter

Nollywood actress Ini Edo took to Instagram in March to share a first look at her daughter Light on her 2nd birthday. In an interview with BellaNaija, the actress opened up about motherhood. She revealed that being a mom has changed her life in ways she never imagined. You can watch it here.

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We are grateful for your unwavering support and engagement throughout the year. Your enthusiasm for these stories fuels our passion to keep bringing you the best in entertainment, news, and inspiration.

Thank you for being a part of the BN family. Let’s raise a toast to another year filled with amazing stories in 2024!