My name is Tunde, and like thousands of young Nigerians, my biggest dream was to japa. I had applied for a UK visa three times, three painful rejections. Each time, the embassy returned my passport with that heart-crushing stamp: “Application Refused.”

One evening, after another rejection, my friend Emeka called me.

“Bro, you’re still struggling with visa? There’s one man in Ibadan, he works miracles. Just pay him, do the sacrifice, and your visa will come.”

I laughed. “Abeg, stop joking. Na scam.”

But Emeka insisted. “My cousin used him last year, two weeks after, visa came. Even the white people don’t understand how it works.”

A week later, I found myself in a dimly lit shrine somewhere in Ibadan. The air smelled of herbs and burnt offerings. The native doctor, a stout man with reddened eyes, sat on a wooden stool, chewing kola nuts.

“You want to travel?” he asked, already knowing my problem.

I nodded.

“₦2 million. I will prepare something powerful for you. The spirits will open doors.”

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₦2 million?! That was almost all my savings. But the way he said it… like it was a sure deal.

“If it doesn’t work?” I asked.

He smirked. “It will work. But if you doubt, walk away.”

Something in his confidence convinced me. Maybe it was frustration. Maybe it was the stories of people who “made it” after visiting him.

I paid.

He gave me a small black pot containing a strange-looking powder.

“Burn this at midnight. Speak your request to the flame. Then wash your face with the ashes the next morning.”

I followed his instructions like my life depended on it.

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Two weeks later, I got an email:

“Your UK visa application has been approved.”

I screamed. IT WORKED!

I called Emeka, overjoyed. “This native doctor is powerful! My visa cleared!”

But then… things got weird.

A week before my flight, I started having the same dream. A faceless woman standing at the foot of my bed, whispering: “You will pay… you will pay…”

I woke up sweating every night.

Then, the calls started. Unknown numbers. When I picked up, silence, followed by faint crying.

One evening, I saw her, the woman from my dreams, standing across the street, staring at me. I blinked, and she was gone.

Frightened, I went back to the native doctor.

This time, his demeanour was different. Cold.

“You got what you wanted, abi? Now, the spirit wants something too.”

“What spirit?!” I shouted.

He sighed. “The money you paid was just part. The real sacrifice is you.”

My blood went cold.

“What are you saying?”

“The spirit that helped you now owns you. If you travel, it will follow you. And one day, it will collect its payment.”

I tore my visa that night.

Some dreams aren’t worth the price.

Now, anytime I see those “Visa lottery” or “Spiritual visa help” ads, I shiver.

Because I know the truth. Some doors, once opened, can never be closed.

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Nigeria is home to 36 states and over 370 distinct ethnic groups, including major ones like the Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo.

The country’s cultural diversity is reflected in its vibrant array of festivals across the 36 states. These festivals are rooted in traditions, beliefs, and communal values passed down through generations. Here’s a look at some of Nigeria’s iconic cultural festivals, grouped by state:

ALSO READ: Top 10 poorest states in Nigeria

Abia State – New Yam Festival

In Abia, the New Yam Festival is a significant event among the Igbo people, symbolizing the end of the yam harvest season. Known as Iri ji ohu, the festival is a time for thanksgiving to the gods for a bountiful harvest. Traditional leaders perform rituals, and families offer prayers and food. Cultural dances, music, and masquerades mark the occasion.

Anambra State – Afiaolu (New Yam Festival)

This festival is celebrated mainly in Nnewi. The Afiaolu festival begins with rituals such as IWAJI (yam tasting) and Ikpa Nku (wood gathering). The Igwe (king) performs thanksgiving rites, while masquerade dances, women’s cultural dances, and feasting bring the community together in joy and thanksgiving.

Bauchi State – Durbar Festival

During Eid celebrations, Bauchi hosts a grand Durbar, where colourfully dressed horsemen parade before emirs and community leaders. This spectacle of horsemanship, music, and martial displays reflects northern Nigeria’s Islamic heritage and warrior traditions.

Borno State – Global Kanuri Cultural Festival

This festival unites Kanuri people from across West Africa in Maiduguri. It’s a celebration of shared heritage, featuring traditional attire, language, culinary arts, and performances, preserving a culture that spans multiple countries.

Cross River State – Calabar Carnival

This festival is tagged “Africa’s Biggest Street Party.” The Calabar Carnival is a month-long extravaganza held every December. With parades, colourful costumes, band competitions, and global participants, it fuses modern carnival flair with local traditions in an electrifying atmosphere.

Enugu State – Mmanwu & Iriji-Mmanwu Festivals

The Mmanwu festival showcases traditional masquerades believed to embody ancestral spirits. The Iriji-Mmanwu, held in August, merges new yam festivities with over 2,000 masquerade performances, acrobatics, and vibrant dances, celebrating Igbo spirituality and art.

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Imo State – Ikeji Arondizuogu Festival

A celebration of Arondizuogu pride, the Ikeji Festival features masquerades, music, and poetry. The event draws tourists and locals, fostering cultural appreciation and unity among the Igbo subgroups.

Jigawa State – Gani Durbar Festival

During this festival which is held annually, the Gani Durbar displays royal regalia, cavalry parades, and music to celebrate historical events and the end of Ramadan. It reinforces traditional authority and cultural pride.

Kano State – Durbar Festival

Kano’s Durbar is among the most extravagant in Nigeria. Featuring hundreds of decorated horsemen, drummers, and dancers, it marks Islamic festivals and royal milestones, attracting tourists from around the world.

ALSO READ: 10 most powerful Kings in Nigeria and their titles

Kogi State – Ovie Orese & Ovia-Osese Festivals

The Ovie Orese celebrates male initiation into adulthood among certain Kogi communities. The Ovia-Osese Festival, celebrated in Ogori, is a rite of passage for virgin girls, recognizing their purity and readiness for womanhood with music, dance, and blessings.

Kwara State – Ilorin Durbar Festival

This multi-day Islamic cultural festival includes royal horse processions, Quranic recitations, and homage to the Emir of Ilorin. It is a blend of religion, culture, and royal grandeur.

Lagos State – Eyo Festival

A historic Yoruba festival held on Lagos Island, Eyo features costumed masqueraders in white, carrying staffs and dancing through the streets. It’s a celebration of Lagos’ ancestors and traditional institutions.

Niger State – Nupe Day Festival

Observed on June 26, Nupe Day commemorates the Nupe people’s 1896 victory over the British. Cultural exhibitions, horse parades, and prayers highlight this proud history and identity.

Ogun State – Ake Festival & Ojude Oba Festival

The Ake Festival celebrates Yoruba literary and artistic excellence in Abeokuta. The Ojude Oba Festival in Ijebu Ode showcases Islamic fashion, horse riding, and tributes to the Awujale, blending culture and religion magnificently.

ALSO READ: Meet one of the longest serving kings in Nigeria who has ruled for over 6 decades

Kebbi State – Argungu Fishing Festival

An iconic four-day event, Argungu draws thousands to compete in fishing using traditional methods. The event includes canoe races, wrestling, and cultural showcases, celebrating peace and productivity since 1934.

Scammers have gotten smarter, and they now have something powerful on their side: artificial intelligence.

AI isn’t just helping us write emails faster or get movie recommendations. It’s being weaponised by bad individuals who are using it to scam people in ways that are shockingly convincing.

These scams are subtle, personalised, and incredibly sneaky. If you think you’re too smart to be fooled, think again, because AI scams aren’t just targeting the clueless anymore. They’re coming for everyone.

Here are 10 subtle yet dangerous ways scammers are using AI to trick people, often without them even realising it.

1. Deepfake voices and videos

AI can now clone voices with just a few seconds of audio. Scammers use this to impersonate loved ones, executives, or customer support agents.

Some victims have received phone calls from someone who sounded exactly like their spouse or child asking for urgent help, only to discover it was a deepfake scam.

2. AI-generated phishing emails

Gone are the days of broken English and obvious typos. With tools like ChatGPT and other AI writing models, scammers can craft perfect, highly personalised phishing emails that mimic the tone and formatting of legitimate companies or contacts.

RELATED: Here’s what to do after falling victim to a scam

3. Chatbot impersonation

Scammers now use AI-powered chatbots on fake websites to mimic real customer service agents. These bots can engage in convincing conversations, directing victims to enter login details or payment information under the guise of technical support.

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4. Fake job offers

Scammers use AI to scrape your LinkedIn profile and resume, then generate a fake job offer tailored to your exact career path. You’ll get a professional-sounding email, a polished contract, and maybe even a “video interview” with a deepfaked hiring manager. All designed to steal your personal info or banking details.

5. Voice Assistant manipulation

Some scams are designed to trigger your Alexa or Google Assistant using AI-generated commands hidden in background audio or video. These hidden voice commands can potentially place orders, change security settings, or send data to the scammer.

6. Personalised social media scams

AI tools can scan your social media and tailor scams that speak directly to you. Just posted a photo of your new puppy? You might get an ad for free pet food, just pay shipping. Except there’s no pet food, and now the scammer has your card info.

7. Impersonation on video calls

With real-time deepfake technology, scammers can now appear as someone else on Zoom or Teams calls. This is particularly dangerous in business settings, where fake executives may approve transfers or data sharing. It’s a digital mask, and it’s terrifyingly good.

READ MORE: How to spot a Ponzi scheme before it steals your life savings

8. Review bombing and fake testimonials

AI can write hundreds of convincing fake reviews, making fraudulent products or services seem trustworthy. Scammers use these to lure victims into investing in fake startups, purchasing counterfeit goods, or signing up for subscription traps.

9. Synthetic identities

Using AI, scammers create entirely new fake identities complete with photos, resumes, and online activity. These are used to open bank accounts, apply for loans, or commit other forms of identity fraud that are hard to trace.

10. Romance and friendship scams

This one’s brutal. AI chatbots can hold entire conversations that feel deep and emotionally engaging. Scammers use them on dating sites and social platforms to build fake relationships, then ask for money, gift cards, or even help laundering cash. Victims lose money and still get emotionally crushed.

RECOMMENDED: How to outsmart scammers and keep your money safe

How to protect yourself

• Verify independently: Don’t trust voice or video alone, follow up with a separate, known contact method.

• Be sceptical of urgency: Scammers often create false emergencies to push you into hasty decisions.

• Use multi-factor authentication (MFA): Even if a scammer has your password, MFA can stop them.

• Limit public information: The less you share online, the less ammo scammers have for social engineering.

• Educate yourself and others: Awareness is the first line of defence.

Trust less, question more

Scammers are no longer lazy or careless, they’re running complex operations powered by cutting-edge AI. That doesn’t mean you have to live in fear, but it does mean you need to stay sceptical.

Always double-check. Don’t trust things just because they “seem real.” In a world where reality can be faked in seconds, your best defence is a healthy dose of doubt and a few extra steps before clicking, downloading, or answering that call.

ALSO READ: 10 most notorious scammers in human history