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John Boyega: ‘Sustainability in fashion is key to me, but people need to be educated’

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4 years ago

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British-Nigerian actor John Boyega has a lot going on. With filming for his trio of Star Wars films over, the 29-year old actor has been confirmed to join Oscar winner Viola Davis and GQ cover star Lashana Lynch in Gina Prince-Bythewood’s The Woman Kin, a period film focused on the 18th-century African kingdom of Dahomey. In addition, the Peckham-born star is the lead in the upcoming war epic 892 and if rumours swirling in the Twittersphere are anything to go by, there’s a chance he’s going to replace Daniel Craig as 007.

Golden Globe Award-winning Boyega has also turned his hand to designing and has partnered with H&M to create a range of sustainable clothing, which goes on sale at the end of this month. The Edition by John Boyega collection comprises wardrobe staples – checked overcoats, oversized cardigans, roll-neck knits and chunky sneakers – cut from recycled wool, organic cotton, post-consumer waste and deadstock, and Vegea, a vegan alternative to leather.

Ahead of the collection’s launch, GQ sat down with Boyega to find out what sustainability means to him, what goes into his everyday wardrobe and how his personal style has changed since he became an actor.

I have a diverse style. I’ve always tried to incorporate a range of colours, patterns and different fits that are referential of native wear into my wardrobe. I’ve worn everything from Louis Vuitton catwalk looks to traditional Nigerian dress. I’m still trying to work my style out, I’m incredibly curious to see where it can go and how far I can push it.

Sustainability is key to me. People need to be educated. I had a normal upbringing in the UK and the only thing I ever really knew or heard about sustainability was linked to recycling and what the bin men were willing to take away. Fashion is a good way of being responsible for your own sustainability and carbon output, as, let’s face it, people can’t always be sustainable in every aspect of their lives. With your fashion choices you can be better more easily, as there are so many brands doing good stuff, or you can learn to reuse. I wanted that to be intrinsic to the H&M collection.

I love wearing Nigerian gowns. I wear these wildly-patterned robes in the house that I’ll never show anyone else that I rock, but they’re amazing. I love a loose fit; they’re so comfortable. I wear Nigerian dress more in public when I go to Nigeria, but here not so. I actually wanted to subtly hint at my heritage in the H&M collection through the patterns and prints.

There’s a lot of good fashion in Nigeria. When we did Pacific Rim we went on a press tour there, and designers got wind. They were sending me stuff and it opened my eyes to how much talent there is in the country.

I’ve been wearing H&M as long as I can remember. It’s long been my go-to for simple, everyday pieces. Nowhere does it better, to be honest. I like to mix those budget-friendly products with higher-end ones.

I have made some fashion mistakes. I used to wear these trousers which were slim around the ankle, and then were bigger at the thigh. My thighs are far too big for that. I looked totally ridiculous and even bigger than I was.

Image may contain Clothing Apparel Footwear Shoe John Boyega Sitting Human Person Furniture and Chair

Acting has made me a better dresser. As you climb the acting ladder, your team expands and you have people helping you to dress. In the early days I just wore what I was told, but as I’ve learned more, I have found more of an identity and now I know what works for me.

Jake Pentecost has excellent style. That’s my character from Pacific Rim. He had subtle African print gowns. They are banging. I was producing that movie so I had more say on his costume, so I played into my own heritage.

I’d love to play Prince Akeem Joffer. Eddie Murphy’s Coming 2 America character had an excellent wardrobe that touched on proper African style.

Fixer-upper fashion was what I grew up with. Me and my peers received the same pay, so we all could afford the same sort of thing, which wasn’t a lot. One of my close friends was really good at making the most of little, and he managed to make every outfit look new, even if it was just recycling the same shirts over and over. That inspired me to be more mindful.

Nike Air Maxes defined being cool. It meant you were in with the right crowd when I was growing up. As I got older I realised there was more out there and I am now open to anything.

I love Daily Paper. The designers always try to send me stuff, but I secretly buy it instead. I want to support them as much as possible.

Virgil Abloh’s work for Louis Vuitton is amazing. We collaborated together on my Critics’ Choice Awards look, which was great. He just gets it.

I’ve just started wearing jewellery. I bought my first diamonds last year, just ahead of turning 28 as a treat to myself. I was with Jamie Foxx in Atlanta – we were working on They Cloned Tyrone – and he took me to this jeweller he regularly goes to.

I thank my sisters for the way I dress. We had that weird transition when we were early teens where we could share clothes. I used to wear their trousers. But then other girls in my life would be like, ‘John, come on’.

My job has made me better with my grooming regime. People forget that sure, people do my make-up and hair, but they’re also teaching me stuff. Through those experiences, I now have incorporated lip scrubs and face rollers into my everyday.

My hair is always based on circumstance. My roles have heavily influenced what it looks like. For 892 it had to be short. For Tyrone it had to be crazy big. I adapt to films. When I can have what I want, I like a fade.

Clean cut and no facial hair is the way forward. I’ve got a young face and can’t grow a beard, so obviously I’m going to say that. I’m hoping I’ve got the Pharrell gene, to be honest. But I don’t think people are into beards anymore, as they were a few years ago.

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Africa

U.S. Signals More Strikes in Nigeria as Abuja Confirms Joint Military Campaign

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2 weeks ago

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December 27, 2025

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The United States has warned that further airstrikes against Islamic State targets in north-western Nigeria are imminent, as Nigerian officials confirmed that recent attacks were part of coordinated operations between both countries.

The warning came hours after U.S. forces struck militant camps in Sokoto State, an operation President Donald Trump publicly framed as a response to what he described as the killing of Christians in Nigeria. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the strikes were only the beginning.

“The president was clear last month: the killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria (and elsewhere) must end,” Hegseth wrote on X. “The Pentagon is always ready, so ISIS found out tonight—on Christmas. More to come. Grateful for Nigerian government support & cooperation.”

Nigeria’s foreign minister, Yusuf Tuggar, confirmed on Friday that the strikes were carried out as part of “joint ongoing operations,” pushing back against earlier tensions sparked by Trump’s public criticism of Nigeria’s handling of insecurity.

The airstrikes followed a brief diplomatic rift after Trump accused Nigeria’s government of failing to protect Christians from militant violence. Nigerian officials responded by reiterating that extremist groups in the country target both Christians and Muslims, and that the conflict is driven by insurgency and criminality rather than religious persecution.

Speaking to Channels Television, Tuggar said Nigeria provided intelligence support for the strikes in Sokoto and described close coordination with Washington. He said he spoke with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio for nearly 20 minutes before briefing President Bola Tinubu and receiving approval to proceed, followed by another call with Rubio to finalize arrangements.

“We have been working closely with the Americans,” Tuggar said. “This is what we’ve always been hoping for—to work together to combat terrorism and stop the deaths of innocent Nigerians. It’s a collaborative effort.”

U.S. Africa Command later confirmed that the strikes were conducted in coordination with Nigerian authorities. An earlier statement, later removed, had suggested the operation was carried out at Nigeria’s request.

Trump, speaking in an interview with Politico, said the operation had originally been scheduled for Wednesday but was delayed at his instruction. “They were going to do it earlier,” he said. “And I said, ‘Nope, let’s give a Christmas present.’ They didn’t think that was coming, but we hit them hard. Every camp got decimated.”

Neither the U.S. nor Nigerian authorities have disclosed casualty figures or confirmed whether militants were killed. Tuggar, when asked whether additional strikes were planned, said only: “You can call it a new phase of an old conflict. For us, this is ongoing.”

Nigeria is officially a secular state, with a population split roughly between Muslims and Christians. While violence against Christian communities has drawn increasing attention from religious conservatives in the United States, Nigeria’s government maintains that extremist groups operate without regard to faith, attacking civilians across religious lines.

Trump’s public rhetoric contrasts with his 2024 campaign messaging, in which he cast himself as a “candidate of peace” who would pull the United States out of what he called endless foreign wars. Yet his second term has already seen expanded U.S. military action abroad, including strikes in Yemen, Iran, and Syria, as well as a significant military buildup in the Caribbean directed at Venezuela.

On the ground in Sokoto State, residents of Jabo village—near one of the strike sites—reported panic and confusion as missiles hit nearby areas. Local residents said no casualties had been recorded, but security forces quickly sealed off the area.

“As it approached our area, the heat became intense,” Abubakar Sani told the Associated Press. “The government should take appropriate measures to protect us. We have never experienced anything like this before.”

Another resident, farmer Sanusi Madabo, said the night sky glowed red for hours. “It was almost like daytime,” he said. “We only learned later that it was a U.S. airstrike.”

For now, both Washington and Abuja are projecting unity. Whether the strikes mark a sustained shift in strategy—or another brief escalation in a long war—remains unclear.

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Africa

Nigeria–Burkina Faso Rift: Military Power, Mistrust, and a Region Out of Balance

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4 weeks ago

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December 14, 2025

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The brief detention of a Nigerian Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft and its crew in Burkina Faso may have ended quietly, but it exposed a deeper rift shaped by mistrust, insecurity, and uneven military power in West Africa. What was officially a technical emergency landing quickly became a diplomatic and security flashpoint, reflecting not hostility between equals, but anxiety between unequally matched states navigating very different political realities.

On December 8, 2025, the Nigerian Air Force transport aircraft made an unscheduled landing in Bobo-Dioulasso while en route to Portugal. Nigerian authorities described the stop as a precautionary response to a technical fault—standard procedure under international aviation and military safety protocols. Burkina Faso acknowledged the emergency landing but emphasized that the aircraft had violated its airspace, prompting the temporary detention of 11 Nigerian personnel while investigations and repairs were conducted. Within days, the crew and aircraft were released, underscoring a professional, if tense, resolution.

Yet the symbolism mattered. In a Sahel region gripped by coups, insurgencies, and fragile legitimacy, airspace is not merely technical—it is political. Burkina Faso’s reaction reflected a state on edge, hyper-vigilant about sovereignty amid persistent internal threats. Nigeria’s response, measured and restrained, reflected confidence rooted in capacity.

The military imbalance between the two countries is stark. Nigeria fields one of Africa’s most formidable armed forces, with a tri-service structure that includes a large, well-equipped air force, a dominant regional navy, and a sizable army capable of sustained operations. The Nigerian Air Force operates fighter jets such as the JF-17 and F-7Ni, as well as A-29 Super Tucanos for counterinsurgency operations, heavy transport aircraft like the C-130, and an extensive helicopter fleet. This force is designed not only for internal security but for regional power projection and multinational operations.

Burkina Faso’s military, by contrast, is compact and narrowly focused. Its air arm relies on a limited number of light attack aircraft, including Super Tucanos, and a small helicopter fleet primarily dedicated to internal counterinsurgency. There is no navy, no strategic airlift capacity comparable to Nigeria’s, and limited logistical depth. The Burkinabè military is stretched thin, fighting multiple insurgent groups while also managing the political consequences of repeated military takeovers.

This imbalance shapes behavior. Nigeria’s military posture is institutional, outward-looking, and anchored in regional frameworks such as ECOWAS. Burkina Faso’s posture is defensive, reactive, and inward-facing. Where Nigeria seeks stability through deterrence and cooperation, Burkina Faso seeks survival amid constant internal pressure. That difference explains why a technical landing could be perceived as a “serious security breach” rather than a routine aviation incident.

The incident also illuminates why Burkina Faso continues to struggle to regain political balance. Repeated coups have eroded civilian institutions, fractured command structures, and blurred the line between governance and militarization. The armed forces are not just security actors; they are political stakeholders. This creates a cycle where insecurity justifies military rule, and military rule deepens insecurity by weakening democratic legitimacy and regional trust.

Nigeria, despite its own security challenges, has managed to avoid this spiral. Civilian control of the military remains intact, democratic transitions—however imperfect—continue, and its armed forces operate within a clearer constitutional framework. This stability enhances Nigeria’s regional credibility and amplifies its military superiority beyond hardware alone.

The C-130 episode did not escalate into confrontation precisely because of this asymmetry. Burkina Faso could assert sovereignty, but not sustain defiance. Nigeria could have asserted its capability, but chose restraint. In the end, professionalism prevailed.

Still, the rift lingers. It is not about one aircraft or one landing, but about two countries moving in different strategic directions. Nigeria stands as a regional anchor with superior military power and institutional depth. Burkina Faso remains a state searching for equilibrium—politically fragile, militarily constrained, and acutely sensitive to every perceived threat from the skies above.

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NBA pick Khaman Maluach Hoping to ‘Change the Narrative’ About Africa

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7 months ago

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June 27, 2025

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Immediately after getting drafted, Maluach was asked: “So many people, when they think about Africa, think about strife, think about war, think about not so great things about the continent, let alone South Sudan. How much of a responsibility do you think you have in changing perceptions of what people think Africa is in terms of thinking more about the resources, thinking about the people of Africa and South Sudan, specifically?”

Maluach’s native country, South Sudan, is undergoing a humanitarian crisis. His family fled the country to a suburb of Kampala, Uganda, in search of safety and opportunity during the South Sudan crisis. He now hopes to change the narrative about the region by highlighting its good parts on the world stage.

“I think about showing them the good parts of Africa,” Maluach said at the press conference after he was drafted. “I’m thinking about showing them the great places in Africa, like Kigali, whether it’s Senegal, whether it’s the safaris in Africa, and showing them the cultures we have and the people we have, which is different from the stuff they see on TV. I just want to change the narrative, the narrative of our people and how they see my continent.”

Maluach was born in Rumbek, once an important city in South Sudan that was ravaged by the country’s civil war. The 7’2″ center’s road to success was far from easy. The nearest basketball court to his house was nearly an hour’s walk away and usually packed. Moreover, he played his first game in Crocs, not basketball shoes. But his dedication was enough to catch the eye of local coaches Wal Deng and Aketch Garang.

Through the effort that he put in, Maluach made it to the NBA Academy Africa in Saly, Senegal, then to the Duke Blue Devils, and now the Suns. He hopes the moment inspires kids on the continent.

“Living in Africa, I had the whole continent on my back. Giving hope to young kids,” he said after the Suns selected him No. 10 overall.

Maluach considers basketball a gift God gave him, and hopes to finish off his NBA career as a Hall of Famer.

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