Broadcasting
5 Business Lessons to Learn from Showmax’s Freemen

In Nigeria, entrepreneurship and business enterprises play a pivotal role in the economy, with businesses spread across all corners of the country. However, when seeking advice on business matters, one group stands out – the Igbo people, renowned for their enduring affinity with commerce, notably through the Igbo apprenticeship system.
This system has nurtured numerous millionaires and notable figures in Nigeria’s business landscape. And Showmax’s compelling documentary, Freemen, delves into their journey, showcasing their rise, stories, and the rich culture of the longstanding “Igba Boi” tradition.
From the chairman of Coscharis Group, Dr Cosmas Maduka, to the chairman of Innoson Group of Companies, Chief Innocent Chukwuma, the Founder/Group Executive Chairman, Chicason Group, Sir Alex Chika Okafor and the renowned entrepreneur Obi Cubana, the documentary imparts invaluable lessons from their experiences and successes.
Here are 5 business lessons we’ve learned from Freemen.
1. You Can’t Do It Alone
In the world of business, collaboration is key. Just like in Igbo apprenticeship where a master mentors their apprentice, building a network of support and guidance can significantly enhance chances of success.
Speaking in the first episode of the documentary, the Executive Producer of Freemen, Nigerian rapper, and actor, Tobechukwu ‘Illbliss’ Ejiofor, emphasised the importance of togetherness in building a successful business empire.
He revealed: “When I came into Lagos, I realised that my journey wasn’t going to be complete if I didn’t create an opportunity for others from my own hustle. When you get in, you bring in your brother; it’s a philosophy that we built and ran with. I just know that I need to be able to get in and pull other people in, showing them exactly what it is that needs to be done”.
Obi Cubana captures it all in the same episode: “Never leave a brother behind”, he concluded.
2. Master One Thing; Not All
According to Freemen, rather than spreading yourself too thin by trying to do everything, concentrate on mastering one aspect of your business.
Dr Cosmas Maduka’s story in episode two of the documentary is a prime example. Having begun his apprenticeship as early as the age of seven, even though he absorbed the knowledge of supply management, inventory control, accountancy, and administration which the Igbo apprenticeship system availed him, he focused on “internal combustion engine” under the tutelage of his uncle who had a catalogue for motorcycles. This led him to discover not just the contents but all the working parts of motorcycles and automobiles.
Unsurprisingly, Dr Cosmas’ breakthrough came from selling motorcycle crash bars, a product in scarce supply, at a substantial markup.
For Chief Innocent Chukwuma, one of Nigeria’s most successful car manufacturers, he had to spend seven months studying and mastering motorcycle parts before proceeding to work with his brother under whose auspices he became an apprentice. Before long, he was able to build a motorcycle by himself. In fact, he once brought the price of a motorcycle down from ₦150,000 to ₦60,000 due to his homemade brand.
In the near future, Chief Innocent Chukwuma aims to produce homemade cars that are cheaper than imported cars, in order to make automobiles more affordable.
3. Keep Developing
Continuous learning and improvement are essential for staying ahead in business. Just as apprentices in Igbo culture undergo rigorous training and skill development, entrepreneurs must continually invest in their own growth and development.
Engr Okezie Onyemelukwe, owner of Soundhouse Digital Multimedia, an independently owned and operated full-service event management company based in Enugu, is a testament to how developing one’s skill and talent can be the biggest pathway to success. In the third episode of Freemen, Engr Okezie revealed how he started from his local church, joining the team in charge of sound production. Before long, he joined his uncle’s music outfit which started with only a keyboard and a microphone. However, he honed his skill for years, ensuring that people rely on him before they can get their music production jobs done.
Today, some of the most competent sound engineers and live event professionals in southeast Nigeria have gone through Okezie’s tutelage as apprentices.
“When people see me driving the cars I drive, they want to be like me,” he said. “But they don’t see all the efforts and discipline that went into getting here. When you want to copy and paste someone’s life, make sure you copy from their past, not only their present”, Okezie said on the importance of discipline and development in running a successful business.
4. Find a Niche, Where There’s a Gap
Identifying an unmet need or underserved market niche is a recipe for success. Similar to how Igbo apprenticeships often specialise in specific trades or crafts, Freemen reveals that entrepreneurs must seek out opportunities where they can fill a gap in the market.
Reflecting on his journey, Dr Cosmas Maduka recalled how he identified a niche market opportunity within Boulos Enterprises. He seized the chance to sell motorcycle crash bars, a product in scarce supply, at a substantial markup. This strategic move propelled his success and layed the foundation for the highly influential business mogul he is today. By offering unique solutions or products tailored to a specific audience, you can carve out a profitable niche for your business.
5. Be Ready to Serve
At the core of a successful business lies a commitment to serving others. In Igbo apprenticeship, both masters and apprentices understand the importance of service in their relationship.
For Anene Cyril Okeke, CEO of Lastborn Investment Ltd, a business owner who currently has over 14 apprentices working under him and over 20 who have graduated through him, he too had to go through his period of service.
“At a point, I regretted being an apprentice at my brother’s because he was hard on me. I would be the one to go on errands, I would be the one to fetch water, I would be the one to cook”, he said.
“It is now that I know that all of those were trainings that I should have gone through. If not, all the things I know now, I wouldn’t know”.
For Dr Cosmas Maduka, he had to serve and go through the Igbo Apprenticeship System at an early age, leading him to eventually take on the management of automobile branches in Jos, Sokoto, Nnewi, and Lagos.
During his years of service, Dr Maduka was under the guidance of his uncle, who was a motorcycle spare parts trader. However, they lived in humble conditions: “My uncle himself had just started a business and lived in his own uncle’s house in a one-bedroom with his wife. In that bedroom, they used curtains to divide the sitting room from the bedroom. A man that is sleeping in a passage went to get an apprentice so you can know where my bedroom would be,” he said.
That humble beginning of service, which is enclosed in the “Igba Boi” system, not only propelled his success but also enabled him to amass his first million dollars by the age of 24. By 25, his wealth had doubled to more than 2 million dollars.
Freemen is a captivating exploration of the Igbo Apprenticeship System, known locally as “Igba Boi”. Binge all seven episodes of Freemen now on www.showmax.com.
Broadcasting
Spotify RADAR Africa Turns the Volume Up on FOLA and Thakzin

Spotify is turning the spotlight toward the next wave of African music innovators with its latest RADAR Africa picks: Nigerian Afrobeats talent FOLA and South African Afro House DJ and producer Thakzin. As part of Spotify’s ongoing commitment to discovering and amplifying emerging voices across Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), RADAR continues to champion boundary-pushing artists shaping the sound of tomorrow.
FOLA, born Folarin Odunlami, first caught attention with his freestyles on social media, quickly making a name for himself with his blend of Afrobeat rhythms and soulful storytelling. His breakout EP What A Feeling, featuring the Bella Shmurda-assisted hit “Who Does That,” laid the foundation for a fast-rising career that now includes collaborations with BNXN, Magixx, and BhadBoi OML. “Looking at where I’m coming from, I see every opportunity as a blessing. So, it’s a blessing to have been selected, just like others before me,” says FOLA. “I want my fans to know that in the midst of all the noise, I made something they could truly connect with, feel and share with those who mean something to them. I want everyone who listens to at the very least, recognise that they’re witnessing the early days of something truly special.”
On the southern tip of the continent, Thakzin’s journey began in Ivory Park, Johannesburg, where early jazz and kwaito influences, plus a deep respect for traditional percussion, shaped his signature sound. With co-signs from Black Coffee and international tastemakers like Laurent Garnier, his genre-defying approach to Afro House, heard in his 2023 anthem “The Magnificent Dance,” is setting global dance floors alight. Following the release of Magnificent Dance, his version of Horns In The Sun by DJ Kent became a viral hit across South Africa and gained global traction, potentially surpassing the success of Magnificent Dance itself. Thakzin’s sound is rooted in African spirituality and healing, inspired by the rhythmic power of traditional drums. Shaped by a musical upbringing and guided by his father, a keyboardist, he blends rich harmonies with percussive elements to create an immersive Afro-house experience. His music evokes emotion, movement, and ancestral energy, anchored in freedom and African expression. In recognition of his role in shaping 3-step, Thakzin was the first cover artist of Spotify’s 3 STEP playlist.
Spotify RADAR isn’t just a platform, it’s a launchpad. It reflects Spotify’s commitment to empowering local artists across SSA and delivering the best listening experience in the region. From Lagos to Johannesburg, RADAR celebrates the diversity of talent on the continent, offering artists equal access to global audiences.
“At Spotify, we believe in the power of African storytelling through music. FOLA and Thakzin are both incredibly unique artists who represent the spirit of RADAR—fresh voices with global potential,” says Phiona Okumu, Spotify’s Head of Music, Sub-Saharan Africa. “By amplifying their journeys, we hope to inspire more creators across the continent to believe in their vision and reach for bigger stages.”
With FOLA and Thakzin stepping into the spotlight, one thing is clear: Africa’s future sound is already here, and Spotify is where you find it first.
Broadcasting
Paradigm Initiative Applauds Malawi’s Judiciary for Outlawing Criminal Defamation

Paradigm Initiative (PIN) commends the decision by the High Court of Malawi, sitting as the Constitutional Court (ConCourt), which finds that section 200 of the Penal Code of Malawi, criminalising defamation, is unconstitutional. This follows a unanimous ruling by Justices Chifundo Kachale, Fiona Mwale, and Mzondi Mvula.
The decision by the three-judge bench concludes a case brought by Joshua Chisa Mbele against the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Attorney General, where the latter leveled charges against Mbele for alleged defamatory statements made regarding a public official in Malawi. In his defence, Mbele challenged the constitutionality of section 200 of the Penal Code of Malawi, which criminalised defamation, arguing that this provision infringed the right to freedom of expression as provided for under section 35 of the country’s Constitution, as well as running counter to Malawi’s obligations under regional and international human rights law.
In its commendable ruling, the ConCourt upheld the right to freedom of expression enshrined in the Malawian Constitution and described the punishment of imprisonment, as outlined in Section 200 of the Malawi Penal Code, as having a “chilling effect on public discourse and democratic participation.” In a ruling delivered on July 16th, 2025, the court said it did not find Section 200 of the Malawi Penal Code reasonable or necessary in light of the civil remedies available to deal with defamation.
PIN celebrates this win, having expressed concerns in the past over Malawi’s repressive laws through the Londa report on the state of digital rights and inclusion in Malawi and a joint advocacy statement calling for the repeal of laws infringing on freedom of expression.
PIN hopes that this decision will stir the legislature in Malawi to repeal laws that have a bearing on freedom of expression such as the Electronic Transactions and Cybersecurity Act 2016, which is increasingly being deployed as a weapon to criminalise freedom of expression and media freedom in Malawi with broad provisions such as section 87 that criminalises publication of offensive communications and an overly broad section 91 of the Act (prohibiting cyber spamming) which has been used to target individuals for insulting the President.
Acknowledging the judiciary’s vital role in promoting fundamental rights and freedoms and ensuring that repressive laws are outlawed, PIN applauds the progressive decision. The Malawi judiciary has demonstrated this leadership with a landmark case that can lead to further legislative reforms in Malawi and inspire other African judiciaries to adopt a human rights-based approach to adjudicating over such cases.
Broadcasting
Canal+ Clears Final Hurdle to Acquire South Africa’s MultiChoice

France’s Canal+ said Wednesday it had cleared the final regulatory hurdle for the buyout of Africa’s largest pay TV enterprise, MultiChoice, and further expand its footprint on the continent.
The company said in a statement that the South African Competition Tribunal had given its approval for Canal+ to acquire the approximately 55 per cent of MultiChoice shares it does not already own.
The approval “clears the way for us to conclude the transaction in line with our previously communicated timeline” by October 8 at the latest, Canal+ chief executive Maxime Saada said in a statement.
“I’m excited about the potential this transaction unlocks for all stakeholders… the combined Group will benefit from enhanced scale, greater exposure to high-growth markets and the ability to deliver meaningful synergies,” he added.
Canal+ is present in 25 African countries through 16 subsidiaries and has eight million subscribers, according to the French group.
MultiChoice operates in 50 countries across sub-Saharan Africa and has 14.5 million subscribers, it says. It includes Africa’s premier sports broadcaster, SuperSport, and the DStv satellite television service.
“It is a hugely positive step forward in our journey to bring together two iconic media and entertainment companies and create a true champion for Africa,” Saada said about combining Canal+’s French language offerings with the English and Portuguese content on MultiChoice.
Canal+ hopes that the acquisition will allow it to grow to 50 to 100 million subscribers in a few years, from 27 million currently.
The mandatory share offer of 125 rand (6 euros) per share values MultiChoice values the company at $3.0 billion (2.6 billion euros).
The approval came with several public-interest conditions worth about 26 billion rand over three years and keeping MultiChoice’s headquarters in South Africa. Shares in Canal+ climbed 1.3 per cent in trading in London, and are up 12.8 per cent this year.
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