Broadcasting
Afreximbank Pledges Financial Support Nigeria’s DSO Project
The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has said that it will put up a financial mechanism to ensure the completion of Nigeria’s Digital Switch Over (DSO) project before the end of the year.
According to NAN, Benedict Oramah, Afreximbank president, disclosed this in Cairo, Egypt, when Lai Mohammed, minister of Information and Culture, led a team of DSO stakeholders on bilateral discussions on the project.
In April 2021, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) launched free set-top boxes as part of the digital switchover (DSO) in Lagos.
The initiative was to enable millions of Nigerians who cannot afford the subscriptions of Pay-TV platforms to enjoy digital television with good content from 60 channels.
Oramah said Afreximbank was impressed by the presentation and will make Nigeria a model for other African countries for DSO project financing.
“The move toward digital television is global, and it was impressive to see the seriousness with which the minister has been pursuing this,” he said.
“I have had several meetings with him in France, Nigeria, and he has come here with a very powerful delegation involving all the stakeholders.
“What we are looking out to do is to work with all the stakeholders, particularly the private sector, to put a financing mechanism in place to ensure that Nigeria saves more than $400 million of subsidy that would have been applied.
“When we are able to do this before the end of the year, the Nigerian government will benefit because we are going to free the spectrum that will be now sold for about two billion dollars to telecommunication companies.
“We assure you that we will put in place the financial structure that will work because we know that if we do it well in Nigeria, other African countries pursuing the same goal will take a cue from there.”
Oramah added that supporting the DSO project would create a platform that would accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s creative industry.
On his part, Mohammed noted that the creative industry is key in the diversification of Nigeria’s economy because, after agriculture, it employs a larger number of people, mostly women and the young population.
He said the project would also bridge the digital divide by establishing more equitable access, connecting the unconnected at the underserved and remote communities.
The minister recalled that at the beginning of the programme, the model adopted by the government, which was subsidy driven was not sustainable.
“When the programme started, government subsidised the STB, which was bought from the manufacturers for $30 per box and sold to consumers at $10 per box,” he said.
“Government was also paying the signal distributors and the middleware providers, but the subsidy regime can no longer be sustained.
“Right now, the government is not going to give any financial support again to the project, and that is why we have reengineered and rejigged the programme in a manner that it will be commercially viable.
“Government will only give support to the project in the areas of regulations, advocacy and formulation of policies.
“For instance, we have already amended the Broadcasting Code to protect local manufacturers, advertisers, and channel owners.”
Godfrey Ohuabunwa, chairman of STB Manufacturers in Nigeria, who presented the credit requirement to the Afreximbank, said they would require a total of $165 million.
According to him, $125 million is expected to fund an initial five million STB from the total of 20 million boxes needed in five years.
He said the signal distributors would require $30 million as well as $10 million for marketing and promotion.
Mr. Tim Akano, New Horizons Chief Executive Officer, took centre stage at the Nigerian Information Technology Reporters’ Association (NITRA) annual end-of-year meeting on Thursday, December 18, 2025, recounting the company’s remarkable growth and reaffirming free IT training for journalists.
Tim Akano, New Horizons Chief Executive Officer, in a group photograph with NITRA Members
Speaking directly to IT media members at the company’s training facility in Lagos, Akano acknowledged the critical role journalists played in supporting New Horizons during its formative years two decades ago.
He detailed how the firm evolved from a handful of staff to one of Africa’s leading ICT skills training organisations, now employing about 500 staff across multiple training centres nationwide.
Akano Spotlights Youth Training, University Partnerships
Akano highlighted that New Horizons has trained over 500,000 youths, particularly tertiary institution students, equipping them with practical IT skills essential for Nigeria’s digital economy.
He announced recent partnerships with universities, including a new agreement with Afe Babalola University, to scale hands-on training programmes for students.
“This growth would not have been possible without the media’s support in documenting our journey,” Akano stated, pledging continued free IT skills training for media members to remain competitive in the evolving digital landscape.
Reciprocal Support Defines Long-Standing Partnership
The venue hosting the NITRA meeting underscored Akano’s generosity; NITRA Secretary Chidiebere Nwankwo secured the free facility after contacting him—a gesture consistent with New Horizons hosting multiple association events and training IT journalists since its inception 20 years ago.
Participants shared personal testimonies of Akano’s support, including veteran journalist Aaron Ukodie, whose daughter—an Accounting graduate from the University of Johannesburg—received NYSC placement and IT scholarship at New Horizons.
The Guardian’s Yemi Adeyemi recounted Akano accommodating his editor’s child for mandatory IT training after other firms declined.
Members praised Akano’s commitment to human capital development as evidence of deep appreciation for the media community that chronicled New Horizons’ success over two decades.
National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has launched the NIMC Pre-Enrolment Portal to revolutionise the National Identification Number (NIN) enrolment process, enabling applicants within Nigeria and in the Diaspora to capture biodata online prior to biometric verification at enrolment centres.
NIMC
Accessible via penrol.nimc.gov.ng, the platform allows users to fill enrolment forms, schedule appointments, upload supporting documents securely, and manage personal details directly, thereby slashing congestion, minimising wait times, boosting data accuracy and enhancing overall service efficiency at centres nationwide.
NIMC Director-General and CEO, Engr. (Dr) Abisoye Coker-Odusote, spearheaded the initiative as part of the Commission’s technology-driven strategy to fortify institutional performance, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda that emphasises digital transformation, efficient public service delivery and inclusive national development.
Dr Kayode Adegoke, Head of Corporate Communications, highlighted key benefits including simplified biodata handling, confidential data protection through robust security measures, reduced physical centre visits and heightened operational effectiveness, urging all prospective enrollees to adopt the portal for a faster, citizen-friendly experience.[conversation_history]
The move underscores NIMC’s mandate under the NIMC Act No. 23 of 2007 to manage the National Identity Database, issue NINs and foster a reliable digital identity ecosystem vital for national planning, with users advised to complete pre-enrolment online before heading to selected centres for biometrics.
MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF), a Pan-African film and television training institution, has announced the opening of applications for its 2026 intake.
MultiChoice
The fully funded programme is open to African graduates aspiring to become directors, filmmakers, scriptwriters, producers and storytellers.
According to MultiChoice, the nine-month accredited curriculum combines online learning with intensive in-person training, and is designed to balance theoretical knowledge with practical immersion.
MTF academies are located in Kenya, Nigeria and Zambia, and serve aspiring filmmakers from 14 African countries. Since its inception in 2018, the initiative has trained 296 filmmakers, with graduates producing more than 42 movies aired on DStv, GOtv and Showmax platforms.
Organisers said alumni of the programme have gone on to establish over 50 production companies, while many continue to work within the MultiChoice ecosystem.
Graduates have also won accolades at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards, Kalasha Awards, Uganda Film Festival and Women in Film Awards.
Applications for the 2026 intake close on Feb. 27, 2026. Interested candidates can visit https://apo-opa.co/3XW53oE for programme requirements.
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