Telecom
Meta Hosts Creators to Exclusive Dinner in Lagos, Nigeria
Meta hosted creators in Lagos at an exclusive dinner aimed at celebrating their impact and creativity, as well as introducing them to the various technologies that are paving the road to the metaverse.
L-R: Josh2funny, Comedian; Mark Angel Comedy, scriptwriter; Miss Techy, Digital Content Creator; Ayomidate, Actor/Comedian; Frank Itom, Visual Storyteller; Tolu Bally, Fashion Entrepreneur and Enitan Denloye, Commercial Director for SSA, Meta during an exclusive dinner for creators organised by Meta which held in Lagos on Thursday, 28 July 2022.
Held at GAIA Africa club, this included a mix of content creators and technical creators who represent a variety of interests from Music, Comedy and Augmented Reality Specialists.
This followed a day where Meta showcased some of its tech, Avatars, Spark AR and digital collectables (NFTs), features that will be a big part of the metaverse experience. These creators spent the day co-creating and building ideas that would bring them closer to their diverse communities.
“We recognise Nigerian creators as trailblazers that express themselves, inspire others, and build communities and livelihoods, while connecting with their audiences.
“We are excited to bring these talented creators together to celebrate their achievements and work with them to build inclusive products for connected metaverse experiences,” said Kojo Boakye, Meta’s Director of Public Policy, Africa, Middle East and Turkey.
“At Meta, we are committed to providing a new and immersive way for people to connect and we are excited about building inclusive products that achieve this in the metaverse.”
Creators that attended the exclusive dinner were:
● Mark Angel comedy, a scriptwriter and comic skit maker who produces the ‘Mark Angel’ Comedy.
● Josh2funny, a comedian and content creator, famous for making covers of popular songs.
● Ayomidate an actor, content creator and comedian, who is known well-known for his Instagram skits.
● Miss Techy, a female digital creator popularly known for her captivating VFX videos on Instagram.
● Frank Itom, a storyteller and creator, popular for his video editing illusions infused into lifestyle and entertaining content.
● Tolu Bally, an award winning fashion entrepreneur and celebrity stylist.
● Santi, a musician and visual artist.
Also in attendance at Meta’s showcase of its tech were Tenientertainer, an award-winning singer and songwriter, Ayrastarr, one of the leading female singers signed to Mavin Records and Nissi, a popular afrobeat singer and animator.
Other creators who attended the dinner are Anthony Azekwoh, Somi Nwandu, Shutabug, Miracle Otugo, Judith Okonkwo (Imisi3D), Tobi Odion and Hadeeart.
Mazen Mroue, a non-executive director at MTN Nigeria Communications Plc, has resigned effective February 27, 2026, to prioritise other responsibilities within the MTN Group, the company announced in a Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) filing.
MTN Nigeria
The notice, signed by company secretary Uto Ukpanah, stated: “This is to enable Mr. Mroue to focus on other priorities within MTN Group Limited. The Board wishes to express its appreciation to Mr. Mroue for his immense service to MTN Nigeria and wishes him success in his future endeavours.”
Mroue joined MTN Nigeria’s board on June 1, 2022, bringing over 28 years of telecom experience. A veteran MTN executive, he previously served as CEO of MTN Uganda and MTN Liberia, non-executive director at MTN Cyprus, and held leadership roles at MTN Ghana.
Since February 2022, he has been MTN Group’s Chief Technology and Information Officer, overseeing technology strategy and governance. Earlier, as MTN Nigeria’s COO from August 2018 to January 2022, he also sat on the MTN Nigeria Foundation board.
The exit follows MTN Nigeria’s stellar 2025 results, posting a ₦1.70 trillion profit before tax—reversing a ₦550.3 billion loss in 2024 driven by forex woes—marking one of the telco’s strongest rebounds.
Google has rolled out support for Yorùbá and Hausa languages in its AI-powered Search features—AI Overviews and AI Mode—enabling millions of Nigerians to get quick answers, summaries, and conversational web exploration in their mother tongues.
The update forms part of Google’s push to cover 13 African languages, including Afrikaans, Akan, Amharic, Kinyarwanda, Afaan Oromoo, Somali, Sesotho, Kiswahili, Setswana, Wolof, and isiZulu, selected based on high search activity across the continent.
Now, a Kano student can ask complex questions in Hausa, while an Ibadan trader seeks business tips in Yorùbá—both receiving culturally nuanced AI responses via text or voice on Android, iOS, or web.
Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, Google’s West Africa Communications Manager, said: “Building truly global Search requires nuanced local understanding. With Gemini-powered AI, we’ve made advanced capabilities relevant in Yorùbá and Hausa, so Nigerians converse naturally with Search in their mother tongues.”
To use: Open the Google app, tap AI Mode, and query in Hausa or Yorùbá for personalised guidance—breaking language barriers and making technology reflect Nigeria’s diverse identity.
MultiChoice is closing its continental streaming platform Showmax after 11 years, notifying subscribers Thursday of the board’s decision to discontinue the service in the near future to refocus on sustainable digital offerings.
MultiChoice
The email assured no immediate disruption: “You can continue streaming as usual, and no action is required from you at this time.” Showmax, launched in South Africa in 2015 and expanded across Africa, offered movies, series, documentaries, and sports to rival Netflix and others amid rising online entertainment demand.
The shutdown follows Canal+’s approved takeover of MultiChoice last year, with the French giant offering ZAR 125 per share for remaining stakes.
The deal mandates HDP ownership boosts, local content investment, and splitting MultiChoice’s SA broadcasting arm into an independent entity to meet regulations.
MultiChoice prioritised subscribers during the transition, promising advance notice on timelines.
Showmax’s exit signals consolidation pressures in Africa’s cut-throat streaming market, where global players dominate despite local content strengths.
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