Broadcasting
Nigeria’s First Digital Radio to Go on Air Soon
Labaran Maku, Minister of Information, has said the first digital radio station in the country will soon start running.
Maku said this in Calabar, Cross River State, while declaring open the retreat for management and staff of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN).
He said the digital station will compete favourably with any station in the world and appealed to delegates to key into the plan of government.
The minister challenged the board and management of FRCN to generate ideas that would ensure dominance of the premium station in the country.
Maku, who was represented by one of his Special Advisers, Mr. Henry Angulu, said given the prime position of the national network in the nation’s history, much was expected from the management especially now that the country was approaching another general election.
“Nigeria is going through a very challenging period in its history and the role of the broadcast media, especially FRCN becomes even more crucial.
“The public therefore, expects some ideas that will improve on the contents and programmes of the broadcast media and help to stabilize the polity,” he said.
The minister said he would prefer full commercialisation of the national network instead of privatisation given the role of FRCN in the political process of the country.
He challenged the management to go beyond fulfilling the traditional functions of the media, which is to inform, educate and entertain, and focus on issues that will assist is solving the numerous problems confronting the nation.
According to him, FRCN is the flagship broadcast network in the country and much was expected from it by the society.
He noted that it was time management generated new ideas that will encourage continued confidence and credibility.
Maku, therefore, challenged them to be more professional and thorough in the treatment of news and programmes “because of the array of your listeners.”
He reiterated the commitment of President Goodluck Jonathan that the forthcoming general elections would be free, fair and credible.
The minister urged the network to be at the forefront of educating the people to desist from being used for the purpose of violence.
Speaking earlier, Malam Muhammad Salihu, director general of FRCN, said the retreat was organized to develop a strategic plan for the establishment of a single backbone channel.
“Time to build a national backbone to give credibility to our claim of being the largest radio network in Africa has come. Let’s begin to work for the system; one that will address the core objectives of our calling. This retreat is meant to bring out modalities that will strengthen FRCN,” he explained.
According to him, the retreat will also assist in developing a plan for improved internally generated revenue from the proposed Radio Nigeria Network channel.
Salihu also explained that “the retreat will help to develop a plan for the modernisation and enhanced professionalism and also get the commitment of all stakeholders that the generation of content, revenue and management of the new RNN will be a collective project and responsibility.”
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.
Ecobank Guarantees Seamless Digital Banking Services Throughout the Christmas and Year-End Period
Banks quietly move to enforce new ₦50 transfer levy from Jan. 1
Nigeria’s Internet Usage Hits 1.24m Terabytes – NCC
World Bank Reveals Obstacles to Growth of Mobile Money Accounts in Sub-Saharan Africa
NCC Ranked Among Top 3 MDAs for Best Website Performance in 2025
Nigeria Records Highest Weekly Cyberattacks in Africa — Report
Cyber Tsunami Hits Nigeria as Breaches Surge 1,047%, esentry Q3 Report Reveals
Minister Claims Bandits Exploit Poor Network, Bounce Calls Off Multiple Towers
GenAI Adoption Among African workers Outpace Global Peers
Jumia’s Data Shows Nigerians Turning to Digital Retail to Navigate Inflation Pressures
General News3 days agoWoherem Proposes Pragmatic Roadmap to End Terrorism and Banditry in Nigeria
News2 days agoFIRS Declares NIN, CAC Numbers as Tax IDs from 2026
E-Financial2 days agoWorld Bank Reveals Obstacles to Growth of Mobile Money Accounts in Sub-Saharan Africa
Telecom2 days agoNCC Ranked Among Top 3 MDAs for Best Website Performance in 2025
Telecom1 day agoNigeria’s Internet Usage Hits 1.24m Terabytes – NCC
E-Financial7 hours agoBanks quietly move to enforce new ₦50 transfer levy from Jan. 1
General News7 hours agoEcobank Guarantees Seamless Digital Banking Services Throughout the Christmas and Year-End Period