Broadcasting
NEPC, NFC, Others Team up to Export Entertainment Industry
The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), World Bank, National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), Nigeria Film Corporation (NFC) and Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) have joined forces to ensure that the Nigerian entertainment industry is taken to the international market.
Already, the World Bank has set aside a whopping $20 million for the project termed, “Harnessing the Nigerian Entertainment industry for Formal Export,” which they believe will earn Nigeria huge revenue in foreign exchange.
David I. Adulugba, NEPC Executive Director/CEO of NEPC said that the agency noted that “part of the NEPC strategy was to facilitate opportunities for entrepreneurs who wish to go into exports.”
He said the NEPC is doing collaborarative efforts as well as partnering with relevant agencies and stakeholders to see how “our music producers can be granted access to finance their productions.”
The NEPC boss also criticised the activities of pirates, whom he said have rubbished the success the music industry has recorded, adding that “piracy has affected the careers of many Nigerian musicians that could have contributed to the global music industry, which value he put at about $40 billion.
Adulugba said he believed that collaboration would mark the beginning of milestone towards the development of the entertainment industry as one of the products that can increase the basket of exportable products from Nigeria.
M. O. Ibrahim, area controller, South, also said the NEPC had identified entertainment industry as one with huge potential in terms of generating foreign exchange earnings for Nigeria.
He said with cooperation, the collaboration effort would be able to uplift the fortunes of the entertainment industry to the benefit of the nation.
He pointed out that since the works of Nigeria’s entertainment industry have a global audience, such should spur the collaborating efforts opportunity to take a closer look at the industry and work out strategies to move it ahead.
NEPC explained that the Nigerian music industry produces an average of 550 albums of different types of music annually, adding that an estimated 1,200 concerts and musical shows take place every year and account for a combined annual turnover of US$105.5 million.
While the mapping of the creative industries of Nigeria still has not been done, it is time that the Federal Government should consider the contribution of the creative industries to the gross national product very seriously.
The United Nations’ Creative Economy Report 2008 demonstrates that creative industries are powerful engines for economic growth and trade development in developing countries. This is true not only in terms of direct economic impact from the sale of goods and services but, importantly, also as a multiplier in other sectors by stimulating new business opportunities and enhanced capacity.
The global market for traded goods and services of the creative industries has enjoyed unprecedented dynamism in recent years. Their global export value reached $424.4 billion in 2005, accounting for 3.4% of world trade, compared with $227.4 million in 1996, according to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. Over the period from 2000 to 2005, creative industries’ share of global markets grew at an annual rate of 8.7%, a trend that is likely to continue, given the positive prospects for global demand. Exports of creative services increased by 8.8% annually, rising from $38.2 billion in 1996 to $89 billion in 2005.
While developed countries have dominated both export and import flows, developing countries year after year have increased their share in world markets for creative products, and their exports have risen faster than those from developed countries.
Exports of creative goods from developing economies accounted for 29 per cent of world exports of such goods in 1996 and reached 41 per cent in 2005, with China alone accounting for 19 percent.
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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