Broadcasting
Okoroji Calls for Collective Bargaining for Proposed Nollywood CMO
Chief Tony Okoroji, chairman, Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) has called for cooperation and mutual understanding in the establishment of the proposed Collective Management Organisation (CMO) for the Nigerian movie industry.
According to him selfish interest and personal gains should be discarded by all parties to ensure success of the CMO from take off.
He said: “Collective management cannot solve all the problems of the movie industry but it can help the industry speak more and more with one voice and create a lot more wealth for the practitioners. For an effective collective management system to evolve in the Nigerian film industry, a system that will make the likes of Hubert Ogunde happy where ever, they may be, the different practitioners, guilds and associations must understand that it is far better to come together and jaw-jaw rather than war-war. Everyone concerned must allow give-and-take and show some patience in the evolution of a model that adequately addresses the unique Nigerian situation”.
In a bid to ensure that its members and other stake holders reap the fruit of their labour and enjoy copyright royalties on their movies, soundtracks, etc, the Association of Nollywood Core Producers (ANCOP) in partnership with the International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF) recently put together an initiative to help practitioners hear from experts on the nitty-gritty of the essence or otherwise of the concept of collective management in the Nigerian movie industry.
The event tagged “A Forum on Copyright and Growth in Nollywood,” the initiative was aimed at proffering insights into the possible formation of a collective management organization that will set the machinery for the royalty collection in Africa’s biggest movie industry.
Delivering a paper titled ‘The Nigerian Film Sector and its related Copyright Challenges” Okoroji said the growth and achievement of Nollywood in the world has made it more pertinent that the issue of royalty payment is of paramount importance but “caution” he advised must be taken in its establishment.
Highlighting the success of Coson in it’s barely two years of existence, the Coson chairman stressed his conviction that a CMO for Nollywood can indeed function.
“From what I have seen Coson do in so short a time, I cannot but support the emergence a CMO for the Nigerian audio visual industry for several reasons. With increased bandwidth in the internet age and the exploding capability for live streaming and downloading of movies, it is inconceivable how any individual producer can monitor the proliferating use of his works, license such use and earn revenue from the use.”
He said one of the significant streams of income expected in the creative industries in Nigeria soon is the private copying levy provided for in Section 40 of the Nigerian Copyright Act which implementation is expected to start in 2013.
“Without a strong CMO in the industry, I see no way that any practitioner in the Nigerian Movie industry can benefit from the levy scheme which is already running reasonably well in Ghana. I also believe that with the big broadcast networks that offer filmmakers ‘take it or leave it’ contracts, collective management gives the industry much stronger muscle to negotiate better terms and protect the interest of the stakeholders.”
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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