Broadcasting
StarTimes Invests $220m in Nigeria in 9 years
Startimes, Pay television company, said it has invested over $220 million in Nigeria, over the last nine years to boost entertainment and enrich the country’s television experience.
Speaking at the launch of the Chinese Animation season in Abuja, Vice President of StarTimes, Ms Guo Zi Qi, said along with other initiatives of the company, this had positioned it as the fastest growing television network in Nigeria.
She also expressed the company’s resolve to cooperate with Nigeria in the area of animation production and in the development of that segment of television.
Also speaking, Mr. Yakubu Ibn Mohammed, Director General of the Nigerian Television Authority, NTA, lamented that despite the fact that almost every child is fascinated by video animation, especially cartoons, there is not a single dedicated cartoon channel that is African in origin and content on any of the television network currently operating in Nigeria.
Mohammed, who was represented by Mr. Rabiu Adamu, Director of Programmes, NTA, stated that this is probably because the country’s local content producers and animators do not have access to the huge funding and technical know-how required to produce animated content.
He said, “This trend is not healthy for us as a nation, because our children today are the leaders of tomorrow who should be embodiments of our culture and values, we need more local animated content and I hope we can collaborate with foreign partners to achieve this objective.”
Mohammed expressed optimism that the visit of a team of Chinese animation companies to Nigeria would ensure that areas of cooperation are found between the experts and local producers to improve the quality and quantity of indigenous animation content for local consumption and which is also suitable for export.
“NTA has a long history of working with various partners from all over the world as long as they are in line with our core mandate of informing and educating Nigerians and preserving our culture and values.
We are open to discussing various areas of cooperation with the Chinese team for the benefit of both parties,” he noted.
Speaking in the same vein, Executive Director of the Nigerian Film and Video Censors Board, NFVCB, Mr. Adedayo Thomas, stated reiterated the fact that China is Nigeria’s biggest trading partners, noting however, that more cooperation is still needed in the area of film and animation content production.
He called for increased collaboration between Nigeria and the government of China to arrest the influx of uncensored and unclassified films into the country, stating that such contents are capable of destroying the cultural fabric of the country.
According to him, arresting the influx of uncensored and unclassified materials from China could only be better achieved if there was a synergy among StarTimes and its partner, the NTA, Chinese firms dealing in providing contents for the film industry and the NFVCB. He further disclosed that the NFVCB is opened for more collaboration that would be beneficial to both countries.
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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