Broadcasting
NCC, NTA Partner for Enhanced Copyright Protection in Broadcast Industry

The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) and Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) have reached a commitment to launch an intensive copyright awareness and enforcement campaign to engender a well-regulated broadcast space and rid the broadcast industry of incessant piracy of protected broadcast signal across the country.
The inter-Agency partnership is also geared at facilitating manpower development and institutional capacity strengthening for better service delivery in the interest of both public service organizations.
Mr. John Asein, Director-General of NCC, and the NTA Director-General disclosed these during deliberations when the DG NCC paid a courtesy visit to the NTA Headquarters, Abuja.
Mr. Asein stated that in commemorating the 30th anniversary of NCC in August 2019, the Commission was poised to team up with stakeholders like the NTA to celebrate all copyright owners in appreciation of the contributions of authors and the creative industries to the socio-economic development of Nigeria.
He observed that as the flagship of the broadcast industry and a major content provider, NTA shared a lot in common with the NCC, adding that both organizations would explore avenues of mutual interests to safeguard the wellbeing of the broadcasting environment in the overall national interest.
The DG NCC sought the support of NTA to put creativity on the front burner of national discourse, to inculcate the culture of respect for copyright in Nigerians, especially among students and to send a strong signal out that Nigeria is not a piracy country.
He called for joint NCC, NTA efforts to do an intellectual property (IP) audit of NTA rights and assured that the NCC would intensify its enforcement measures to short down the copyright infringement outlets in unauthorized TV stations, Hotels and airports, among others. “Together, we can clean the space of NTA signals, archival materials and film footages being commercialized without copyright authorization”, he added.
The NCC Director-General underscored the need to include IP/Copyright course in the curricula of NTA College, Jos; offered free IP/Copyright training for NTA staff and pro bono legal services to assist the national TV station to effectively protect the copyright of its broadcast signals and content.
He also called on NTA to facilitate the training of NCC corporate affairs officers and grant concessions for the airing of the Commission’s copyright awareness materials, especially during its forthcoming 30th anniversary.
The Director-General of NTA, Mallam Ibn Muhammed, noted that piracy would reduce with more public enlightenment and assured that NTA would support the NCC in its efforts to educate Nigerians on the values of respect for copyright and creativity and the legal implications of piracy of protected creative works.
He indicated that NTA was the sole owner of Africa Cup of Nations broadcast right and regretted that many TV stations were pirating its signals in addition to the unauthorized production and sales of movies with NTA content materials.
The Director-General stated that the NTA would collaborate with the NCC to secure its assets nationwide and to engender an improved broadcasting environment that is properly regulated by law in Nigeria.
Mallam Ibn Muhammed welcomed the offer of exchange of manpower and institutional capacity development by both Federal Agencies to boost the realization of their respective statutory mandates.
Broadcasting
Showmax Unlocks Easier Payments for Nigerian Subscribers via Baxi

Showmax, Africa’s leading streaming service, has expanded its payment options in Nigeria through a partnership with Baxi by Onafriq, giving customers an easier and more convenient way to subscribe and stay connected to world-class streaming entertainment.

Started Monday, 22 December 2025, existing Showmax customers can log into the Baxi by Onafriq app, select and pay for any of Showmax plans including: Showmax Entertainment Mobile, Showmax Entertainment (All Devices), Showmax Premier League Mobile, Showmax Entertainment (All Devices) + Premier League Mobile, Showmax Entertainment Mobile + Premier League Mobile.
This update allows customers to complete their entire subscription process within the Baxi app, delivering a more efficient payment experience.
Alternatively, existing customers with verified mobile numbers can top up their Baxi by Onafriq app or through its Baxi POS agent device to load funds directly into their Showmax account. These funds can then be used to pay for a Showmax plan.
For new customers, subscribing is also seamless. After creating a Showmax account on their mobile device, they will receive an OTP via SMS or WhatsApp, which allows them to verify their mobile number and immediately return to the app to top up and activate their subscription.
Speaking on the announcement, Tope Oshunkeye, Executive Head of Marketing, West Africa, MultiChoice, said: “With these new payment options from Baxi by Onafriq, we are making streaming on Showmax more accessible, allowing our customers to pay quickly and securely through a trusted financial service provider. This is a significant step forward in our mission to deliver world-class streaming experiences for our customers”.
“This launch is about making entertainment access seamless,” said Mxolisi Msutwana, Managing Director, Anglophone West Africa, Onafriq. “By automating the renewal process, we are not only providing greater convenience for customers but also helping to drive the adoption of digital payments across Nigeria.”
With more people turning to digital services, Showmax is doubling down on its commitment to make it affordable and effortless for customers to access and stream the stories they love. By partnering with Baxi by Onafriq, a popular agent and digital payment network, Showmax is meeting subscribers where they already are.
Showmax, launched in 2015 and available in more than 40 markets across the continent, is a leading African streaming service. It offers a unique combination of original African content, first and exclusive international series, popular movies, premium documentaries and the best kids’ shows, plus a mobile-only product to watch the Premier League.
Onafriq is an omnichannel network of networks, making borders matter less by providing our partners with a single pathway to unlock the full power of cross-border and cross-platform payment solutions. With a network spanning 43 African markets, Onafriq connects over 1 billion mobile money wallets, 500 million bank accounts, and over 400,000 agents in Nigeria, enabling domestic and cross-border disbursements and collections, card issuing and processing, agency banking, and treasury services.
In Nigeria, Onafriq operates as a B2B payments enabler with an extensive agency banking network through its flagship product, Baxi. Baxi connects over 400,000 agents nationwide, offering essential financial services such as bill payments, airtime and data purchases, funds transfers, cash-in and cash-out transactions, and more, driving financial inclusion and providing seamless access to digital financial services for millions.
Broadcasting
DStv Offers Instant Package Upgrade for Customers from January to February

DStv has launched a new campaign tagged “We Got You”, aimed at giving customers more entertainment value at the start of the year without additional cost.

DStv
The campaign, which runs from January 1 to February 28, 2026, allows subscribers who pay for their current package in full to enjoy an automatic upgrade to the next DStv package.
The initiative is designed to ease the pressure that often comes with January, a period marked by school resumption, tighter budgets and increased household demands.
Through the offer, DStv is rewarding customer loyalty by unlocking more channels, stories, sports, children’s content, local productions and international programmes at no extra charge.
Speaking on the campaign, Tope Oshunkeye, Executive Head of Marketing, West Africa, MultiChoice, said, “We want our customers to step into the year feeling valued.
“When you buy your package, we upgrade you because you deserve more. This is our way of bringing extra excitement, choice and convenience into your home.”
According to DStv, the offer is open to existing subscribers who remain active during the promotion period, customers who reconnect their decoders, and new subscribers who join between January 1 and February 28.
Under the offer, subscribers who pay for DStv Yanga will be upgraded to DStv Confam, Confam customers will receive DStv Compact, Compact subscribers will be upgraded to Compact Plus, while Compact Plus customers will enjoy access to DStv Premium.
The upgrade applies only to decoder viewing, and subscribers will revert to their original packages at the end of the promotion period.
Broadcasting
FIRS Transforms into NRS as Nigeria Ushers in New Tax Era

Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has officially given way to the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), signalling a pivotal shift in the country’s revenue administration framework as the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Act 2025 takes full effect from January 1, 2026.

NRS
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed the landmark legislation in June 2025, alongside a comprehensive package of tax reforms designed to streamline compliance, expand the tax net and bolster federal revenue for critical infrastructure and social services.
At a colourful ceremony in Abuja on December 30, 2025, NRS Executive Chairman, Dr Zacch Adedeji, unveiled the agency’s new logo and corporate identity, describing it as a beacon of modernisation and efficiency.
Adedeji, who doubles as the pioneer helmsman, stated that the fresh branding embodies “a renewed commitment to a unified, service-driven revenue system” in line with global standards and Nigeria’s economic aspirations.
“The new identity underscores continuity in mandate, enhanced capacity and proactive taxpayer support, fostering trust and shared prosperity,” he added, according to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr Dare Adekanmbi.
The NRS emergence caps decades of advocacy for tax overhaul, repealing the FIRS (Establishment) Act 2007 and vesting the new body with broader powers for revenue assessment, collection and accountability.
Judicial hurdles were cleared when an FCT High Court dismissed suits seeking to stall implementation, paving the way for the four key Acts — Nigeria Revenue Service, Tax Administration, Nigeria Tax and Joint Revenue Board — to roll out seamlessly.
Despite pockets of controversy, including claims of bill alterations, the Budget Office affirmed the laws’ authenticity, prioritising fiscal stability and investor confidence.
For ordinary Nigerians and enterprises, the NRS promises simplified processes, digital innovations and reduced red tape to ease compliance burdens while curbing evasion.
Technical Assistant on Broadcast Media to the Chairman, Mrs Aderonke Atoyebi, reassured that core values of integrity, fairness and professionalism persist, with staff nationwide driving the transition.
Industry watchers anticipate a surge in non-oil revenue, crucial as Nigeria navigates global headwinds, with the NRS positioned to elevate the tax-to-GDP ratio through transparent engagement.
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