Broadcasting
NBC, NIGCOMSAT Sign Partnership Deal on Digital Switch-over
National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) said it is partnering with Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) to accelerate the process of digital switch-over (DSO) in the country.
Director-General of the commission, Malam Balarabe Ilelah, made the disclosure in a statement issued by Ekanem Antia, Deputy Director, Public Affairs of NBC, on Saturday in Abuja.
The statement quoted Ilelah as speaking during a visit to the Managing Director of NIGCOMSAT, Dr Abimbola Alale.
He explained that the visit was to discuss and identify areas where the two agencies could have a mutually beneficial relationship.
Ilelah noted that the importance of inter-agency collaborations could not be over-stressed, as it would add value to their mandates and strengthen their relationship which, in turn, would contribute immensely to the growth and development of the country.
The director-general said that the country had made huge progress towards the switchover from analogue to digital terrestrial television broadcasting and the benefits the viewers and stakeholders had experienced so far.
He said that the next state to be switched on was Kano State, adding that it would start enjoying the benefits from Sept 30.
Ilelah, who observed very little presence of indigenous players in the Digital Broadcasting Ecosystem, expressed willingness to encourage more local participation in the digital switchover project.
He stressed that with the support and cooperation of NIGCOMSAT, the DSO project would be seamless.
Responding, Alale appreciated the NBC boss for the visit and expressed NIGCOMSAT’s readiness to support the commission in achieving a successful DSO roll-out in the country.
She lauded the commission’s efforts at regulating and controlling the broadcasting industry in Nigeria, saying that this had impacted positively on broadcast programmes and contents across board.
Similarly, the NBC boss paid a courtesy call on Mr Kahifu Abdullahi, Director-General, National Information Development Agency (NITDA), to seek the support of the agency towards the successful launch of DSO in the remaining states and automation of the commission’s operations and services.
Abdullahi assured NBC of his agency’s commitment towards realising the commission’s vision of embracing digital technologies in its processes.
He also pledged NITDA’s commitment to incorporating NBC into its Digital Transformation Working Group (DTWG) to facilitate capacity building for their personnel and bring them up to speed on ways of having full grasp of the process.
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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