Broadcasting
A case of Plantain, Passion, Paranoia in Dragon’s DenÂ
The last entrepreneur on episode 10 of Dragons Den Nigeria, Philomena Izuka came seeking 1.5 million naira in exchange for 30% equity in her fast food business -House of Plantain. Her idea was to repackage the popular roasted plantain, bolle.
She had conducted a survey on the business venture and proved to the dragons that she was ready to hit it off. Awosika was impressed with the entrepreneur’s passion and with Tejuoso, jointly offered her 1.5 million naira to commence business to her delight.
Tony Eboh, the first entrepreneur came to pitch the idea of an elite sports bar which would create an atmosphere where soccer fans could meet, network, and discuss soccer. He was seeking 30 million naira and offering 60% equity.
Chris Parkes made an investment of 10 million naira, requesting for 25% equity despite earlier reservations about the membership fees. But the entrepreneur was still 20 million naira short, and without having been able to convince the other dragons to come onboard he lost out.
The second entrepreneur was Teslim Owonikoko, a scientist and inventor who came seeking 26 million naira in exchange for 5% equity. Proudly announcing himself as the recipient of the Best Inventor in Nigeria award from the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, he went on and on describing the chemical components of a bouquet of inventions and products he had assembled in the den.
He was not able to communicate his demands or needs effectively to the dragons, and this development seemed very numbing and unwholesome to the dragons. In the end, he seemed to have annoyed and frustrated the dragons and they all opted out of his proposition but not without words of advice from Awosika on the basic principles of business presentations. With an ICT-based business idea geared towards servicing small businesses in Nigeria, Olumefu Toyin, the third entrepreneur came to the den seeking 2 million naira in exchange for 30% equity. His idea was to partner with large software manufacturers as a reseller of their products, then resell these products to small business for a commission.
He did not get a deal however, owing to the fact that he had made a poor presentation of not only himself by his dressing but the business idea he had come to pitch.
The fourth entrepreneur, George Hefzibar, an "innovative livestock entrepreneur" was next in the den and came seeking 4.5 million naira in exchange for 30% equity in his snail farm.
The dragons discovered that he had designed innovative snail-farming equipment for the racking and shelving of snails and felt it would be a more viable business than the proposed expansion of the snail farm and promptly advised him to get a patent for his "racks system" and produce the racks for commercial purposes.
George indicated no interest in taking the racks system to another level and the dragons of course, opted out with the feeling that he was just passionate about his business, but lacked the smarts to identify a viable business opportunity.
The fifth entrepreneur, Richard Usman, another ICT specialist came looking for 16 million naira in exchange for 30% equity in a business of marketing automatic integrated home systems which would allow for doors, curtains, and electrical appliances to be activated and controlled by the human voice.
But the dragons were not fully convinced about the technology, feeling it needed to be investigated more, and the absence of a prototype did not help matters at all. They all opted out.
The sixth entrepreneur, Steven Obioma Akidi – a catfish farmer from Umahia came looking for 12 million naira to expand his business. He based his pitch on his desire to improve productivity in his farm and was going to acquire 6 plots of land – stocking 60,000 cat fish juveniles, improving their weight to 1kg in six months, with a guaranteed production of 48, 000 kg of catfish in 6 months.
The dragons however, opted out here because he has not been able to plough back into his business, profit made from earlier ventures.
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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