Broadcasting
A Cashless Economy Can Be a Win-Win for Businesses, Nigeria’s Economy
By Yvonne-Faith Elaigwu, Head of Operations and Governance, OnePipe
Consider a typical day in the life of Mr. Chukwu, a small business owner in Lagos. His morning ritual invariably starts with a visit to the bank to withdraw the amount of cash to sustain his shop operations for the day or deposit the excess amount of cash from the previous day’s sales. From catering to customers’ change needs to safeguarding his earnings from potential theft, the tangible presence of cash, while familiar, also brings with it a unique set of challenges.
Now, imagine a different scenario. A scenario where Mr. Chukwu no longer has to worry about these issues. This is the promise of a cashless society. In such a society, his daily transactions would be seamless, immediate, and secure, freeing up his time and mental bandwidth to focus on what he truly loves – serving his customers and improving his business.
Moreover, a cashless economy can provide businesses like Mr. Chukwu’s with a new kind of asset – data. Every digital transaction tells a story, providing valuable insights about consumer behaviour. Businesses can tap into this data to understand their customers better, tailor their offerings, and make informed, data-driven decisions. This, in turn, can help businesses drive growth and foster customer loyalty. Companies like OnePipe, for instance, are at the forefront of this data revolution, leveraging technology to help businesses unlock the potential of their transaction data.
But the impact of a cashless society extends beyond individual businesses. On a macro level, it promises to usher in significant benefits for the Nigerian economy. Cashless transactions can help formalise the economy, bringing a larger share of transactions under the purview of the banking system and thereby increasing the taxable base. This could lead to an increase in government revenue, enabling more effective fiscal policies and contributing to overall economic growth.
Moreover, a cashless society has the potential to democratise access to financial services. Take the example of Amina, a resident of a remote village in Sokoto. Her interaction with the financial system has always been limited due to her physical distance from banking institutions. But in a cashless economy, all Amina needs is a phone and a bank account. This would allow her to participate in the financial system, providing her with access to credit, the ability to save and invest, and a host of other financial services that were previously out of her reach.
The transition to a cashless society, however, isn’t a walk in the park. It requires a concerted effort from all stakeholders – the government, financial institutions, businesses, and individuals. It requires significant investments in digital infrastructure, consumer education, and robust regulatory frameworks to ensure that the transition is smooth, secure, and inclusive.
Despite these challenges, the potential benefits of a cashless society make the journey not just worthwhile, but necessary. Businesses stand to gain from increased efficiency and access to data. Businesses, like Mr. Chukwu’s and customers like Amina, will enjoy a seamless and inclusive financial experience. And on a larger scale, the Nigerian economy stands to benefit from increased formalisation and financial inclusion.
As we stand on the brink of this transformation, it’s time to embrace the promise of a cashless Nigeria – a future where every transaction is seamless, where businesses are empowered by data, and where every Nigerian, regardless of where they live or what they do, can participate in and benefit from a vibrant and inclusive economy. It’s a bold vision, but with the combined efforts of all stakeholders, it’s a vision that we can make a reality.
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.
Broadcasting
Davido, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Karl Toriola, Others To Be Honoured At The Most Influential People of African Descent Awards In Lagos
Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) is excited to announce the Lagos Diaspora Experience 2025, a week-long celebration of African art, culture, innovation, and connection, culminating in the End of the Year Awards & Celebration on Sunday, December 21st, 2025, in Lagos, Nigeria.
The Most Influential People of African Descent Awards
This historic occasion marks the first time the world-famous Most Influential 100 Recognition & Awards Ceremony—traditionally held in New York on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)—will be hosted in Lagos, Nigeria.
The week will feature events such as Diaspora Day at the Fela Exhibition (Afrobeat Meets Diaspora), Cultural Heritage Day, and Business Leadership Luncheons, all culminating in the awards celebration.
The evening will honor the Best & Brightest of the Year, recognizing exceptional individuals and institutions whose work has advanced Global African Achievement and Black Excellence across business, government, media, culture, and technology.
Key Recognitions for 2025
– Governor of the Year & City of the Year: His Excellency Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos State, honored alongside Lagos as City of the Year for its global leadership in culture, innovation, tourism, and diaspora engagement.
– Her Excellency Hannatu Musa Musawa, Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, will be honoured as Minister of the Year for her contribution to the creative economy’s role in nation branding and cultural diplomacy.
– Most Influential Woman of the Year: Olorì Atúwàtse III, Queen Consort of the Warri Kingdom
– Most Influential Man of the Year: Adewale Tinubu, Group Chief Executive, OANDO
– CEO of the Year: Karl Toriola, Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria; who will deliver a keynote address, recognized for his transformative leadership and impact on Nigeria’s telecommunications and digital economy.
Others include; Karl Toriola of MTN as CEO of the year, Uche Pedro of Bella Naija as Lifestyle Personality Of The Year, Ojy Okpe of Artise News as Most Influential News Anchor Of The Year, Stephanie Busari as Media Executive of the Year, Kayode Okikiolu as Pressman of the year, Davido as Artist of the year and several others.
In celebrating this year’s honorees, Michael Ehindero, Managing Director, Pernod Ricard Nigeria, owners of Martell Cognac, who emerged as Brand Of The Year expressed deep appreciation for the brand’s continued global recognition, saying: “It’s a great reward for the team who’s delivered Martell excellently in Nigeria over the years.
“We say thank you to the teams, we say thank you to our consumers and we say thank you to MIPAD.
“Martell has a lot of promising experiences in the years to come in Nigeria and with this we invite you over to Nigeria to experience Detty December”.
The ceremony will also celebrate the achievements of the Class of 2025 Honorees, alongside past Nigerian honorees who were unable to attend their year of recognition in New York.
“For the first time, we’re bringing our world-famous recognition platform home to celebrate excellence within the Global Africa Family — right here in Lagos,” said Kamil Olufowobi, Founder & Chairman of MIPAD. “This is more than an event; it’s a movement uniting the best of us — connecting, collaborating, and working together to change the world.”
Event Details
📍 Lagos, Nigeria
– Friday, Dec 19 – #DettyDec Diaspora Day at Fela Exhibition FREE
– Sunday, Dec 21 – End of Year Recognition & Award Ceremony STRICTLY BY INVITATION
🎟️ RSVP: https://rsvp.oakenevents.com/mipad
Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has called for urgent adoption of advanced digital protections after blocking seven piracy sites amid escalating online threats to Nollywood content.
The call was made during a webinar hosted by Greychapel Legal titled “Clicks, Streams, and Copyright: Who Owns Nollywood’s Digital Future?”, which brought together filmmakers, regulators, entertainment lawyers and media strategists to examine how content ownership and copyright enforcement are being reshaped by the digital age.
Lynda Alphaeus, director and head of the NCC Lagos Office, said the Commission has intensified its efforts to combat piracy across digital channels and is upgrading its operations to meet emerging threats.
According to her, Nigeria’s new Copyright Act was deliberately updated to strengthen creators’ rights amid the explosion of online distribution.
“NCC has worked, and is still working tirelessly to adapt Nigeria’s legal framework to cope with digital distribution challenges. We now have the power to block networks publishing illegal content, and we have already blocked seven websites distributing pirated Nigerian works,” Alphaeus said.
She revealed that the Commission has established a special taskforce known as the STOP Unit to coordinate anti-piracy operations online, alongside new awareness campaigns targeting local markets and schools to educate content creators and the public on copyright obligations.
Alphaeus urged filmmakers and producers to take ownership of their digital safety by deploying available technological protections to safeguard their intellectual property.
She explained that tools such as encryption help prevent unauthorised copying, blockchain technology offers immutable proof of ownership, digital watermarking allows creators to trace illegal uploads, while cloud security and regular offline backups protect creative files before they reach the market.
While noting that copyright in Nigeria does not legally require registration, she stressed that registering one’s work strengthens protection and provides legal presumptions that can be vital in enforcement.
“Whatever you register is presumed to be yours until proven otherwise,” she said, urging creators to invest in copyright knowledge as part of their business strategy.
Other speakers at the webinar reinforced the urgency of protecting Nollywood’s digital assets.
James Omokwe, film director, noted that while streaming platforms have created unprecedented opportunities for visibility and monetisation, they have also opened new vectors for intellectual property theft and unauthorised redistribution.
Solafunmi Laelle, media strategist, added that audience data, which streaming platforms rely heavily on, will increasingly determine leverage and value in film licensing negotiations.
According to her, creators who lose control of their intellectual property, whether through piracy or unfavourable contracts, also lose access to valuable data that could shape their long-term earnings.
Nky Ofeimun, entertainment lawyer, emphasised the need for creators to understand the contractual implications of ownership, platform exclusivity, and reversion rights.
She noted that many filmmakers still underestimate how quickly digital copies can be illegally duplicated or uploaded once control is lost.
The panelists agreed that as Nollywood deepens its digital footprint, piracy will continue to evolve and become more sophisticated.
They stressed that the industry must respond with equally sophisticated tools, stronger contract negotiation, and improved education around copyright.
REA, NBS Partner to Deliver Comprehensive Energy Data for Nigeria
Check Point Reveals Nigeria as Second Most Targeted African Country for Cyberattacks in November
Airtel Africa Partners Starlink to Launch Direct-to-cell Service in 14 Markets
CBN Revokes Licenses of Two Mortgage Banks, NDIC Begins Liquidation
JustMarkets Launches Global Boost Contest With Gold Prizes for Traders
Nigeria Records Highest Weekly Cyberattacks in Africa — Report
Hackers Breach Phones of Dangote and Otedola, Demand Ransom
Cyber Tsunami Hits Nigeria as Breaches Surge 1,047%, esentry Q3 Report Reveals
FG Lists Bank Charges Nigerians Will Stop Paying from January 2026
MTN Nigeria Has Invested Over ₦32.23 Billion in National Priorities Through Its Foundation
E-Financial3 days agoSupreme Court Clears Fidelity Bank in ₦225bn Sagecom Saga
E-Financial3 days agoPreventing Financial Crimes Amid Mounting Insecurity: Why Following the Money is Now a Survival Imperative
E-Financial3 days agoUnion Bank Clinches Top Workplace Practice Honour at Sustainability Awards
Broadcasting2 days agoDavido, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Karl Toriola, Others To Be Honoured At The Most Influential People of African Descent Awards In Lagos
News2 days agoSiBAN New Executive Council to Champion Vision for Nigeria’s Digital Economy
E-Financial2 days agoTax Reform or Financial Exclusion? The Trouble with Mandatory TINs
Telecom2 days agoNCC Blames NOGASA for Abuja Outage
Telecom3 days agoNITDA Charts Path for Kano as Innovation Hub