Broadcasting
Dragons Emerge from Den, Make Offers
Akaku Ugochukwu, an entrepreneur has requested for the sum of N10 million to expand his food processing business in exchange of 22.5% equity in his company.
He planned to process locally sourced food ingredients into highly nutritive easy-to-cook food concentrates.
This is part of the highlights of first episode of Dragon’s Den Nigeria show which aired on Sunday, August 27.
Nwaji Jibunoh; the presenter had made a charming introduction of the dragons, thereby creating a desire for success in the would-be entrepreneurs.
Though Femi Tejuoso objected to being offered only 22.2% equity in a company that the entrepreneur expected the dragons to fully fund, he seemed interested in the business, especially when Ugochukwu mentioned that the equity was negotiable.
Alex Amosu then discovered that Ugochukwu’s customers comprised about 20 local caterers who baked Akara and Moi Moi. Ugochukwu professed to having made N800 thousand in the past one year, of which N600 thousand was his profit.
Ibukun Awosika told him, "with such a profit margin, your business is a cash-cow, you don’t need us, all you need to do is just plough back your profit into the business". But Chris Parkes wanted to know how Ugochukwu intended to market this product, to which he had no ready answer. His business proposal soon crumbled under heavy intellectual fire which saw all the Dragons opting out.
The second entrepreneur approached the Dragons brandishing two coconuts and a bottle. He asked for N35 million, but had no clear business plan on how to use the money. He fell under Alex’s fire which sealed his fate in the den.
The third entrepreneur who had a misconceived idea of the media industry faced the dragons with an idea to set up a one-stop entertainment and media training facility where he would train applicants to become actors, producers, and directors in one week through seminars.
This elicited negative reactions from Chris Parkes and John Momoh who pointed out that his idea was not feasible and not quite long after, he crashed out of the race.
The fourth entrepreneur, David Okafor wanted N25.5 million for his mobile enquiry service business and was ready to give up 20% equity. He talked about designing a mobile directory which would offer a bouquet of services from corporate organizations, and making it available to the public through dedicated short SMS codes.
This attracted Alex Amosu’s attention, who invested some money on the idea but later withdrew it because David’s idea lacked commercial viability. He lost out.
The fifth entrepreneur came with hopes of expanding his auto-refurbishing and auto-refinishing business with N10 million. He boasted of a turnover of N5 million for the past 3 years, with a profit of N2 million each year. Momoh’s attack came first, followed by Awosika’s and before this entrepreneur knew it, he lost out and went home with nothing.
The sixth entrepreneur, Modupe walked into the den, fidgeting with a piece of paper in her hands from which she read her name and business details, stuttering through her presentation, to the Dragon’s dismay.
She asked for N5 million for a business that aimed at empowering women through paid seminars, offering 15% equity to the dragons. She lost out however, for her lack of composure and on the premise that her proposed services were offered free by churches around Lagos, according to Awosika.
The last entrepreneur on this episode, Mohamed Umar, the proprietor of Cute Suites in Zamfara state asked for N50 million and offered 33.3% equity. His idea seemed promising at first but Ibukun Awosika’s observations revealed that his clientele base was narrow and coupled with the fact that he had no clear plan for revenue generation; he left the den with nothing but a pat on the back.
The highlight of his presentation however, was when he presented the Dragons each with a Cute Suits crested fez cap and T-shirt, despite the fact that they had turned down his proposal.
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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