Broadcasting
Glo, MTN Pay Musicians N9Bn from Caller Tunes
MTN Nigeria and Globacom, two biggest mobile telecommunication operators in the country, generated over N9 billion for the local music industry in 2014 through the monetisation of caller tunes, according to the Punch.
While MTN generated over N5bn for the Nigerian musical artistes who sell their contents as caller tunes on its platform, Globacom is said to have brought in about N4bn.
The money generated for the industry was in form of royalties paid to music artistes who served or are still serving as brand ambassadors to the two telecoms companies in the year.
The Glo music ambassadors, whose contracts were recently renewed, are Nigeria’s leading music stars, Peter and Paul Okoye (PSquare), Oladapo Oyebanjo (D’Banj), Chinedu Okoli (Flavour), Jude Abaga (M. I.), Oluwatobi Ojosipe (Wande Coal), Omawumi Megbele, Bez Idakula, Burna Ogulu (Burna Boy), Ego Ogbaro and Sammie Okposo.
Globacom also signed on hip hop sensation, Ayodeji Balogun, popularly known as Wizkid, after he terminated his contract with MTN. It also signed on the Mavin crew of Koredo Bello, Reekado Banks and Hadizah Blell (Di’ja).
However, the leader of the Mavin Group, Michael Ajereh (Don Jazzy) leads other music artistes on the MTN network. He is joined by Tiwa Savage, Sidney Esiri (Dr. Sid), Olanrewaju Fasasi (Sound Sultan), Iyanya Mbuk, Chidinma Ekile, Bankole Williams (Banky W), Kingsley Okonkwo (KCee) and David Adeleke (Davido).
MTN also recently signed on the visually impaired music artiste and producer, Cobhams Asuquo.
Our correspondent obtained the figures from the telecommunications companies on Wednesday, amid plans to announce an on-demand music service.
An employee in the Corporate Affairs Division of Globacom, who pleaded anonymity, said that apart from paying “about N4bn in form of royalties to Glo music ambassadors, Glo plans to lead the music streaming business in the future, which valuation is estimated to be about $8.5bn (N1.7tn).”
He said Globacom’s interest in the music streaming business might be due to the decline in digital download business, adding, “The streaming business is projected to grow at almost 40 per cent annually and will probably be over $2bn (N393bn) business in 2016.”
It was gathered that the new and rising stream of revenue for the telecoms firms might have accounted for the recent scramble for top music artistes in the country by both Globacom and MTN.
While MTN declined to renew the contracts of some of its music brand ambassadors last month, Globacom quickly poached them with higher bids.
However, aside the over N5bn generated for the music industry, MTN said the brand ambassadorship, appearances and performances fees made for the artistes amounted to over N500m.
“MTN has invested more than N1bn in talent discovery and development through the Project Fame sponsorship platform,” the company’s General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Miss Funmi Onajide, said.
“The recent rebasing of the country’s Gross Domestic Product puts the contributions of the entertainment/music sector at $7bn (N1.4tn) of the total value of $510bn (N100.4tn). This represents 3.7 per cent contributions to the total GDP growth,” she added.
According to her, MTN’s leadership contribution in the sector has impacted positively on the lives of Nigerian creative talents.
Onajide stated that beyond music, “MTN has also made significant investments, partnerships and contributions to helping to address distribution and monetisation challenges of other creative talents.”
Per Sundin, Managing Director, Universal Music, Sweden had in December 2013 urged telecoms firms in Nigeria to take to streaming the contents of their music ambassadors “rather than just serving as ring tones.”
“I am 100 per cent sure that this is the future. Streaming services will be the next step for global music consumption,” he had said.
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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