General News
Half-baked Reality TV, Count me Out – Murray Bruce
Guy Murray-Bruce, president of Silverbird Entertainment, a novel and stylish multi-functional unit, exudes passion for broadcasting His exposure to radio management has exposed him to the challenges of a competitive growth in an emerging market, and he knows more than most that competition is a healthy part of business. Silverbird Expansion Programme
Yes it is. We’ve been given licenses to operate in four cities: Awka, Benin, Jos and Yenogoa; both radio and television and we are in the process of setting up these stations in these regions before the end of the year.
Cost of Expansion
I can’t discuss facts and figures with you but it’s a lot of money and we are spending prudently.
Differentiation
Well, some of the programmes will be on re-transmission. Some would be daily broadcasts; some would have its own local content depending on the region where they are.
Establishing Own Pay TV Platform No, we’re just focusing on terrestrial for now. Pay TV is a different ball game entirely.
And we just want to expand our terrestrial across the nation first before we go into any other side of business.
Silverbird TV Stands Out From Other Channels
It depends on who’s watching. I think good quality programming be it foreign or local, gets the eyeballs, gets the viewers attached to their TV sets and that’s critical. As a result, gets a fair market share. That’s what’s paramount in the business. If you establish a station just specifically for glamour and no financial rewards, you’re just there for entertainment only, nothing else and that’s a different story. But we’re here for both reasons: for entertainment and also to get a huge market share; which I’ve explained, of course.
Major Challenges
The big challenge we have, I think would be power supply. I think that affects everybody in the whole nation, in all walks and parts of life. Power is critical in one’s existence and certainly affects our business. Right now you hear the hum in the background. It’s the generator. As a result, we are polluting air and I don’t like it but we have no choice. When you the pollute air, it affects the lives of younger and older people who have respiratory problems and could easily die from it. You see, when there’s no power we’re indirectly killing people without even knowing it; the elderly, the young who have respiratory problems. You have pollution in the air. What for? Because, there’s no power. Look at the long term result of this problem; it’s a serious hazard to our health. It’s not just a financial drain; it’s a health drain too. So, that’s a huge challenge for us.
Other Challenges
I think human resource too is a challenge and that’s a challenge in any industry. You want to get the best professionals in the broadcasting industry, you have to train and groom them. There’s a dearth in resources and where you want to get the talents from. I think we need to train our people to be the best in the industry. It is a problem, a challenge; every country has been through this and Nigeria should not be any exception. We are going through a phase. America went through this after the great recession, I would imagine, in the 30s. So we’re coming out of that here too. But all the same, Nigeria is a very strong country. People here have the zeal and enthusiasm. They make sure they go the extra mile to get the job done. That’s what’s lovely about Nigeria, its fantastic!
Raising the Workforce
Well, first of all, don’t forget we’re just one TV station here in Lagos, Silverbird TV. The next step for us now is to embark on heavy training of staff for our expansion. That’s the only way we can go forward; that’s where we’re going now, we’re going to commence heavy training; we’re going to get the best consultants in the world to train our guys so we can move forward and set the standards for the industry.
Editorial Control
Well, we have an editorial board here in the station and I think our guys are diligent and careful in what they put out there for people to hear. The editorial challenges are no different from power challenges in the country; to me they’re all the same. They’re all of different levels of whatever you think of it. But we have great broadcasters here who are decent and understand the industry and they make sure they take good care; whatever they put out to the people is what’s best for the people. They have to sift through a lot of things before they put out.
Really
Yes, they have to because if you’re not careful, your jaws will kill you too
Boosting Productions
First of all, we’re coming up with independent programmes like the one you’re watching right now; it began on STV six months ago. Believe it or not, it has staff strength of about 60 people; all the way from the guy at the top to the guy at the bottom. It’s very costly to produce a programme; it doesn’t look like it’s costly but it is. Cost of production is very high in Nigeria and when you look at it; it doesn’t tally with what you get in return. You just ask yourself is it worth it? And that’s what independent producers go through and I feel for them. If you’re to run the studio every single day and have no returns back, you go bankrupt and that’s what the average independent producer goes through. We’re fortunate, it’s ours. Imagine if you have to rent it everyday; you pay for everything everyday and no revenue coming in. Those are one of the challenges in the industry that we’re faced with. Luckily, that’s not our only business; we have a radio station, so that’s part of our business but production in Nigeria’s getting very expensive and it’s going to get more expensive-the quality of our presenters, the quality of our actors are getting better. They’re getting paid more a lot more as a result; cost of production is a lot higher. Unfortunately, the revenue is not coming up high as the production is coming up high . So, when you have that scenario you ask yourself, what do I do next? But you’re there for the long call; you’re not there for the short run. If you’re a long distance runner, you’ll achieve it.
Local Content
It’s come a long way from what they were 10 years ago; still not where it’s supposed to be; it can get a lot better. Nigerians produce a lot of content for television and radio and movie industry. Look at Nollywood, that’s an example of how it is. How do you make a movie in one week; you get all the actors and everybody and in one week done? But the point is, you have to start from somewhere. They’re doing it the way they can, eventually they’ll get there; they’ll be as big as Hollywood and Bollywood. Bollywood wasn’t that great some years back but now they’re better than most countries. Bollywood has come a long way from what it was 20 years ago; it was probably like Nigeria’s Nollywood or worse. Now, it’s (Bollywood) second best. So there’s still an opportunity here for the broadcasting or entertainment industry in Nigeria to get a lot better like their foreign counterparts. I don’t think we’re far apart now; we just need to pull our resources together to make that happen.
Too Many Reality Shows on TV
Well, that’s a different story entirely. The reality shows here; some of them are okay and some of them are crap, that’s the bottom-line. I’m not going to be specific. Everything’s called reality and then, nothing’s real. I don’t know, I guess I’m not much of a reality TV fan except its well produced. If it’s half-baked, I’m not interested. But I see the enthusiasm for it. I guess it’s like anything else; it’s got to be nurtured. We’re trying to be like Hollywood, at the same time we’re not there. So, it is an imitation of something that’s not quite what it’s supposed to be. Most reality shows I see on TV are half-baked but as a matter of fact, in time they’ll get better. It’s a waiting game.
What Do You Enjoy Watching?
I like watching STV, I won’t lie to you. That’s the honest truth. I’m not trying to be biased because I run the station but I just find the programmes, especially prime time, very interesting. I like it because it fits my profile; I guess that’s what it is. People like different things, that is why they tune to other stations. It’s a choice you make in life. I just love my STV; it’s comfortable. I feel comfortable watching STV, I feel relaxed, I feel in tune, I feel entertained. It rejuvenates me, it gives me hope. I look forward to the next day when I watch STV funny enough, because I’m looking forward to the next day’s show. You know, feel like you’re in a comma and it wakes you up.
Broadcasting and Promoting Peace in the Niger Delta
I think, first of all there must be unity in the country. There’s a marked disparity between the rich and the poor. Once the people start having an income, all these problems would stop. The reason why I believe, there’s so much problem in the Niger Delta is the haves and the have-nots. The have-nots are complaining basically because they don’t have. They are being deprived of what’s rightfully theirs and when this happens, they take extreme measures because they don’t have anything at all. And this problem’s as a result of lack of education and I won’t say laziness but they just think it’s theirs just for the asking. It’s wrong but I think with education, all these things will come to an end. With education and good employment, we shouldn’t have these problems. When you start educating the people, give them the right infrastructure to live in, supply them with water, electricity, good roads, educate the people and create employment for them; why would anybody else go out and look for havoc? It’s a simple solution. If you’re educated and have a good job, you won’t be looking for mischief. I think the people there have been deprived for so long; they really need to be rescued. It’s not their fault because they’ve been neglected for so long; they really need to be looked after. The only way you look after them is not by giving them hand-outs; by educating them and teaching them how to make money.
Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, governor, Anambra State, has approved an indefinite ban on graduation ceremonies in kindergarten, primary and secondary schools across the state as part of efforts to reduce the financial burden on parents.
Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, governor, Anambra State,
The directive was confirmed by Dr. Law Mefor, commissioner for Information and Value Reformation, in a statement issued on Friday.
According to the commissioner, the government deemed it necessary to clarify the policy following public inquiries and concerns over the scope of the ban.
Mefor explained that the directive applies to all graduation-related ceremonies in both public and private schools across the state.
He said the ban covers events described as graduation, passing-out, crossover or any other ceremony organised to mark the completion of kindergarten, primary or secondary school levels.
The government said the decision was taken to discourage unnecessary financial obligations often imposed on parents through elaborate school celebrations.
The commissioner clarified that students completing Senior Secondary School (SS3) are exempt from the directive.
However, he stressed that graduation ceremonies for SS3 students are not compulsory and may only be held without imposing any financial burden on students or their parents.
According to him, schools choosing to organise such ceremonies must ensure that no levies, compulsory contributions or hidden charges are demanded from parents.
Mefor warned that the state government would not hesitate to sanction any school that violates the directive.
He said schools found organising prohibited graduation ceremonies or imposing illegal charges on parents risk severe penalties, including possible closure.
The commissioner urged school proprietors and administrators to comply fully with the directive in the interest of parents and the education sector.
The state government said the policy is part of broader efforts to make education more affordable and eliminate unnecessary expenses associated with school activities.
Many parents have previously complained about the increasing costs of graduation ceremonies, including compulsory levies for gowns, entertainment, souvenirs and other related expenses.
The government expressed optimism that the directive would ease the financial pressure on families while encouraging schools to focus more on academic excellence than ceremonial activities.
General News
Universities, Polytechnics Submit 169 Entries for NASENI Research Commercialisation Grants
About 169 proposals from Nigerian institutions including universities, polytechnics, and research institutes spread across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones have entered for the NASENI Research Commercialization Grant Programme (NRCGP).
NASENI
The programme, an initiative of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), aimed at bridging the gap between research and industry, is designed to identify innovative research with strong commercial potential and support its transition from laboratories to the marketplace.
Speaking on the latest episode of the NASENI Window Podcast, recorded on yesterday at NASENI Studio, NASENI headquarters, Abuja, the Team Lead of the NRCGP and Deputy Director, Monitoring and Evaluation, Ms. Joy Elugbe, said the team received 169 proposals from eligible institutions across the country, including Universities, polytechnics and other research institutions.
Following the close of applications, and to ensure transparency and a rigorous selection process, NASENI engaged 21 professors with expertise across the Agency’s approved thematic areas to evaluate the originality and technical quality of the shortlisted proposals.
According to her, a rigorous preliminary screening reduced the number to 49 proposals after removing duplicate entries and submissions that failed to meet eligibility requirements while the Agency’s Innovation Hub assessed their commercial viability to determine their potential for market adoption.
“12 proposals, two from each geopolitical zone, have progressed to the due diligence stage before the final selection of six grant beneficiaries will be done. The objective is not simply to fund research but to invest in innovations that can successfully reach the market and deliver real impact,” Elugbe explained.
The NRCGP was conceived to address one of Nigeria’s longstanding innovation challenges which is the research breakthroughs that remain on the shelves due to inadequate funding.
She said the initiative, championed by the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NASENI, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, targets promising research proposals with the capacity to generate economic value, create jobs and contribute to Nigeria’s industrial development.
“The idea behind the programme is to identify innovative and commercially viable research outputs that have remained on the shelves because of lack of funding, and provide the support needed to transform them into products that can impact the economy,” she said.
Explaining the concept of commercialization, Elugbe described it as the process of transforming an invention, research outcome or service into a profitable product that meets market needs. The NRCGP aligns with NASENI’s strategic focus on Collaboration, Creation and Commercialization (3Cs), stressing that innovation only achieves its full value when it reaches end-users.
She disclosed that following the launch of the application portal, the Proposal Evaluation Team went on nationwide sensitization campaigns across the six geopolitical zones to educate prospective applicants on the programme requirements and application process.
The sensitization exercise, complemented by radio awareness campaigns, significantly improved participation and the quality of submissions.
She further revealed that NASENI’s support would extend beyond grant disbursement, noting that successful innovators would be linked with the Agency’s Innovation Hub for continuous technical guidance, market advisory services and commercialization support to ensure their products achieve sustainable market success.
The NASENI Research Commercialization Grant Programme was inaugurated in March 2025 to promote innovation, technological advancement and the commercialization of research outcomes in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
General News
NITRA Conference: Stakeholders Seek Policy Reforms, Grassroots Innovation to Bridge Nigeria’s Digital
Stakeholders in Nigeria’s information and communications technology (ICT) sector have called for comprehensive policy reforms, stronger infrastructure investment and grassroots innovation to bridge the country’s digital divide and improve global competitiveness.
NITRA Conference
The stakeholders made the call on Thursday during the Nigeria Information Technology Reporters Association (NITRA) Innovative and Scientific Conference held at Citi Height Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.
The conference, themed “Bridging Nigeria’s Digital Divide With Scientific Innovation,” brought together government agencies, technology experts, regulators, telecom operators, private sector players, academics and policymakers to examine strategies for accelerating digital inclusion through science and innovation.
A panel session titled “The Place of Policy and Infrastructure in Nigeria’s Quest for Global Competitiveness through Scientific Innovation: Roles of Different Stakeholders in Grassroots Mobilisation” examined the policy, infrastructure and human capital requirements for driving Nigeria’s digital transformation.
Panelists identified multiple taxation, high right-of-way (RoW) charges, inconsistent state government policies, poor electricity supply, inadequate digital infrastructure and limited grassroots innovation support as major impediments to expanding broadband access and improving Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global digital economy.
One of the speakers noted that transporting internet bandwidth from Lagos to Canada is cheaper than extending connectivity to some parts of Nigeria because of infrastructure bottlenecks and multiple charges imposed by sub-national governments.
According to the panelist, although some state governments claim to have abolished right-of-way charges, operators are still subjected to numerous levies under different names.
“When we talk about right-of-way limitation, it affects the cost of providing services in some states.
“Some states say right of way is free, but when they grant free right of way, they introduce development charges, education levies and infrastructure fees, making the so-called free right of way meaningless,” the panelist said.
The speaker called for harmonised national policies that would eliminate multiple taxation and reduce the cost of deploying telecommunications infrastructure across the country.
Another panelist representing telecommunications operators stressed that government policies should encourage fair competition rather than favour dominant market players.
According to the representative, improved collaboration between regulators and industry operators is necessary to ensure that policies support innovation, cybersecurity and sustainable sector growth.
Speaking on innovation development, a representative of a private sector innovation fund said Nigeria must begin identifying and nurturing innovators from an early age.
The representative said the organisation supports young innovators through essay competitions, grants and educational programmes aimed at exposing students to science, technology and entrepreneurship.
“We believe innovation begins from childhood.
“By helping children in primary and secondary schools think creatively, they become better positioned to seize opportunities as they grow.
“Innovators exist everywhere, including rural communities. What many of them need is exposure and opportunity,” the speaker said.
On cybersecurity, another panelist advocated greater investment in developing indigenous cybersecurity professionals through structured internship and mentorship programmes.
The panelist also suggested that young people involved in cybercrime should, where appropriate, be rehabilitated and equipped with legitimate digital skills rather than relying solely on imprisonment.
“Part of what we are known for is developing local talent.
“We recruit interns from schools and train them in cybersecurity.
“We should find ways to harness the abilities of young cyber offenders instead of simply sending them to prison,” the speaker said.
A representative from the computer society sector emphasised that Nigeria’s digital transformation should begin with reforms in basic education.
According to the representative, pupils should be introduced to coding, robotics, artificial intelligence and innovation at the primary school level.
“If Nigeria wants to become globally competitive, we must start from primary school.
“Our schools should not merely prepare students for examinations; they should become innovation clubs where children learn robotics, coding and problem-solving,” the panelist said.
The speaker also referenced the recent launch of an artificial intelligence university portal in Lagos designed to create a talent pipeline from primary education through tertiary institutions.
Addressing regulation, a media analyst cautioned against excessive government control that could discourage technological innovation.
According to the analyst, regulatory frameworks should emerge through stakeholder engagement and strike a balance between consumer protection and innovation.
“Regulation must come with dialogue.
“If regulation becomes excessive, it will stifle innovation.
“As Nigeria develops policies on artificial intelligence, there is a need to strike the right balance,” the analyst said.
On infrastructure protection, another panelist called for stronger public awareness campaigns to discourage vandalism of telecommunications infrastructure.
The speaker said community ownership and public education are essential to safeguarding digital infrastructure.
“When telecommunications infrastructure is vandalised, everyone suffers, including regulators, operators and consumers.
“People need to understand that protecting infrastructure benefits the entire society,” the panelist said.
Participants also highlighted the affordability of digital services as a major challenge to digital inclusion.
One speaker urged the Federal Government to consider subsidy mechanisms that could reduce the cost of internet-enabled devices.
“Telecommunications companies are businesses, not charity organisations.
“If government introduces subsidy policies similar to what has been done in other sectors, device prices can become more affordable,” the speaker said.
Another panelist stressed that reliable electricity remains fundamental to Nigeria’s digital competitiveness.
“The child who enjoys uninterrupted electricity and internet access cannot be compared with one who has gone months without power.
“For Nigeria to compete globally, every child should have reliable electricity, internet access and opportunities to acquire digital skills,” the speaker added.
Earlier, NITRA Chairman, Mr Chike Onwuegbuchi, said the conference was organised to provide a platform for stakeholders to examine policy options capable of strengthening scientific innovation and promoting grassroots technological development.
He noted that the Federal Government had demonstrated increasing commitment to building an innovation-driven economy through various strategic initiatives.
Founded in 2013, NITRA is the umbrella body of journalists covering Nigeria’s information and communications technology sector.
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