Broadcasting
HiTV’s “Nigeria Reality Show ” Gets Starcomms Backing
Starcomms, Nigeria’s 4th largest telecommunications operator and leading "triple-play" (mobile, fixed wireless voice, wireless broadband) provider has emerged the lead sponsor of HITV’s reality TV show, Nigeria.
The show hit the screen last weekend and this is coming on the heels of the successful nationwide screening process that produced eighteen Nigerians selected out of the thousands that applied on-line for the context.
Manoj Vashisht, marketing manager Starcomms, disclosed that the company is sponsoring the show because of its convincing belief in the Nigerian state which is greatly endowed with potentials waiting to be tapped as the show will reveal.
‘’We at Starcomms believe strongly that Nigeria is a great country with a huge pool of untapped potentials and whenever the opportunity arises to showcase some of these potentials we grab it. That is what we are doing now and will continue to do.’’ Vashisht added.
The show is expected to showcase 18 ‘’neighbours’’ who would be required to live together in a house for a maximum period of 8 weeks. The reason for their living together in a house is to discover that individual who can be called "The Nigerian".
In order to emerge as the ‘’The Nigerian’’, the contestant must be tolerant and rich in the knowledge of Nigeria’s socio-economic and cultural heritage. The individual must be smart, witty and expresses a deep sense of confidence in his/her heritage.
The neighbours are expected to engage in weekly tasks that will ignite their intellectual capabilities, knowledge of on-going social issues, culture/traditional influences and international relations amongst others. The winner of these weekly tasks becomes the ‘’President’’ for the week.
To pep up the show, there will be a weekly Village Square meeting on Saturdays, where each neighbour has an appointment with the Supreme Council (members of the public). The public will be allowed to call in to ask the neighbours questions based on previous tasks within the week. The Supreme Council is allowed to either bash or praise the neighbours.
The governing body is not heard or seen but only communicates with the neighbours via a TV screen.
Voting for eviction is done by simply sending text message of just the name of the neighbour to be evicted, to certain codes provided by GSM operators. The number of SMS received, determines who is evicted at each point. Survival in Nigeria is primarily by neighbour’s solo efforts, but inter-tribal or intra-tribal solidarity is allowed. Possible bitter disagreement amongst kinsmen is not impossible.
The House where the neighbours would reside would be referred to as Nigeria; the word ‘house’ is never mentioned. Aesthetically, the design of the roof top of the house called Nigeria is the real map of Nigeria.
Nigeria has six bedrooms, [three neighbours to a bedroom], a large kitchen, a large dinning room, a large living room, a small room for the Village Square meeting and a beautiful garden. Apart from the electronic gadgets, bathroom and kitchen wares, all the furniture within and outside the house shall be of rich, exquisite, and esoteric African materials and designs.
Mr. Toyin Subair, managing director and CEO of HiTV reiterating that the show " Nigeria" is a noble idea borne out of the need to enhance and propagate the positive image of Nigeria as a whole, its constituent parts and the togetherness which its various peoples share. More importantly, the show will present world-class television entertainment to Nigerians in the comfort of their homes.
Over the course of just one year, HiTV has recorded remarkable achievements, having over 25 stations spanning across entertainment, sports, religion, kiddies entertainment, lifestyle, and others to its credit. Some of HiTV’s channels include: BBC, Sky News, Hi-Nolly, Primetime Africa, Hi-Mix, Hi-Life, Hi-Kids, Nickelodeon, God Channel, amongst others. HiTV’s major attraction which has endeared it to millions of viewers is the English Premier League which it won the right to broadcast live for three consecutive seasons beginning from the 2007/2008 season.
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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