Broadcasting
ITPAN Backs FG’s Moves on Adverts Placement in Foreign Stations
Independent Television Producers Association of Nigeria (ITPAN), has described as commendable efforts by Alhaji Lai Mohammed, minister of Information and Culture, and his ministry to refine and ensure compliance to Nigeria Broadcasting code by all players and stakeholders in the nation’s broadcasting landscape.
Lai Mohammed
ITPAN, in a statement by Adeyinka Oduniyi, its president, said the protective activities and actions of the current administration in a global village market will sustain local content quota and make creative economy professionals and various skilled Nigerians thrive and productive.
The Association was reacting to a statement credited to the Minister on the payment of fines for advertisements placed on foreign-owned media channels and production of content abroad by advertisers.
The minister was also quoted to have said that advertising materials promoting Nigerian brands must be directed and authored by Nigerians inside the country and that brands that produce their advertising materials abroad will pay a fine of N100,000 each time such adverts are run.
Backing the Minister’s position, ITPAN said: “It is noteworthy and heartwarming to put on record the determination of this administration, indeed the Ministry of Information and Culture, to ensure compliance by all players and stakeholders in the Nigerian broadcasting landscape with the letters and the spirit of the Nigeria Broadcasting code, particularly with regards to the local content requirement which today is accepted and being implemented globally.
“In this instance, over the last two decades, we watched helplessly and hopelessly, the advert agencies becoming advert placement agencies and the destructive consequences of the decision to outsource advertising material production to foreign producers.
“Or travelling overseas to shoot advertising materials and the attendant loss of enormous opportunity in the creative industry and economy as well as the worsening effect on the business previously enjoyed by local Nigerian television producers and practitioners in allied field.
“Indeed, it has been responsible for the near-collapse of the audio-visual units in most of the advertising agencies in Nigeria.
“Most importantly, if indeed the world has become a global village then it’s worthy of note that protective activities and actions like this one are practised even in the developed world.
“For us, what we see is the government saying is that henceforth and in the spirit of local content quotas as practised globally, advertisers and advertising companies should be law-abiding, by channelling reasonable resources in the creative economy so professionals and various allied skilled Nigerians can thrive and be productive.”
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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