Broadcasting
MultiChoice Opens More Resource Centres in Lagos
MultiChoice, Nigeria’s leading pay-TV operator, has returned to Lagos State for the third time since inception of its resource centre project in 2004, to inaugurate 10 additional centres.
This brings the total in the state to 18.
In its eighth phase, MultiChoice Resource Centre project has grown from four centres at inception in 2004 to 312 in 29 states in 2014.
At inception of the project, Lagos got three centres with an additional five in 2013.
Each beneficiary school receives a TV set, high definition personal video recorder (HDPVR) decoder, generating set, complimentary subscription to DStv education bouquet, which contains BBC World, BBC Knowledge, National Geography, Animal Planet, National Geography Wild, History Channel, Learn and ED channel, as well as facilities such as chairs and tables, among others.
John Ugbe, managing director, MultiChoice Nigeria, at the commemoration ceremony to launch the resource centres in Lagos State held at Eti-Osa Community Senior Secondary School, Sangotedo, Lagos, on Tuesday, November 11, said: “The resource centre project is MultiChoice’s way of promoting the use of integrated and communication technologies to raise the standard of education by deploying the imagery of sight and sound to make learning more vivid and creative”.
He added, “At MultiChoice, we have a strong conviction that the technological, economic, social and political advancement of any country has a direct correlation with its level of educational development and that the future of a country is intrinsically tied to the quality of education that the youths are exposed to.” He enjoined the ten beneficiary schools to maximize the use of the resource centres.
Mrs Aderonke Bello, managing director, Innovative Technology Literacy Services Limited (ITLS), the implementing partner for the MRC project, said: “Technology investment in schools is on the increase, and the deployment of satellite television to enhance learning is one key initiative that has helped to bridge the digital divide in rural communities. While technology will not replace teachers and textbooks, research has shown that technology-mediated learning environments provide immense opportunities for learners and lead inevitably to better teaching and learning outcomes.”
She thanked MultiChoice for giving back to the community and adding value to Nigeria’s education sector.
“It is expected that all trained teachers will make good use of their acquired knowledge to bring the often abstract, distant worlds of science into close focus and within the personal, meaningful realm of each student,” she added.
ITLS trained 50 teachers, five each from the beneficiary schools as MRC coordinators.
The teachers are expected to in turn train their colleagues and ensure effective and efficient use of the resource centres.
Mrs Mary Oyetunde, director, Co-Curriculum, Science & Technology, Lagos State Ministry of Education, thanked MultiChoice for the MRC initiative, describing it as complementary to Lagos State’s effort to provide improved facilities for enhanced teaching and learning.
“MultiChoice Resource Centre project facilitates e-learning, as our students can now utilize the satellite TV technology to obtain relevant facts and latest development in subject areas that have hitherto proved difficult to understand,” she said.
She thanked MultiChoice and assured that the beneficiaries will utilize the resource centres to raise the bar of education delivery and students’ performance in Lagos State.
“We shall continue to evaluate the impact of this intervention on education in the State with a view to obtaining better results. We hope that this partnership will be sustained to guarantee the future of our children,” she 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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