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Nigerian Sensation Dunnie Joins Spotify’s EQUAL Africa as November’s Artist Ambassador

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Spotify is thrilled to announce Dunnie, the multi-talented Nigerian artist and producer, as its EQUAL Africa ambassador for the month of November. This announcement underscores Spotify’s commitment to promoting diversity and inclusivity in the music industry.

Dunnie, born Dunni Alexandra Lawal, is a remarkable Afro-fusion singer, songwriter, and record producer who has captured the hearts of audiences with her soulful and melodious sound, earning her a dedicated fanbase. With an impressive musical background, Dunnie first gained recognition as a finalist on the popular music show ‘StarThe Winner Is’ in 2014.

Since then, Dunnie has consistently exceeded expectations by writing, producing, and providing background vocals for both international and local award-winning artists such as Burna Boy, Yemi Alade, Kidi, Falz, Oxlade, Becca, Busiswa, Sean Tizzle, and more.

She gained fame for her hit singles, including Overdose featuring Oxlade, Already Won featuring Chike, and her recent release, DND. Her past collaborations have been highly successful, leading to a nomination at the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) in 2021 for her outstanding feature in “Love Song” by Busiswa. Notably, Dunnie recently produced two songs, ‘Nobody Holy’ and ‘Dues,’ for Nigerian superstar Wande Coal’s latest album, “Legend or No Legend.”

Dunnie expressed her enthusiasm for the opportunity, stating, “My experience working in a male dominated industry has been a learning curve, and although challenging, it’s been a blessing being part of the people breaking barriers in an uncharted territory.

“I am immensely honoured and grateful to be part of the EQUAL program, and I hope to inspire more women to know that they too can do whatever they put their mind to.”

Spotify remains committed to fostering diversity, equality, and inclusion within the music community, and its partnership with Dunnie as the EQUAL Africa ambassador is a testament to its dedication to this cause.

“We are delighted to have Dunnie as our EQUAL Africa ambassador for November. She embodies the spirit of diversity and creativity that we aim to champion with this initiative.

“Dunnie’s music has touched the hearts of many, and we believe that her story and her voice will inspire others within and beyond the African music community,” says Spotify’s head of music for Sub-Saharan Africa, Phiona Okumu.

Explore Dunnie’s single Jalo on the EQUAL Africa playlist, and get to know more about her with our artist Q&A below:

  1. What is that one surprising thing your fans might not know about you?

I love cars, absolutely obsessed with cars, and I love old things, vintage houses, vintage cars, vintage fashion, old people. The older the item the better for me.

  1. When did you realise that making music was in your destiny and what is your WHY for pursuing this craft?

Music has always been a part of my life, but it was when I was in university I discovered I could actually make a living out of this, my WHY for making music is that music has been an integral part of my communication, as a child growing up, I struggled with expressing my emotions and thoughts verbally until I discovered music, and it became my safe haven where I could express in songs the things I couldn’t say with just words. That for me is the primary reason I make music. The icing on the cake is when other people can relate with what I’m saying.

  1. Which African songs or artists did you grow up listening to?

I grew up listening to Asa, Sunny Ade, Fela kuti, Flavour and a few others.

  1. To someone who has never heard your music, how would you describe the sound, tone, and style?

I describe my music as a fusion of Afrobeats, soul and high life sounds. Groovy percussive beats, ethereal soulful singing and infectious melodies and harmonies.

  1. Any advice for someone dreading following their dreams?

Starting is the hardest part, once you start it gets easier. Do not be scared of being told ‘No’, do not be scared of the obstacles, they will build your capacity. And lastly, it is a marathon not a race.


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MTN Launches One TV with Free-to-View, Pay-as-You-Go

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MTN Group has begun rolling out MTN One TV, a new entertainment proposition designed to make digital video content more accessible, relevant, and flexible for customers across African markets.

MTN Launches One TV with Free-to-View, Pay-as-You-Go

Introduced in line with MTN’s Ambition 2030 strategy, MTN One TV brings together local storytelling, live channels, international programming, and market-specific viewing options tailored to how customers across the continent access and pay for digital entertainment.

The proposition is designed to give customers greater choice in how they watch content, with viewing models that may vary by market and can include free-to-view content, advertising-funded experiences, pay-as-you-watch access, and subscription offerings.

Depending on local availability, customers may also be able to pay through airtime, Mobile Money, and other locally supported payment methods, helping to reduce common barriers to streaming access.

Beyond enhancing customer experiences, MTN One TV creates new opportunities for African creators, broadcasters, advertisers, and ecosystem partners by helping connect content to wider audiences through MTN’s scale across connectivity, payments, and digital services.

By bringing together a broad mix of content experiences under a single proposition, MTN aims to support greater content discovery, broader audience reach, and sustainable growth across Africa’s digital entertainment ecosystem.

Anchored in MTN’s strategic platforms of Connectivity, Fintech, and Digital Infrastructure, MTN One TV forms part of the Group’s broader ambition to build digital experiences that create value for customers while enabling participation and growth across Africa’s digital economy.

“Entertainment is increasingly becoming an important gateway to digital participation,” said Selorm Adadevoh, MTN group chief commercial, strategy and transformation officer.

“Through MTN One TV, we are leveraging the scale of our connectivity, fintech, and digital capabilities to make relevant content more accessible while creating new opportunities for Africa’s creative and digital economies. This is aligned with our ambition to deliver digital solutions for Africa’s progress.”

MTN One TV is being introduced progressively across MTN markets through a phased rollout approach that reflects local market needs, existing services, and partnership opportunities.

Over time, MTN will bring together a combination of video capabilities, content partnerships, and customer experiences under the MTN One TV brand to create a more consistent and scalable entertainment proposition across its footprint.

Through MTN One TV, MTN continues to extend its role beyond connectivity by combining entertainment, payments, and digital services to deliver experiences tailored to the needs of African consumers.

The rollout supports MTN’s Ambition 2030 vision of leading digital solutions for Africa’s progress while expanding access to digital entertainment across the continent.

 


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IATA Drops Bombshell: Nigeria Among World’s Most Expensive Countries to Run an Airline

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International Air Transport Association (IATA) has identified Nigeria as one of the most expensive countries in the world for airline operations, citing high taxes, charges and operational costs that continue to weigh heavily on local carriers.

IATA Drops Bombshell: Nigeria Among World's Most Expensive Countries to Run an Airline

IATA’s Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East, Kamil Al-Awadhi, disclosed this during the association’s Annual General Meeting held in Rio de Janeiro.

Al-Awadhi said that although Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, had been pursuing reforms aimed at improving the aviation sector, airlines operating in the country still faced enormous cost pressures.

According to him, the high-cost operating environment has continued to affect the profitability and competitiveness of Nigerian airlines, making it difficult for the industry to realise its full potential.

He noted that excessive taxes, regulatory charges and other operating expenses remained major obstacles to airline growth across the region, with Nigeria ranking among the most challenging markets from a cost perspective.

Al-Awadhi urged member states of the Economic Community of West African States to adopt a proposed 25 per cent reduction in aviation taxes and charges to ease the burden on airlines and passengers.

According to him, lowering taxes and charges would reduce airfares, stimulate passenger traffic and strengthen the competitiveness of carriers operating within West Africa.

He stressed that a more supportive policy environment was critical to unlocking the economic benefits of aviation, including increased trade, tourism and regional integration.

Industry stakeholders have consistently advocated lower taxes and regulatory fees, arguing that the current cost structure makes air travel less affordable and limits the growth of the sector.

IATA’s latest remarks add to calls for governments in West Africa to implement policies that will promote a more sustainable and competitive aviation industry across the region.


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NASENI Trains 50 Women in Kano on Renewable Energy Technologies Under She-Powers Initiative

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The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), under the leadership of its Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Khalil Suleiman Halilu, has trained 50 women in Kano State on inverter and battery technologies through its She-Powers Energy Initiative.

NASENI Trains 50 Women in Kano on Renewable Energy Technologies Under She-Powers Initiative

The three-day programme, held at the Technology Incubation Centre, Farm Centre, Kano which ended yesterday, was designed to equip participants with practical renewable energy skills, promote women-led enterprises, and enhance sustainable livelihoods.

 The initiative forms part of NASENI’s broader commitment to empowering women, creating economic opportunities, and expanding participation in Nigeria’s growing clean energy sector. It also aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by supporting job creation, entrepreneurship, and inclusive economic development.

 Through targeted interventions such as the She-Powers Energy Initiative, NASENI continues to demonstrate its commitment to leveraging technology and innovation to improve lives and drive sustainable development across the country.

Photos: Participants at the She-Powers Energy Initiative training organised by the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) held at the the Technology Incubation Centre, Farm Centre, Kano yesterday.


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