Broadcasting
Showmax Unveils First Ever Nigerian Masterbrand Campaign
Showmax, Africa’s original streaming service is staking a major claim on the rapidly growing streaming industry in Nigeria with its first ever Nigerian Masterbrand campaign with tagline “No one tells a story like we do”.
The campaign officially launched on Monday, 29 May with a super crisp and relatable television commercial featuring Nigerian actress, Sharon Ooja, who also stars in the AMVCA-nominated Showmax Original, Flawsome. The campaign pays an ode to the vibrant, larger-than-life storytelling streak of Nigerians and Showmax’s apparent efforts to tell authentic Nigerian stories through its slate of originals – eight of which were launched over the past one year.
Showmax had first teased the campaign with a display of some of the most popular Nigerian slangs such as Just Dey Play, Woto Woto, Eweee and Pressure Ti Wa on billboards across major cities in Nigeria. Conversations about these billboards were amplified on social media with many users giving their unique spins and takes on the campaign.
It wouldn’t be the first time Showmax would be starting conversations on social media. In 2022, the streaming platform’s hit Nigerian iteration of the Real Housewives franchise, The Real Housewives of Lagos (RHOLagos) dominated conversations on social media, sitting on the Twitter trend table for its 13-week long run. RHOLagos has gone on to win an AMVCA for “Best Costume Designer”, alongside other Showmax originals like the police and procedural drama, Crime and Justice Lagos, which snagged the awards for “Best TV Series” and “Best Picture Editor”.
Speaking on the campaign, Opeoluwa Filani, General Manager at Showmax Nigeria, says that the campaign is a celebration of the wealth of stories that abound in Nigeria and Showmax’s commitment to telling them as a truly Nigerian brand. “In Nigeria alone, we have over 300 tribes and thousands of untold stories.
“We can tell 300,000 stories in a year, and you will still find a new and exciting story to tell for the next 10 decades. That’s the beauty of our diversity,” he says.
“As a brand, we believe it is our duty to tell these stories and tell them in their most original and purest form. And this is even more important to us because we’re Africa’s original streaming platform and we truly believe that no one can tell our stories better than we do,” Filani concluded.
The streaming service had officially set up shop in Nigeria last year with the appointment of Filani as General Manager and other key hires for its Nigerian operations as part of efforts to solidify its presence and investment in the country.
At the time, Yolisa Phahle, the CEO of Showmax, had said in a statement that the platform has witnessed unprecedented growth in its paying subscriber base and it “has become even more important to have a dedicated team at the helm of affairs of Showmax in one of our most important markets.”
That decision is paying good dividends. With 22 nominations at the biggest TV and film awards in Africa, a record charting kids’ show, Jay Jay: The Chosen One, mirrored after the reimagined childhood of Nigerian football legend, Jay Jay Okocha, a growing slate of critically acclaimed originals including the James Omokwe-produced Diiche, Flawsome, Crime and Justice Lagos, The Real Housewives of Lagos and Abuja, and Wura, as well as an extensive collection of TV shows and films from Africa Magic – such as Itura, Covenant, My Beautyful Life and Ricordi.
The streaming platform is also home to HBO shows. Fans of Game of Thrones and its prequel, House of the Dragon can binge-watch the complete seasons of the fantasy series as well as other fan-favourite HBO and Emmy-winning shows such as Succession, Barry, The Last of Us, Love and Death, Industry and Euphoria.
Showmax Pro bundles the Showmax entertainment offering with music channels, news and live sports streaming from SuperSport. Subscribers can live stream the latest seasons of the English Premier League, LaLiga, Serie A, UEFA Europa and UEFA Conference leagues, FIFA World Cup qualifiers and more.
Showmax can be streamed using apps for smart TVs, smartphones, tablets, computers, media players and gaming consoles with data consumption management available using the bandwidth capping feature.
Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has withdrawn its criminal case against MultiChoice Nigeria Limited and its top executives after both parties reportedly reached an amicable settlement.
Recall that the FCCPC and MultiChoice have been at odds for months since the pay-TV operator hiked the pricing of its DStv and GOtv services in March.
The FCCPC then summoned the company to explain the rationale for the increases and submit supporting papers, after which it said MultiChoice failed to comply.
Viewing this as a violation of the FCCPC Act’s regulatory directives, the Commission filed a seven-count criminal lawsuit accusing MultiChoice and several of its top officials of hindering investigations and failing to comply with summons.
Nonetheless, the parties informed Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday that they had reached an amicable agreement, bringing the legal dispute to a conclusion.
Daniel Amadi, lawyer to the FCCPC, informed the court that a notice of withdrawal had been filed on August 16, following the resolution of all outstanding issues.
With no objections from the defence, Justice Omotosho dismissed the case, effectively ending the proceedings.
The commission underlined that compliance and transparency are still critical for sustaining trust between firms and regulators in Nigeria’s consumer market.
More than 700 Nigerians have successfully transitioned from renters to homeowners within six months, following the implementation of landmark mortgage reforms spearheaded by the Federal Government through the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI).
The milestone, announced on Tuesday, marks a significant shift in Nigeria’s housing sector, which has long faced challenges including high interest rates, limited financing options, slow mortgage processing, and a housing deficit exceeding 28 million units.
Central to this transformation is the MOFI Real Estate Investment Fund (MREIF), a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)-registered ₦1 trillion fund designed to provide long-term, affordable mortgages to ordinary Nigerians.
The fund offers interest rates as low as 9.75 percent per annum and repayment periods of up to 20 years, making homeownership more accessible than ever.
At full utilization, MREIF aims to enable at least 12,000 Nigerians to own homes, with additional refinancing support planned through the Nigerian Mortgage Refinancing Company.
For decades, many Nigerians have been trapped in a cycle of rent payments, often described as “funding their landlord’s retirement.” Now, with MREIF, homebuyers can secure loans and move into their own homes within weeks.
Since its launch, MREIF has disbursed funds to over 700 homebuyers through 11 Eligible Financial Institutions across five regions of the country.
These institutions, licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria and preapproved by MREIF, include Abbey Mortgage Bank, Access Bank, AG Mortgage Bank, FCMB, FHA Mortgage Bank, Gateway Mortgage Bank, Globus Bank, Homebase Mortgage Bank, Imperial Homes Mortgage Bank, Infinity Trust Mortgage Bank, Living Trust Mortgage Bank, Nigeria Police Mortgage Bank, Providus Bank, Stanbic IBTC, and Union Bank. Each mortgage represents a family moving from rent into ownership, building equity, stability, and generational wealth.
The Federal Government committed ₦150 billion under Series 1 funding, fully subscribed in December 2024, while private sector investors added another ₦100 billion under Series 2. Additional tranches could scale the fund to ₦1 trillion, ensuring long-term sustainability.
The fund is professionally managed by ARM Investment Managers, with a structure anchored in public–private collaboration to ensure affordability, transparency, and efficiency.
Wale Odutola, CEO of ARM HoldCo, said MREIF embodies the kind of partnership Nigeria has long needed—government resolve combined with private sector rigour.
He added that together with MOFI, they are laying the structural foundation for a housing sector that rewards citizens, unlocks investor confidence, and drives inclusive growth.
Beyond individual mortgages, MREIF also offers offtake guarantees to developers, encouraging new construction projects, creating jobs, and strengthening the housing supply chain. Nigerians in the diaspora now have a transparent, government-backed platform to invest in secure homeownership.
Despite challenges such as inflation, forex volatility, and high construction costs, MREIF’s long-term financing model is designed to withstand economic shocks. As more financial institutions, pension funds, and developers join the initiative, thousands more Nigerians—both at home and abroad—are expected to benefit.
The message is clear: the era of affordable homeownership has arrived in Nigeria. With Federal Government backing and private sector management, MREIF is not just a housing scheme—it is a national economic reform poised to reshape lives and communities across the country.
By Terry Kunle
Nigeria’s first-ever podcast festival is almost here, and it promises to be a cultural moment you won’t want to miss. From powerful voices to vibrant experiences, 40 storytellers, six stages, one innovation session, two live podcasts, one masterclass, the unveiling of the next big podcaster, cultural showcases, and brand activations.
Here are five reasons this first-of-its-kind festival deserves a spot on your calendar:
1. 40+ Storytellers Taking the Stage
Get ready for an incredible lineup of Nigeria’s most influential voices. From Chude Jideonwo and Seun Okinbaloye to Tunde Onakoya, Adaora Mbelu, Morayo Afolabi-Brown, Rufai Oseni, and many more, the festival brings together podcasters, creators, and cultural icons who are shaping conversations across the nation. Expect powerful storytelling, fresh perspectives, and voices that inspire.
2. Live Podcast Shows You Can Experience in Person
PodFest Naija brings your favorite shows to life. Watch live podcast recordings happen in real-time, engage with hosts and guests, and be part of the audience that shapes these conversations. It’s podcasting like you’ve never experienced before.
3. Brand Activations and Interactive Experiences
Major brands including Coca-Cola, Sterling Bank, UAC Foods, Bet9ja, Crown Flour Mills, and others are creating immersive activations throughout the venue. Explore interactive booths, participate in brand experiences, and discover how storytelling intersects with innovation and business.
4. Gifts, Freebies, and Exclusive Surprises
Who doesn’t love free stuff? PodFest Naija is packed with giveaways, freebies, and surprise gifts for attendees throughout the day. From branded merchandise to special goodies from sponsors, there’s something for everyone who shows up ready to celebrate stories.
5. A Thriving Community of Creators and Podcast Lovers
PodFest Naija isn’t just an event—it’s a movement. Connect with 1,500+ storytellers, creators, brands, and podcast enthusiasts who share your passion. Network, collaborate, and be part of a community that’s shaping the future of podcasting and storytelling in Nigeria.
Important: Free Entry, But First Come, First Served!
PodFest Naija 2025 is completely FREE to attend, but space is limited. With expected attendance of 1,500 people, you’ll need to arrive early to secure your spot at Harbour Point. If the venue reaches capacity, don’t worry—you can still join the action virtually and experience the festival from wherever you are.
PodFest Naija 2025 takes place on Friday, October 10, at Harbour Point, Victoria Island, Lagos. Don’t just hear about it, be part of the story.
Terry Kunle is the media manager, AT3 Resources
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