Broadcasting
Telling Stories in the Era of the New TV
By Ruth Kadiri
When people ask me what the secret is to making films, my answer is simple: the trick is always in the story. But of course, it is never only that simple. A good script is a given, as are strong casts and the right team behind the camera. Those are the foundations. Yet over time, I have come to realize that filmmaking today requires us to think beyond the script and the set. We must also think about the screen, the audience, and the journey of the story once it leaves our hands.
As a filmmaker, I am often asked what I have learned along the way; what I would tell someone starting out, or even those who have been working as long as I have. Attending the YouTube TV/Film Day in Lagos gave me another opportunity to reflect on how the industry is shifting and what keeps me grounded. These are some of the lessons I now carry with me.
1. The trick is always in the story
No matter the format, length, or platform, it begins with the story. A viewer will forgive budget limitations, new talent, or even unfamiliar settings if the story connects. But if the story is weak, no amount of production polish will keep people watching. As filmmakers, our first task is to craft stories that reflect real lives and emotions. A character’s triumph, a family’s struggle, a moment of laughter. These are what audiences hold on to long after the credits roll.
2. Never compromise on quality
Quality is not about big budgets alone. It is about respect for the audience. In a world where viewers can choose from thousands of films and series with a click, they will not wait for a story to “get better later.” That means sound, lighting, editing, and acting must all meet a standard that keeps them engaged from the start. Even when working with limited resources, I push myself and my team to raise the bar.
3. Beyond the production, think about the screen
In the past, when we spoke about “the screen,” we meant cinema or television. Those were the spaces where stories lived, and where audiences gathered. Today, that definition has changed. The screen could be the phone in someone’s hand on a bus, a laptop late at night, or a connected TV in the living room. For many Nigerians — especially younger audiences — YouTube has become that new television. It is where they discover new films, revisit old favorites, and share what they love with others.
As a filmmaker, this shift has changed the way I create. I no longer think of my work as tied to one channel of distribution. Instead, I ask: how will this story feel on a mobile phone? How will it hold attention on a larger screen at home? YouTube is central to answering those questions, because it gives me the freedom to design for different screens while keeping the same story intact.
4. The audience is global, even if the story is local
One of the greatest gifts of this digital era is the ability for Nigerian stories to reach audiences in places I may never visit. Over 70 percent of watch time on Nigerian YouTube channels comes from outside the country. That means a story set in Benin City or Kaduna can resonate in London, New York, or Johannesburg. The key is to stay authentic. Our culture, our humor, our languages are not limitations. They are the very things that make our films compelling to the world. Subtitles and translations help, but at the core it is authenticity that travels.
5. Language is power
Nollywood is rich with languages and dialects, and I believe in using them boldly. Audiences everywhere are increasingly open to watching subtitled films. Korean dramas, Spanish thrillers, Indian romances — they all prove that language is no longer a barrier. For us, this is an invitation to lean into our diversity. By telling stories in Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa, or Pidgin, we are not limiting ourselves. We are showcasing the depth of Nigerian culture. And when paired with platforms like YouTube that make subtitling and translation simple, we can connect with people who do not speak our languages but still understand our emotions.
6. Power belongs to the storyteller again
Perhaps the most inspiring change for me is how much control filmmakers now have. We no longer have to wait for gatekeepers to decide which stories will be told or which audiences will see them. With digital platforms like YouTube, we can release directly to our viewers, build communities around our work, and grow our craft in real time. It is not easy. It requires consistency, strategy, and resilience; but it is empowering. For me, that is what keeps me creating.
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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