Showbiz
The Power of Change: How TV Evolution Empowers Everyone
The television sector is at an exciting stage of development. Its evolution has accelerated – particularly over the past decade – and, most importantly, it has empowered all stakeholders.
While discussing consumer preferences and expectations, Dr. Busola Tejumola, Executive Head of Content & Channels, West Africa at MultiChoice, explained that today’s audiences are shaping the content they consume. Audiences now actively seek out their preferred content, from music to shows, contributing to the proliferation of platforms available to them.
Content Democracy
Traditional media offers tightly scheduled content, but online platforms, streaming services, and over-the-top (OTT) platforms have democratized content, allowing users to curate their viewing experiences based on personal tastes.
Over the years, we’ve adjusted or removed content based on data indicating it was no longer resonating with viewers. That is the power of the audience!
Broadcasters and production houses must be agile, adapting their offerings in real time to meet the audience’s evolving tastes. In West Africa, Big Brother Naija exemplifies this, using live polls and surveys to gauge sentiment, which then directly influences the storyline.
Just as audiences are changing, so are filmmakers. New technologies now give filmmakers a wide array of platforms to share their stories, compared to the limited options of the past, such as pay TV.
Today, filmmakers are no longer limited to a single broadcaster; technology is empowering producers to own and distribute their content.
When it comes to monetizing content, blockchain technology offers a new way to track and authenticate usage, helping young producers secure the royalties they deserve. This is particularly relevant as AI continues to scrape and reuse online content without consent.
Atinuke Ngozi Babatunde, Director of MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) West Africa, emphasized the role of technology and intellectual property in shaping the future of TV:
“At MTF, we incorporate courses on law, filmmaking ethics, ethical AI use, and protecting the rights of all film stakeholders. As online spaces evolve, issues like rights, ownership, and piracy are only becoming more critical.
Our curriculum constantly adapts to reflect new trends,” she added. “We cover animation, virtual reality, and augmented reality as these technologies become more central to the television industry.”
Emerging Trends
A major trend over the past 10 years is the miniaturization and affordability of equipment. Now, a creator can produce high-quality content using just a smartphone. This removes yet another barrier to entry for aspiring filmmakers.
A lack of budget or equipment is no longer an excuse – if you have a decent phone, there’s little stopping you from telling your story. MTF’s “Low Budget/No Budget” course equips young filmmakers with frugal innovation skills, which have long been a hallmark of African creativity.
Drone technology has also become more affordable, with some students purchasing camera drones as an income stream. Drones add depth to film production and have become mainstream tools for filmmakers.
Another significant shift in the last decade is Africa’s emergence on the global film stage. Films are being made in Africa not only by African filmmakers but also by filmmakers from industrialized nations and the African diaspora.
Collaboration and skills exchange play a role here. Recently, I participated in an event organized by the U.S. Consulate in Nigeria, where Nigerian filmmakers and musicians explored the importance of building a global African creative community.
Storytelling in Our DNA
Storytelling is deeply ingrained in African culture, forming the foundation of MTF’s approach to filmmaking.
Our courses situate African filmmaking within this rich storytelling tradition. This foundation drives the hyper-local content on channels like Africa Magic, where many of our graduates work, telling authentic African stories for a dedicated audience.
Through this technological evolution, all stakeholders in the television sector now have a say in its trajectory. Filmmakers, students, audiences, and broadcasters are all contributing to how content is created and consumed – often in real-time, collaborative settings.
Together, we are shaping the future of African filmmaking.
Winner Achimugu, the MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) Best Graduating Student 2024, has embarked on a six-week scholarship at the prestigious New York Film Academy (NYFA). This achievement not only celebrates her exceptional talent and dedication but also reinforces MTF’s commitment to nurturing world-class African filmmakers ready to make their mark on the global stage.
Since its inception, MTF has been more than just a training ground; it’s a launchpad for African storytellers. Alumni from the academy have consistently demonstrated excellence, with films and projects winning awards, receiving grants, and gaining international recognition. Notable projects include 2070, which clinched Best Short Film at the African SDGs Film Festival, and Isekonu, a Zee World short film, officially selected for the Lagos Fringe Festival 2025 and nominated for Best Student Film at the Bayelsa International Film Festival.
These achievements reflect MTF’s ethos of equipping young filmmakers with both the technical skills and creative vision necessary to succeed, both locally and internationally.
The 2024 Best Graduating Student, Winner Achimugu, distinguished herself among her peers with a combination of talent, dedication, and storytelling finesse. Her selection for the NYFA scholarship is a testament to her hard work and to the quality of mentorship and training at MTF.
Through this program, she will engage in intensive workshops, hands-on training, and industry exposure that promise to elevate her craft. The scholarship is not just an award, it is a bridge connecting African storytelling to global cinematic opportunities, embodying MTF’s brand promise of fostering talent that transcends borders.
This scholarship opens new avenues for growth, offering exposure to international techniques, networks, and collaborative experiences that could define the trajectory of her career. For MTF, it’s a validation of its mission: cultivating a generation of filmmakers whose creativity, vision, and impact will resonate far beyond Africa.
As this journey unfolds, it reinforces the message that African cinema is on the rise, powered by storytellers who are ready to take their place on the world stage. With MTF alumni leading the way, the future of African filmmaking looks brighter than ever.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
A 12-hour non-stop entertainment event offering various performances and activities all night long will take place in Lagos from the evening of December 21 into the early hours of December 22, 2025.
This programme known as InsomniaQ, is being put together by one of Africa’s leading digital payments platforms, Quickteller.
Quickteller is a brand powered by the Interswitch Group, and InsomniaQ was created to celebrate African creativity.
The all-night music and entertainment experience will hold at the Ballroom of the Lagos Continental Hotel, Victoria Island.
It is designed to capture the vibrancy and cultural energy that define Lagos in December. InsomniaQ is positioned to become Africa’s newest must-attend December destination.
The concert blends diverse African soundscapes, creative expression, and immersive lifestyle experiences, offering a night curated for music lovers, diaspora returnees, cultural enthusiasts, and everyone drawn to the city’s festive season.
More than a concert, InsomniaQ represents a new cultural moment, one that celebrates the richness, depth, and diversity of African talent. With a lineup cutting across contemporary and alternative genres, the festival aims to introduce a bold, fresh, and unforgettable experience within Lagos’ already vibrant entertainment landscape.
“InsomniaQ is an invitation to celebrate African creativity in a way that feels bold, fresh, and true to who we are.
“Quickteller has always been an essential part of the experiences people value, and this festival brings that connection to life in an entirely new dimension.
“As Lagos welcomes friends, family, and visitors from around the world each December, we are proud to introduce a platform that showcases our music, our culture, and the vibrant energy that defines this season,” the Divisional Head of Growth Marketing for Quickteller Ecosystem at Interswitch, Mr Olawale Akanbi, noted.
Through Quickteller, Interswitch continues to champion initiatives that go beyond digital transactions to enrich the everyday life of millions of Nigerians.
InsomniaQ extends this mission by empowering cultural expression, unlocking creative opportunities, and supporting the continent’s growing entertainment ecosystem.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The quartet of Oyindamola Timothy (Fashion), Steve Adeyemo (Tech), Uche Kalu (Dance), and Emmanuel Elijah (Music) emerged the category winners of the Stanbic IBTC FUZE Talent Show 4.0.
They received N10 million each for their efforts, along with mentorship opportunities, industry exposure, and support to advance their creative journeys.
The four were chosen from the 12 finalists at an event aired on Sunday, December 14, 2025, on AIT (DStv Channel 253) at 7:00 pm, Africa Magic Showcase (DStv Channel 151) at 5:00 pm, and streamed live on the official Stanbic IBTC YouTube channel, connecting millions of viewers to the excitement and energy of the show.
The 2025 edition drew over 6,000 entries nationwide and continued to inspire a new wave of innovation among young Nigerians in fashion, technology, dance, and music. The participants fought for a share of the N90 million in prizes put up by the organisers.
This year, the FUZE Talent Show also introduced an exciting new twist: The Fan Favourite Feature, which allowed viewers across the country to vote for the contestant who most inspired them. This addition deepened audience participation and further strengthened FUZE’s mission to connect creativity with community support.
“FUZE 4.0 truly lived up to its promise as The Ultimate Show, a platform that celebrates courage, creativity, and innovation.
“Every contestant who graced that stage reminded us of the extraordinary potential of Nigerian youths.
“At Stanbic IBTC, we are proud to continue creating opportunities that help young people dream bigger, think bolder, and achieve more. It is all about home-grown talent for us as we power the made-in-Nigeria initiative,” the chief executive of Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, Mr Chuma Nwokocha, said.
As excitement builds for FUZE Festival coming up on Saturday, December 20, 2025, attendees can anticipate experiencing this year’s edition theme The Ultimate Show in full, with circus-style attractions, from magicians and parade performers to flash mobs and art displays.
An expanded marketplace, freebies from participating partners and on-site Stanbic IBTC services will enhance convenience, while performances by Wande Coal, Pheelz, Chike, and Ms DSF will add a nostalgic, high-energy finish. Interested attendees can register to attend via the Stanbic IBTC Events App or visit www.events.stanbicibtc.com to secure their spot.
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