Showbiz
COVID-19: Nigeria May Lose N3trn from Entertainment Sector—FG
By Adedapo Adesanya
The federal government has said the present coronavirus pandemic was stifling the entertainment sector’s ability to contribute meaningfully to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
The Minister of Information and Culture, Mr Lai Mohammed, on Thursday, raised this alarm when he gave an insight into the report recently submitted to the government by a Post-COVID-19 Initiative Committee on the Creative Industry led by ace comedian, Mr Atunyota ‘Ali Baba’ Akpobome.
The Minister, appearing as a guest on a forum by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, said the recommendations by the committee set up to advise the government on how to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 on the creative industry, were revealing.
He disclosed that an implementation committee will be set up next Tuesday to determine which of the recommendations will be sent to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for policy decisions and the National Assembly for legislation.
“Before now, we did not know that the fashion industry accounts for almost N2 trillion revenue and that the hospitality and tourism industry accounts for about N1.2 trillion.
“The publishing and printing industry accounts for almost N1 trillion, and about N720 billion worth of books and paper enter the country annually.
“The film industry accounts for about N140 billion, the music industry revenue is over N300 billion while the comedy industry accounts for about N17 billion,” he said.
The minister said that besides the revenues generated, the report revealed how many people were employed by each sector.
“You will be amazed that though the film industry accounts for only N140 billion, it employs almost half a million people.
“The broadcast and advertising industry which I think accounts for another N500 billion also employs almost 500,000 people.
“The beauty and hair care industry does not only account for about 30,000 practitioners but also about 15,000 pieces of hair and beauty care products are sold every month in Nigeria.
“We are also able to find out through that report that under hospitality industry, about 20,000 events take place every month only in Lagos while in the year 2016, about 1.9 million events were held,” he said.
The minister said the report detailed how the COVID-19 pandemic had negatively impacted on the various industries and suggested what could be done to kick-start and sustain their growth.
Specifically, he said the distancing rules have affected the ability to go out to shoot, produce and distribute films while the lockdown affected musical concerts and invitation of musicians to social functions.
“The same goes for the fashion industry because there is nothing to trigger the demand for hair and beauty care. Of course, when there are no parties and with the face masks the people are putting on, the demand for the products has gone down,” he said.
The minister said the report equally x-rayed the gaps in some of the industries, such as the lack of enforcement especially in the area of protection of intellectual property.
He commended the committee members for selfless and detailed work in mapping and giving value to the industries and assured that the report would be implemented.
By Dipo Olowookere
A Nigerian actress and producer, Allwell Ademola, has died at a hospital in Lagos, information reaching Business Post revealed.
She was said to have passed away on Saturday after she was taken to the medical facility for attention.
According to reports, she experienced a cardiac arrest was taken to a hospital in the Agege area of Lagos State, where she passed on.
Several of her colleagues in Nollywood have expressed shock over the sudden passing of the 43-year-old thespian.
Allwell Ademola is a relative of another popular actor, Muyiwa Ademola.
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.
-
Feature/OPED6 years agoDavos was Different this year
-
Travel/Tourism9 years ago
Lagos Seals Western Lodge Hotel In Ikorodu
-
Showbiz3 years agoEstranged Lover Releases Videos of Empress Njamah Bathing
-
Banking8 years agoSort Codes of GTBank Branches in Nigeria
-
Economy3 years agoSubsidy Removal: CNG at N130 Per Litre Cheaper Than Petrol—IPMAN
-
Banking3 years agoFirst Bank Announces Planned Downtime
-
Banking3 years agoSort Codes of UBA Branches in Nigeria
-
Sports3 years agoHighest Paid Nigerian Footballer – How Much Do Nigerian Footballers Earn