Showbiz
CNN Features Nigerian Choreographer Seyi Oluyole
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Founder of Dream Catchers, a dance academy for impoverished children in Nigeria, Ms Seyi Oluyole, has been featured on the popular CNN African Voices Changemakers programme.
The talented choreographer informed the American news channel how her own experiences help her to relate to children at her academy.
“After we had the whole financial difficulty and we were living on the streets, my parents were able to gather enough money for us to move close to the slum. So, when I go to that area, I realised that even though I’d had some hard times, what I’d gone through was nothing compared to what these kids were going through,” she told host of the show, Arit Okpo.
Ms Oluyole said she feels fulfilled giving kids a better life through dance, pointing out that giving the children hope has gone a long way to rehabilitate and transform their lives.
“Dance is just a means to give these kids a better life. Things haven’t really gone as much as I thought it would, but, I would say that we are definitely not where we used to be,” she said.
The self-taught dancer attended college in the United States, but returned to Nigeria to share her skills, feeling that she could make more of an impact by coming back home.
She stresses the importance of education to all the children telling the programme, saying “Some of (the kids) were not in school, the ones that were in school were not taking school seriously, so then I began to use dance as this tool to get them to do something serious with their lives. So, I would just tell them oh, if you don’t go to school or if you are not doing well in school, you can’t come to dance rehearsal.”
Ms Oluyole also helps in other ways. Nine of the children from the academy now live with her, which she explains is offering them a better environment.
She told CNN she realised, “How important it was to have kids leave the toxic community that they were living in”, but stressed that, “Knowing that I can’t really have all of them with me, sometimes, it makes me wish I could do more.”
Funding the combined cost of the dance academy and looking after nine of the children is not always easy. The academy raises its money through donations, performance bookings and Ms Oluyole’s part-time job as a script writer.
Ms Oluyole talked about how she found a creative way to bring attention to the kids and help raise money, stating that, “What I used to do was find songs where the music video was not out yet and dance to it and post on Instagram and try to tag that celebrity.” This led to the academy being noticed by Rihanna, and supermodel Naomi Campbell even came to visit, bringing with her food and school supplies for the children.
Apart from Ms Oluyole, CNN African Voices Changemakers also highlighted the work of a South African known as Gcina Mhlophe, whose passion for story-telling is inspiring children to open books.
She is one of the country’s most talented writers and during her discussions with the host, stressed the importance of education and highlighted the need for creative subjects,
“We don’t put enough emphasis or significance into how the creative arts or culture, or heritage can make a big difference in our education system. (…) There’s something empowering about somebody who knows who they are, who feels like their sense of self, their sense of heritage, and identity matters,” she said.
‘African Voices’ airs on Friday, August 16, 2019 at 0930 SAST on CNN International and also airs on Saturday, August 17 at 0030 SAST, 1230 SAST and 1630 SAST; on Sunday August 18 at 0500 SAST, 0930 SAST and 2000 SAST; and on Monday, August 19 at 0530 SAST.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The UK-Nigeria Technology Hub has launched its Creative Fund, a first‑phase grants initiative designed to address critical technical capacity gaps across Nigeria’s film, fashion, and music industries.
According to a statement on Tuesday, the fund will support the development of local digital production capacity, encourage the adoption of modern creative technologies, and promote the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to strengthen Nigeria’s creative value chain.
The initiative directly supports the priorities of the UK‑Nigeria Economic Transformation and Investment Partnership (ETIP) Creatives Working Group, launched in March 2025 and delivers on commitments made during President Tinubu’s State visit to the UK in March 2026.
It is designed to ensure that high-potential creative projects can access the technical talent, tools, and resources required to produce, scale and complete their work locally.
Funded by the UK-Nigeria Tech Hub, under the UK Government’s Digital Access Programme and implemented by Tech4Dev, the Creative Fund responds directly evidence gathered through the State of the Creative Innovation Ecosystem in Nigeria, study in 2024. Drawing on over 1,700 survey responses, and fieldwork across seven states, the research showed that Nigeria’s creative economy employs approximately 4.2 million people and contributes around US$3 billion to GDP annually.
Despite this scale, the sector continues to face structural constraints – over 80 per cent of practitioners are self-taught, fewer than 10 per cent have access to formal financing, and high-value technical work is routinely outsourced outside the country. The Creative Fund is a direct response to these gaps and is central to the work of the ETIP Creative Working Group.
Speaking on this, Mrs Oyinkansola Akintola‑Bello, Director of the UK‑Nigeria Tech Hub, said, “Nigeria’s creative sector already delivers real economic value, and both governments have committed under the UK‑Nigeria Economic Transformation and Investment Partnership to supporting its growth. Through the ETIP Creatives Working Group, we are moving from ambition to action.
”The Creative Fund is a practical first‑phase intervention that addresses critical gaps in skills, infrastructure, and access to advanced tools, enabling Nigerian creatives to produce and scale high‑quality work locally.”
The fund will support high-potential creative projects covering three industries: Film, Fashion, and Music and will focus on initiatives that demonstrate strong potential for impact, scalability, and job creation.
It will subsidise projects that need to close technical gaps, including critical specialists like VFX artists, sound engineers, post-production editors, and design professionals, or the digital tools and resources that make professional-quality work possible locally, for example, digital asset management systems, content delivery tools, Digital Rights Management solutions, and AI-driven production technologies. The aim is straightforward: Nigeria’s best creative work should be made in Nigeria.
On his part, Mr Abraham Akpan, Tech4Dev’s Country Manager for Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa, said the Creative industries are a core part of the digital economy, bringing together technology, culture and entrepreneurship.
“This Fund is about ensuring that Nigeria’s creative success is underpinned by sustainable local talent and capacity, while deliberately expanding access to tools, skills and finance for those who have been historically excluded. By prioritising women-led enterprises, youth-led ventures, and underrepresented groups, the fund embeds inclusion into every stage of delivery.”
The Fund is open to creative companies, studios, production houses, fashion enterprises, and music labels leading projects with clear technical needs. Applications will be assessed on project quality, their potential for local and international impact, and the applicant’s level of commitment to co-investment. The initiative also encourages the responsible use of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, with selected projects expected to explore its application in production, storytelling, and innovation.
Applications are open now and will be accepted on a rolling basis throughout the programme period.
The world’s most prestigious culinary competition has finally landed in Nigeria, bringing with it global standards, high-stakes drama, and a powerful celebration of local flavours.
MasterChef Nigeria premiered on Africa Magic Showcase (Channel 8) and Africa Magic Family (Channel 7), introducing viewers to a new era of culinary excellence.
At stake is a life-changing grand prize of ₦73 million and the coveted title of Nigeria’s first-ever MasterChef.
Ten exceptional home cooks from across the country have stepped into the MasterChef kitchen, not as professionals, but as passionate individuals driven by ambition and talent.
From a content creator in Magboro to a lawyer in Abuja, a domestic staff member in Lagos, and a cloud kitchen manager in Lekki, each contestant brings a unique story, but shares the same hunger to win.
Leading the competition are two of Nigeria’s most respected culinary figures: Chef Stone and Chef Eros.
Known for their influence and expertise, they bring both discipline and personality to the kitchen.
“I have trained over 7,000 students. Nigeria is one of the most diverse countries in the world, and our food reflects that. We just need to tell that story on a plate,” said Chef Stone.
Chef Eros adds: “MasterChef Nigeria is set to be incredibly competitive. From demanding tasks to defining moments under pressure, viewers will witness the true depth of culinary talent in this country. As we like to say, Naija no dey carry last.”
Contestants will face a series of intense, high-pressure challenges designed to test their creativity, technical skill, and resilience.
And for some, it’s strictly business.
“I am here for business. I am here to cook. I am not here to play or make friends,” said contestant Derry.
Across 13 episodes, viewers can expect a compelling mix of tension, discovery, and unforgettable moments as the competition unfolds.
MasterChef Nigeria airs every Sunday at 7:00 PM on Africa Magic Showcase (Channel 8) and Africa Magic Family (Channel 7), with repeat broadcasts on Thursdays at 12:00 PM on Africa Magic Family.
There was a time in our lives when life was simple. Not perfect, not fancy, but simple in a way that just felt complete.
We weren’t thinking about bills, deadlines, or what the future would look like. Our biggest concern? Whether NEPA would take light before our favourite show came on or if someone would change the channel at the wrong time.
Back then, happiness didn’t need planning. You’d rush through homework, eat quickly, and settle in front of the TV like it was the most important part of your day. And honestly, it was.
Those shows weren’t just shows, they were moments.
Then we grew up. Life got busier, louder, and a lot more demanding. But somehow, those memories stayed.
Sometimes it hits you out of nowhere, like a theme song or seeing your niece or nephew watching something familiar. And just like that, you’re taken back.
Back to when watching SpongeBob SquarePants felt like the highlight of your day. Back to singing along to Mickey Mouse Clubhouse like you were part of the cast. Even those “I’m too grown for cartoons” days still had room for The Thundermans and Henry Danger.
It’s funny how those shows did more than just entertain us. They gave us something to look forward to. Something that made the day feel lighter, no matter what.
But every now and then, there’s something comforting about knowing that those moments still exist somewhere. The things that once made us laugh, relax, and forget everything for a while are still there, unchanged.
Channels like Disney Junior and Nickelodeon are still running those same shows, holding onto that same kind of joy we didn’t even realise we’d miss. And platforms like GOtv quietly keep that connection alive. Because after a long day of trying to figure life out, sometimes what you need isn’t something new.
Sometimes, you just want something that reminds you of who you used to be, something that lets you sit back, laugh a little, and for a moment forget all the noise. And maybe, without even realising it, you smile, because for a few minutes, life feels simple again.
To upgrade, subscribe, or reconnect, download the MyGOtv App or dial *288#. For catch-up and on-the-go viewing, download the GOtv Stream App and enjoy your favourite shows anytime, anywhere.
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