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 Modupe Gbadeyanka
Global streaming platform, Spotify, has announced the availability of its Artificial Intelligence (AI) playlist in Nigeria.
In a statement on Friday, it said the AI Playlist in beta is for its premium users in more than 40 markets, including Nigeria.
This feature can be found via the search tab of Spotify by simply typing AI Playlist and selecting one of the suggestions.
With AI Playlist, Spotify will curate a personalized playlist made just for users based on the tracks, artists, genres and more. This is easy to revise and refine as users only have to ask for what they want – like “more upbeat,” “more new releases,” or “happier songs.”
The most successful playlists are generated through “genre”, “mood” or “artist” prompts. But animals, activities, movie characters, colours – and even emojis – are all fair game too.
Some fun prompts the platform suggests users to try out include Afrobeat tracks for the dance floor, Trending K-Pop hits I need to know, Reggaeton for hanging out at the beach, Songs to hype me up for a football match, and Latin songs from my top genre, among others.
Since launching last year, premium users have created millions of playlists with the goal of finding music that fits any mood or moment in an instant.
Now, Spotify is making it even easier for users around the globe to create the perfect playlist and find their next favorite artist.
The company has promised that this feature would expand to markets across Europe, Asia, Africa and the Caribbean.
The wait is over – Nigerian Idol Season 10 is finally here, and the premiere delivered all the excitement and talent fans of the show hoped for.
Back on the judges’ panel are Omawumi and Ric Hassani. Last season, we saw them strike a balance between fun and honest feedback, and this year, they’re stepping it up.
Ric shared that he’s watching out for contestants with soul, skill, and voices that are just genuinely enjoyable to hear. Omawumi is looking for something more instinctive, a spark of originality, showmanship, and a voice that immediately makes people sit up.
Then there is Iyanya, the newest judge at the table. As a product of a reality music show himself, he knows the pressure these contestants are under. For him, it’s all about raw talent, star quality, and people who are ready to command the stage.
From the first auditions, you could tell the competition this season is going to be tough. There were strong voices, bold performances, and yes, a few funny and unexpected moments that reminded everyone why the audition stage is a fan favourite.
One standout moment was the return of Mikky, the very first contestant to ever receive a Platinum Ticket in the history of Nigerian Idol. He came back this season stronger and more confident and delivered a performance that had the judges impressed again. It earned him another Platinum Ticket, proving that when talent meets growth, it’s a winning combo.
So far, the scorecard reads: 17 yeses, 9 no’s, and 1 Platinum Ticket gone, with two still up for grabs.
Season 10 is shaping up to be one worth watching. If this first episode is anything to go by, we’re in for a season full of standout moments and new stars in the making.
Catch all-new episodes every Sunday at 7 p.m. on Africa Magic Showcase (DStv ch. 151, GOtv ch. 12) and Africa Magic Family (DStv ch. 154, GOtv ch. 2). For non-stop Idol content from auditions to backstage moments, tune in to the 24/7 Idol Extra channel on DStv channel. 198 and GOtv channel. 49.
It is 8:30 pm on a Saturday. You have fought your way through Lagos traffic, spent too much on suya that burns more than it pleases, and finally settled in to watch the Champions League final. But nothing comes easy. Your options are limited, and none of them make sense.
First, there is PHCN. Whether you are Band A or B, you are gambling that the light stays long enough to catch the final whistle. It rarely does. Next, your rusty generator. With fuel costing between N900 and N1,000 per litre, keeping the lights on through the match will cost at least N10,000.
Then there is online streaming. Between expensive data and Nigeria’s unpredictable internet, you might spend N5,000 or more only for the stream to freeze just as Lamine Yamal winds up for a shot. Now add the cost of the actual pay-per-view fee. All these troubles and expense for three hours of content that might be disrupted anyway.
Here is the part many people still do not understand. Pay-per-view is not just another subscription model. It is a separate service where viewers pay an additional one-time fee to watch exclusive live events. These are not your average football matches or soap operas. PPV is for blockbuster fights, high-stakes UFC showdowns, or exclusive concerts. You pay once, you watch once, and that is it. It is not Netflix, it is not YouTube, and it certainly is not DStv Catch-Up.
In fact, Pay-TV like DSTV does not even offer PPV. Let that sink in. If you are watching a Champions League final or a UFC main event, you are not paying extra. You are watching it as part of your existing subscription. No hidden or additional charges. No tricks. Just the monthly bouquet, a stable signal, and whatever power source you can afford that evening.
So, when people scream, “Why can’t we have PPV like abroad?”, they miss the plot. Abroad, PPV can cost $80. Here, that’s half your salary. Meanwhile, DStv bundles the same content into your monthly plan. That’s a steal, not a scam.
Let’s do the math. A N100,000 PPV ticket, which is less than the average of $80 (N130,000), is more than two to three months of DStv subscription or a whole year of GOtv. For a country where the minimum wage is N77,000 and salaries barely cross N200,000, that’s not premium access. That’s financial suicide.
Please forget comparisons to the US or UK. Over there, $80 is lunch money. Over here, it’s food, transport, and school fees. Systems differ. Wallets do too.
The truth? Hardly anyone in Nigeria is paying for PPV, because they don’t have to. TV is already made accessible with our Pay-TV. So, before you attack broadcasters, remember where the real problem lies. The Naira is in free-fall, inflation is wild, and income is stuck. Access isn’t the issue. Affordability is.
So, the next time you are tempted to go online and shout about how Nigeria deserves real PPV, take a step back. Ask yourself if you can genuinely afford it without going hungry for two weeks. If the answer is no, then it is time to renew your regular subscription, plug in your rechargeable fan, and pray for NEPA. Because in Nigeria, PPV is not a right. It is a reckless indulgence.
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