Showbiz
Davido, Tiwa Savage, Others Lighten Giants of Africa Festival
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Fun seekers at the BK Arena in Kigali, Kenya, on Saturday, August 19, 2023, will not forget in a hurry the excitement they felt seeing their favourite African music stars perform in their presence.
Several musicians from 16 countries converged on the venue to put smiles on the faces of their fans at an event hosted by Spotify in partnership with Giants of Africa for the inaugural Giants of Africa Festival.
It was in celebration of the non-profit’s 20-year anniversary, and the week-long festival did not fall beyond expectations. The event used music and basketball to educate and empower African youths to dream big.
Davido, Tiwa Savage, Tyla and Bruce Melodie were the artists who thrilled the pan-African audience with unforgettable performances.
Tyla, a Spotify Africa RADAR artist, was first on stage as she showcased her Amapiano infused with Afrobeats, pop and R&B style music. She kicked off her performance with her collaboration with Kooldrink, Getting Late, which is also her most streamed track, according to Spotify data.
Interestingly, the market streaming the South African artist the most is Nigeria, followed by her home country. This is likely due to her collaboration with Nigeria’s Ayra Starr on Girl Next Door, which is her second most streamed track and was also included in her Giants of Africa performance. The other countries vibing with Tyla’s music include Kenya, Ghana and Tanzania.
The audience also got a chance to experience her other hits, Been Thinking, To Last and her most recent release, Water. An Amapiano performance would not be complete without choreographed dance moves, which Tyla and her dancers delivered elegantly, leaving the auditorium in awe.
Rwanda’s Bruce Melodie took the stage next, starting off with his collaboration with Khaligraph Jones, Sawa Sawa, which is his second most streamed track on Spotify.
Over the 20-minute performance, Bruce transported the fans through his musical catalogue, from Ikinyafu, Saa Moya 7:00 and Funga Macho. The crowd went wild when ELEMENT EleéeH, Rwandan producer, singer and songwriter, joined Bruce on stage for a performance of their song FOU DE TOi. Bruce then took the audience to church with his gospel song, Urabinyegeza, another of his top streamed tracks on Spotify, before closing off with Katerina, his most streamed song on Spotify. Bruce’s Spotify audience is majorly in East Africa, with Kenya streaming his music the most, followed by Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and finally Burundi.
Probably one of the most anticipated performances of the afternoon, Davido took to the stage next. The artist, whose audience is spread out all across the continent, from Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana, Kenya and Zambia gave an electrifying performance that left the audience wanting more.
He opened with Over Dem, from his Timeless album and one of his most streamed songs on Spotify. Davido then transported the audience back in time with hit after hit, including Dami Duro, FIA, Jowo, If, Fall and Risky among others. The showmanship continued, performing High, Ke Star and Champion Sound.
Finally, the moment for his most viral song arrived; Unavailable, is Davido’s most streamed song on Timeless, and the most exported track among 18 -24 year olds, soundtracking many dance videos. The song, the dance moves, and Davido’s close-out performance were everything and more.
The queen of Afrobeats, Tiwa Savage, was the final act on the Giants of Africa stage. Also with a pan-African audience, Tiwa’s Spotify listeners are from Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Ghana and Uganda. 49-99, one of her most playlisted songs on Spotify, opened her performance.
Ma Lo, her second most streamed song was next, followed by a string of other hits including KEYS TO THE KINGDOM, Like, Pick Up and an acapella version of Somebody’s Son. Who Is Your Guy was a crowd favourite, as was her most streamed song on Spotify, Koroba. Closing off with Stamina, her top exported track among 18-35-year-olds, Tiwa’s performance showed why she is still the undisputed queen of Afrobeats.
“It was a pleasure to partner with Giants of Africa, particularly for the closing concert, where the audience got to experience some of Africa’s top-tier talent. Africa’s youth are the future, and we are excited to continue to support them through partnerships such as this one,” said Jocelyne Muhutu-Remy after the concert.
Africa’s biggest reality television show, Big Brother Naija, returns for its highly anticipated Season 11 on Sunday, 26 July 2026 on DStv and GOtv.
The launch show will air from 7 pm on Africa Magic Showcase and Africa Magic Family channels, with the 24-hour show on DStv channel 198 and GOtv channel 49. BBNaija fans can also watch the show live via DStv and GOtv Stream.
This season’s winner will walk away with a record ₦160 million grand prize, which includes a cash sum of N100 million and a brand-new SUV. The prize is the highest in the show’s history, raising the stakes for what is expected to be another landmark season.
Speaking on the new season, Atinuke Babatunde, Executive Head, Content and Channels, West Africa, MultiChoice, said:
“Big Brother Naija has consistently redefined entertainment in Africa by bringing together authentic storytelling, compelling personalities and moments that resonate with millions of viewers. Season 11 builds on that legacy with even bigger stakes, fresh twists and an exciting mix of housemates that will keep audiences engaged from premiere night through to the finale”.
The new season also ushers in an exciting lineup of brand partners, with betPawa, the home of Africa’s biggest winners, joining the Big Brother Naija family as the Headline Sponsor.
Commenting on the partnership, Borah Omary Ndanyungu, Head of Local Marketing & CSR, betPawa, said: “At betPawa, we believe in creating unforgettable experiences that bring people together through the things they are passionate about. Big Brother Naija is one of Africa’s most celebrated entertainment properties, and we are proud to come on board as Headline Sponsor for Season 11. We look forward to rewarding fans, deepening engagement throughout the season and delivering exciting experiences that complement the energy and excitement of the show.”
Guinness returns as the Gold Sponsor, while Minimie comes on board as an Associate Sponsor, reinforcing continued confidence from leading brands in one of Africa’s most influential entertainment platforms.
On the season’s partnerships, Babatunde commented: “We are delighted to welcome betPawa as our Headline Sponsor alongside Guinness and Minimie, whose partnership reflects the enduring value and impact of the Big Brother Naija platform.”
Since its return in 2017, Big Brother Naija has evolved beyond a reality TV show into a cultural phenomenon, creating household names, creating jobs across the creative economy, and shaping popular culture.
With Ebuka Obi-Uchendu returning as the show’s host, viewers can expect a season filled with unexpected twists, dynamic tasks, strategic gameplay, entertaining challenges and the authentic interactions that have made Big Brother Naija one of Africa’s most-watched reality TV show franchises.
Season 11 premieres on Sunday, 26 July 2026, with viewers able to follow every moment of the action throughout the season on DStv, GOtv, DStv Stream and GOtv Stream. Eligible subscribers can vote through the MyDStv and MyGOtv self-service apps, upgrade their packages for additional voting benefits, and enjoy uninterrupted access throughout the season by subscribing or renewing for multiple months.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The first dedicated talent management training institution in Nigeria, TGM Academy, is set to commence operations in September 2026.
This institution is the brainchild of one of Nigeria’s leading public relations and strategic communications agencies, That Good Media (TGM).
The firm has expertise in talent management, influencer sourcing, personal branding, media relations and reputation management.
According to a statement from the company, TGM Academy will equip aspiring and practising talent managers with the knowledge, skills and industry exposure required to support the growth of Nigeria’s rapidly expanding creative economy.
The academy was established to professionalise talent management as a viable career path while developing a new generation of globally competitive managers capable of strengthening Nigeria’s creative ecosystem.
While talent management has become increasingly important in helping creatives access international opportunities, build sustainable careers and create long-term
commercial value, the profession has lacked structured education, recognised standards and dedicated capacity-building platforms.
Ahead of the launch in about two months, TGM is organising a Talent Management Leadership Roundtable on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at the Abora Suites of Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos, in partnership with the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, the French Consulate, and Megowa, a digital platform connecting Nollywood talent with industry opportunities, training and resources across the African creative landscape.
Expected at the event are senior talent managers, entertainment executives, brand leaders, diplomats, cultural institutions, media executives, creatives and key decision makers whose work is shaping the future of Nigeria’s creative economy.
The roundtable themed Talent Management as Critical Infrastructure for Cultural Exchange and the Creative Economy will examine the evolving role of
talent management as a strategic enabler of commercial growth, international collaboration and cultural exchange.
It will create a platform for honest conversations around the future of talent management and its role in driving the creative economy, as participants will explore how professional management contributes to the long-term success of creatives, what brands expect before entering partnerships, how managers can build trusted relationships with corporate organisations, and how diplomatic missions and international cultural institutions engage with the creative sector through cultural exchange programmes, festivals and international collaborations.
The discussions will also examine the structures, competencies and ethical standards required for Nigerian talent managers to compete successfully within global markets, with insights generated during the roundtable to directly inform the curriculum, partnerships and learning framework of TGM Academy ahead of its official launch.
The wait is almost over. On July 26, Big Brother Naija returns for its eleventh season, bringing with it a brand-new theme, fresh housemates and another chapter of the reality show that continues to dominate conversations across Africa.
While fans are still guessing who will make it into Biggie’s House, one thing is already clear: this season is raising the stakes.
Everything Is For The Taking
This year’s theme, Everything Is For The Taking, sets the tone for what promises to be one of the most competitive seasons yet. It suggests a game where every task, every alliance and every decision could make the difference between staying in the House and walking away with the grand prize.
For the new housemates, nothing will come easy. They’ll have to earn every opportunity, win over viewers and navigate the twists that have become a hallmark of the BBNaija experience.
A New Set of Housemates, Endless Possibilities
As always, the identities of the new housemates remain under wraps, but that has only added to the excitement.
Every BBNaija season introduces a unique mix of personalities. Some become fan favourites almost overnight, others surprise everyone with their strategy, while a few create unforgettable moments that keep social media buzzing throughout the season.
Who will become this year’s breakout star? Fans will soon find out.
Big Brands Return for Season 11
Season 11 will once again feature some of Nigeria’s biggest brands, with betPawa as the headline sponsor, House of Guinness as the gold sponsor and Minimie as the associate sponsor.
Their continued partnership reflects the cultural impact and wide audience the show continues to attract year after year.
The Countdown Begins
With the premiere just around the corner, anticipation is building for another season of drama, competition, unexpected twists and unforgettable moments.
Whether you’re tuning in for the games, the relationships, the strategy or the entertainment, BBNaija Season 11 promises another exciting ride.
The countdown has officially begun, and if the theme is anything to go by, this season will remind everyone that in Biggie’s House, everything truly is for the taking.
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