Showbiz
How MultiChoice Empowers Nigerian Youth Through Creative Investment
As global populations age, Africa remains a bastion of youthful promise, with around 70% of the continent’s population below the age of 30. This youthful demographic can be an asset – but only if it is developed, by empowering young people through training, and by giving them a stake in the growth of their countries’ economies.
Helping to develop young people’s abilities and expanding the pool of skills is also in the interests of industry and big business. Over the years, the Federal government of Nigeria embarked on youth empowerment initiatives to harness the skills and energy of Nigerian youths for economic growth.
However, unlocking private-sector investment in youth development remains critical, especially in the creative sector. This is where pan-African broadcasting group, MultiChoice, has taken on the responsibility of developing its sector, through its MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) academies across the continent.
MTF academies offer year-long training programmes to students from 13 countries, combining practical and theory instruction in disciplines such as cinematography, editing, audio production and storytelling. They also offer African students the chance to hone their skills alongside industry greats.
MTF has had a profound impact across Africa, having already produced more than 300 alumni. The programme is revolutionising the industry by training young filmmakers; creating paths to professional careers in the film and TV sector; and empowering African professionals to create relevant content for African audiences.
An MTF survey has found that around 92% of MTF Academy graduates go on to work in the creative sector. As part of their training, many MTF students get to work on existing productions on MultiChoice channels such as Africa Magic, Maisha Africa or Mzansi Magic.
According to MTF Academy Director, West Africa, Atinuke Babatunde, the initiative has been worthwhile and very impactful. “We’ve had students graduate and start up their businesses. Many of our MTF alumni have found employment within MultiChoice, and 30 independent production houses have been registered by former MTF students, many becoming suppliers to the Group,” she said
MTF Academy West Africa’s best graduating student of the 2022 cohort, Adedamola Akapo, received an all-expense paid two-month scholarship to the New York Film Academy. Abisola Aboaba, who emerged top-performing graduate of the 2020 set, won the NYFA 8-week scholarship in the United States of America.
Also, the class of 2023’s top three graduates received internships in recognition of their exceptional work and achievements. Segun Elvis Damptey from Ghana was awarded a two-week internship at a local film and TV production in South Africa; Abdulazziz Attah from Nigeria was awarded a two-week Bollywood internship with Zee World; and Samuel Ogundeyi, also from Nigeria, was awarded an eight-week scholarship to the New York Film Academy (NYFA).
This industry integration has twin benefits of providing the creative sector with a healthy pipeline of talented young people, while also giving MTF graduates relevant experience. The creativity of MTF Alumni has seen them receive nominations and awards yearly at the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards. The initiative has also nurtured talents such as Allen Onyige and Adeniyi Joseph-Omobulejo, who produced the popular Africa Magic original series, “Irora Iya”. Aside from the MTF Academies, which provide intensive, year-long training, the MTF Portal focuses on enhancing the capabilities of working industry professionals, through specialised training, workshops, collaborations, and networking opportunities.
Figures by MultiChoice Africa also showed that the company contributes significantly to the broader African economy through procurement and supplier development with emerging and youth-owned businesses. The company said it has invested over $632 million in preferential procurement spend; more than $137 million in direct spend on medium and micro-enterprises; about $106 million spent on suppliers with at least 30% women ownership; and over $406 million on black-empowerment accredited suppliers.
Such economic benefits form part of the MultiChoice continuum of youth empowerment – creating opportunities which lead to quality content for MultiChoice audiences and ultimately benefit local economies across the continent.
MultiChoice reaches 23.5 million households, and more than 100 million people, in 50 African countries. Quality African storytelling has been the key to its success. Developing well-trained, empowered young people through the MTF will be the key to that success in future.
Nollywood actor Kunle Remi has clarified that his recent social media comment comparing the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards to the Academy Awards (Oscars) was made in jest, following widespread reactions online.
The conversation began after the actor shared a video from the 2026 Academy Awards (Oscars), where Michael B. Jordan was seen having his award engraved shortly after his win. In his initial reaction, Remi suggested that winners at the AMVCA do not receive their plaques immediately, a claim that quickly gained traction across multiple media platforms.
However, in a follow-up video posted shortly after, the actor dismissed the comparison as a joke, noting that he is aware of how the AMVCA award process works.
“I was just messing around, and it was all a joke,” he said, adding that people had taken the remark more seriously than intended.
He reaffirmed his respect for the platform, describing the AMVCA as the only African awards show comparable to the Oscars.
“AMVCA is the only African show you can even compare to the Oscars,” he added.
The actor also confirmed his involvement with the awards, noting that he will be present at this year’s edition and is actively working on it.
“I’ll be at this year’s AMVCA, in fact, I’m working with them on this one.”
The exchange has since drawn attention to how awards are handled at the AMVCA. Winners receive their plaques on stage immediately after being announced and are subsequently directed to a designated media room, where engraving stations are set up to personalise each award in real time.
The engraving process is completed on the night of the event, with winners finalising their plaques while also engaging with the press through interviews, photography, and official media documentation.
Industry sources familiar with the production confirm that this system has been consistently implemented across previous editions, with visual documentation from past ceremonies showing the engraving process and post-win media interactions.
The clarification comes amid ongoing conversations about production standards across global award platforms, as African film and television continue to gain wider international visibility.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The application deadline for the 2026 intake of the MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) has been extended to Monday, April 27.
The deadline for the pan-African film and television training institution was earlier fixed for February 27, but it has now been extended by two months, giving aspiring African filmmakers, directors, producers, scriptwriters and storytellers across the continent additional time to apply for its fully funded, industry-accredited training programme.
The programme is open to young creatives aged 18 to 35 with a passion for the screen industry. Applicants may hold qualifications in film, television, media, drama, or related creative disciplines or possess one to two years of industry experience. A formal film degree is not required.
Participants will be exposed to a structured 12-month programme across key areas, including scriptwriting, production management, directing, cinematography, editing, sound, and various post-production specialities, gaining experience in bringing stories to life. The programme is fully funded, covering tuition, production costs, and monthly stipends, allowing participants to focus entirely on developing their craft.
MTF operates academies across four African cities: Johannesburg (South Africa), Nairobi (Kenya), Lagos (Nigeria), and Lusaka (Zambia), ensuring a diverse pool of talent is trained to contribute to the growth of Africa’s film and television industry.
The initiative was established in 2018 by MultiChoice Group, a CANAL+ company, to discover and nurture the next generation of storytellers by providing access to mentorship, technical training, and real-world production experience in film and television.
Almost 300 filmmakers have been trained by MTF, with participants producing over 42 movies during the programme. These projects are broadcast on DStv and GOtv channels, including Maisha Magic, Zambezi Magic, and Africa Magic. MTF graduates have earned nominations and awards at major platforms such as the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA), Uganda Film Festival, and Women in Film Awards. Alumni also collaborate in global creative spaces, including the European Film Market and Durban FilmMart.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
Nigeria and the United Kingdom have forged new pathways aimed at tapping into the growing global creative economy.
The UK, through the British Council, will help Nigeria build stronger systems, infrastructure and professional capability to unlock opportunities in the sector.
The collaboration will support the development of creative systems and partnerships by focusing on artistic collaboration, creative infrastructure, institutional capacity, skills development and exchange.
This is an offshoot of the two-day state visit to the UK by President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday and Thursday. The President returned to Nigeria on Friday.
The deal with the UK concerning the creative industry aims to deliver practical, long-term value through stronger partnerships and technical cooperation.
The sector is recognised as a key engine for job creation and foreign exchange earnings, with explicit targets to increase the value of creative industries and strengthen infrastructure, digital integration, and international market access.
In the UK, the creative industries are recognised as one of the country’s highest-growth sectors, supported through government funding, investment incentives, and industrial strategy to boost innovation, skills development, export growth, and international partnerships.
Already, the Nigerian government has articulated a comprehensive vision to grow its creative economy through initiatives such as the Nigeria Destination 2030 creative economy framework, skills development priorities, strategic policy reforms, and fostering public–private partnerships aimed at scaling creative business outputs and increasing global competitiveness.
Through one of the partnerships between both nations, the UK/Nigeria Bilateral Season, there would be a focus on strengthening creative systems and production infrastructure, including the adoption of emerging technology; supporting skills development and leadership across arts, culture and education sectors; improving access to UK and international markets through structured mobility pathways and industry engagement, and enabling UK and Nigerian creative institutions to form lasting partnerships that continue beyond the Season.
Activities will take place across both countries in 2028, following two years of partner engagement involving visiting delegations and programme incubation, unlocking resources in both countries to catalyse greater cultural collaboration.
The other arm of the collaboration is the launch of the British Council SCALE UK-NG Creatives Entrepreneurs Award Programme (2027/28)
The British Council and the Department for Business and Trade will partner on the new SCALE (Supporting Creative Acceleration, Leadership & Exports) Programme.
SCALE will enhance international connections and export readiness, supporting both the Nigerian and UK creative economy growth and trade.
The Award and associated fast-track training programme will draw on a decade of learning gained from the delivery of the British Council Young Creative Entrepreneurs Programme and from DBT’s sector expertise and network of investors.
“Culture has an amazing power to bring people together. When we work together, we open our eyes to new creative possibilities and build opportunities to grow our creative sectors.
“With the UK being home to the largest Nigerian diaspora in Europe, we’re perfectly placed to make the most of these opportunities.
“So many of our brightest stars have shared heritage across Nigeria and Britain, and I look forward to these cultural bonds only growing stronger through the joint Season of Culture in 2028, the UK’s Arts Minister, Ian Murray, said.
Also commenting, the Country Director for British Council Nigeria, Donna McGowan, said, “The UK/ NG Season will involve a range of innovative initiatives to be designed by diverse UK and Nigeria creative organisations, with activity taking place in both countries.
“SCALE is a transformative initiative that aims to empower the next generation of Nigerian creatives.
“By fostering innovation and providing vital resources, we are not only investing in individual talents but also strengthening the cultural and economic ties between the UK and Nigeria.”
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