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.

The Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA), often compared to the Oscars, has evolved beyond a simple awards ceremony into an influential platform boosting African cinema’s global visibility. As the 11th edition approaches, the AMVCA continues to highlight African filmmakers’ work, helping to position Africa’s cinematic output as a significant force in international entertainment.

Initially established to showcase Africa’s diverse storytelling traditions, the AMVCA has grown from a regional event into one of the most anticipated events on the global film calendar. This increased prominence reflects the growing recognition of Africa’s cinematic quality and originality. The AMVCA brings together a wide range of African filmmaking talents, enhancing the event’s global recognition. As African content expands on streaming platforms like Showmax, the awards provide filmmakers with access to broader international audiences.

While the comparison to the Oscars speaks to its prestige, the AMVCA’s true value lies in showcasing authentic African stories and talent. Celebrating both established and emerging creative voices, it creates a space where African filmmakers receive recognition for their contributions to global cinema. This is particularly important as African stories gain  traction on the international stage.

Recognition from the AMVCA extends beyond trophies, opening doors to new opportunities and global collaborations. Past winners have seen their careers blossom through international film festival invitations, co-productions, and global distribution deals. The award serves as a validation that elevates African filmmakers’ work to the international stage.

A key strength of the AMVCA is its recognition of the full spectrum of industry talent. The awards highlight not only actors and directors but also the technical experts- cinematographers, editors, sound engineers, costume designers, and music composers- emphasising African cinema’s diverse talent pool. The addition of the best music score category further acknowledges how original compositions enhance storytelling and emotional impact in African films.

As African films increasingly appear on global platforms and receive critical acclaim, the AMVCA has become an industry cornerstone. With its 11th edition approaching, the awards’ role in recognising and celebrating African cinema remains vital. By recognizing excellence across all filmmaking aspects, from visual storytelling to musical composition, the AMVCA provides a comprehensive platform for honouring the complete artistic vision behind each production.

The global entertainment industry is paying attention, and the AMVCA ensures that African cinema is not just part of the conversation but actively shapes it. This evolution from a regional awards show to a globally recognized institution demonstrates the growing influence of African cinema and the diverse talent emerging from the continent. Through categories like Best Music Score, the AMVCA continues to elevate all components that make African storytelling unique and compelling on the world stage.