Showbiz
UK Launches Fund to Boost Nigeria’s Creative Industries
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.
Showbiz
Drama, Tears, and Showdowns: BBNaija Reunion Starts on Heated Note
The Big Brother Naija Season 10 reunion kicked off yesterday, and honestly, nobody was prepared for how quickly things went from zero to heated. From unresolved tensions to emotional confessions, it looks like the housemates came ready to finally say everything they’ve been holding back.
If episode one is anything to go by, the rest of the reunion is set to be explosive.
Here are some of the highlights from Episode 1 of the reunion:
Sabrina opened up about her early exit, saying that if she had stayed longer, viewers would have seen more of her personality, and that a love interest storyline likely wouldn’t have happened.
Tracy reflected on her time in the house, admitting she didn’t feel emotionally prepared for the experience. She also expressed that while she wanted a deeper connection with Kuture, things felt too physical for her.
Zita revisited her time in the house as well, insisting her fight with Mide was not performative and that she often felt cornered by how things played out. Mide, however, pushed back, saying Zita misunderstood her intentions and that she is not condescending.
Zita and Danboskid also addressed their failed “ship,” finally laying the relationship drama to rest.
Thelma had an emotional moment while defending herself in the Isabella and Kayinkumi situation, with tensions rising further when Big Soso jumped into the conversation, escalating things between her and Thelma.
We also saw more tension unfold between Tega and Thelma, with revelations that added even more weight to their already strained dynamic.
And just when we thought it couldn’t get any hotter, the episode ended on a cliffhanger, with Kola and Doris going head-to-head, leaving viewers waiting for what comes next.
If this is just episode one, the rest of the reunion promises nothing short of chaos, clarity, and confrontations.
Big Brother Naija S10 reunion is clearly not holding back this year. You can catch all the drama at 10 pm on Africa Magic Showcase and 10:30 pm on Africa Magic Family on DStv and GOtv.
Showbiz
SuperSport Wakes Up the Continent with ‘The Morning Cup’ – A FIFA World Cup Daily Breakfast Show Like No Other
Nigerian comedy heavyweight Basketmouth and South African broadcast royalty Phat Joe lead a pan-African cast in a new morning show blending football, culture, lifestyle and entertainment.
As the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off across the globe, SuperSport will launch The Morning Cup, a live daily breakfast show designed to redefine how fans start their World Cup mornings.
Premiering on Wednesday, 10 June, the show brings together football, music, entertainment and conversation in a fast-paced, pan-African studio format.
Anchored by SuperSport presenters Lwazi Ziqubu and Fiso Mazibuko, the show features Basketmouth, Phat Joe, Sarah Hassan and Sirayah Shiraz as part of its rotating co-host lineup.
“I am excited because it is different,” Basketmouth says. “It is not just football, it is an experience. Music, culture, our vibe, everything coming together from a perspective you will not find anywhere else.”
“I will be hanging out with some really funny guys, too. Humour is everywhere, and my job is to find those moments and bring them into the conversation.”
On what to expect from him on the show, he adds:
“We are your recovery crew, replaying the best moments you might have missed and keeping it fun. I am bringing the Naija flavour into it. SuperSport did great with this one.
For Phat Joe, the show marks both a return and a new kind of stage.
“Look, anytime you get a call from SuperSport to do a show for a billion people, you answer,” he says.
“But when it’s for a brand-new show with a fresh format and a pan-African cast of hosts? That’s not just a gig, that’s an invitation to be part of something special. I’m hyped to be back in the building. I never left TV, I just took a strategic pause.”
Highlighting the tone of the show, he adds:
“The energy. Most shows talk at you. The Morning Cup feels like it’s waking up with you, family fun every morning with your favourite personalities during the World Cup. Morning TV means I actually get to sleep like a normal human being again. So, my wife is thrilled.”
Earlier today, the cast teased the launch through a cross-continental radio takeover, with Basketmouth on Brila FM in Nigeria and Phat Joe on 947 in South Africa, giving a preview of the show’s tone of banter and chemistry.
And that chemistry, according to Phat Joe, is already questionable.
“Chemistry? What chemistry? I think the producers messed up. I’m asking them to recast some of the positions as we speak,” he jokes.
“Sarah Hassan is a math nerd. You know she studied to be an actuarial scientist? Actress, my foot. She’s going to be busy trying to predict when all the cast members are going to die.”
“Basketmouth is probably going to try to re-kick-start his rap career again on the show for the umpteenth time. The only cast member I like is Sirayah. The producers needed someone to make me look taller, she’s 4’11”, you know.”
Kenyan actress Sarah Hassan brings a contrasting energy to the lineup.
“I am incredibly excited. It’s a true honour to work alongside Joe and the pan-African team. It’s great to be on a show that’s going to give perspectives from all over Africa with hosts from all parts of the continent. It’s a truly African morning show,” she says.
“I’m loving every moment of this journey and honestly don’t want it to end. This is an absolute dream come true. To be here at SuperSport hosting a show of this magnitude, at such an exciting time for football, is fantastic. I am truly at a loss for words.”
She adds: “Being in South Africa right now, it only feels right to throw my full support behind Bafana Bafana. My beloved Kenya would always be my first choice if they were here, but in their absence, I’m Bafana all the way.”
Set against a communal, vibrant backdrop, The Morning Cup captures the rituals and emotions that define the World Cup experience.
Viewers can expect international football legends, daily hot takes, round-table discussions, comedy inserts, fashion segments and on-the-ground content from across Africa and the United States.
Fans can tune in daily from Wednesday, 10 June at 6:00 am to 7:00 am on SuperSport’s FIFA World Cup Central (DStv Channel 202), with multiple replays and on-demand viewing available on DStv Stream and GOtv Stream.
Showbiz
The Final Chapter of BBNaija Season 10 Begins at the Reunion
After ten weeks of twists, shifting alliances, emotional confrontations and unforgettable moments, the BBNaija Season 10 house may have closed its doors, but many of the conversations it sparked never truly ended.
Now, months after Imisi emerged victorious and walked away with the ₦150 million grand prize, all 29 housemates are set to return for the Season 10 Reunion, hosted by Ebuka Obi-Uchendu. As anticipation builds for BBNaija Season 11, the reunion offers fans one final opportunity to revisit the stories that kept the 10/10 season at the centre of conversation.
And if there’s one thing viewers know about BBNaija reunions, it’s that they have a way of bringing unfinished business back to the surface.
For starters, fans will be eager to hear from Dede and Kola, whose complicated dynamic generated countless conversations throughout the season. What exactly was happening between them? Was it friendship, attraction, strategy, or a little bit of everything? Months later, many viewers are still searching for answers.
Then there is Victory and Gigi Jasmine, whose rollercoaster relationship became one of the season’s most talked-about storylines. From mixed signals and emotional conversations to unexpected decisions that left viewers divided, theirs was a relationship that rarely lacked drama. The reunion could finally reveal where things stand between them today.
Questions also remain around Faith, one of the season’s most controversial and talked-about housemates. His journey from strong contender to disqualification sparked intense debate among fans and fellow housemates alike. With Sultana and Imisi both playing significant roles in some of the season’s biggest conversations involving him, the reunion may provide long-awaited clarity on one of the defining storylines of the season.
Of course, no look back at the 10/10 season would be complete without revisiting the relationships that captured viewers’ attention. Fans will be curious to know whether connections such as Koyin and Isabella’s survived beyond the house, evolved into something more, or simply became part of the BBNaija experience.
There are also questions surrounding Jason Jae, whose interactions with Joanna, Sultana and Dede kept fans speculating throughout the season. Was he simply playing the game, following genuine connections, or navigating a complicated mix of both? The reunion may finally offer some answers.
Meanwhile, Bright Morgan and Mide’s relationship remained one of the season’s most debated situationships. With emotions, misunderstandings and unanswered questions lingering after the show, viewers will undoubtedly be looking forward to hearing their perspectives now that months have passed.
Beyond the individual stories, the reunion is also an opportunity for housemates to reflect on the alliances, rivalries and decisions that shaped one of the most unpredictable seasons in BBNaija history. Friendships were tested, loyalties shifted, and housemates often found themselves on opposite sides of conversations that dominated social media week after week.
Whether it’s old rivalries, unresolved tensions, surprising reconciliations or long-awaited explanations, fans can expect the conversations they have been waiting months to hear.
The BBNaija Season 10 Reunion premieres on June 8 at 10:00 PM WAT on Africa Magic Showcase and Africa Magic Family. Episodes will be available on DStv Stream and GOtv Stream, ensuring viewers never miss a moment of the revelations, resolutions and memorable conversations that await.
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