Broadcasting
Chevron Nigeria Local Content Drive: A Credit to President Buhari and Dr. Pantami
By Bode S. Ojerinde – Ph.D
I read with mixed feelings the piece on Chevron Nigeria and its firm belief and support for local content promotion, notably its many years of patronizing Zinox, an indigenous tech giant.
Mixed feelings because, on one hand, I was delighted and extremely proud of the management of Chevron Nigeria for shining the light, leading from the front and even showing the way to government, other sub-national entities in Nigeria, as well as the hordes of other multinationals operating in Nigeria.
The moving article equally made me proud to be a Nigerian because, most times, Nigeria makes the news for the wrong reasons owing to the actions of a misguided few. But to see a renowned, American-based multinational retaining a strong faith in the capacity of a Nigerian tech company, is something worth celebrating.
But on the other hand, the article also elicited some misgivings within me.
Here we are, hailing Chevron Nigeria, an American-headquartered multinational, for choosing a Nigerian brand ahead of other competing foreign brands, including a few known names from the country where it is based, but we can hardly find Nigerian government establishments and their agencies giving a similar fair chance to local businesses.
This was the biggest contradiction that hit me from that well-written article by a Nigerian US-based academic.
Thankfully, the company in question – Zinox – did not betray the trust reposed in it by Chevron Nigeria. It would have been a missed opportunity if Zinox had failed, maybe when it received the first supply contract from Chevron Nigeria, as I doubt that they would have had a second chance and that door would have been closed forever, even to other local players. Such is the merit-driven and highly competitive nature of the tech sector that it would have been virtually impossible for the management of Chevron Nigeria to consider entrusting its supply contract to Zinox for over 16 years without a strong justification.
We must begin to patronize and promote our best brains, rather than accord unnecessary privileges to foreigners. This is the only way we can employ our youths creatively and reduce security challenges confronting the nation.
I have not met Leo Stan Ekeh, the Chairman of the Zinox Group one-on-one but I have followed his landmark strides in the ICT sector. A huge inspiration, I recall when Haroun Adamu, a former Chairman of the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) described him at an event as a miracle child, a genius. He had told the story of how Leo Stan returned to Nigeria against the advice of his tutors in the UK, eventually leading the current wave of digital democracy that ushered the Nigerian printing and publishing industry into the next level by computerizing all the newspapers, magazines and book publishing establishments in the country.
According to him, Mr. Ekeh, who used to wear an afro back then as a young man, was like a pastor, an evangelist moving from city to city across Nigeria with a lot of energy, taking his message of digital evangelism to various parts of the country and transforming the landscape with his introduction of technology into the entire printing ecosystem.
Also, in 2001 or thereabouts, I was privileged to attend an oil servicing conference at Eko Le Meridien and during a short break, I was able to sneak into another event taking place at the same venue. The event, which had a long list of dignitaries, prominent Nigerians and even diplomats in attendance including the-then Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the Senate President at the time, Anyim Pius Anyim, many serving Ministers of the Federal Republic and Executive Governors, saw the hall packed full, with many people unable to even get in. That was the launch of Zinox and equally the first time I saw Mr. Ekeh from a distance.
I still recall the emotional gesture he made at that event which left many people in tears. Incidentally, it happened within the short period I spent in the hall. After tracing the history of Nigeria’s disadvantaged status as a country which many in the advanced world believe would not experience technology in the next 30 years, Mr. Ekeh had raised his right hand and declared that he was mentally, physically, financially and spiritually prepared to create an IT identity for Nigeria. That gesture got the hall charged and was a remarkable sight to behold. I left the place highly touched as I had to return to the conference I was attending. But that scene remained with me for a long time.
Same Zinox, a few years later, changed the face of Nigeria and other African countries’ elections by deploying digital democracy tools to aid the process.
Nigerian businessmen are not known to stick to one line of business. The majority are always on the lookout for the next big thing to invest in. However, Leo Stan is one man who has remained consistent in his chosen field of technology and his roadmap.
Therefore, it is hardly surprising that the same man, Leo Stan Ekeh backed by his team, has today achieved all he has in the tech sector.
It is gratifying, a sign of hope and a story that is worth telling, especially with the recent revelation of the long years of patronage from Chevron Nigeria, that this man has achieved so much with little or no support from government, still setting records, creating jobs and a bright future for millions of Nigerian youths.
I recall reading in the same article about Chevron Nigeria how well the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo supported local content drive. While I am aware that this was the case, government, at that time, was not really buying a lot of technology products as it was largely analogue in its processes.
There are thousands of Nigerians in the same technology sector who are struggling out there today. Many of them have quietly exited the sector after being unable to keep their heads above water. This brings into sharp relief the commendable efforts of Leo Stan as a shining light who has consistently built new successful businesses, while also expanding the Zinox Group for over 30 years. To see all these happen while not been able to count on the patronage of government is nothing short of a miracle.
Consequently, it was not strange when Zinox made the news early in 2018 with its acquisition of e-commerce brand, Konga. Nevertheless, many had queried the rationale behind Mr. Ekeh’s decision. For some, it was a suicide mission. I also understand that at that juncture, Konga was technically dead, as one of my cousins, who was a merchant trading with the business then, reliably informed me that, before the acquisition, the former managers of Konga had invited them to come and pick up their items warehoused with them. But a new story is being told about that e-commerce giant barely three years down the line. Today, that same Konga was recently reported to have broken a global e-commerce record, becoming the first African e-ecommerce company to turn profitable.
The Chevron Nigeria article represents another eye-opener and I wish to congratulate Zinox and, especially, Leo Stan Ekeh, for what he is building. He has done this for over 30 years without any hint of a scandal which is not an easy feat in a Nigerian business terrain that is prone to blackmail and betrayals. Perhaps, what has saved him from the minefield of subterfuge and the pull-him-down syndrome is the fact that many Nigerians are still analogue and Leo Stan is operating in a sector in which only a few Nigerians really understand.
I would equally like to appreciate the current administration led by President Muhammadu Buhari and the referenced Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Ibrahim Pantami, a young man I admire, for their unequivocal commitment to Nigeria. I believe their clear signal is helping domestication in this sector and I advise other Ministers of the Federal Republic to emulate Dr. Pantami to create jobs for our educated youths and reduce security challenges caused by employment. I also urge them to concentrate some of their efforts in pushing our best talents forward.
Certainly, we must support and promote our best so that other emerging ones can be encouraged to outdo their feats, not only in the area of technology, but in other sectors as well. There have been a few surprises in the fintech sub-sector and in agriculture where some young Nigerians are leveraging technology in transforming the space.
However, there is no doubt that Nigeria lacks new model mentors and world class entrepreneurs in the mould of Leo Stan Ekeh.
The government must promote our best names, men and women whose rise to prominence is documented, people we know their background and their history and not fly-by-night entrepreneurs or undeserving foreigners.
It is by so doing that we can assure these patriotic/successful entrepreneurs of government’s support and encourage them to do more, inspire the next wave of budding entrepreneurs and contribute in building the Nigeria of our collective dreams.
Bode S. Ojerinde – Ph.D. wrote in from Lokoja, Kogi State
Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has upheld the statutory right of the Audiovisual Rights Society of Nigeria (AVRS) to licence hotels and other business establishments for the public use of audiovisual works (movies and films) transmitted within their premises via Pay-TV subscriptions.
This is a landmark judgment that reaffirms the rights of Nigerian copyright holders and strengthens the creative ecosystem.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu, who gave the judgment, dismissed the case filed by Reiz Continental Hotel Limited against AVRS, where the hotel sought a declaration that it could not be compelled to pay copyright fees for audiovisual content (movies and films) accessed through subscription-based broadcasting.
In the ruling delivered on Thursday, July 24, the court held that AVRS, by virtue of its status as assignees of copyright in several audiovisual works, and approved collective management organisation (CMO) pursuant to Section 88 of the Copyright Act 2022, had demonstrated the legal basis of its licencing activities, and was entitled to issue copyright licences to users of audiovisual works belonging to it, including the Plaintiff (Reiz Continental Hotel Limited). Abuja Formula 1 Grand Prix ticketsNigerian cuisine recipes
The court rejected the claims of Reiz Continental Hotel that it was merely a recipient of broadcasts from a pay subscription television service, and therefore not liable to any licence from AVRS.
It held that the activities of Reiz Continental Hotel, operating a hospitality business, which is profit-driven, and possessing several television sets, which transmit audiovisual content, were carried out in contravention of sections 11(b), (c) and (f) of the Copyright Act in respect of the rights held by AVRS.
The court also held that the acts of transmission of audiovisual works by Reiz Continental Hotel, since done in the context of business, were in contravention of section 36(1)(a) and (g) of the Copyright Act, unless licensed by AVRS.
According to the court, the provision of section 36(1)(g) of the Copyright Act, 2022, renders a person liable for infringement of copyright for performing or causing to be performed for the purposes of trade or business or the promotion of a trade or business, any work in which copyright subsists.
The court further held that participation in a collective licencing agreement by the Hotel Owners Forum Abuja (HOFA), of which Reiz is a member, was binding on Reiz and stopped it from denying the validity of the agreement with AVRS.
Speaking on the judgment, Mike O. Akpan, legal counsel to AVRS and principal partner, Alpha-Edge Legal, said that the judgment is not only a legal victory for AVRS and its members, but also a significant affirmation of Nigeria’s commitment to upholding copyright law and protecting creative enterprise. Nigerian cuisine recipes
He added that it establishes a strong precedent for copyright enforcement across the hospitality sector and other commercial users of protected content.
Reacting to the landmark judgment, Mr. Mahmood Ali-Balogun, chairman of AVRS, said: “This judgment is a profound moment for members of AVRS. It affirms the legitimacy of our collective licencing structure and ensures that copyright owners in the film and movie sector are rightfully protected under the law.
“AVRS has always approached licencing with openness, fairness, and a readiness to dialogue. Today’s court decision is a win for our members, the film industry, for Nigerian creators, and for the nation. It strengthens the foundation upon which the creative economy can grow and attract investment.”
Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has refused to release details of the data and privacy rights violation for which it fined MultiChoice Nigeria, despite receiving a Freedom of Information (FOI) request from FIJ.
FIJ otherwise Foundation for Investigative Journalism, is an independent, not-for-profit organisation that combats injustice, holds power to account and speaks for the voiceless.
In its announcement on July 6, the NDPC said it had fined MultiChoice Nigeria N766,242,500 for breaching the data and privacy rights of subscribers and even those who are not necessarily subscribers.
FIJ emailed the data protection commission an FOI request on July 9.
The commission acknowledged the receipt of the email that same day and added: “It has been forwarded to the relevant department and we would respond soon.”
Fifteen days later, FIJ got no other response from the NDPC.
In Nigeria, FOI requests have a seven-day timeframe, and it starts counting as soon as a public institution receives a request for public information.
FIJ understands that holidays, which include a Sunday and a public holiday, are to be excluded in the computation of the timeframe.
The receiving institution is mandated, within those seven days, to either provide the requested information or explain in detail why it is unable to do so based on the provisions of the FOI Act.
Established under the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023, the NDPC’s tasks include safeguarding data privacy, enforcing regulations and promoting responsible data handling in the country.
When the Commission announced the N766.2 million fine against MultiChoice Nigeria, it said the company had violated the privacy rights of subscribers and allowed the illegal cross-border transfer of personal data of Nigerians.
MultiChoice Nigeria operates through various subsidiaries, such as DStv and GOtv. The NDPC said it launched an investigation into the company in the second quarter of 2024.
“NDPC found, among others, that Multichoice violated the data privacy rights of subscribers and their friends who are not necessarily subscribers,” the statement issued by NDPC read in part.
“The Commission also found that Multichoice carries out illegal cross-border transfer of personal data relating to data subjects in Nigeria. The depth of data processing by Multichoice is patently intrusive, unfair, unnecessary and disproportionate.”
FIJ’s FOI request aimed to understand the extent of the data and privacy breaches committed by MultiChoice Nigeria, the remedial measures directed by the NDPC and the specific channels through which the company collected the personal data of Nigerians.
Two weeks after the request was submitted, the NDPC has refused to respond.
Section 7, sub-section 4, of the Freedom of Information Act (2011) states, “Where the government or public institution fails to give access to information or record applied for under this Act or part thereof within the time limit set out in this Act, the institution shall, for the purposes of this Act, be deemed to have refused to give access.”
According to the Act, where a case of wrongful denial of access is established, the defaulting officer or institution commits an offence and is liable on conviction to pay a N500,000 fine.
At the time of this report, there was no publicly documented case of the NDPC granting an FOI request to share more details after an investigation.
In 2023, FIJ detailed how the Nigerian government often violated the FOI Act. Journalists at top newspapers in the country noted that government agencies had a habit of disregarding FOI requests, despite being legally obligated to respond.
Spotify is turning the spotlight toward the next wave of African music innovators with its latest RADAR Africa picks: Nigerian Afrobeats talent FOLA and South African Afro House DJ and producer Thakzin. As part of Spotify’s ongoing commitment to discovering and amplifying emerging voices across Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), RADAR continues to champion boundary-pushing artists shaping the sound of tomorrow.
FOLA, born Folarin Odunlami, first caught attention with his freestyles on social media, quickly making a name for himself with his blend of Afrobeat rhythms and soulful storytelling. His breakout EP What A Feeling, featuring the Bella Shmurda-assisted hit “Who Does That,” laid the foundation for a fast-rising career that now includes collaborations with BNXN, Magixx, and BhadBoi OML. “Looking at where I’m coming from, I see every opportunity as a blessing. So, it’s a blessing to have been selected, just like others before me,” says FOLA. “I want my fans to know that in the midst of all the noise, I made something they could truly connect with, feel and share with those who mean something to them. I want everyone who listens to at the very least, recognise that they’re witnessing the early days of something truly special.”
On the southern tip of the continent, Thakzin’s journey began in Ivory Park, Johannesburg, where early jazz and kwaito influences, plus a deep respect for traditional percussion, shaped his signature sound. With co-signs from Black Coffee and international tastemakers like Laurent Garnier, his genre-defying approach to Afro House, heard in his 2023 anthem “The Magnificent Dance,” is setting global dance floors alight. Following the release of Magnificent Dance, his version of Horns In The Sun by DJ Kent became a viral hit across South Africa and gained global traction, potentially surpassing the success of Magnificent Dance itself. Thakzin’s sound is rooted in African spirituality and healing, inspired by the rhythmic power of traditional drums. Shaped by a musical upbringing and guided by his father, a keyboardist, he blends rich harmonies with percussive elements to create an immersive Afro-house experience. His music evokes emotion, movement, and ancestral energy, anchored in freedom and African expression. In recognition of his role in shaping 3-step, Thakzin was the first cover artist of Spotify’s 3 STEP playlist.
Spotify RADAR isn’t just a platform, it’s a launchpad. It reflects Spotify’s commitment to empowering local artists across SSA and delivering the best listening experience in the region. From Lagos to Johannesburg, RADAR celebrates the diversity of talent on the continent, offering artists equal access to global audiences.
“At Spotify, we believe in the power of African storytelling through music. FOLA and Thakzin are both incredibly unique artists who represent the spirit of RADAR—fresh voices with global potential,” says Phiona Okumu, Spotify’s Head of Music, Sub-Saharan Africa. “By amplifying their journeys, we hope to inspire more creators across the continent to believe in their vision and reach for bigger stages.”
With FOLA and Thakzin stepping into the spotlight, one thing is clear: Africa’s future sound is already here, and Spotify is where you find it first.
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