Broadcasting
Airtel, TRACE Roll out Nigeria’s Mobile Device Song Contest

Airtel Nigeria, leading Telecom service providerin collaboration with international music video channel, TRACE (DSTV Channel 325) has announced the roll out of the mobile device song contest tagged ‘Airtel Trace Music Star’, following the unveil of 5678, the special short code for the competition.
Airtel Trace Music Star’ is a mobile song contest which allows contestants to audition right from their phones to earn a chance of becoming the next big music star in Nigeria and Africa in addition to being mentored by global superstar, Akon.
The contestants will be aided by an interactive voice prompt, loaded with bi-lingual functionality in English and Pidgin which will assist in eliminating language barriers and enable youths from across Nigeria to participate in the competition.
Speaking on the initiative, Maurice Newa, chief commercial officer, noted that Airtel’s aim of initiating the platform is to empower Nigerian youths by giving them opportunities to develop their innate skills, achieve their dreams and possibly become the next biggest stars. In his words:
“Airtel is delighted to be associated with TRACE in providing excitement and entertainment opportunities for our teeming customers and music lovers to showcase their talents to Nigeria and the rest of Africa. This initiative is geared towards supporting and nurturing the potentials of Nigerian youths. The uniqueness of this initiative is that contestants are able to express their singing talent through their mobile phones from the comfort of any location they choose’, he said.
To participate in the competition, contestants will need to call 5678 with their Airtel phones and record their songs. The platform also provides an option to rehearse on a phone karaoke that scores the performance.
Once the recordings are done, the auditioning will be carried out by a select group of judges comprising A-list music acts and industry experts. The auditioning sessions for this competition will run for eight weeks after which the organizers will stop taking entries.
Voting will begin immediately after the first set of auditions and will happen for a total of twelve weeks before the final winner is selected. The public will also be able to vote for their favorite contestants whose songs will be selected for the next round. There will be weekly prizes for various categories.
The competition is also taking place across 12 other countries where Airtel has presence; Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda Zambia, Madagascar, Malawi, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Chad, Congo Brazzaville, The Democratic Republic of Congo and Gabon.
The best singing talent in each country will be identified, rewarded and put in competition with the best singing talents of other participating countries to run for the Title of best African Music Talent.
The overall grand prize comprises of a recording deal with Kon Live, a distributed label through Universal Music Group and an intense mentorship programme with Akon in the United States of America.
In his statement, Akon expressed pleasure in joining Airtel and TRACE to develop innovative ways of identifying and nurturing dynamic music talent throughout the continent.
The intersection between technology and artist development is elevated by the presence of this ground-breaking music competition concept.”
Broadcasting
History as TVC News Unveils Nigeria’s First AI-Powered News Anchors

TVC News has broken new ground in Nigeria’s media space with the launch of the country’s first Artificial Intelligence (AI) news presenters.
Rolled out in May 2025, the AI anchors will deliver news bulletins in English, Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, and Pidgin, reflecting the broadcaster’s commitment to technological advancement and linguistic inclusion.
The initiative is designed to enhance news delivery by supporting human journalists, not replacing them.
TVC Communications, the parent company of TVC News, described the development as a milestone in its efforts to integrate cutting-edge technology into broadcast journalism.
“We are thrilled to pioneer this innovation in Nigeria’s media industry,” said Victoria Ajayi, chief executive officer, TVC Communications.
“Our AI news anchors represent a new era in news reporting, and this move underscores our dedication to using technology as a tool for growth and progress.”
Ajayi clarified that the AI-generated content will undergo thorough editorial review.
“Trained journalists and editors will assess every output to ensure it meets our standards of accuracy, balance, and credibility,” she noted.
In response to concerns about the potential misuse of AI, the organisation said it had established rigorous editorial safeguards, including watermarking and verification protocols. It also reaffirmed its adherence to the Nigerian Broadcasting Code and journalistic ethics.
With this launch, TVC News has become a trailblazer in AI-assisted journalism in Africa, setting a bold example for future media innovation across the continent.
Broadcasting
FXTM Academy Hosts Charity Cycling Event, Pedal for Progress

FXTM Academy recently hosted the Pedal for Progress charity cycling event, bringing together 200 participants from cities across Nigeria, including Port Harcourt, Ilorin, Ibadan, Abeokuta, and Lagos.
Held on Saturday, April 19, the competition featured six race categories—Professional Male, Professional Female, Junior Male, Junior Female, Veteran Male, and Veteran Female—allowing cyclists of all skill levels to compete.
The race began at 8:00 a.m., with Juniors completing 10 laps, Veterans tackling 14 laps, and Professionals racing 20 laps, each lap spanning 2.8 kilometers.
Participants competed for significant cash prizes, with winners in the Professional categories receiving ₦800,000, ₦500,000, ₦300,000, and ₦200,000, while those finishing 5th to 15th place earned ₦50,000 each. Junior and Veteran winners also received substantial rewards.
Spectators and participants praised FXTM Academy for fostering unity, sportsmanship, and talent development, with many eagerly anticipating future events.
The academy emphasized its commitment to empowering communities and promoting values such as perseverance, discipline, endurance, and continuous improvement.
FXTM Academy’s Country Representative, Kelechi Ehibudu, highlighted the academy’s dedication to blending sport, charity, and empowerment, setting a new benchmark for community-focused initiatives in Nigeria.
Broadcasting
Davido Unites Superfans in Lagos for Exclusive 5IVE Album Experience, Powered by Spotify

To celebrate the release of his fifth studio album, 5IVE Davido hosted a select group of superfans and media at Ona Restaurant in Lagos for an exclusive meet-and-greet, presented by Spotify.
The event offered a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the Afrobeats superstar, with 50 lucky fans and 5 media partners given the chance to connect with the artist in an intimate setting.
Rather than handing out invitations, Spotify put fans to the test, requiring them to pass a five-question quiz on Davido’s music to earn a spot at the roundtable. Once inside, attendees were treated to an afternoon of music, conversation, and surprises. The event was hosted by Ireculture, who set the tone with her infectious energy, while SmallztheDJ kept the vibe going with smooth, Afrobeats-driven selections.
In true Davido fashion, a playful twist took centre stage: after teasing his absence, the artist made a dramatic, surprise entrance, sending fans into a frenzy. The moment was a perfect reflection of Davido’s personality – engaging, unpredictable, and larger-than-life.
Victor Okapala, Spotify’s Artist and Label Partnerships lead for West Africa, noted, “This event is a testament to the power of music to bring fans and artists closer together. Working with Davido on the release of 5IVE highlights the energy surrounding Afrobeats globally, and the deep connection we see between the artist and his fans.”
The event’s highlight was a close-knit roundtable conversation, where fans shared their love for 5IVE, with “10 Kilo” emerging as an early favourite. Each guest left with a gift box featuring five fashion items from Nigerian streetwear brand Severe Nature, who also designed the official 5IVE merch.
Reflecting on his journey, Davido shared, “When you see artists like Beyoncé, Drake, Kendrick Lamar, and Rihanna, you realise the work it takes to get there. This time, I wanted to go all out, and I’m seeing the results.”
Spotify data underscores Davido’s growing global influence. In the past 12 months, his music has been added to over 12 million playlists worldwide.
The artist’s reach spans key markets including Nigeria, the U.S., U.K., South Africa, and France, with 34% of his listeners aged 18-24 and 41% aged 25-34.
As 5IVE continues to captivate listeners, this intimate event further solidified Davido’s position as one of Afrobeats’ leading voices, fostering a deeper connection between him and his dedicated fanbase.
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