Broadcasting
How ‘Gay Curing’ Claims Led to Shutdown of TB Joshua’s TV Channel
T.B. Joshua, a popular Nigerian televangelist has urged his followers to “pray for YouTube” for shutting down his account after he posted videos on his channel claiming to ‘cure’ gay members of his congregation of their sexuality.
“I got to know what happened to YouTube when I saw the viewers complaining… I want you to help me pray for YouTube… Don’t see them the other way around; see them as friends. We need to be strong,” T.B. Joshua said in a sermon posted on the ministry’s Facebook page at the weekend.
The YouTube channel of The Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) — run by Joshua — was deactivated last week and can no longer be viewed by its nearly two million subscribers.
OpenDemocracy, a media rights group based in the UK, told CNN that it sent a message to YouTube on April 8 asking if the conversion therapy videos did not violate its policies.
“We noticed at least seven videos. In one video, T.B. Joshua slapped a woman and her partner whom he called her ‘second’ (partner) at least 16 times,” said Lydia Namubiru, OpenDemocracy’s Africa Editor.
“He said he was casting the ‘spirit of woman’ out of her,” Namubiru said as she narrated the content of the footage flagged to YouTube and Facebook by her organization. The woman later told Joshua that she no longer felt affection for her partner because of his intervention, Namubiru said.
“In yet another, a young person… is slapped several times and his dreadlocks are shaven off before he testifies that he is no longer attracted to men,” Namubiru added.
YouTube has not issued a public statement on the matter. CNN attempted to contact YouTube for comment but was not successful.
CNN saw an email sent to OpenDemocracy on April 13 by a YouTube spokesperson who stated: “YouTube’s Community Guidelines prohibits hate speech and we remove flagged videos and comments that violate these policies. In this case we have terminated the channel… We reviewed the videos flagged to us and took appropriate action, which resulted in the termination of the channel.”
‘Prosperity gospel’
Emmanuel TV, the broadcast arm of the church, airs in Africa on DSTV — a satellite service owned by South African firm MultiChoice.
SCOAN plays host to dozens of international guests, and local celebrities, who visit the worship center for prayers.
In 2011, Joshua was listed by Forbes as the third-richest pastor in Nigeria with an estimated net worth of between $10 – $15 million.
In a statement posted on Facebook last week, T.B. Joshua Ministries said it would appeal the decision by YouTube to suspend its channel.
“Emmanuel TV’s mission is to share the love of God with everyone — irrespective of race or religion — and we strongly oppose all forms of hate speech! We have had a long and fruitful relationship with YouTube and believe this decision was made in a haste… we are making every effort to appeal this decision and see the channel restored,” the statement said.
The Lagos-based megachurch also called on millions of its followers to protest on social media — Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Youtube — against YouTube’s action.
Reacting to Joshua’s doctrinal methods, a spokesman for the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), an umbrella body of Christian groups in the country, told CNN that the association “does not interfere in how churches are run or how individuals operate their worship centers.”
The YouTube sanction poses a big blow to Joshua, whose ministrations and humanitarian outreaches in different parts of the world are showcased on the popular video platform.
Joshua rose to prominence in the late 1990s following the boom of “prosperity gospel” — a Pentecostal doctrine that hinges good health and financial blessing on the depth of faith an individual is able to demonstrate.
He, however, suffered national infamy in 2014, after a building on SCOAN’s premises collapsed, killing more than 100 people — most of whom were foreigners from South Africa, Chinese state media, CCTV reported.
MTN Group, one of Africa’s leading mobile network operators, has announced a strategic partnership with UK-based video software provider Synamedia to develop a new streaming platform tailored for mobile and fixed broadband subscribers across the continent.
Through the partnership, MTN aims to enhance digital content accessibility and cater to the evolving preferences of African audiences.
“We see a unique opportunity to transform video consumption in Africa with high-quality, accessible, and relevant content,” said Selorm Adadevoh, Group Chief Commercial Officer at MTN Group.
“This partnership enables us to leverage cutting-edge technology and deep customer insights to enhance entertainment experiences and drive digital inclusion.”
With the new streaming platform, MTN enters the streaming market in competition with streaming giants like Netflix, Showmax, Multichoice, and Prime Video.
By leveraging Synamedia’s advanced cloud-based technologies, the service will deliver linear television and video-on-demand content.
It is designed to support various monetisation models, including subscriptions, ad-supported content, and free streaming channels with targeted advertising.
The streaming service will offer locally adapted content based on a curated content strategy.
Each market will benefit from content curated to reflect local cultures, languages, and viewing habits, ensuring that viewers across the continent resonate with its offerings.
“Thanks to MTN’s leadership and innovation, smartphone owners across Africa will be able to enjoy innovative linear TV and on-demand video,” Paul Segre, Synamedia, CEO, said.
“By taking advantage of the breadth of our integrated, cloud-based portfolio to quickly deploy new services at scale, MTN will be able to create a groundbreaking set of offerings for customers and viewers that will drive new revenues.”
Alhaji Mohammed Idris, minister of Information and National Orientation, has said that the federal government has commenced investing in cutting-edge technologies and acquiring state-of-the-art equipment for federal media organisations to ensure effective service delivery.
Alhaji Mohammed Idris, minister of Information and National Orientation,
Alhaji Idris stated this in Las Vegas during discussions with leading broadcast and information companies at the ongoing National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Show 2025.
He said such investments have led to the upgrade and replacement of obsolete infrastructure across radio and television stations owned by the Federal Government.
Dr Suleiman Haruna, director, Public Relations and Protocol, Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, said the ministry was already forging partnerships with broadcast equipment manufacturers to avail local broadcasters the opportunity to benefit from emerging technologies and industry-specific training.
The minister underscored the commitment of government to collaborate with key stakeholders in the global information and broadcasting sector to strengthen Nigeria’s information dissemination framework.
Some of the executives who received the Minister and his team are Thomas King, Chairman of KINTRONIC Laboratories; Enrico Vaccari, COO of Axel Technology SRL; Gianluca Baccalini, System Engineering Solutions; and Calvin Carter, COO of Continental Electronics.
They all expressed their organisations’ readiness to collaborate with the Federal Government to enhance Nigeria’s broadcasting landscape and regulatory agencies.
Alhaji Idris is leading a delegation of senior officials, including Salihu Abdulhamid Dembos (Director-General/CEO Nigeria Television Authority), Ali Muhammed Ali (Managing Director/CEO of News Agency of Nigeria), Charles Ebuebu (Director-General/CEO of National Broadcasting Commission), Dr Lekan Fadolapo (Director-General, Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria), and Jibrin Baba Ndace (Director-General/CEO, Voice of Nigeria).
The NAB show, running from April 5 to 9, with the theme “The Technology, The Trend, The Future”, provides valuable insights into industry trends, covering topics such as Artificial Intelligence, cloud visualization, the creator economy, and sports production and streaming.
The Nigerian delegation aims to forge new partnerships, explore content-sharing opportunities, and enhance collaboration within the global broadcasting sector, ultimately advancing the country’s media industry.
Professor Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, GCON, former Nigerian Vice President, has called for stronger enforcement of Intellectual Property (IP) protections across Nigeria and the African continent.
Speaking during the National IP Stakeholders Forum held at the UN Building, Abuja, in commemoration of WIPO Nigeria 5th anniversary, Osinbajo highlighted the role of innovation and creativity in driving economic growth.
He emphasised the need to enhance copyright enforcement and digital rights management on platforms like YouTube, Spotify and Netflix, urging more support for artistes and filmmakers to protect their works both nationally and internationally. Osinbajo also stressed the importance of safeguarding Nigeria’s folklore and traditional expressions to unlock their commercial potential.
Addressing the challenges of IP enforcement, the former Vice President called for international cooperation, public awareness and legal reforms to combat piracy and protect Nigeria’s cultural heritage.
He also advocated for a unified African IP system to streamline patent rights and create a larger market for African innovators.
Speaking at the event, Director-General, Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), Dr. John Asein, reaffirmed NCC’s commitment to fostering a vibrant IP system through collaboration with WIPO Nigeria Office and other stakeholders. He lauded WIPO’s impact on Nigeria’s IP landscape.
Director, WIPO Nigeria Office, Dr. Oluwatobiloba Moody while welcoming participants expressed gratitude for the continued support from the Nigerian government and stakeholders.
The forum aims to provide a platform for ongoing discussions on IP development in Nigeria.
Some of the dignitaries at the event were the Hon. Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Mrs. Hannatu Musawa; Director-General, NOTAP, Barr. Dr. Obiageli Amadiobi, Representative of Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Onowu, Director-General SMEDAN and many others.
MTN Battles Netflix, Showmax with New Streaming Platform
FG Begin Technical Upgrade of Government-Owned Media
Prof Osinbajo Seeks Stronger IP Protection in Nigeria, Africa
Evans Woherem’s Book, “Building A New Africa” Charts Bold Vision For Africa’s Future
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