Broadcasting
Lagos Boosts Creative Industry with Interest-free Loans, Free Training
The Lagos State Government has urged film makers, movie producers, content creators as well as others in the creative sector to take advantage of the intervention funds approved for film production purposes and also explore the windows of opportunities and free trainings provided by the present administration for creative practitioners.
Commissioner for Tourism Arts and Culture, Pharm. Mrs Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf made gave the advice while speaking at the event commemorating the second year anniversary of Mr. Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration at Alausa, Ikeja.
She said that the present administration is greatly committed to improving the quality and standard of film production and the advancement of the huge potentials in the State’s entertainment sector to international standard with its recent partnerships with some household names in the creative sector.
Akinbile-Yussuf disclosed that the Ministry recently entered into partnership with two creative firms, reputable for film production in the country and beyond; Delyork Academy and EbonyLife Academy to train 1,480 creative practitioners in Digital Film making, Documentary, Fashion, Arts and Craft etc.
She informed that this gesture by the government is informed by the need to bridge identified skill-gap in the creative sector and to position residents of the State who are in the creative field to compete globally with their contemporaries.
“As an additional palliative and support for film makers, Governor Sanwo-Olu, earlier this month, approved the constitution of 9-man committee members comprising of veteran film makers and some senior government officials to oversee a seed fund that would be dedicated for film production purposes,” Akinbile-Yussuf added.
According to her, this initiative by Governor Sanwo-Olu, is aimed at addressing financial challenges inhibiting quality film production in the State, stressing that Governor Sanwo-Olu has said that a support up to 40million naira could be accessed based on the recommendation of the committee.
Reiterating that the several interventions by the State Government to the creative sector of the State was in line with the THEMES Agenda of the present administration, especially the Entertainment and Tourism Pillar, the Commissioner called for the involvement of corporate organizations and individuals in empowering more creative practitioners through Lagos State Creative Industry Initiative, LACI.
Akinbile-Yussuf explained that LACI is a concept of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture and an umbrella for the coordination of all creative partnerships with the Ministry.
She noted that the activities of the Lagos State Film and Video Censors Board, LSFVCB, an Agency under the Ministry is essential to the fulfillment of ideas, innovations and programmes being implemented in the Creative Industry.
“LSFVCB oversees the activities of the film industry in the State and had in the last two years carried out its duties of ensuring that filming activities by all movie producers are achieved within appropriate guidelines and conditions established by law”, Akinbile-Yussuf stated.
The Commissioner added that the agency issued 60 film shoot permit to individuals and corporate organization to shoot their films within the State between 2020 to date, stressing that the figure would have been more but for covid restrictions.
She noted that, “Although the COVID19 pandemic dealt with the entertainment sector last year when we have to shut down sector basically, however, the agency was able to license 15 Associations and Practitioners to fully go about their businesses of improving the film industry.”
Speaking on the importance of registering as movie practitioners with LSFVCB, the Acting Executive Secretary of the Agency, Adebukola Agbaminoja said that registered practitioners have an edge over unregistered filmmakers in benefitting from the government.
Agbaminoja advocated meaningful film contents, capable of bringing about positive and desired changes in the society, just as she frowned at the way the business of filming activities is done by some practitioners across the metropolis without recourse to the ethics of film making.
Mr. Tim Akano, New Horizons Chief Executive Officer, took centre stage at the Nigerian Information Technology Reporters’ Association (NITRA) annual end-of-year meeting on Thursday, December 18, 2025, recounting the company’s remarkable growth and reaffirming free IT training for journalists.
Tim Akano, New Horizons Chief Executive Officer, in a group photograph with NITRA Members
Speaking directly to IT media members at the company’s training facility in Lagos, Akano acknowledged the critical role journalists played in supporting New Horizons during its formative years two decades ago.
He detailed how the firm evolved from a handful of staff to one of Africa’s leading ICT skills training organisations, now employing about 500 staff across multiple training centres nationwide.
Akano Spotlights Youth Training, University Partnerships
Akano highlighted that New Horizons has trained over 500,000 youths, particularly tertiary institution students, equipping them with practical IT skills essential for Nigeria’s digital economy.
He announced recent partnerships with universities, including a new agreement with Afe Babalola University, to scale hands-on training programmes for students.
“This growth would not have been possible without the media’s support in documenting our journey,” Akano stated, pledging continued free IT skills training for media members to remain competitive in the evolving digital landscape.
Reciprocal Support Defines Long-Standing Partnership
The venue hosting the NITRA meeting underscored Akano’s generosity; NITRA Secretary Chidiebere Nwankwo secured the free facility after contacting him—a gesture consistent with New Horizons hosting multiple association events and training IT journalists since its inception 20 years ago.
Participants shared personal testimonies of Akano’s support, including veteran journalist Aaron Ukodie, whose daughter—an Accounting graduate from the University of Johannesburg—received NYSC placement and IT scholarship at New Horizons.
The Guardian’s Yemi Adeyemi recounted Akano accommodating his editor’s child for mandatory IT training after other firms declined.
Members praised Akano’s commitment to human capital development as evidence of deep appreciation for the media community that chronicled New Horizons’ success over two decades.
National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has launched the NIMC Pre-Enrolment Portal to revolutionise the National Identification Number (NIN) enrolment process, enabling applicants within Nigeria and in the Diaspora to capture biodata online prior to biometric verification at enrolment centres.
NIMC
Accessible via penrol.nimc.gov.ng, the platform allows users to fill enrolment forms, schedule appointments, upload supporting documents securely, and manage personal details directly, thereby slashing congestion, minimising wait times, boosting data accuracy and enhancing overall service efficiency at centres nationwide.
NIMC Director-General and CEO, Engr. (Dr) Abisoye Coker-Odusote, spearheaded the initiative as part of the Commission’s technology-driven strategy to fortify institutional performance, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda that emphasises digital transformation, efficient public service delivery and inclusive national development.
Dr Kayode Adegoke, Head of Corporate Communications, highlighted key benefits including simplified biodata handling, confidential data protection through robust security measures, reduced physical centre visits and heightened operational effectiveness, urging all prospective enrollees to adopt the portal for a faster, citizen-friendly experience.[conversation_history]
The move underscores NIMC’s mandate under the NIMC Act No. 23 of 2007 to manage the National Identity Database, issue NINs and foster a reliable digital identity ecosystem vital for national planning, with users advised to complete pre-enrolment online before heading to selected centres for biometrics.
MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF), a Pan-African film and television training institution, has announced the opening of applications for its 2026 intake.
MultiChoice
The fully funded programme is open to African graduates aspiring to become directors, filmmakers, scriptwriters, producers and storytellers.
According to MultiChoice, the nine-month accredited curriculum combines online learning with intensive in-person training, and is designed to balance theoretical knowledge with practical immersion.
MTF academies are located in Kenya, Nigeria and Zambia, and serve aspiring filmmakers from 14 African countries. Since its inception in 2018, the initiative has trained 296 filmmakers, with graduates producing more than 42 movies aired on DStv, GOtv and Showmax platforms.
Organisers said alumni of the programme have gone on to establish over 50 production companies, while many continue to work within the MultiChoice ecosystem.
Graduates have also won accolades at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards, Kalasha Awards, Uganda Film Festival and Women in Film Awards.
Applications for the 2026 intake close on Feb. 27, 2026. Interested candidates can visit https://apo-opa.co/3XW53oE for programme requirements.
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