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MultiChoice and The rise of Nigeria’s Football Fan Culture

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Football fanship is a means of social bonding that defies ethnic and religious divides among Nigerians. On weekends, avid football fans who profess loyalty to European clubs would do anything to avoid missing their favourite teams’ matches.

Europe is the dream destination for footballers and managers who aspire to perform at the highest level. Little wonder that European teams, particularly those in the English Premier League, Spanish La Liga and Italian Serie A, attract the best talents and boast the largest number of supporters from across the world including Nigeria.

Besides the thrill of exciting matches, many fans identify with these teams for various reasons. For some, support for a countryman plying his trade with a team translates to support for the whole team. Some others support a team out of love for a manager, while others generally develop fondness for a club from recurrent viewing of their matches.

While those who barely watch football wonder why grown men and women display loyalty to teams and players who barely recognize them, the football fans are usually unfaced by criticisms. For them, identifying with a football team brings a sense of belonging among football communities either online or offline, and in some instances, they identify to feel a sense of pride that comes with associating with a winning team.

The ever expanding football fandom in Nigeria would have been impossible without MultiChoice Nigeria. The company bridged the distance barrier that would have made access to European football an exclusive privilege of the wealthy by bringing these matches to the screens of many Nigerians at an affordable rate.

Since its entrance into the broadcasting space in Nigeria in 1993, the company has invested billions of naira to procure broadcasting rights for its flagship sports channel SuperSport, available on DStv and GOtv. It has also employed football experts, analysts, and veteran footballers to provide match analysis and predictions for major leagues and competitions.

As a result, a regular subscriber on GOtv Max can access all matches from top leagues such as La Liga, Serie A, and Europa League, while still being able to access a few matches from the Premier League and the Champions League for just N4, 125. As such, football lovers, regardless of their socio-economic class, can watch their favourite teams’ matches.

And this phenomenon has brought various dynamics of socio-economic benefits for the country. Just as recently, MultiChoice Nigeria hosted a football watch party for fans to share matchday moments together. Such avenues foster togetherness among Nigerians and boost trade activities among vendors.

Similarly, football fanship has contributed its fair share to employment opportunities. There’s hardly a Nigerian community, no matter how small, that doesn’t have a football viewing centre. These centres are run by youth and adults who make good living for themselves by showing premium football matches for fans, who either cannot afford the higher subscription packages, or enjoy the football banter that such centres provide.

As more people show interest in football, it has also birthed sports programmes on broadcast media, sports-focused newspapers, blogs, social media influencers, podcasts among others. Individuals make their source of livelihood from offering these services.

One cannot also ignore the rise of competitions and trivia to reward football fans. The Fantasy Premier League game created by the English Premier League is popular among young Nigerians who use the platform to test their football management skill. Some brands have tapped into this frenzy and created means to reward top performing players.

In the same vein, Nigeria has a teeming population of youngsters, both male and female. MultiChoice has enabled them to watch world-class footballers that can inspire them to aim for a glorious career.  Also, as more Nigerians players ply their trade in Europe, these youngsters have homegrown talents to look up to.

Nigeria has untapped potential in sports. With the commitment of companies like MultiChoice, these potentials can be transformed into socio-economic advantage.


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Ugo Onwuaso is an ICT enthusiast. He believes technology should be used for general good. He holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree from the Lagos state University. Dear Reader, Your support matters. But we believe that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. That is why, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and finance and how they affect lives. Our incisive and analytical view of how technology news affects the daily life help individuals and organizations make up their minds. Quality journalism costs money. Today, we're asking that you support us to do more. Kindly support our effort to deliver technology and finance journalism to everyone in the world. Donate as little as N1,000. Bank transfers can be made to: UBA Plc 1017156876 Communication Week Media Ltd

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NIMC Warns against Using Unauthorised Websites for NIN Changes

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National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has warned Nigerians against modifying their National Identification Number (NIN) data on unauthorised websites.

NIMC Warns against Using Unauthorised Websites for NIN Changes

Dr Kayode Adegoke, head of Corporate Communications, NIMC, issued the warning in a statement released on Monday.

Adegoke stated that modifications to NIN data could only be carried out on the official NIMC self-service portal.

He therefore cautioned that attempting to modify NIN data on unauthorised websites could compromise personal information and expose individuals to identity theft.

According to him, using the official NIMC self-service portal ensures that data remains secure and protected.

“By using the self-service portal, individuals can also enjoy the convenience of updating their information from anywhere, at any time.

“NIMC therefore advises Nigerians to use only the official portal for all NIN modification needs and to avoid unauthorised websites to prevent any potential risks,” he said.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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FG Partners China to Crack Down on Chinese Nationals in Financial Crimes

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Nigeria and China said this week they will cooperate in efforts to crack down on the increasing number of Chinese nationals taking part in financial crimes in the African country.

FG Partners China to Crack Down on Chinese Nationals in Financial Crimes

The joint effort comes after Yu Dunhai, Chinese Ambassador visited Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nigeria’s anti-graft agency, in Abuja.

In a statement posted to the EFCC website, Dunhai expressed regret over the rising trend of Chinese nationals engaged in financial crimes in Nigeria.

He assured Nigerian authorities that the Chinese government is ready to send delegates to work with local law enforcement agencies to address the issue.

At the same time, Dunhai urged authorities to protect the rights of Chinese citizens while investigations are conducted.

Since November, Nigerian authorities have arrested at least 400 Chinese nationals suspected of cybercrime, telecom fraud and illegal mining. Many of them are facing trial.

 

But Nigerian political analyst Chukwudi Odoeme warned that China’s influence over the process could undermine the rule of law.

“The collaboration looks good, but then the relationship between Nigeria and China is something that is suspicious in this particular arrangement,” Odoeme said. “The collaboration may be defeated in the sense that China will have undue influence, and it may even lead to political release of those persons instead of subjecting them through the criminal trial system in Nigeria.”

In the first quarter of last year, Chinese companies provided 23% of Nigeria’s total imports.

Critics argue that Chinese nationals are exploiting trade routes and immigration loopholes to enter Nigeria illegally and engage in criminal activities.

Authorities say many of the arrested Chinese nationals were found to be living in Nigeria without proper documentation.

Public affairs analyst Jaye Gaskia raised concerns about the transparency of the collaboration.

“On what basis are you going into this collaboration? For what purpose?” he asked. “The conversations around trying to develop such collaborative strategies also need to be transparent, so that citizens will be able to interrogate the process to see whether national interest is going to be somehow undermined.

“We have to be careful, and we have to ensure who does the prosecution,” Gaskia said.

“The best-case scenario is for the country not to cede its own sovereignty in terms of how this is going to happen.”

Nigeria’s debt to China exceeds $5 billion — more than the bilateral loans owed to all other countries combined.

Meanwhile, Nigeria is seeking China’s backing to join the grouping of the world’s 20 largest economies, the G20, and secure a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.

But political analyst Rotimi Olawale believes the debt should not influence how Nigeria handles criminal cases.

“I don’t think that the debt we owe China, $5 billion, will affect anything,” Olawale said.

“That’s government-to-government relations. The most important thing is that the case should not be politicized. We must clearly define our rules and uphold our laws.”

Previously, Nigeria’s parliament called for the mass deportation of illegal Chinese migrants.

 

VOA


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QNET’s Push for Women’s Financial Inclusion Gains Traction Amid Global Gender Gap Concerns

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As gender disparities in financial access persist, QNET, a global wellness and lifestyle direct-selling firm, is intensifying efforts to bridge the gap through entrepreneurship. In line with International Women’s Day 2025, QNET is aligning with this year’s theme, “Accelerate Action,” advocating direct selling as a viable economic lever for women’s financial independence.

Recent findings from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) 2024 report highlight the severity of financial exclusion among women. Despite making up nearly half of the global population, 40% of women worldwide remain unbanked—with a 20% lower likelihood than men to hold bank accounts and 17% less access to formal credit lines. This exclusion, affecting 1.1 billion women, is not just a socio-economic challenge but a barrier to sustainable growth.

For companies like QNET, the case for intervention is compelling. Direct selling—often dismissed in traditional financial inclusion discourse—presents an alternative pathway for women to generate income, build financial resilience, and scale entrepreneurial ventures. Through its platform, QNET provides structured mentorship, training, and business resources designed to help women establish independent enterprises.

Biram Fall, Regional General Manager, QNET Sub-Saharan Africa, said, “As part of the United Nation’s Social Development Goals, achieving gender equality to empower all women and girls is a fundamental human right and a necessary foundation for a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable world.

“At QNET, we are committed to accelerating their success by equipping them with business skills, mentorship, and financial opportunities. By offering a flexible and low-barrier platform, we aim to enable women to become entrepreneurs and contribute meaningfully to their families and communities.”

QNET’s commitment to women’s empowerment is evident through various initiatives, such as its signature financial literacy program, FinGreen, which was launched in Nigeria in 2022 to develop healthy financial habits through education and training in the most vulnerable communities, particularly for youth, women and those stepping into entrepreneurship in emerging economies. The programme is important in achieving the UN SDGs and establishing a stable and healthy economy in developing nations.

Akeem Ajisafe, Managing Director of Transblue Nigeria Limited, QNET’s local partner in Nigeria, speaking on the special observance, said, “At QNET, we believe that true empowerment comes from providing women with the right opportunities to succeed. Through our various initiatives, we hope to highlight our commitment to equipping women with the skills and resources they need to achieve economic independence and long-term success – addressing gender disparity in Nigeria and across Africa.”

With a strong focus on financial inclusion and skills development, QNET continues to support women in building sustainable businesses, fostering independence, and driving economic growth. As the world pushes for gender equality, QNET remains steadfast in its commitment to accelerating action and creating a more inclusive future where women thrive as leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs.


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